architect Fees

trixyben

just got a quote From an architect to drawn up plans For a 2300sqFt 2 storey house, he is just going to get planning through For me as thats all he does, he dosent visit site For sign oFFs or anything, quoted me €2200 plus vat... does this sound ok i have no idea what they charge just dont want to be ripped will be getting other quotes as well cheers

mistermister

My draughtswoman is charging E1000 for designing a 2700 2 storey house and assisting with the planning application.

trixyben

where abouts are you located? im county louth if that makes a difference?

amdublin

trixyben wrote: »

just got a quote From an architect to drawn up plans For a 2300sqFt 2 storey house, he is just going to get planning through For me as thats all he does, he dosent visit site For sign oFFs or anything, quoted me €2200 plus vat... does this sound ok i have no idea what they charge just dont want to be ripped will be getting other quotes as well cheers

mistermister wrote: »

My draughtswoman is charging E1000 for designing a 2700 2 storey house and assisting with the planning application.

Not really comparing like with like here.

Don't get me wrong yes a draughtsperson can do the same as an architect ie draw up your plans and put planning in etc. But they are different qualifications with different skills and different areas of expertise.

It's like comparing your GP dr and your consultant. Yes both doctors but different.

So when tixyben asked re architect fees they should be compared against another architects fees.

archtech

amdublin wrote: »

So when tixyben asked re architect fees they should be compared against another architects fees.

On a point of clarity you have to remember too that many people refer to persons whom prepare their plans as architects yet they many may not be qualified architects.

Getting back to the op get 3 quotations and then you will see if you are getting monitory value. It should be noted that sometimes the cheapest is not always the best long term value.

trixyben

archtech wrote: »

On a point of clarity you have to remember too that many people refer to persons whom prepare their plans as architects yet they many may not be qualified architects.

Getting back to the op get 3 quotations and then you will see if you are getting monitory value. It should be noted that sometimes the cheapest is not always the best long term value.

im not looking for the cheapest at this point just not lookingto be ripped off!! in fairness the one i got a quote from met me at site and some good ideas for the layout of the house was impressed with him to be honest...anyother wont visit the site until i give him the go ahead where he will charge 8% of the build and his ideas didnt really fit into want we told him we wanted

Seamu$

trixyben wrote: »

just got a quote From an architect to drawn up plans For a 2300sqFt 2 storey house, he is just going to get planning through For me as thats all he does, he dosent visit site For sign oFFs or anything, quoted me €2200 plus vat... does this sound ok i have no idea what they charge just dont want to be ripped will be getting other quotes as well cheers

I have a quote of €3,000 for a 4,000 sq ft 2 storey house from a chartered architect if that's any good for you OP for comparative purposes. I don't think you are getting ripped off at €2,200 if you are getting the services of a good architect. They were charging a hell of a lot more 4 years ago!!!

trixyben

Seamu$ wrote: »

I have a quote of €3,000 for a 4,000 sq ft 2 storey house from a chartered architect if that's any good for you OP for comparative purposes. I don't think you are getting ripped off at €2,200 if you are getting the services of a good architect. They were charging a hell of a lot more 4 years ago!!!

does that include site visits/signs offs etc or just design and planning through? cheers

mistermister

Kildare up near meath

PBilly

Jeepers, if I'm reading the above right, these quotes are for a new build, right? We're just looking for an attic conversion and renovation of a period house in great nick and the quotes received so far are in excess of €5k!!! To be fair though this includes drawings, plans, working with QS, tendering, site visits and signing off all certs of compliance, with the project taking about ten to fourteen weeks. I want it to be done right, just not have to pay the earth, as we all do! Are these fees out of the way, given that we're not actually erecting walls? I definitely expected less, am I being unreasonable? Any help would be very gratefully received!

galwaytt

..can I just add that, whoever you use, get the price in writing, in advance, and agree it in writing (both ways).

Also, and for reasons that will become obvious later, I'd always insist on the plans being provided in .dwg (CAD) format as well. If you want accurate pricing for anything from the building to windows/doors, you'll need them.

Start out on the right foot. If it's awkward at the start, it'll only get worse, later.......

Murr1

Im in Westmeath,one off build including garage and plans emailed to me in PDF AND CAD.Site visits during build extra.The house is 2293 sq.ft.I paid €1820 inc vat for the following:

"For preparation of a planning application for a bungalow style dwelling and all plans and paperwork associated with same with site layout map,site location maps along with site survey.
Percolation test,site characterisation and site assessment reports in accordance with the EPA code of practice-wastewater treatment and disposal systemsserving single houses,a site specific report and longitudinal and cross sectional elevations of the percolation area/infiltration system.
Also newspaper notice and A4 planning pack"

areaman

amdublin wrote: »

Not really comparing like with like here.

Don't get me wrong yes a draughtsperson can do the same as an architect ie draw up your plans and put planning in etc. But they are different qualifications with different skills and different areas of expertise.

