Do I need an architect?

aido79

I have purchased a house which is unfinished. It is ready for first fix electrical and plumbing. All of the exterior work has been done, roof is on, stud and block walls inside are completed. Do I need an architect to inspect/sign off at any stage? I have the architects paperwork or the work that has been done so far.

4Sticks

If you do not document the construction to completion you will have cause to regret when later selling or remortgaging.

First thing to get now is BER assessment and review

aido79

4Sticks wrote: »

If you do not document the construction to completion you will have cause to regret when later selling or remortgaging.

Durst thing to get now is BER assessment and review

At what stages should you get an architect to document it?

Why would I need to get a BER assessment before any of the insulation goes in??

4Sticks

At completion. But don't complete and then look for an architect as none should certify if they had no part to play during the works. So seek one now.

You need to asceratin what measures are needed to comply with building regs. don't complete and then find a problem.

mickdw

aido79 wrote: »

Why would I need to get a BER assessment before any of the insulation goes in??

To work out what needs to go in there in order to comply.

BryanF

aido79 wrote: »

1. At what stages should you get an architect to document it?
2. Why would I need to get a BER assessment before any of the insulation goes in??

1. what stage would you like an architect to ensure the work is carried out correctly? when its closed up & painted, or when work is on-going,the bones of the house are visible and mistakes can be rectified?
2. if you don't have a BER, how do you know how much insulation needs to go in to comply with Building regulations?

aido79

BryanF wrote: »

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1. what stage would you like an architect to ensure the work is carried out correctly? when its closed up & painted, or when work is on-going,the bones of the house are visible and mistakes can be rectified?
2. if you don't have a BER, how do you know how much insulation needs to go in to comply with Building regulations?

The work so far has been signed off by an architect. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong but I didn't think it was an architect's job to check the work of a plumber or electrician which would be all that would be within the walls. They will both be certifying their own work.
The builder is well up to date with the building regulations and we intend to insulate it to a very high standard so I don't think it will be an issue.

BryanF

aido79 wrote: »

The work so far has been signed off by an architect. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong but I didn't think it was an architect's job to check the work of a plumber or electrician which would be all that would be within the walls. They will both be certifying their own work.
The builder is well up to date with the building regulations and we intend to insulate it to a very high standard so I don't think it will be an issue.

sounds like you'll have great fun if you ever try to sell it. are you aware of the new BCA 2014 ?

please correct me if I'm wrong, but from reading your posts in previous threads, ill make the following assumptions:

• this house was built 7 years ago?
• and so is now being completed outside of its granted planning period?
• so as the building is not completed, technically the original planning permission is not complied with?
• and your in a grey area as regards what building regulations your builder is complying with?
• and you don't see the need to have an architect on board to review the above?
• and this architect will just turn up at the end and sign that everything's hunky dory ?

do yourself a favour and get an opinion from the person who will be signing off on this completed building an architect,engineer or surveyor sooner rather than later. would the cost of this consultation not be worth the piece of mind, while you sit at the other side of the world remote for your 'up to date' builder?

aido79

BryanF wrote: »

sounds like you'll have great fun if you ever try to sell it. are you aware of the new BCA 2014 ?

please correct me if I'm wrong, but from reading your posts in previous threads, ill make the following assumptions:

• this house was built 7 years ago?
• and so is now being completed outside of its granted planning period?
• so as the building is not completed, technically the original planning permission is not complied with?
• and your in a grey area as regards what building regulations your builder is complying with?
• and you don't see the need to have an architect on board to review the above?
• and this architect will just turn up at the end and sign that everything's hunky dory ?

do yourself a favour and get an opinion from the person who will be signing off on this completed building an architect,engineer or surveyor sooner rather than later. would the cost of this consultation not be worth the piece of mind, while you sit at the other side of the world remote for your 'up to date' builder?

