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Would an architect not have a portfolio of sketches/ideas for this initial contact?
'Something like this Mr Hammer, obviously tailored to the land?'
'Yep great, where do I sign?'The problem I am having at this very early stage is that the building firms around here (not london) all appear to want to build a brick box with small windows...
Dramatic_Hammer-
It sounds like yes, you could be a client for an architect., maybe if you want to have that experience and a different result.
I would say they will/should be able to synthetise their experience, your expectations ( possibly early ideas and sketches) and budget, and to offer a solution that would be a better return on money than you would have ever envisaged.
whereas a construction firm will offer you their base design with a spreadsheet of specs and some extras.
where are you based ?
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I doubt they would have ideas or sketches for initial contact, every site is unique so bringing generic ideas would not really be helpful to anyone, their portfolio/previous work should be the references you need.
It sounds like using a good architect is what you want/need as builders stick with what they know, outside of London I imagine its even worse.
IMO the things that make almost the biggest difference is the glass, so work out how much you wanted to spend and type and choose accordingly (Max light for sliding doors and pivot doors, Velfac for French doors). A flat roof will allow for simpler roof lights which are all about 1K a pop and look the same.
If you have a strong idea what you want you could draw up rough plans, get hive mind input, and then get the technical stuff done by Resi (online "architects").
My references that I shared with our Architect: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/chrispgordon/final-references/
Glws
chrisbmx116
sorry i may have appeared bitter or whatever
the word "bouncing off" triggered me. I have seen this scenario play out a lot where potential clients will expect a few ideas and sketches they can almost walk with, ahead of appointing the designer. Which is not realistic when it comes to fees and workload.
@andyfallsoff You are right to expect to and fro about ideas with an architect, but the amount of it all depends on the size of the project. In the case of a small extension as sketched above, the bulk of the work is not in the design and aesthetics but in the actual drawing, tender, linking with the contractors
A design&build company is often better suited to this type of job as corners are already pre-cut, if i may shoot myself in the foot here.
caveat emptor : i am not a practising architect but obviously work in the field.