Building a House in Cork - looking for advice

19driver83

Hi,

I am looking at starting to build my home in the new year and could do with as much advice as possible as I have no idea of the steps involved?

I have a site in Mid Cork but have not applied for planning yet.

Could someone advise me on what are the steps involved / people to speak to / items I should read/research, etc.?

Advise me on some good architects, etc?

All comments / help will be greatly appreciated.:)

BryanF

take a look here for info on the current standard to strive for, and here for a Cork county Councils perspective on what to build, and here for eligibility if the site is zoned A2 etc, I would suggest you interview several architects, ask for references, to see their work and be prepared with your own ideas, wish list, photos,cut-outs, scrapbook (not necessarily plans..)

19driver83

Thanks BryanF. Much appreciated.

When you say interview architects, is there certian qualifications that I should be requesting?

Also, what exactly is the role of the architect besides producing the drawings? Does he come to inspect the build of the house, perform sign offs, handle the planning applications, etc?

Any recommendations for any good architects?

Is appointing an architect my first step?

BryanF

19driver83 wrote: »

Thanks BryanF. Much appreciated.

1. When you say interview architects, is there certian qualifications that I should be requesting?
2. Also, what exactly is the role of the architect besides producing the drawings? Does he come to inspect the build of the house, perform sign offs, handle the planning applications, etc?
3. Any recommendations for any good architects?
4. Is appointing an architect my first step?

1. as an arch tech, I don't feel qualifications necessarily mean good design, i think there's more to building/designing a home..
2. planning & design: decipher planning requirements and apply them to your design incorporating good design and your needs.. tender: ensure that the comfort and performance that your house should have, is translated to the builders pricing, with no ambiguousness.. construction: there are different levels of service here: the basic is just sign-off for bank, planning authority and deciding when amounts are due to builder on work done - this is works well only if you and your arch have chosen the builder carefully.. other options include self-building, but imo this means your project management must be paired with an arch to help you along the way
3. pm sent
4. imo yes

rachetq

Hope u don't mond if I jump on here???, we are hoping to apply for planning permission in Cork shortly. A CAD technician drew up the plans we want but these were done in his "spare time" and not ready in their current state to be submitted....so I want to find someone in Cork (not an architect as we can't afford it!!) to transfer the plans to an acceptable format as well as doing the planning application for us - any advice??? Thanks.

archtech

rachetq wrote: »

Hope u don't mond if I jump on here???, we are hoping to apply for planning permission in Cork shortly. A CAD technician drew up the plans we want but these were done in his "spare time" and not ready in their current state to be submitted....so I want to find someone in Cork (not an architect as we can't afford it!!) to transfer the plans to an acceptable format as well as doing the planning application for us - any advice??? Thanks.

Why do you think you can't afford an architect? Good professional advice at this stage from an architect or architectural technologist/technician (or other suitably qualified and experienced professional) will save you money long term. Its at this stage you need to address compliance with building regs in particular Part L) and not when you go about building the house. Insulation alone won't achieve compliance.

rachetq

I know I can't afford one because I have contacted some for quotes....we are broke paying a fortune for our 3 bed semi-d (which we bought in the peak of the boom - muppets right??!!!), and in order to build the house, we are going to rent out while living in a mobile home, i am committed to building my dream home to an acceptable standard, and while I would love to have the luxury of top notch architectural services I simply can't........
I believe I am not taking a major risk by using services of tradesmen other than architects, plenty of amazing houses have been built by them.
Apologies if my first post was not clear, I am talking about using the services of a draftsman or similar, (not a less qualified person) which is why I am looking for recommendations! Thanks for reading.

beyondpassive

rachetq wrote: »

I believe I am not taking a major risk by using services of tradesmen other than architects, plenty of amazing houses have been built by them.
Apologies if my first post was not clear, I am talking about using the services of a draftsman or similar, (not a less qualified person) which is why I am looking for recommendations! Thanks for reading.

Good design is always worth a premium, look at your iphone versus the postphone alternative or an Audi versus a Kia. Be careful that you're not pennywise but pound stupid. Architects go through 7 years training for good reason Technologists 4-5, a 'CAD technician has done a 2 week night class. I do a bit of testing of defective buildings and the main reason is that there was no professional engaged to represent the client. BAD design costs money, a large proportion of your spaces wasted on dark corridors and circulation spaces and pokey badly lit rooms with awkward proportions. Getting planning drawings done for €1,500 is one thing but you must ensure that your construction drawings going out for tender are very detailed, comprehensive and unambiguous. Everything should be worked out onn paper before you even negotiate with builders or trades. In any list of 'things I should have done before building', the main one is get a good professional on board.

