Who checks site/oversees build/stage payments?

sundae_girl

Hi folks

Myself and hubby are currently in the process of buying a site and our solicitor has advised us to employ an engineer/architect to check the site boundaries are the same on the site as they are on plans, sightlines, position of ESB/Telecom poles, check site conditions to see are they all run-of-the-mill and if there's anything in them which will cost us big dough.

So I rang the architect who drew up the plans and dealt with planning permission for the vendor of the site, as the solicitor said he would "know the area well".

I also asked the architect how much he would charge for signing off stage payments. He said that if I used him for stage payments he would not charge me anything for checking site and conditions, but that to sign off stage payments he would charge in the region of €2000 plus VAT. Is this the going rate?

I am also thinking of getting someone to oversee the main stages of the build as hubby and I are totally clueless.

I checked with a guy I know who teaches Built Environment as a subject and he suggested getting a "building surveyor" to do it instead, as he/she should be equally qualified to do this and a hell of a lot cheaper.

I am totally confused as to the different roles of an architect, building surveyor, quantity surveyor, engineer etc. As far as I can see, their duties seem to overlap when it comes to one-off houses? The guy I know said an engineer was more involved in big construction jobs, like commercial/industrial, bridges, roads,water supplies etc and wouldn't really get involved in one-off houses.

Can someone PLEASE advise which person I am best to go with for checking the site before purchase, checking everything is OK during build and to sign off stage payments during building? And can anyone explain the major differences between the job roles I mentioned above, in plain English so that even I can understand (I am not construction-minded at all!).

And just to be really cheeky, anyone able to recommend a person who can do this in my area? I'm in Monaghan btw and searching Golden Pages is not giving me much!

Any help much appreciated!

kkelliher

Hi

Just for your knowledge

Architect - design buildings and make sure they comply with regulations etc etc

Quantity Surveyor - runs the finances of a project in terms of quantities required, cost control, tendering, general financial mamagement and subcontract running.

Engineer - designs any structural items required including beams, foundations, drainage water etc etc

Building Surveyors are usually qualified at one of the above and mainly survey buildings for any defects.

Alot of the above people can do all of the different jobs on one off houses.

I dont know anybody in monagahan so cant help there sorry

Keith

muffler

It appears that you dont have anyone retained yet and it appears that you are buying a site with possibly full permission - Im a little confused in this regard.

There has been a lot of debate about these issues but if its a one off house of modest scale and design and ground conditions are reasonable then the architect who designs the house should be in a position to both supervise the construction and issue stage payment certs. One person usually does everything and it can be an architect, engineer or technician.

AidoCQS

Look a chimp could build a straight forward house so you dont really need all the roles. If its complicated, then by all means do get yourself all the below. However, agan assuming a straight forward contract you should have at least one independant professional looking out for you.. so decide

If you just need any set of drawings don cheap get a Architectural technician, I think you are beyond tht because there should be some kind of drawings attached to the planning

If there is any issue at all with structures, poor site etc. Make it an engineer. They have a professional responsibility to the structure of a building

If asthetics are important make it a Architect.

If its cost advice, cost control or budget - get a Quantity surveyor. They take pride in saving you money and bringing a job in under budget. They are generally speaking procurement experts. Look though for the two above to be pushed to the rear.

ninsaga

If you are getting the site with Fuling Planning on it & are happy to go with the house style then you may not need an architech. If on the otherhand you want a diff house style & are prepared to go back in through the planning process, then you are better off gettingan architech as opposed to an engineer.
You can employ the architech to cover all aspects here including...
- boundary
- house design
- planning application
- construction drawings & specs
- builder selection
- stage sign off
& of course, the cert of compliance

When buying the site though, you must follow your solicitors advice & have an engineer validate the boundary. I would choose a diff one thanthe vendors as there is a conflict of interest there.

If you are happpy with the house style then have an engineer do all of the above - except the design & planning.

ninsaga