Do I need an Architect for an Garage/Pool Outbuilding?

[phykell]

Hi,

 

I've just had a Lawful Development Certificate granted on appeal and I'm now looking at building an outbuilding which will contain a swimming pool and function as a garage.

 

I do have a very general design for the outbuilding but it's more about size/layout and appearance. It doesn't consider alternative building materials or any specifics such as how to support the roof over the swimming pool.

 

I have a very general brief - the building needs to function as a secure garage and it needs to be well-insulated to reduce heat loss from the pool which will be used all year round. I'd like the outbuilding's appearance to be that of a oak-framed structure, with a brick dwarf wall and timber cladding but the oak-frame detail only needs to be visible from the front elevation. I have wondered about it being a proper oak-frame with SIP panels for speed and insulation benefits but I'm a bit worried about security. I think the most cost-effective construction method would be cavity walls, using cheap block/concrete blocks because it's going to be clad in timber anyway. 

 

The question is, where do I go from here?

Can I just approach a builder with all of the above or do I need an architect to write it all up into a building specification (with a structural engineer's input)?

 

Do I approach an oak-frame supplier at this point?

Thanks for looking and apologies in advance for such asking such an open-ended question.

[Redbeard]

How were you proposing to address Building Regs? Even if you use the Building Notice route you will need some dwgs at some point. Even if you could just leave it with a builder (and not all builders will deal with BC on your behalf) they'd want a very tight spec, and would surely expect dwgs, or would your 'general design' set out *exactly* what you want? BTW, why are you worried about security re SIPs?

https://labcfrontdoor.co.uk/projects/garden-work/will-i-need-building-regulations-for-a-swimming-pool

 

[phykell]

1 minute ago, Redbeard said:

How were you proposing to address Building Regs? Even if you use the Building Notice route you will need some dwgs at some point. Even if you could just leave it with a builder (and not all builders will deal with BC on your behalf) they'd want a very tight spec, and would surely expect dwgs, or would your 'general design' set out *exactly* what you want? BTW, why are you worried about security re SIPs?

https://labcfrontdoor.co.uk/projects/garden-work/will-i-need-building-regulations-for-a-swimming-pool

 

Yes, that's a good point - I'd meant to mention Building Control as they need to be involved due to the scale of the outbuilding.

[ETC]

Nah - you’ll be grand - fire away.

[Nickfromwales]

2 hours ago, phykell said:

Hi,

 

I've just had a Lawful Development Certificate granted on appeal and I'm now looking at building an outbuilding which will contain a swimming pool and function as a garage.

 

I do have a very general design for the outbuilding but it's more about size/layout and appearance. It doesn't consider alternative building materials or any specifics such as how to support the roof over the swimming pool.

 

I have a very general brief - the building needs to function as a secure garage and it needs to be well-insulated to reduce heat loss from the pool which will be used all year round. I'd like the outbuilding's appearance to be that of a oak-framed structure, with a brick dwarf wall and timber cladding but the oak-frame detail only needs to be visible from the front elevation. I have wondered about it being a proper oak-frame with SIP panels for speed and insulation benefits but I'm a bit worried about security. I think the most cost-effective construction method would be cavity walls, using cheap block/concrete blocks because it's going to be clad in timber anyway. 

 

The question is, where do I go from here?

Can I just approach a builder with all of the above or do I need an architect to write it all up into a building specification (with a structural engineer's input)?

 

Do I approach an oak-frame supplier at this point?

Thanks for looking and apologies in advance for such asking such an open-ended question.

One of the major failures here, is not testing the pool out properly after completion. 
 

It’s a bit of an imposition, but I guess if you asked nicely, and there was maybe a bbq and some beer, a few of us would be willing to accept the burden. 
 

👀🤞

[Gus Potter]

6 hours ago, phykell said:

The question is, where do I go from here?

You need to cough up and pay for an SE / Designer who knows about this stuff.

 

Try and find a designer that can hold your hand and walk you through the things that need to be considered, how you design the different bits so they fit together and work. They will also help you put together the different work packages so you pay a fair price.

 

The design and execution is much harder than you are probaby aware of. 

 

I have this on my website from Ruskin but is is worth a revisit.

 

“There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person’s lawful prey. It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”