Edinburgh Chartered Architects Network

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Why should I use an architect?

Many people think that altering your home or business premises is just a matter of making a few decisions about removing walls, putting in new fittings, choosing a colour scheme, and then asking a builder to carry out the work. Many home improvement TV shows promote this idea, perhaps in the knowledge that it will provide a rich supply of material for later programmes inviting the viewer to wallow in the misery of home-improvement disasters!

Another concept held by many is that ‘design’ is an added extra, far better to save this cost and buy an already designed package. Many volume home builders rely on this notion, and package up outdated floorplans of staggering banality under status-enhancing labels such as ‘the lanchester’ or ‘the morven’. Dropping these ill-considered structures into an unsuspecting urban landscape creates the suburban dream-come-nightmare. Standard units, perhaps tweaked to give an impression of individuality, are built without any consideration of orientation towards sunshine, view, protection from overlooking or traffic noise. Options to have living rooms opening directly onto a sunny garden, to have separation of teenage and parent living space, to maximise passive winter heat gain, are rarely offered. Minor variations in wall material, giving a precast ‘stone’ surround here, a brick one there, pay lip service to purchasers’ real desires for a home of individuality.

For those who don’t want to fall into the trap, there is an alternative course, which is, to employ someone with a rigorous education on the subject, with experience in the field, and with whom a dialogue can be developed. An architect is such a person. This web-site is designed to lead you through the process of finding an architect, to help you realise your aims. If you are intending to build something new, extend or alter your home or business premises, and care about quality and value for money, consulting and appointing a professional who shares your concerns makes sense.

An architect will help you translate your vision into reality and no matter how small the development or building project is, he or she will bring 3 essential qualities:

Imagination - an architect can lift your project out of the ordinary. Anyone can alter a building, it takes an expert to do it with flair, imagination and style.

Value for money - an architect can find the extra light and space you didn’t know you had, suggest materials you hadn’t thought of, and find the right builder at the right price.

Freedom from worry - an architect has wide knowledge of the construction industry, can guide you through the complex rules, regulations and contracts connected with planning and building, and can monitor all construction work.

An architect will carry out the work you require efficiently and with impartiality. As an added security your architect will provide guidance on all the necessary procedures required to obtain consent for the development. All ECAN architects carry professional indemnity insurance. You will also have recourse to advice from the RIAS, the professional body for architects in Scotland. Such safeguards are not available from builders or from others describing themselves as “Building Consultants”.