Justin Smith, managing director of Justin Smith Architects, a tenant at Friar Gate Studios, gives us his top tips.
1. Have you thought of building your own home or extending your current property?
Remember that vat applies to all elements of an extension at the current rate 17.5%. Currently, new build properties are zero rated for vat on all materials and labour.
2. Have you heard of the Feed-in Tariff (Clean Energy Cashback) scheme?
Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) became available in Great Britain from of 1st April 2010. Under this scheme energy suppliers make regular payments to householders and communities who generate their own electricity from renewable or low carbon sources such as solar electricity (PV) panels or wind turbines.
The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system, as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to grid. These payments are in addition to the bill savings made by using the electricity generated on-site.
Once you have a microgeneration technology installed you should experience a monthly reduction in your electricity bill and then receive an income from your Feed-in tariff (clean energy cash back) provider. However, if you have taken out a loan to pay for the installation you will have to make monthly repayments to your loan company. Feed-in tariffs are designed so that the average monthly income from your installation will be significantly greater than your monthly loan repayment (with a 25 year loan).
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3. Did you know to actually be able to advertise and call yourself an ‘architect’ you need to be registered with the Architects Registration Board?
Registration requires that you have carried out the seven years of study and passed the exams; you adhere to a strict code of conduct; carry professional indemnity insurance and carry out CPD, continuing professional development. This is all to protect the public interest. Those advertising as ‘architectural designers’ will not be subject to these requirements.