Architect or Engineer?

Bobbiblu

Hi All,

We had our plans drawn up by a friend who's an arch tech and we'd no problems getting planning or anything but he doesn't have the insurance needed to help us out for the rest of the building process so I am seeking opinions on whether we should get an architect or a structural engineer or both to do the necessary for us.
As far as I know we need someone to check over what the builder suggests for foundations, then we're having a TF so I'd assume he/she needs to check their happy with the spec etc and I know there will be site visits and stage payments sign offs, plus I know we need someone like a QS to show the bank we can build the house for the figure we say we can - can an arch/eng do that too?....is there anything else obvious I'm missing???

So, as usual I'm rambling! but essentially what I wanted to know is:

Is an architect or engineer best suited for all this or is it purely a personal choice?

muffler

If your arch tchn cant do it then you're probably better off with an engineer who can supervise the construction and issue your stage payment certs and if necessary prepare a breakdown of costs for the mortgage.

As you are aware just ensure that he has PI cover and if possible comes recommended.

soldsold

Engineer normally can do the whole lot, but might need a structural engineer to do loadbearing calcs eg RSJ sizes to support open areas etc. My engineer did his own structural calcs for hollowcore floors etc.

I would guess that architects can do the lot too, or arrange to get the lot done, in either case make sure you get a price for the full job, maybe including BER if thats an option.

sinnerboy

As an Architectural Technician I say - it depends on the individual .

Your right man/woman could be from any of the professions named .

Look first for references and speak to past clients . Satisfy yourself that they are fully up to speed with the issues you see filling up this forum .

Only then talk €€€,s .

Bobbiblu

soldsold wrote: »

Engineer normally can do the whole lot, but might need a structural engineer to do loadbearing calcs eg RSJ sizes to support open areas etc. My engineer did his own structural calcs for hollowcore floors etc.

I would guess that architects can do the lot too, or arrange to get the lot done, in either case make sure you get a price for the full job, maybe including BER if thats an option.

Nice one thanks soldsold as always sound advice Now will probably seem obvious to you but when you say engineer what type of engineer do you mean? I just assumed for building a house you'd need a structural one once again independent thought leading me astray

sinnerboy wrote: »

As an Architectural Technician I say - it depends on the individual .

Your right man/woman could be from any of the professions named .

Look first for references and speak to past clients . Satisfy yourself that they are fully up to speed with the issues you see filling up this forum .

Only then talk €€€,s .

Sound advice muffler & sinnerboy thank you both!

Now, can anyone recommend an eng/arch/arch tech/qs that they've worked with before and can do all the above? I'm in the south Co Carlow/ North Co Wexford area.
PMs only please.
Many thanks

beyondpassive

Bobbiblu,

What level of performance are you looking for, in other words, what size boiler to cover what size floor area. it may be best to combine your energy/passive consultant with your certifying architect. Also are you happy to have your most important expenditure of your life, designed by an amateur? Will it still look fit for purpose in 20 years. Look at the many houses designed in the last 20 years by engineers and woodwork teachers and how alien and tacky they now appear. make your decisions in haste and you'll repent at leisure.

SLIPPERY FROG

hi there

on third architect on one simple job.
he will probably get fired next week
can anyone tell me what is wrong is it me or are architects a strange breed.

sinnerboy

SLIPPERY FROG wrote: »

hi there

on third architect on one simple job.
he will probably get fired next week
can anyone tell me what is wrong is it me or are architects a strange breed.

Warning
Your case is being dealt with here so do not use this forum to grave dig other threads to vent your frustration .

If you do - you will be banned permanently .

RKQ

Knowledge, reputation, experience and full PI insurance are extremely important qualities, (the design is done so its technical ability & project management from here on)

The ability to spot small errors before they become huge problems is something that comes with experience.

Of course being able to talk to your Architect, Arch Technician, Building Surveyor or Structural Engineer is very important. You will work together on your dream home - so communication is crucial.

If I had a choice between Engineers - Civil or Structural - then I'd choose a Structural Engineer. Thats just my opinion.

