How to appoint an architect in the UK: contracts, fees and the ARB

Who can call themselves an architect

In the UK, the title "architect" is protected by law (the Architects Act 1997). To use it, a person must be on the register kept by the Architects Registration Board (ARB). The law protects the title, not the work: other people may design buildings, but cannot call themselves architects. You can check the register online. Some architects are also chartered members of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) or members of other professional bodies, which have their own standards of conduct and competence.

Find candidates

• Ask friends, neighbours and colleagues who have built.
• Look at work you like, and find who designed it.
• Search the directories of professional bodies.
• Visit completed projects, and ask owners about their experience.

In the UK, the title "architect" is protected by law (the Architects Act 1997).

Questions to ask

• Registration and insurance. Are they on the ARB register, and do they have professional indemnity insurance? The professional code expects architects to hold adequate insurance.
• Experience. Have they done similar projects, with similar budgets and in your area? Do they know the local planning authority?
• Approach. How do they work, who will do the work, and who will you deal with?
• Time. When can they start, and what is their capacity?
• Services. What is included? Design, planning, technical drawings, tender, site visits, contract administration? See The RIBA Plan of Work.
• Fees. How are they calculated, and what is not included?
• References. Can you speak to past clients?
• Fit. Do you get on? You will work together for a long time.

Fees

Common ways of charging are:

• A fixed fee for defined services.
• A percentage of the construction cost.
• Time charge, by the hour or day.
• A mixture, such as a fixed fee for early stages and a percentage afterwards.

Ask what each includes, how changes are charged, and how much "extra" work might cost. Remember that other professionals, such as engineers, surveyors, planning consultants and party wall surveyors, may be extra. See How architects set their fees.

Get it in writing

A written appointment should set out:

• the parties and the project;
• the services to be provided and those excluded;
• fees and when they are paid;
• the programme and responsibilities of each side;
• who owns the copyright in the designs and how you may use them;
• insurance and liability;
• how changes, disagreements and termination are dealt with;
• who is the principal designer if CDM applies. See CDM Regulations.

Professional bodies publish standard forms of appointment. Ask a lawyer to check anything you are unsure about.

Be a good client

• Give a clear brief and a realistic budget.
• Make decisions on time.
• Pay on time.
• Be honest about changes.
• Listen to advice, and also ask questions.

If things go wrong

If you are unhappy, speak to your architect first. If it cannot be resolved, there are complaints routes through the practice's procedure, the professional body, and the ARB for conduct. Take legal advice.

In short

Check registration and insurance, ask the right questions, understand fees, and put a clear agreement in writing.

Start a project