How Detailed Do Builders WANT An Extension Spec / Schedule To Be?

[Nozzle]

Drop the architect - get an architectural technician.

Nozzle

 

[^woody^]

My architect seems quite weak on detailing anything

He's no Architect, not even a technician. Just an idiot plan monkey.

What he is doing, is drawing the minimum needed to pass planning and or building regulation approval. Thats's it. He's not desiging.
These are the worst kind of plan drawers and just lead to the builder scratching his head, having to work stuff out and charging the customer extra for all this.

Listen, this concept appears several times in this thread - you should have a fully detailed and specified set of plans for the builder to price off and give you an accurate quote. It really is that simple. If you don't you may as well leave a big bucket of money next to the mixer for the builder to dip in whenever he feels like it.

 

[John D v2.0]

leave a big bucket of money next to the mixer for the builder to dip in whenever he feels like it.

then when he's making you a cake he can put a sixpence in it for luck!


on a serious note, yes get a better architect, for ours there were 3 main stages of drawings, with significant increases in detail, first design/planning, then building control, then tender pack. There was a few update and critical dimensions marked on when the architect did "construction issue" plans etc, but it turned out the builders were using the tender drawings...

 

[Leofric]

Drop the architect - get an architectural technician.

can't argue with that , an architectural technician working freelance will usually be a lot cheaper than going to a chartered architect .

 

[Nozzle]

can't argue with that , an architectural technician working freelance will usually be a lot cheaper than going to a chartered architect .

And likely have more experience actually getting stuff built.

Nozzle

 

[Leofric]

Some of the comments on this are a bit misleading. It depends what the architect has been instructed to do (and what they are being paid for )
If planning and building regulations approval drawings /specification are what they have been instructed to provide you can't expect a fully detailed specification and any necessary construction details for going out to tender. It can also depend on the person preparing the drawings ,some architectural designers provide more information on building regs drawings than others. You could go on forever giving examples of the various stages of production of drawings for different building projects.

 

[Leofric]

He's no Architect, not even a technician. Just an idiot plan monkey.

CAD monkeys.

 

[Leofric]

And likely have more experience actually getting stuff built.

Yes, in some cases , but these sort of comments are just generalisations

 

[^woody^]

Some of the comments on this are a bit misleading. It depends what the architect has been instructed to do (and what they are being paid for )
If planning and building regulations approval drawings /specification are what they have been instructed to provide you can't expect a fully detailed specification and any necessary construction details for going out to tender. It can also depend on the person preparing the drawings ,some architectural designers provide more information on building regs drawings than others. You could go on forever giving examples of the various stages of production of drawings for different building projects.

Not really. Most customers, like the OP do not know what they want or what to expect.

All they know is that they want an extension built and that needs plans, and may need some or other permissions, and then they need to give the plans to builders to build it.

Whether specifically instructed or not, the designer’s responsibility is to advise what is needed, how it can be achieved, and if producing plans for an extension the implication is that the plans will be suitably detailed for planning permission (if needed), and for building regulations and then for giving to builders for accurate quotes and being able to build to.

It should not be a case of some providing more details than others, rather they should all provide the level of detail that is necessary.

 

[Leofric]

Not really. Most customers, like the OP do not know what they want or what to expect.yes

All they know is that they want an extension built and that needs plans, and may need some or other permissions, and then they need to give the plans to builders to build it.yes

Whether specifically instructed or not, the designer’s responsibility is to advise what is needed, - I know that how it can be achieved, and if producing plans for an extension the implication is that the plans will be suitably detailed for planning permission (if needed),yes and for building regulations yes and then for giving to builders for accurate quotes and being able to build to. yes, builders manged to do that from my drawings

It should not be a case of some providing more details than others , no ,that isn't what I meant but it does happen rather they should all provide the level of detail that is necessary. yes

ps Sorry Woody, being an architectural technician for about 40 years it obviously went to my head and I thought I knew what I was talking about, but to use one of your phrases, my work here is done. Have a good Christmas.

 

[^woody^]

ps Sorry Woody, being an architectural technician for about 40 years it obviously went to my head and I thought I knew what I was talking about, but to use one of your phrases, my work here is done. Have a good Christmas.

You never stop learning. And a happy new year.