Always get 3 quotes in writing, clearly indicating the works covered. Theres a lot of competition out there. Good luck.

dan_d

I'm guessing it depends on how much input on the structure you're going to need? Do you have any complicated elements, things that will require a lot of calculations? An architect will not do that for you, they'll hire someone to do it...so I'm guessing it depends on prices; how much it costs to hire an architect and through them an engineer if necessary vs how much it costs to hire an engineer only, get your calculations as part of that and possibly ask your friend to advise you as regards quality of finishes? Would that be an option?
As RKQ says - communication.Absolutely vital.

archtech

OP did you seek the opinion/advise of your arch tech friend who prepared the plans with regard to appointing a supervising professional? There's a good chance that s/he could recommend someone.

If you are happy with the design, I would be properly (recommend) stay(ing) away from an architect, as you may find that the architects skills/services may be underutilized. An Arch Tech or Engineer maybe a better option in this case.

Sikie

I would go architect as it is giving sole project management reponsibility to one individual and it is up to the architect to ensure the correct professional advice is obtained be that a structural/electrical/HVAC engineering to deliver the finished house.

Bobbiblu

Hi all,

I should've updated this thread ages ago but I sorta thought it had been forgotten about

beyondpassive wrote: »

Bobbiblu,

What level of performance are you looking for, in other words, what size boiler to cover what size floor area. it may be best to combine your energy/passive consultant with your certifying architect. Also are you happy to have your most important expenditure of your life, designed by an amateur? Will it still look fit for purpose in 20 years. Look at the many houses designed in the last 20 years by engineers and woodwork teachers and how alien and tacky they now appear. make your decisions in haste and you'll repent at leisure.

Thanks for your reply beyondpassive but I'm not sure what to say in response other than I'm more than pleased with the house design so I'm confident it will stand the test of time as for the heating requirement that is still a work in progress.....

RKQ wrote: »

Of course being able to talk to your Architect, Arch Technician, Building Surveyor or Structural Engineer is very important. You will work together on your dream home - so communication is crucial.

If I had a choice between Engineers - Civil or Structural - then I'd choose a Structural Engineer. Thats just my opinion.

dan_d wrote: »

I'm guessing it depends on how much input on the structure you're going to need? Do you have any complicated elements, things that will require a lot of calculations? An architect will not do that for you, they'll hire someone to do it...so I'm guessing it depends on prices; how much it costs to hire an architect and through them an engineer if necessary vs how much it costs to hire an engineer only, get your calculations as part of that and possibly ask your friend to advise you as regards quality of finishes? Would that be an option?
As RKQ says - communication.Absolutely vital.

Cheers RKQ & dan_d, I've gone for an eng for the reasons you've outlined, I will need some calcs performed and it seemed like an unnecessary expense to pay an architect to pay an engineer if you know what I mean, plus I got a very good recommendation from a fellow boardie who's worked with both my tf guy and this eng so hopefully all will go well but I look forward to posting in the live self builds over the coming months (fingers crossed!!)

archtech wrote: »

OP did you seek the opinion/advise of your arch tech friend who prepared the plans with regard to appointing a supervising professional? There's a good chance that s/he could recommend someone.

If you are happy with the design, I would be properly (recommend) stay(ing) away from an architect, as you may find that the architects skills/services may be underutilized. An Arch Tech or Engineer maybe a better option in this case.

Thanks archtech, I did ask the guy who drew up my plans but he only knew one local eng and after chatting to that eng I decided not to go with him. As you recommend I went with an eng in the end.

Sikie wrote: »

I would go architect as it is giving sole project management reponsibility to one individual and it is up to the architect to ensure the correct professional advice is obtained be that a structural/electrical/HVAC engineering to deliver the finished house.

Thanks Sikie, but I've been researching and planning this build for a couple of years now and the thoughts of handing it over to someone else to sort out at this late stage would just seem defeatest to me....I feel like I've come too far to relinquish my pm's hat now....hopefully that won't be my downfall