Survey Cost?

broadsheet

Guys any idea what a survey should cost? Its of a small 3 roomed cottage, outbuildings, on about half an acre. My sister has given the architect a brief including rough scaled drawings yet he has insisted on this survey.

Is he correct must it be done?

and

Roughly what should the survey cost?

muffler

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "survey".

Does the architect want to measure the place for the purpose of preparing a plan of it?

Is it a structural survey?

Is it a survey for mortgage purposes?

On one hand you are asking how much it should cost and on the other you are asking if its necessary. You need to be more specific.

In any event prices will vary depending on where you are located and who you engage.

broadsheet

Sorry, my sister has engaged with an architect to do some drawings for conversion of old outbuildings. He insisted doing what he called a "survey" of the existing house and outbuildings. She has received a drawing of existing buildings based on his "survey" which consists of an aerial type drawing of the outline of buildings and side profiles with measurements etc. I'm not so sure that she needed such a survey and drawings as all she wanted was plans drawn for the conversion/extension of outbuildings.

She has engaged a small rural practice and he refused to discuss costs until he got a better understanding of what she wanted. In the meantime he completed his survey on site over 3-4 hours, she furnished him with her own scaled rough drawings to give him an idea of what she wanted so that he could give her a more polished version.

Before he looks at her drawings etc he has presented her with a bill for initial works which is way over the top in my opinion. Can someone give me a rough idea of what he should have charged for this "survey" and one drawing.

RKQ

This practice should be able to give a price based on your sisters brief.
I understand that your sister might give rought sketchs, with ideas of what she would like to do.

However, I can understand why your Architect needed to measure the buildings, in order to be able to see if your sisters ideas were viable.
At this point I must assume that the conversion is two storey or one and a half! This would definately require a survey of the structure, to get ridge heights in relation to floor heights etc.

If the Architect spotted large cracks in the walls or wet rot, they may be refering to a Structural Engineers report or a specialist damp survey.
It is difficult to understand which, from the information supplied!

A detailed site survey, levels and drawing up existing buildings fully to scale could cost anything from €500 to €1500 +vat depending on amount of time/number of buildings/ region etc. ( 3-4 hours on site is quite a time!)

A Structural Engineers Survey could cost €350 plus vat minimum. A specialist damp proof company would carry out the surey for free based on you purchasing materials from them / they rectify the problem - dry rot, chemical dpc etc.

What exactly is your sisters brief?
More information is required to answer your query.

broadsheet

She hadn't given him a brief when he insisted on this survey. In the meantime she has been presented with a bill for €2,200 which I think is extreme before they even discuss plans. The bill has come in the form of a letter with no breakdown of the costs or hours spent.

Surely an architect like a solicitor should give an indication of costs before commencing the job, equally she should have insisted on an idea of costs.

Poor Uncle Tom

Yes and your sister should ask for a break down of the bill. I hate that where you are left with a bill and a blank, wondering where you go from there and who you contact, and what it will finally cost. It takes nothing to put together a comprehensive bill , time, copies, prints, maps, etc., etc., please ask for a breakdown, items like that let us all down.

RKQ

I agree fully with Poor Uncle Tom.

Get an itemised breakdown of all costs to date and a quote for all future works - sketch designs, planning permission application and working drawings / inspection if required.
I am suprised your sister let the Architect survey her property without asking for some indication of costs!

Builderfromhell

I normally follow these steps with new clients;
Agree to meet to discuss project, emphasise no charge for this as they may not want me or project may not be viable.
Send link to Web page with samples of my work and contact numbers of clients whose work has most recently been completed.
Standard letter outlining services provided and fees charged. Typically deposit, percentage when design agreed, balance when planning applied for.
I rarely don't get job on initial meet. Letter eliminates ambiquity for both parties.

I can see why Architect would require survey. Levels etc. for Planning. I usually do my own surveying.

It sounds to me that the bill is excessive and was not discussed before work commenced. I know if I billed people like that they would tell me what to do with the bill. I am a firm believer in paying what is due but in this case I would pay what is fair and get another Architect. You need to work with someone you feel comfortable with.
Good luck.

broadsheet

Thanks guys, yes I thought this price was a bit high and very unfair considering that he refused to discuss fees in advance.

I know she shouldn't have been stupid enough to let him go ahead without agreeing fees but in my opinion I think he is taking advantage of a woman who knows little about the process.

RKQ

Does he ware a poncho and ride a horse or wear a balaclava?
People who refuse to discuss or agree fees up front give us all a bad name.

Builderfromhell is doing it the right way, the professional way.

Get an itemised bill and consider paying whats fair.... then engage a professional!
Best of luck.:)