It's like comparing your GP dr and your consultant. Yes both doctors but different.

So when tixyben asked re architect fees they should be compared against another architects fees.

People should be aware that an architect and technician are not the same - the technician is a specialist in technical matters but will not have design skills. The architect should have both. In that sense the architect is more like your GP, and the technician like a specialist in a particular problem.

A lot of these fee issues come down to what sort of house you are trying to build - if you're happy with a basic generic design and don't care too much about the details, then it's going to take a lot less time (and therefore less money) for someone to draw this up. If you are also looking for good construction dwgs and site involvement this adds a lot to the time a job demands from an achitect.

No6

Sorry Areaman perhaps I am misreading your post and the post you are quoting but the poster mentions draughtsman not technician or techologist, theres a world of difference, you are correct in that Architects should have more design ability and Technician should have more technical skills but with he way the industry has been the last number of years there is a lot of crossover in the roles.

In regard to the fees charged to the op they seem quite low to me, with the downturn in the economy the planners have fewer files going in to them are are looking a lot closer at applications and asking for a lot more further information at that fee I would suspect the person is hoping to get away with reusing another house design with minor modification to make the fee viable for them. Is dealing with further information included with the fee as thats where a lot of time and cost goes!!

areaman

well in my experience there is a world of difference between architects and technicians. That doesn't mean that technicians don't do design, espcially in domestic planning jobs, they just generally won't do it very well or care too much about it as it's not something they are trained to do or are that interested in.

But you do get architects who aren't particulary good designers either - the important thing in either case is to check previous work and get some references if possible.

No6

areaman wrote: »

they just generally won't do it very well or care too much about it as it's not something they are trained to do or are that interested in.

That may be your opinion and you are entitled to it but throwing gernalisations like that around is frankly stupid, what on earth qualifies you to comment on Technicians and Technoligists through the country whose work you havnt seen and what their interests are or not? Please have a read of the other posts in this forum the moderators generally don't like people profession bashing and making sweeping generalisations like you seem to be doing.

sydthebeat

fees should equate to two aspetcs of work... quantative and non quantitive (qualifive)

the quantitive works can be easily assessed in the sevices being provided for the fee.

In this particular situation does the fee include:
1. initial meeting and brief corelation
2. site visit, topographoical survey
3. sketch designs
4. preparation of planning drawings and documents
5. dealing with further informations where applicable
6. preparation of tender documents (including prelim Part L)
7. assessment of tender quotation and award
8. contract administration, mortagage payments, site meetings and inspections
9. snag lists
10. certifications for building regs and planning permission.


the non quanititve aspect is the design skills of the architect,

do you like their previous designs?
are they unique or generic? do you want unique or generic?
how do previous customers feel about working relationship etc?


when you assess all prospective architects / technician etc in all these factors, then you get a feel for what is being offered and whether you are happy to pay that fee.

premiercad

architects and technicians aside remember a qualified person in that game with years of experience dealing with builders and sub-contractors can save you money in the long run on a build as well as getting you very competitive quotes from builders who they have built up a relationship with and they can haggle with, there are many different qualified people out there but look behind the quote and see are you getting value for money, also ensure your Architect/technician has PI insurance

areaman

No6 wrote: »

That may be your opinion and you are entitled to it but throwing gernalisations like that around is frankly stupid, what on earth qualifies you to comment on Technicians and Technoligists through the country whose work you havnt seen and what their interests are or not? Please have a read of the other posts in this forum the moderators generally don't like people profession bashing and making sweeping generalisations like you seem to be doing.

You sound a bit defensive. It is not stupid to describe what a profession is and is not trained to do, not is it profession 'bashing'. Of course I can't comment on all technicians throughout the country but I speak from personal experience as an architect working alongside a good few.

No6

areaman wrote: »

You sound a bit defensive. It is not stupid to describe what a profession is and is not trained to do, not is it profession 'bashing'. Of course I can't comment on all technicians throughout the country but I speak from personal experience as an architect working alongside a good few.

I am not being a bit defensive, I am actually being very nice to you but you can't see it, so far you have in my opinion insulted my profession with your sweeping generalisations and only for the fact that you are new on the forum I would report your post to the moderators, if you care to reread your posts you mentioned technicians and then proceed to claim that we dont design domestic jobs very well as we have no interest in design. There are good and bad indivudals in every profession that is a given but I wouldn't demean your profession on here with generalisations based on people I have worked with so I would appreciate if you would desist from it too.

Poor Uncle Tom

No one profession has a monopoly on stupidity and there are good and bad professionals in both architects and technicians/technologists. It is always wise to see previous works carried out and to speak to past clients.

Please keep comments on-topic from here on in. Nothing will be achieved if this thread turns into a mud slinging match, be nice...:)

elfi

Hi all.

