How to find a freelance architect

Why choose a freelance architect?

Freelance architects are particularly suited for small domestic projects, for example:

• extensions, renovations and loft conversions;
• homeowner planning applications;
• sketch drawings for builder’s quotes.

Image above by Oana, Freelance architect on Design for Me. See more of her work and shortlist her for your home project here.

Value for money

Freelancers can offer very competitive fees as they will have much lower overheads than companies. Also, when it comes to the design and specification of your project, a freelancer will be much more used to working with tight budgets. They are usually very good at getting the most out of your money for the best result.

A wealth of experience and expertise

Freelance residential architects usually work locally and exclusively on small, private residential projects. All the specialist knowledge required for designing and managing home projects will be at the tips of their fingers: from architectural detailing, space planning, knowing the ins and outs of the residential planning system, party wall matters, and how to deal with small contractors and tricky neighbours.

Your project will be important to them

It’s likely that they’ll only have a couple of projects on their books at one time, so your job won’t get buried under a stack of higher-budget jobs. For freelance architects, each job is critical to their growth and portfolio, so it’s likely they’ll take a great deal of pride in the design and management of your project. Many of the freelancers on Design for Me are young ’emerging’ architects, so it’s a clever idea to hire them before they hit the big time – they’ll be full of energy and enthusiasm for your project, and you’re likely to get a stunning design as they build their reputation.

Your architect will be your only point of contact

In a larger company, where workflow requires careful management, individual architects and designers might shift between jobs as needed, often not seeing a job through from start to finish. With a freelancer, you know that you’ll have one point of contact for the whole project.