Architect v Agent/Engineer for planning & Self Build

conor05

Hi

I have a site ready for pre- planning in the council but a few people I speak to are giving us different answers in relation to who we should use for the planning & design stage, working and Tender Drawings and then commencement and site inspection stage.
We have a fair idea of the house we want but will
More than likely have to use a traditional/vernacular style to get a two storey house.
I spokesperson someone who said go with an out and out architect who will maximize your house inside and out and also give it a modern design (higher cost associated with quality architect).
Another said get an agent who will cover all, an engineer who does all the planning, design, percoaltion, soil test, tenders, site inspections etc. The latter will prob work out cheaper but will it just be a bog standard house design?
Sort of confused who to go with as we want to leave in the pre planning form to the council soon.

magnethead

Depends on your budget and what you want. Do you mind a simple house, or do you want something special? Some Engineers have a flair for design but they are not going to make it as pretty / useful space as an architect would .

anyway, start with the site, that will dictate the house style A LOT, depends, maybe you have a big greenfield site. If you are in a urban tight space, contact the planners to see what kind of restrictions will be on you, building on that site.

It's a terrible eye opener!! when the council comes back saying, no windows on this side as you're overlooking someones garden, can only build single story on this side of your site because you'd be over shadowing your neighbor...etc..
Basically, they tell you to a large extent what you can and can't build......Sounds Nuts!! but it's the truth.

I'm telling ya, you might feel like asking one of those button pushers from ISIS to visit the planning office, after they let you know what you can build on your own land.

Metric Tensor

Whichever you go with OP - get advice from people who have previously used their services in advance. In the case of one off house design it's often more to do with the individual you use rather than their basic qualification.

Some Engineers can be quite tasty with their designs whereas some can be a little less so!

Likewise some Architects can have a loose enough relationship with "buildability" whereas others can be nothing short of geniuses with the use of space and light.

To sum up - check the skills, experience and get references for whoever you use and this may be as useful or more so than the particular set of letters after the name. Architectural technicians in private practice are an option to look into also.

dellas1979

Yup. As has been already said.

I just got my planning.

I weighed up if to use an architect or engineer for design/planning.

I went with an architect in the end (who did all the planning submission and work for me, to add, I arranged/paid for the percolation and digging and he coordinated reports and findings), as it was something different I wanted design-wise, and wanted to maximise space and light. So, it was worth it to me to pay an archi to do a good job.

They do charge tho. I decided that the design and build itself were more important to me, design will stand to itself, than having a perfect/turnkey finish in a bog standard looking property. So, I put money towards that.

I didnt do a preplanning meeting. But this is up to the individual. My issues were more to do with sightlines.

After design and submitting for planning, I then decided to keep said archi on for my build. He designed the house, so he can do the drawings. At that stage, I could have gone to someone else for building/tender drawings. But, Id built up a confidence with him.

All depends on what you are looking for and what is important to you. Suggest you list them out!

conor05

Thanks lads.

That’s great advice, I am probably more leaning towards an architect as you get once chance in life to design your dream home and that’s what architects do, design and maximize space and light.

I have a few recommendations so will look at portfolios and previous one off houses.

conor05

Just in relation to percolation tests, what is the going price for these around the North East area? Does the price include the digger/diggerman or do I generally have to provide this myself?

Also, do most people use an architect for just the planning and design stage, then get an engineer on board for the rest?

Thanks again.

BryanF

conor05 wrote: »

Just in relation to percolation tests, what is the going price for these around the North East area? Does the price include the digger/diggerman or do I generally have to provide this myself?

Also, do most people use an architect for just the planning and design stage, then get an engineer on board for the rest?

Thanks again.

IMO arch tech set of tender details & spec is essential.

kieran.

conor05 wrote: »

Just in relation to percolation tests, what is the going price for these around the North East area? Does the price include the digger/diggerman or do I generally have to provide this myself?

Also, do most people use an architect for just the planning and design stage, then get an engineer on board for the rest?

Thanks again.

you generally have to provide the digger and water and dig the spade holes.....rate is approx 400 for monaghan+ Cavan and 500 for Louth. Pm me if you want a recommendation

Yfrud

conor05 wrote: »

Just in relation to percolation tests, what is the going price for these around the North East area? Does the price include the digger/diggerman or do I generally have to provide this myself?
.

in kerry... i have got prices of 950 to 1100. not including digger and water. Although i did come across an engineer willing to include this as part of the house design phase, but...