There are lots of self employed architects and technologists out there working at very competitive rates, find one who takes a scientific approach and can give you a cost benefit breakdown for every decision you'll need to make. Lay off a little money up front for good advice anddesign and you'll save a packet when the build gets to site. Design the build around comfort and health rather than purely square footage and your on the right track.

rachetq

You make some good points - thank you! We had a very different design about 8 years ago ...... and now onto the complete opposite of that...the reason??? An engineer who photocopied something he had lying around for another client.....absolute disaster type of house for our site.....so I have already been "bitten" in this process. Thanks again (appreciate the technical points)

vendredi

Hi Rachetq,

1st post here.

I am at the other end of the planning stage and looking at the build stage.
Best thing I did was hire an architect (I can PM you his details if you are interested).

Meeting them costs nothing and they can outline their costs upfront.

Mine has a good understanding of the County guidelines and will work towards matching your ideas with the County policies. He defended our project very well and made sure that any modification required by the County was not a compromise too far for us.

One thing to bear in mind, if you already own a house, you may not be eligible for building (depending on circumstances) as you wouldn't meet the criteria for 'genuine need'.

Best of luck with your project though.

19driver83

vendredi wrote: »

Hi Rachetq,

1st post here.

I am at the other end of the planning stage and looking at the build stage.
Best thing I did was hire an architect (I can PM you his details if you are interested).

Meeting them costs nothing and they can outline their costs upfront.

Mine has a good understanding of the County guidelines and will work towards matching your ideas with the County policies. He defended our project very well and made sure that any modification required by the County was not a compromise too far for us.

One thing to bear in mind, if you already own a house, you may not be eligible for building (depending on circumstances) as you wouldn't meet the criteria for 'genuine need'.

Best of luck with your project though.

Id be interested in his contact details aswel. Could you PM them to me, thanks.

randombar

Built there last year, Building In Ireland need any help just PM me, if I've time maybe give me a shout. Always try and help fellow boardsies, I get enough of it on here.

the_syco

19driver83 wrote: »

I have a site in Mid Cork but have not applied for planning yet.

Is there many/any houses nearby, and how far from is it from the water/electricity mains?

19driver83

the_syco wrote: »

Is there many/any houses nearby, and how far from is it from the water/electricity mains?

My dad sold a site to my cousin 2 years ago, so he has built next to where I plan to have my entrance. There is a right away already in there as it was the old entrance into the farm. My dad kept the right away so I am assuming that would help my cause in the planning application. I would plan to have my house approx. 200m in from the road.

When my cousin built, the esb had to stand 3 new poles to bring him ESB, so he has probably done me a favour there!! As for water, I would plan to sink a well or tap into the farm well which would be only a 100m away.

Why do you ask the above Q's??

19driver83

GaryCocs wrote: »

Built there last year, Building In Ireland need any help just PM me, if I've time maybe give me a shout. Always try and help fellow boardsies, I get enough of it on here.

Thanks. Is that your house on the website??

randombar

Yup. In 9 months now. Well worth it.

Biggest piece of advice and you'll hear it time and again, spend on the insulation.

Only half a tank of oil in nine months. JOB.

Coga

vendredi wrote: »

Hi Rachetq,

1st post here.

I am at the other end of the planning stage and looking at the build stage.
Best thing I did was hire an architect (I can PM you his details if you are interested).

Meeting them costs nothing and they can outline their costs upfront.

Mine has a good understanding of the County guidelines and will work towards matching your ideas with the County policies. He defended our project very well and made sure that any modification required by the County was not a compromise too far for us.

One thing to bear in mind, if you already own a house, you may not be eligible for building (depending on circumstances) as you wouldn't meet the criteria for 'genuine need'.

Best of luck with your project though.

Vendredi, if possible i would also appreciate you could PM me the details of the Architect.

Many Thanks.

BryanF

pm sent

Troy2013

BryanF wrote: »

pm sent

Would you PM the details aswell please?

BryanF

sent

Poor Uncle Tom

Troy2013 wrote: »

Would you PM the details aswell please?

Would you PM for the information and not exhume dusty old threads, PLEASE!