Urgent: need architect to write letter of exemption for extebdion

yellow hen

We are just about to close on our house sale and at the 11th hour, the solicitor for the purchasers has insisted upon a letter of exemption for our kitchen extension. Can anyone recommend a reasonable/low priced architect to do this? We've already measured and we know it falls within the criteria for exemption.

Angry bird

Get a declaration of exemption from the Council, fee of 80 euro and 4 week turnaround max which is probably what the solicitor is looking for not an opinion off an architect. Ring them up to see what king of information/paperwork they need for the extension. Perhaps giving dimensions/measurements and some photos will suffice, no harm in asking.

yellow hen

Angry bird wrote: »

Get a declaration of exemption from the Council, fee of 80 euro and 4 week turnaround max which is probably what the solicitor is looking for not an opinion off an architect. Ring them up to see what king of information/paperwork they need for the extension. Perhaps giving dimensions/measurements and some photos will suffice, no harm in asking.

They showed us a very specific form that they want (first line was 'I _______declare to be a member of the royal architects....). We already had a friend who is a landscape architect write a letter of exemption but they won't accrpt it. Unfortunately we don't have 4 weeks to wait for the local council either.

Angry bird

Declaration from the Council trumps any architects opinion but as you say, time constraints, so get 3 quotes and time frame from architects in the area. I'm not sure why their form says it must be signed by a member of the royal architects. If it was me and I do this sort of work every week for a Council, I would accept a simple location map, photos and dimensions and if requested reasonably, I would turn it around within the week. Best of luck.

yellow hen

Angry bird wrote: »

Declaration from the Council trumps any architects opinion but as you say, time constraints, so get 3 quotes and time frame from architects in the area. I'm not sure why their form says it must be signed by a member of the royal architects. If it was me and I do this sort of work every week for a Council, I would accept a simple location map, photos and dimensions and if requested reasonably, I would turn it around within the week. Best of luck.

Unfortunately this solicitor has been unreasonable from the start. If you don't mind me asking, in your opinion, what would you think is an appropriate fee for an architects expertise on this? Dublin area if that makes a difference.

Angry bird

No idea sorry but there's a few posters here who would know or suggest one.

yellow hen

Angry bird wrote: »

No idea sorry but there's a few posters here who would know or suggest one.

No problem. Appreciate your replies.

DOCARCH

yellow hen wrote: »

We've already measured and we know it falls within the criteria for exemption.

Just bear in mind the area is not the sole consideration...

To certify exemption, an architect will have to check the area of the rear garden (has not been reduced to less than 25 m.sq.), check you have not extended previously (to ensure combined areas do not exceed 40 m.sq.), check positions of windows/external doors (ensure not less than 1.0m from boundary), check positions of roof windows (if any...ensure not less than 1.0m from boundary), check heights, etc.

Expect to pay around E300 for Opinion on Compliance with Planning (Exemption).

Any mention of an Opinion on Compliance with Building Regulations? If solicitor is looking for one in relation to planning/exemption, I am surprised they did not also look for an opinion on compliance with building regulations?

Gumbo

yellow hen wrote: »

They showed us a very specific form that they want (first line was 'I _______declare to be a member of the royal architects....). We already had a friend who is a landscape architect write a letter of exemption but they won't accrpt it. Unfortunately we don't have 4 weeks to wait for the local council either.

Quite rightly too, a landscape architect has no right signing a building off as being exempt from planning in my opinion.

yellow hen wrote: »

Unfortunately this solicitor has been unreasonable from the start. If you don't mind me asking, in your opinion, what would you think is an appropriate fee for an architects expertise on this? Dublin area if that makes a difference.

Expect about €300ish plus VAT.

yellow hen

Can anyone recommend an architect to do this in a hurry or do any architects here want to put themselves forward? It's now become urgent. thanks.

ps. Apologies for typo in thread heading. I didn't notice it at the time and can't change it now.

Gumbo

yellow hen wrote: »

Can anyone recommend an architect to do this in a hurry or do any architects here want to put themselves forward? It's now become urgent. thanks.

ps. Apologies for typo in thread heading. I didn't notice it at the time and can't change it now.

Location

yellow hen

kceire wrote: »

Location

Dublin South city

Gumbo

yellow hen wrote: »

Dublin South city

I'll PM you now

yellow hen

kceire wrote: »

I'll PM you now

Thanks a million.