ARCHITECTS & SURVEYORS REGULATIONS & REGULATORY BODIES UK

Regulatory navigation UK:

There are only a few regulatory bodies for architects and surveyors as their criteria are more strict than other professions and certainly trades. You can easily check if a person who says they are an architect is by going to the ARB and RIBA websites and searching.

Architects and surveyors have to be registered and have indemnity insurance for works in case of accidents or problems. Check all this and get a copy of their insurance details before employing them (unless an architect is just employed for conceptual or general design).

Sometimes you see flats or houses advertised as 'architect designed' - check whether this is true as often the seller just makes it up. In fact even TV property shows have shown wannabe developers doing exactly this, with no comment.

If a builder designs something it will be for their ease of building; if a lay person designs it, it will poorly utilise space and miss tricks in getting the most out of a space, which is what architects are trained to do. Also don't let an interior decorator design the physical layout of an interior space - they are there to choose the colours and furnishing.

There are different types of surveyors, eg property surveyors, quantity surveyors, engineering surveyors. Check qualifications as these are important parts of any job.

For Architects

ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION BOARD ARB

Address:
8 Weymouth Street,
London, W1W 5BU

Tel: 020 7580 5861
Fax: 020 7436 5269

ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTANT ARCHITECTS

Address:
98 Hayes Road,
Bromley, BR2 9AB

Tel: 020 83251402

ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS RIBA

Address:
66 Portland Place,
London, W1B 1AD

Tel: +44 207 580 5533
Fax: +44 207 255 1541

For Surveyors

ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS RICS

Address:
Surveyor Court
Westwood Way
Coventry, CV4 8JE

Tel: 0870 333 1600