Thank you for your reply. I will be taking your advice by getting an architect/engineer on board to ensure everything complies with building regulations which was my initial question. Which would be better..engineer or architect? Regarding the planning permission, my solicitor was satisfied at time of sale with the planning permission. Do you need planning permission to complete the interior of a house considering we will not be making any structural changes to the house or adding to the outside of it?

vinnie13

mickdw wrote: »

To work out what needs to go in there in order to comply.

Ber is done after building is finished otherwise it's a waste of money and time fir a inadequate reading.

No real need fir a architect at this stage a good registered builder will be aware of regs to finish.
A civil engineer might be of help too.

BryanF

vinnie13 wrote: »

1. Ber is done after building is finished otherwise it's a waste of money and time fir a inadequate reading.
2. No real need fir a architect at this stage a good registered builder will be aware of regs to finish.
3. A civil engineer might be of help too.

1. a provisional BER is generally done at the early stages of design.

   BryanF wrote: »

   if you don't have a BER, how do you know how much insulation needs to go in, to comply with Building regulations?

2. who will sign the documentation to state the house complies with building regs? if an architect just turns up at the end, will they be willing to do this? will there insurance accept this? will the banks or any future purchaser accept this?

3. Civil engineer is a professional.. that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance ..of works like roads, bridges, canals, dams..

   drainage, underground services etc

4Sticks

vinnie13 wrote: »

a good registered builder will be aware of regs to finish.

Please link to this "builders register"

4Sticks

aido79 wrote: »

Do you need planning permission to complete the interior of a house considering we will not be making any structural changes to the house or adding to the outside of it?

ALL works not completed within 5 years of the Grant of Permission need further permission.

It appears that your completion documents will record a date which shows works will have been carried out after the expiry of planning permission. You absolutely and positively 100% need an architect who may well advise a partial retention application.

It's not rocket science .....:rolleyes: ( I didn't aim comment at you at you op )

4Sticks

Anticipating reactions

....my solicitor said it was fine ...the local authority are not concerned....the builder said etc etc ....

Don't leave open a trap for future conveyancing of the property when the person who will concern themselves will be your claim-conscious purchasers inspector and/or the legal arm of your purchasers lenders.

They will be your Sword of Damocles.

JPW81

aido79 wrote: »

Thank you for your reply. I will be taking your advice by getting an architect/engineer on board to ensure everything complies with building regulations which was my initial question. Which would be better..engineer or architect? Regarding the planning permission, my solicitor was satisfied at time of sale with the planning permission. Do you need planning permission to complete the interior of a house considering we will not be making any structural changes to the house or adding to the outside of it?

Some Advice:
Gather all the paper work that was made available at the time of purchase.
Hire a decent architect or engineer (I would suggest RIAR or IEI registered) and present all this information to them. They will be able to advise on what works will need to be completed to satisfy the building Regs and if the works required will need additional planning permission.
Get a BER assessor to survey the property and give you a draft report to outline how you will meet the requirements of Part L of the Regs. No matter how much experience your builder has he will not know how much insulation, type of heating system, type of ventilation, standard of windows your house will need to satisfy the Regs unless he has access to the DEAP software package.
Do this as soon as possible because the further you progress without professional advice the higher the risk of not being able to demonstrate compliance with the Regs.

aido79

JPW81 wrote: »

Some Advice:
Gather all the paper work that was made available at the time of purchase.
Hire a decent architect or engineer (I would suggest RIAR or IEI registered) and present all this information to them. They will be able to advise on what works will need to be completed to satisfy the building Regs and if the works required will need additional planning permission.
Get a BER assessor to survey the property and give you a draft report to outline how you will meet the requirements of Part L of the Regs. No matter how much experience your builder has he will not know how much insulation, type of heating system, type of ventilation, standard of windows your house will need to satisfy the Regs unless he has access to the DEAP software package.
Do this as soon as possible because the further you progress without professional advice the higher the risk of not being able to demonstrate compliance with the Regs.

Thanks for that. I have enlisted the services of an architect who has a BER assessor as part of their team. He will work with the builder to ensure all regulations are satisfied