Design & build of Garage/workshop

minmax89 · 31-10-2010 1:23pm #1

Hi all.

I'm looking to build a garage/workshop at the bottom of our garden. The property is a modest one with garden and rear entrance. There's a number of things I'd like to discuss with everyone here but the first thing is that I need plans for planning application and for the builders/myself to follow throughout the build.

The planning app is needed as the garage will be about 36m² (above the 25m²) and there's a stone wall to 'modify' that may be a sensitive issue with Wicklow Town Planning.

Anyways, I was looking for an Architect who has experience with Wicklow Town Planning and who could draw up simple plans for my requirements. I found a guy in Wicklow Town and he came around to look at the site and discuss my requirements. On this initital meet he said there shouldn't be any issues with the build and he could do everything I require. He also said he was on the 'committee' at the Town council so he knew everyone there. For the plans and the assist with the application he quoted me €1000.

So is this reasonable? He seems to be the guy I'm looking for and understands what I want but I've no idea what this should cost me so would like to know what people think on the matter.

Many thanks in advance for any reply.
Adam:)

Poor Uncle Tom · 31-10-2010 1:51pm

You say

For the plans and the assist with the application he quoted me €1000.

does this mean he is making the application for you, that he is going to act as your agent and provide the detail you need to make a full planning application for €1k? If so, this sounds good to me. If not you need to know exactly what assistance is being provided for the €1k.

The fact that there is a reference to this person being on 'The Committee' bothers me slightly. Is this person intimating that being on this committee can sway the planning decision from what it otherwise would be, and that you are in some way getting favouritest treatment by employing this person?

minmax89 · 31-10-2010 2:58pm

I'm not exactly clear on the assistance part so I will clear that up with him.

As far as the committee thing - It came up when I mentioned I'd heard Wicklow Town Planning can be a very funny about touching things like existing stone walls and he said something along the lines of, "Well I'm on the committee and I know them and they are not like that at all. It seems 'outsiders' are the only ones with that opinion." He did say it in a very friendly manner and it was not brought up again. I assumed the outsiders comment was in reference to people who are new to Wicklow Town and planning apps in the Town, etc.

muffler · 31-10-2010 5:49pm

minmax89 wrote: »

He also said he was on the 'committee' at the Town council so he knew everyone there.

What committee is he on?

minmax89 · 31-10-2010 6:11pm

muffler wrote: »

What committee is he on?

Thought you might ask that! He did say...but I completely forgot! You know like when some one tells you their name and then a minute later you're introducing them to someone else and you say 'this is.......':eek:

:o:o

I will definitely ask him when/if contacting him again.

Adam

PS: Should I ask him for references?

harry21 · 31-10-2010 8:42pm

If the architect is going to prepare the drawings, submit the application and provide further advise during the build then its not a bad price IMO.
If there is likley to be an issue with a stone wall, they may look for further information, so find out if suppling this to the LA is included in the price.

On a side point, you do not necessarily need an architect, an engineer might be more practical - but I'm biased?...!!

Best of luck

Design & build of Garage/workshop

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