Planning and building drawings (Galway)

Curious Geroge

Guys, I'm looking to find an experienced planner / architect to get me through the planning (planning permission) stages and hopefully start a build later this year.

I'm currently looking to build a new house (2 story approx 4K sq ft) in Galway county but I'm having alot of trouble in finding anyone to do the plans. I have a good idea of what I want but need to get the plans done up (including the builders drawings) but have been getting outrageous quotes ranging from 4K all the way to 36K (YES, only for planning, not for building!! so pls don’t disagree as I've confirmed it with all quotes).

I do know there is a difference between a planner and an architect but since I know what I want I'm hoping that a planner would be able to bring experience of how too put it all together for me.

Now, I'm hoping someone around Galway might be able to put me in contact with someone they've worked with or have heard good off. If you have experience working with anyone and you don’t mind sharing your costs or estimates, that would be great.

Also, what sort of finish costs should I be considering around Galway in the current climate as a self build. I was considering a total cost of <65 sq ft but its difficult to know until I get started.

muffler

Not sure of prices in your area but maybe allow (and this is a guess) about €80/ft2 for a self build.

For recommendations just to remind people that if they have anyone specifically in mind then please PM the details and dont post them here.

thunderRoad

the figure quoted above would be a more realistic figure if ur tryin to get a descent finish, i'm currently building in headford area and can pm u the details of thr arc tech i'm using, find him pretty good, though i'm at early stages (raft)

Retro-Fit

4000 sq ft? who needs that much space. What's this obsession with floor area, being bigger than johnny down the road. An enormous McMansion that costs 4000k to heat per annum. Designed by the local draftsman to face the road with conservatories and bay windows and all manner of hipped roofs and turrets. Big windows to the north and a dark interior filled with a labyrinth of dark corridors and mould filled corners. On a windy day the air whistles through the house from the window cills up to the leaky dormer. whose temperature drops to outside temperature within a couple hours of the heating timing off?
Do you really want a 4000 square foot pattern book mock Tudor helicoptered into a field in Galway. €100 euro a square foot put through planning for €3k. Brilliant.

You're going to live in this house for the rest of your life and pass it on to your kids, unless you're one of those speculators who have built the Celtic tiger. your bill of 4k will be 40k in twenty years at projected energy costs. why not build 3000 square foot for the same price to passive level, no conventional heating system required, and a bright airy comfortable building. Its not worth scrimping on a good designer and contract administrator, these services can be provided by architects and good technologists.
Value for money extends beyond build completion, Invest wisely and stay away from cavity walls.

muffler

Retro-Fit wrote: »

4000 sq ft? who needs that much space. What's this obsession with floor area, being bigger than johnny down the road. An enormous McMansion that costs 4000k to heat per annum. Designed by the local draftsman to face the road with conservatories and bay windows and all manner of hipped roofs and turrets. Big windows to the north and a dark interior filled with a labyrinth of dark corridors and mould filled corners. On a windy day the air whistles through the house from the window cills up to the leaky dormer. whose temperature drops to outside temperature within a couple hours of the heating timing off?
Do you really want a 4000 square foot pattern book mock Tudor helicoptered into a field in Galway. €100 euro a square foot put through planning for €3k. Brilliant.

You're going to live in this house for the rest of your life and pass it on to your kids, unless you're one of those speculators who have built the Celtic tiger. your bill of 4k will be 40k in twenty years at projected energy costs. why not build 3000 square foot for the same price to passive level, no conventional heating system required, and a bright airy comfortable building. Its not worth scrimping on a good designer and contract administrator, these services can be provided by architects and good technologists.
Value for money extends beyond build completion, Invest wisely and stay away from cavity walls.

You havent seen the plan of this house and you certainly dont know the OPs circumstances so please refrain from making speculative and derogatory comment.

Infraction given.

Curious Geroge

Retro-Fit, if your not going to answer the question pls dont post. Its not an opinion i'm looking for, its a cost !! Your thoughts are your own so if someone asks for your thoughts pls do feel free to provide them. For the record, I'm not asking.

sinnerboy

OP - Can't directly answer your query - I am based on the East coast .

But you really should look for an experienced building designer who is also a BER assessor . I know you have a fair idea of what you want but a BER assessment may prompt a re think - before you start works - best time . An architect , architectural technician who is also a BER assessor would be your best bet . Look for someone who is at home with ( no pun intended ) building methods that provide highly insulated and air tight construction . Don't pick on price alone

wlstan

What style house are you looking at designing? are there restrictions in the area which may make the planning application more difficult than other areas?

Retro-Fit

Sorry Curious George, went off a bit there.

Build costs self build North Mayo, €75 per square foot 2007 budget, Arch fees €6,000 planning supervision and certs. 1800 sq ft Conventional build builders finish, mahogony windows u1.4, cavity wall u .25, slate roof u .16, raft foundation u0.2, 3/4 heigh walls (kind of dormer). gasifying wood back boiler with rads, hole in de wall ventilation. excl septic tank. Built for slightly under 150k incl fininshes, fittings and furniture. But thats Mayo where a wink is as good as a nudge.