New business and fire certificate

cavs23

Hi I am looking at opening a new business, it requires a change of use on the premises and I have just been informed that I will require a new fire certificate, the building has not been finished and has yet to be plastered, electrics etc... so today they informed me that I will have to pay 10,000 for change of use planning and fire cert, even though I will just be a tennant. I know they are required but is the tennant liable for all of the costs, advice please.

niceirishfella

yes, I've had to do this.
You've made the changes, therefore you're liable. Sorry.

FusionNet

This is something your Architect or someone should have warned you about. If you are being charged 10k for change of use you must be opening an eating business are you? You are probably paying parking levies. Fire certs usually dont cost that much but ya as other poster says you are totally liable.

When opeing a new business its all about research research research...

niceirishfella

FusionNet wrote: »

This is something your Architect or someone should have warned you about. If you are being charged 10k for change of use you must be opening an eating business are you? You are probably paying parking levies. Fire certs usually dont cost that much but ya as other poster says you are totally liable.

When opeing a new business its all about research research research...

Agreed, you should have been told by your advisors.

cavs23

Thanks for the replys, I am still at the research stage so I can budget for it, just wondered about the fire certificate.

niceirishfella

Tip - get the contact no for the local fire officer and ask him them the requirments and cost.

itsonlyme

niceirishfella wrote: »

Tip - get the contact no for the local fire officer and ask him them the requirments and cost.

Too right and ask the fire officer to call in for a look around before you do any work and ask them for advise on "Best Practice" (they will oblige you)because you dont want doing all your fit out and renovations and then be told

"Oh, by the way this is the requirement"

ricmac

I can help with the fire cert, if you like, the cost will be nowhere near €10,000. However i don't do Planning, and that can be more expensive, and will depend on size and location. A Fire cert application should cost no more than 2 - 3 k.

murphaph

Can someone tell me why fire certs are so expensive compared to planning drawings?

itsonlyme

2K is an good figure and what most of the fire consultants cost to do the job.

cavs23

Thanks ricmac, but the joy of the research stage is, I found a place where owner is going to do fire cert, to clarify, they wanted 2,500 to do fire cert and then almost 3.90 per sq mt to lodge with co council (about 1400) and 2,500 for planning and 1400 to lodge with co council (+ vat), thats where the 10,000 was coming from.
I cant believe how difficult they make it to set up a business, you would think that they would offer assistance at this time, not make it more difficult at every satge.

itsonlyme

cavs23 wrote: »

....the joy of the research stage is.....
I cant believe how difficult they make it to set up a business, you would think that they would offer assistance at this time, not make it more difficult at every satge.

Welcome to the real world of doing business in Ireland sir.

The Council has only one thing on their agenda and that is to extract as much revenue as possible from you.

If you think that is bad, think of how much you will have to pay them if you have to apply for planning permission to renovate the building with Development Charges and parking levies etc...