I have read a lot about architects fees for new builds on this site but not so much about fees for extensions. I recently paid an architect almost €4,000 plus vat, plus planning fee, plus ad for paper for the following:

Measured digital Survey & drawing of existing house €750 + VAT,
Sketch scheme drawings & preplanning meeting with coco €900 + VAT,
Meetings at my house, final planning and lodgment of application €1800 + VAT

This seems very high compared to plans for full houses - does it? Also, I told him pretty much what I wanted re extension and remodelling and left him to the technical side as he didn't suggest anything 'different' or 'imaginative' unfortunately. He now wants quite a lot more money than originally stated (as he says it is a much bigger job than he thought originally, even tho he gave me a fixed price at the start!) to do construction/tender drawings, site visits, sign off etc. I don't know what to do now!!

Any advice or words of wisdom very much welcome.
Elfi

archtech

I recently paid an architect almost €4,000 plus vat, plus planning fee, plus ad for paper for the following:

Measured digital Survey & drawing of existing house €750 + VAT,
Sketch scheme drawings & preplanning meeting with coco €900 + VAT,
Meetings at my house, final planning and lodgment of application €1800 + VAT

I love the way you describe 3,450 + VAT as almost 4,000 + VAT, its actually nearer 3,000 +Vat than 4,000+VAT.

He now wants quite a lot more money than originally stated (as he says it is a much bigger job than he thought originally, even tho he gave me a fixed price at the start!) to do construction/tender drawings, site visits, sign off etc. I don't know what to do now!!

First question I would ask has the design brief changed from what you asked him to prepare a fee proposal for? Its one thing asking some to provide a fee proposal for a sun room extension to the rear of a house and then you decide during the design process to remodel part or the entire ground floor of the house. If nothing has changed, he shouldn't be looking to increase his fee provided his fee proposal included preparation of construction drawings, site visits sign off etc and he was made aware, that he would be required to quote for that when he provided his fee in the first place.

rural_red

trixyben wrote: »

just got a quote From an architect to drawn up plans For a 2300sqFt 2 storey house, he is just going to get planning through For me as thats all he does, he dosent visit site For sign oFFs or anything, quoted me €2200 plus vat... does this sound ok i have no idea what they charge just dont want to be ripped will be getting other quotes as well cheers

In direct answer to your question. There are approximately 40-50 hours involved with a planning application as you've described (without seeing the site). At €2200 including expenses of roughly €200 (maps, planning notice, copying etc.) that means that the architect is receiving circa €50 per hour which depending on the number of employees and overheads etc. may be reasonable. I suspect he/she has not included the further information, EPA site assessment (for effluent treatment plant) and will not carry out a provisional BER.

If your design is in any way complex, my worry would be that you have no follow through on-site since he does not detail the design etc. It comes back to getting references from his past clients and visiting the end-product.

rural_red

elfi wrote: »

Hi all.

I have read a lot about architects fees for new builds on this site but not so much about fees for extensions. I recently paid an architect almost €4,000 plus vat, plus planning fee, plus ad for paper for the following:

This seems very high compared to plans for full houses - does it?
Any advice or words of wisdom very much welcome.
Elfi

An extension has as much work involved as a new build since the exisitng building must be surveyed etc. and sometimes getting the extension to work with the existing layout can be trickier than a greenfield site. The size of the extension also plays a part.

The fee quoted is OK but you should question the cost of the sketch design as remote from the planning application stage design (depends on if the planner has changed the sketch design). Fees are getting beat down unfortunately (for the profession) so you may have wiggle room.

1chippy

PBilly wrote: »

Jeepers, if I'm reading the above right, these quotes are for a new build, right? We're just looking for an attic conversion and renovation of a period house in great nick and the quotes received so far are in excess of €5k!!! To be fair though this includes drawings, plans, working with QS, tendering, site visits and signing off all certs of compliance, with the project taking about ten to fourteen weeks. I want it to be done right, just not have to pay the earth, as we all do! Are these fees out of the way, given that we're not actually erecting walls? I definitely expected less, am I being unreasonable? Any help would be very gratefully received!

is he redrawing up the whole house again (if your putting in for planning) or are you just getting the attic and stairwell drawn. 5k seems ok for what Your getting but i may be wrong.

touchwood

Hi all, I'm looking to get someone in to do a site survey and some initial sketches for an aprox 24sqm extension to the back of my house. I'm in bray co. Wicklow. How much do you think it would cost? Has anybody any recommendations? Or is there anyone on here that might want the job? Thanks in advance.

bigart

can you tell me the name of this architect - i need to do a job in ardee and the two architects i used in the past totally ripped me off - if your not allowed post the name would you email it to me at <SNIP>

Recommendations by PM only.

Poor Uncle Tom

bigart wrote: »

can you tell me the name of this architect - i need to do a job in ardee and the two architects i used in the past totally ripped me off - if your not allowed post the name would you email it to me at <SNIP>

Recommendations by PM only.

Familiarise yourself with the forum charter before posting again, thank you.