Architect fees

bajj

Hi Guys,
Just looking for some advice please, if possible. I am looking at an infill development on my current property, garden development in other words. Looking at a 160sqm contemporary energy efficient design on a reasonably awkward site. I have consulted an architect to look after the whole project from initial design to final inspection, the full project management bifta from start to finish He has quoted circa 22k (this includes vat), engineers fees will be 3k on top of this. I do not have the time, inclination or indeed knowledge to go down the route of doing this myself. I have just seen a friend have a breakdown trying it this way, and to top it all his house doesn't really work. I kinda think that these fees are maybe just a  little on the high side but I think that the service I will get will be personal and first class (recommendations). In the current climate (we do seem to be going mad again) can anyone advise if these figures are reasonable / ball park for what I require.
Thanks
B

Metric Tensor

For a high level of service and a total start to finish service - 10% of the build cost would probably not be unreasonable. Your quote seems to be less than 10% of anticipated build cost so I'd say it's not too bad.

Rates in Dublin are always higher than the rest of the country too so bear that in mind if you are in the city or hinterland.

P.S. If you get away with only 3k of engineer's cost for what sounds like a reasonably awkward project I think you will be doing well.




Edited to add: As I think you know yourself it can be done cheaper if you get a lower level of service from your professionals. Whether that's an economy worth having is a personal decision!

bemak

I would say that's a good price. If we take the price per sqm as 2000 (which is the going rate these days for anything half decent) you're construction cost looks to be in and around 320k ballpark.

€22k would be 7% which is what I would expect an architect to charge.

bajj

[font=Verdana","sans-serif]Hi guys, thanks for taking the time to respond. One thing though I am staggered by the construction cost estimate of €2000/sqm. The architect advised me that €1500/sqm was a good realistic budget, 2k is almost 35% more. I am down the south but that still seems like a big difference. I'm not saying that you are wrong just that its a shock and I'm not sure that I'll able to build at that price.[/font]

bemak

Ya maybe if you're down south you might get it better than that but it's no harm to overestimate. Without knowing anything about the project I would always air on the side of caution. On a refurb project, you never know what's ahead of you until you start opening up!

DOCARCH

bajj wrote: »

...on a reasonably awkward site.

That will add to build cost a bit.

Fees are reasonable, for the service to be provided, IMHO.

Johnnyhpipe

I'm a structural engineer. I couldn't possibly compete with a fee of 3k for this - so I say you're getting an economical fee there.

Architect fee sounds good to me.