As a business owner it’s not every day you go about hiring an architect for your premises. And yet it’s so crucial that you know what you’re doing. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in this physical structure, after all, so it’s important you get something you like.
So, in order to help make that decision easier for you – i.e. which commercial architectural firm to go for – we’ve highlighted a few considerations for you right here:
How Experienced Are The Firm?
A company may be great at designing supermarkets but if your business happens to be in the services or sports sector then you’ll want someone who has experience in designing this type of outlet. It’s also a good idea to hire an architectural design firm which is local to the area in which your business premises are located so that they have a good understanding of planning regulations and, even better, have excellent contacts within the local authority’s planning department. Really, the last thing you want is for your architect to be learning as he or she goes along...
Are They Good Communicators?
You’re going to be spending a lot of time with your architect so it’s important you get on well with him or her and that you both understand what each other are trying to convey. Do they listen to what you’re telling them about your own ideas of design etc, or do they just steamroller ahead with their own notions of what your premises should look like? Misunderstandings in a project of this size can prove extremely costly so it’s important to know from the off that you can communicate well together.
Do They Seem Up-To-Date?
We don’t just mean in terms of design style and materials here but rather in terms of IT. In other words, do they use Computer Aided Design, 3-D technology, Artificial Intelligence and other software to highlight their project diagrams? This is something you would expect from most architecture firms these days, showing they were familiar with new advances. If their website and computer aided design facilities are poor after all, what does that say about their design or finishes?
Looking to have your commercial premises upgraded, renovated or are you starting out from scratch and looking to completely remodel new premises? If so, we’d be happy to provide a free no-obligation consultation here at BDS Architecture. You can take a look at some of our previous projects as well as find out more about us from our website or call us on 01332 830313.
