Architect

When Is an Architect Required?

An architect is not only required when designing a new house. In many cases, professional architectural assistance becomes essential at the final stage of the property approval process, when documentation for building commissioning is being prepared.

You may need an architect if:

• the house was built with deviations from the approved design;
• the building dimensions were changed during construction;
• the internal layout has been modified;
• a terrace was added or enlarged;
• the roof shape or structure was altered;
• windows or doors were relocated;
• the building facade was modified;
• an extension was constructed;
• a garage, carport, or outbuilding was added;
• part of the project documentation is missing;
• completed reconstruction works require approval;
• project amendments must be prepared;
• the Būvvalde has issued comments on the project;
• documentation for building commissioning needs to be completed.

In all these situations, the architect assesses the scope of work required and prepares documentation that complies with the current building regulations of Latvia.

If the House Was Not Built According to the Approved Design

This is one of the most common situations faced by private homeowners.

During construction, many owners decide to enlarge the kitchen, modify the internal layout, install additional windows, expand the terrace, or redesign the roof structure. Sometimes these changes are recommended by the contractor, while in other cases they are made at the owner's request during construction.

The issue usually becomes apparent much later-when preparing documents for building commissioning.

The Municipal Building Authority (Būvvalde) verifies whether the completed building complies with the approved design. If significant discrepancies are identified, the owner may be required to amend the project documentation before the building can be commissioned.

In such cases, the architect:

• inspects the property;
• compares the completed building with the approved design;
• determines which modifications require formal approval;
• prepares project amendments;
• coordinates the required documentation;
• supports the process until all comments issued by the Būvvalde have been resolved.

The sooner these discrepancies are identified, the faster and easier it is to complete the approval process. For this reason, we recommend consulting an architect before submitting the full set of documents to the Municipal Building Authority, rather than waiting until official comments have already been issued.

What Documents Does an Architect Prepare?

During the house commissioning process, an architect is responsible not only for architectural design but also for preparing the documentation required to successfully complete the building registration procedure. The required documentation depends on the specific project. In most cases, however, the architect determines which documents need to be prepared, updated, or supplemented before submission to the Būvvalde.

If the original house design was prepared many years ago or part of the documentation has been lost, the architect will assess whether it can be restored or whether new documentation should be prepared in accordance with current Latvian building regulations.

In many cases, properly prepared project amendments help avoid repeated document submissions and significantly accelerate the building commissioning process.

Why Contact an Architect Early?

Many homeowners seek professional assistance only after receiving comments from the Būvvalde. At that stage, correcting deficiencies usually requires additional time, further approvals, and often increases the overall cost of the project.

Consulting an architect before submitting your documents makes it possible to identify discrepancies between the approved design and the completed building in advance, determine which amendments are required, and prepare the necessary documentation without unnecessary delays.

This approach helps to:

• reduce documentation processing time;
• avoid repeated project submissions;
• minimize the risk of rejection;
• reduce additional costs;
• complete the house or building commissioning process more quickly.

If you are planning to commission a private house, summer house, outbuilding, or any other property, do not wait until you receive official comments from the Būvvalde. A preliminary review of your documentation often resolves most issues before the formal approval procedure begins.

Architect Service Fees

The cost depends on the size of the property, the complexity of the modifications, the condition of the existing project documentation, and the scope of architectural work required.