Extension

honeymonster

I was thinking of getting an extension done on my house, some thing like this



The extension is about 12ft x 16ft but on 3 levels g, 1st 2nd does anyone have any idea how much something like this might cost. (I knocked on your mans house, no answer)

Also I picked some random architect out of google and he wanted 14k! My dad use to use a guy who charged IR£700 like five years ago or something. If you know any cheapest architects would you mind sending his number my way.


Best Regards,

Stephen

Mellor

14k for building it or just the architect fees.

ircoha

op: great picture, any chance of one from the front, would love to see it!

Re the cost the 14k is fees only.

Re estimates of pricing u can get an indication from

http://www.scs.ie/publication/Homeowners%20guide%202005.pdf

Idleater

Mellor wrote:

14k for building it or just the architect fees.

I would hazard a guess that €14k is the architects fees for designing the building, drawing up the plans, specifying the materials (and any support beams etc), going through the planning process, drawing plans for a builder, organising tenders for builders, overseeing the build while it is being done and certifying the building afterwards.

I would also hazard a guess that the €14k is probably 14% of the build cost of the extension.

Finally, a wild stab in the dark, but the £700 that honeymonster's father paid, was probably for plans being drawn up.

L.

Mellor

I'd pretty much agree with everything there.
The architect wont do all that work, but he will get it to somebody who can.
And 14% is too much. 10% is standard.

Idleater

Mellor wrote:

I'd pretty much agree with everything there.
The architect wont do all that work, but he will get it to somebody who can.
And 14% is too much. 10% is standard.

My architect is doing all that work. And as regards the percentage, the "lower" the cost of the project the higher the percentage.

Ie, it might be 16% of a single story €50k, 14% @€;100k, 12% @ €150k, 10% @ €200k etc.

Well, that at least is the way the RIAI told me the structure was like, and similarly what the architects that I was speaking to said.

L.

Mellor

Some probably do use those charging scales.
But i've seen 10% on 50k projects too.
When I said the architect won't do all that work, i meant him personally. As in he will get his engineer to spec beams etc.

Idleater

Mellor wrote:

When I said the architect won't do all that work, i meant him personally. As in he will get his engineer to spec beams etc.

Oops sorry! you might be correct in that one, havent reached that stage yet. But at least all that work is covered in the agreed fees.

L.

Kashkai

Building costs vary wildly from one guy to the next - I received four quotes for the 1,500 sq ft extension to my house - the lowest was €160k with the highest coming in at €266k.

As for Architects, I wanted to deck the eejit that I took on. He was registered with the RIAI and had loads of pictures of his previous work. He gave us an outline sketch of what he was proposing and it looked great. Trouble is, after three months of him tinkering with it, he then told us it probably wouldn't work and then he proceeded to offer us ridiculous drawings that got weirder and weirder each time. In the end, I called time when I got one drawing with a roof that angled up and down five times in different directions. He got offended when I told him I wanted a traditional hipped roof and said if I wanted to design my own home, I should go to Eason's and get a book.

Have a go at designing the extension yourself as you'll be the one living in it. Architects have airy fairy ideas that might look good on paper but might not work in reality. An engineer, building consultant or draftsman can also do drawings for you. Don't be codded by the bull**** put out by the RIAI that you'll get into trouble if you don't go with one of their "professionals". I used one of their members and he was a complete plank. A guy who works for me also took on another RIAI architect and he's been chasing him around looking for amended drawings as the original design won't work now that the builder is trying to put the plan into reality.

Finally, under competition codes of practice, Architects cannot adhere to the fee structure recommended by the RIAI. They have to quote their own fees and you should shop around if you want to go with one of them.

Last word, a good recommendation for a builder/architect from a friend, colleague etc is better than trawling through the golden pages as there are a lot of eejits out there who will take your money and leave you with an extension that you won't be happy with.

honeymonster

Thanks for the advice. I know exactly what I want to do. Firstly, I need someone just to draw out the plans for the planning permission first. Id do it myself if they'd let me.

Stephen

ircoha

Thanks for the advice. I know exactly what I want to do. Firstly, I need someone just to draw out the plans for the planning permission first. Id do it myself if they'd let me.

there is no rule re who preps the drawings, all they need is someone to contact with questions

the web site for the CoCo will tell u what u need, u dont need big flashy drawings, there is a list of minimum requirements

Mellor

If you think you can draw the plans to a high enough standard to get planning then go ahead. Anybody is allowed to submit an application. It will save you money.
IMO an architects weakest point is construction knowledge. They start with a finished looking building and then try get a structure to work.
A architectural technologist will start with a structure and then works towards finishing it.

honeymonster

honeymonster wrote:

Thanks for the advice. I know exactly what I want to do. Firstly, I need someone just to draw out the plans for the planning permission first. Id do it myself if they'd let me.

Stephen

I did all my own drawings for my planning permission and had NO problems at all, all the council are interested in is what it will look like, how big, where it will go on the site and what it is going to be clad in.

The councils seem to be more interested in the builds impact on the local environment than in the detailing on the drawings.

If it is a standard type of construction (page 75 out of a book) then it's even easier.

MonaLisa

Hi all,
Does any of you good people know a Honest Builder and an Arch. in order to convert a Garage and also to build an Extension.

I know fI need a Planing fpermission for the job. But I have a difficulty finding some one that would do take the job and deliver...!

I would be grateful if you could recommend someone and feel free to PM (if Possible) The property is located in Portmarnock/Malahide.

Many Thanks for your help.
Mona