I was lucky to grow up with an architect as a dad, and like most children of architects, I have tales of being quizzed on types of columns and dragged around churches on childhood holidays.
As I’ve grown into adulthood, being able to ask him for advice on all things house related has been incredibly valuable. Earlier this year, I started a new role with the Royal Society of Ulster Architects, the representative body for architects in Northern Ireland, and have since enjoyed being able to chat to my dad about his experience working as an architect with more of an understanding of the industry. I even got the chance to sit down with him to pick his brains. So, here’s dad’s advice for planning work on your home and (a little selfishly on my behalf) what to look out for when buying your first home.
Firstly, what one piece of advice would you give to anyone looking to buy for the first time?
Well, it’s tricky to keep it to just one thing, but I’d say it’s important to try and look past the finishes. If you’re viewing a house, try and get a feel for the spaces. If the bones are good, the house gets plenty of light and you like size and orientation of the rooms, that’s more important than liking the countertops in the kitchen. Seeing the potential of the house is key.
Ok, I’ve got the house, but I want to make some changes. What’s the first step to take when you want to do work on your house?
I think the best place to start when planning work on your house is to consider the space you already have. When I meet with a client, the first thing I do is talk to them about how they live in the space, as well as how they would like it to change. Bringing in a fresh pair of eyes can help you identify the problems.
The root issue isn’t always what you thought it was and that’s why considering all your options in the design stage is so important.
I like to generate different options for clients as it helps them see solutions they might not have considered before. The benefit of the design stage is that you can move things around on paper. You also go into the build stage with more confidence – you know you’ve considered all your options and come to the one that best suits you and your needs.
Are there any mistakes people make when planning work to their house?
When you have a problem with your space, it can be easy to jump straight to building new floor area with an extension, but there might be an easier (and cheaper) solution if you look at reconfiguring what’s already there instead. Clever rethinking can free up space for other uses and, as a rule of thumb, it won’t cost as much as adding more floor area because you’re working with what’s already there.
So, now I know what I want to do with my space. Any planning tips – when do you need planning permission for doing work and when do you not?
You’ll need permission from building control any time you’re doing demolition or building work on your house, but you don’t always need planning permission. Permitted development rights mean you’re allowed to do a certain amount of work without planning. There are other parameters to this, like an extension has to be a certain distance away from boundary walls or it can’t be to the front of the house. If you’re not sure which permissions you’ll need, my advice would be to consult with an architect. They can give you a steer.
Thanks for your advice, dad! I still won’t let you reconfigure my childhood bedroom…
Kevin McClelland is an ARB registered architect and a member of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects
