Engineer for plans

splashthecash

Hi all,

We are currently looking for a site to buy - I'm only learning about this whole process, a lot to take in but I don't think we are going to go down the road of an architect (i.e. fancy house designed from scratch).

We will need someone to look a the site, see what would would be suitable, and draw up the plans for the builders to quote. I assume one person could do all this work...what are these people called (i heard people talking about engineers which is fine but what title should I be searching for exactly)?

Also, regarding price - what will I be looking at to do all this work? I presume that the size of the house is the biggest factor (it'll probably be approx 2,500-3,000 sq ft)

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good engineer to do this work in Kildare?

Thanks!

FergusD

As someone who's nearly finished a self build, I think you probably need to look at bit more at the design process. Your build cost is going to be significant money, so spend some time and effort on the design and how it will fit into the site. The people you are looking for are either:

- Architects
- Engineers, or
- Architectural technicians

I'd suggest you go and visit some to see their projects and if you can work with them. See if you can find any houses you like and ask who designed them, then make an appointment. Be very clear about your cost constraints, you mention architect costs - the build cost may not be any different if you opt for an architect, but only if the design is right.

Avoid items like zinc roofs, curtain walling, curved walls, etc. if you want to keep costs down - this stuff is really down to your own preference (and budget!), not which profession draws up the plans. A good design should save you money and produce a better house to live in than one which is helicoptered in from a pre-designed book of plans.

Regards,

Fergus.

muffler

A good architectural technician will probably do a better job for you than an engineer especially in relation to the design, utilising space, ensuring correct use of natural light, compliance with building regs etc etc.

Engineers (structural) have a specialist role in construction and can be used where certain structural elements require specialised detailing.

splashthecash

Thanks very much, great info!

FergusD

And I should have said that you may have a use for all three!

- Architect to draw up the design
- Engineer to specify structural elements/sign off
- AT to produce detailed construction drawings

It depends on the design, whether you'll be going with a main contractor or not and how comfortable you are with the construction process or learning on the job! For what it's worth, in my opinion you're wasting money getting an architect to go beyond initial planning drawings, but I'm sure lots of people would disagree. My architect cost is somewhere around 2-3% of the (projected!) finished cost for planning drawings. Engineer is 1-2% as I needed a lot of help on some of that stuff. I didn't have an AT, I was doing a lot of reading/sketching and bounced many many things off my engineer as I was in the direct labour boat.

Fergus.

muffler

FergusD wrote: »

- Architect to draw up the design
- Engineer to specify structural elements/sign off
- AT to produce detailed construction drawings

Just a quick follow on from the above.

The OP has stated that they are not interested in engaging an architect so the job can be undertaken by either an engineer or technician. Technicians, generally, can also supervise and sign off on the construction works so unless the likes of a raft foundation is being used or specialised detailing is required for a particular part of the project then an engineer would not be necessary on most occasions.

Dont get me wrong here, this is not an "anti engineer" post or the likes. I just find that structural engineers, while they provide a very expert and invaluable input to components, they are not renowned for their design flair in relation to overall house planning.

sinnerboy

OP - of all the interminable choices you will make throughout your build all pale into nothing compared with the choice of the architectural design and who will deliver that for you.

Put the best bathrooms , kitchen , insulation spec, heating system , windows , air tightness ... whatever into a crappy design and you will have a crappy house.

I think you have a notion that an Architect will not relate to your needs , will give you "his" house not "yours" and will charge you a fortune and cost you more during the build owing to "fanciness" . If you don't select carefully , well that can happen.

But there are lots a great architects out there who will for a reasonable fee deliver you more than you can imagine right now i.e. a practical functioning economic house - beautiful not "fancy" . And only architects can do this.

I myself an an Architectural Technician for over 25 years. If i was building my own house - I would hire an Architect to design it .

henryporter

Well said Sinnerboy - I can't understand how people think consider saving themselves money on not hiring a professional more important than the long term benefits of doing so.

braftery

+1 for sinnerboy's advice.

Before you go and talk to anyone;

1. Sit ON YOUR OWN and put your own requirements for your potential new home in writing.

This should include the following;

Numbers of rooms, names of rooms, find references of houses you like, and houses you dont like !!, anything that is important to you about the build, eco, low energy, size, price limits, etc etc.

2. Get your partner to do the same.

3. Sit down together and compare what you wrote down.

4. Discuss (in a civilised manner!) the differences between your ideas and work out compromises.

5. Combine both your thoughts into one set of ideas in a prioritised manner. This will form your brief !

Use this brief when you are talking to any potential architects. If your brief is sound then you can use it to measure the responses you get to your brief and make sure they are designing a house for you and not for themselves.

Lastly, have fun

sinnerboy

Buy a scrapbook and start buying relevant magazines ( Self build / ideal kitchen/bathroom/ garden etc etc there are quite a few publications )

Make cuttings of what you like... and don't like. Very useful for both you and an Architect .

Open A

I agree 100% with Sinnerboy, though as an architect myself I guess I'm biased!

The only thing I'd add is that you should meet a few of architects before making a decision. You are looking for someone who not only has the right kind of experience / expertise but a person you are very comfortable with. To get the best house for you, you will need to be able to tell your architect about your life, how you live, how you would like to live. They should be able to 'get' what you are about, interpret your brief and come up with a design that's ideal for you.

Slig

Our planning system is designed that really anybody can lodge a planning application, you dont need to be an Architect or an Engineer. Its really just filling out forms and producing drawings showing the information that the planning authority tell you they require. You dont need a licence or insurance or drawing package or even a professional qualification.

The sad fact is that anybody capable of drawing a straight line to scale on a sheet of paper is technically capable of compiling a planning application and to most people that seems to equate to designing a house. I have worked for several Engineers and Architects in the past and there is a definate severe difference in their different approaches.

Engineers are generally concerned with how the house is built and thats it, not how its lived in or how it looks or how the spaces interact. Many of the projects I have undertaken over the last 2 years have been from people wanting to extend their bungalow or generically designed houses not because they need the extra space but because the spaces they have dont work for them or they want to make the house look and feel more interresting. Its a costly substitute for designing it right in the first place

However, I can share your view of Architects aswell. There are definately some out there that see their brief as "charge a massive fee and give the client a house that they should like, and if they dont like it they are wrong."

There are loads of posts on this site started by people that are not happy with their designer (both Engineers and Architects) and the end result is that you have a very difficult task in choosing your designer no matter their qualification or field. They have to be chosen by either a personal recomendation or by their previous work. Its worth the time researching your designer before you appoint them.

sweeping generalisations so sorry if I offended anybody

sydthebeat

one word... TRUST

if designer tells you that you should go on a different route that the one you may have imagined... then its a case of whether you trust them to know better.....

... many people have been pleasantly surprised by how different the correct solution is compared to their initial view point.

splashthecash

Great to see so many inputs coming through here everyone - it is much appreciated.

I was always under the impression that an engineer would help with the paperwork\plans for a "standard" house and that an architect is employed if you want something a bit different and to specifically tailor the house to my needs\lifestyle but by the sounds of the comments, its best to go with an architect regardless.

I am in the belief also that as this is going to be my home for next x number of years I should put the extra bit of work\money into getting it right from the start and there are certain things that I have in mind that I'm sure a qualified architect could do some cool things with.

Thanks!