Architect, Technical Drawer or Engineer or Not?

Realtine

Advice please and thanks in advance.

We are currently int he middle of getting various builders quotes for a small kitchen extension out the back of our mid terraced house - 19sq meters approx.
We have found a builder we like and like his work.

however, should I have a draftsperson, or architect draw up plans? another builder I spoke to said obviously it was up to me but for a simple extension I probably didn't need to do so.
Im totally ignorant in this field, but is it something I should do before I engage the builder and what are the consequences if I don't.
thanks.
I've looked through the forum but can't find a definitive answer.

aloooof

I'm in a similar boat at moment OP with regards a full renovation and some structural work, trying to decide on architect or straight to a builder. Others will be able to answer more definitively, but the bit of research, I'm leaning towards an architect. Part of the reason is because I'm not very well up on this area, and we could do with some advice anyways.

Also, we may require planning permission; another reason for us, but it looks like you're exempt there, coming under the 40 sq. m exemption.

Expecting it to be considerably more expensive going the architect route, but we'll be in the house for the long-term so hoping it'll be worth it in the long run.

Interested to hear what others have to say tho.

sydthebeat

What the hell is a technical drawer???

Realtine

sydthebeat wrote: »

What the hell is a technical drawer???

Sorry, draftsperson? Again, pleads ignorance. ðŸ˜

sydthebeat

Realtine wrote: »

Sorry, draftsperson? Again, pleads ignorance. ðŸ˜

Draftsperson doesn't really exist any more as a profession. That's like getting the "wood work teacher" to draw up your plans.

At a small domestic level most professions would be able to do what you want. Each would bring a certain specialism.

An architect, an architectural technician, a structural engineer... Maybe even a surveyor... Would all be suited.

As a technician myself, I'd argue that our profession would have a good mix of all the skills of the above professionals... But I also know good engineers who have a flair for design, and I know good architects who have good Knowledge of construction and structures.

Realtine

sydthebeat wrote: »

Draftsperson doesn't really exist any more as a profession. That's like getting the "wood work teacher" to draw up your plans.

At a small domestic level most professions would be able to do what you want. Each would bring a certain specialism.

An architect, an architectural technician, a structural engineer... Maybe even a surveyor... Would all be suited.

As a technician myself, I'd argue that our profession would have a good mix of all the skills of the above professionals... But I also know good engineers who have a flair for design, and I know good architects who have good Knowledge of construction and structures.

Well thank you, that is very helpful.
I'll start a search now, thanks again. And also for clarification.

Stanford

Most areas now have an Architectural Technician who would be well able to draw up plans for you in some detail, never deal with a builder without plans, however you need to make sure that the person you hire can design to meet the current Building Regulations which you may need for your house Insurer, I would find a small local Architect who would have in-house drafting competence and can issue with a Certificate of Compliance and can also deal with the builder on your behalf, money well spent.

ravendude

Under no circumstances use the builders "engineer". You need someone watching out for your interests paid by you. With the best will in the world, the builder may do certain things skewed to their interests rather than yours.

I got a structural engineer that also does plans etc.for my relatively small extension (35sq metres)
Now, I think it was a mistake and I would also take the hit and pay an architect and do something more interesting.
Dont get me wrong, it starting to look great now it's taking shape, and it's pretty modern with clean lines, flat roof and big windows and slider. But, now that I see how much the house has to be stripped back it would have been a small stretch to do something with some real design flair. I also reckon you will get much of your money back on a good design.
I think people underestimate how much the place gets pulled apart anyway and you may as well give for it and do something cool.

Calahonda52

The OP is silent on whether the job included knocking out a wall/widening a wall etc which requires steelwork.
If so he will require a structural engineer to sign off on this during the project
The steps are well documented elsewhere this forum, by others and moi.

Realtine

Calahonda52 wrote: »

The OP is silent on whether the job included knocking out a wall/widening a wall etc which requires steelwork.
If so he will require a structural engineer to sign off on this during the project
The steps are well documented elsewhere this forum, by others and moi.

Yes the back wall will be opened, so yes, I would imagine that a steel beam will need to be installed, i love Boardsl, mostly but it can be very difficult at times to find answers to specific questions as seen from the responses above, which is why I asked the question specifically relevant to me and my project.
However, it's a start and the responses have been useful and now I will educate myself on what each person does and which I need to employ.
thanks for your response.

jonnybravo

We're doing something similar at the moment (Dublin 15 - knocking an internal wall and extending out c. 10 sq metres). Found Architects aren't interested that we have contacted (work too small). Will need to get a structural engineer to spec the steel supports and sign it off (finding it hard to find). Contemplating an Architect technician for drawings as well.

Calahonda52

Realtine wrote: »

Yes the back wall will be opened, so yes, I would imagine that a steel beam will need to be installed, i love Boardsl, mostly but it can be very difficult at times to find answers to specific questions as seen from the responses above, which is why I asked the question specifically relevant to me and my project.
However, it's a start and the responses have been useful and now I will educate myself on what each person does and which I need to employ.
thanks for your response.

Use the advance search function within this and the DIY forum and search by user ID.
Else, for better results use google advanced search, with boards.ie as the domain name and user name plus the required words
eg
"Calahonda52 steel beam" site:boards.ie
brings up 170 posts

PhilOssophy

Draughtsman to Architect, think:

Nutritionist to Dietician
Tootheologist to Dentist
Chiropractor to Chartered Physio

Get an architect to do your plans, if there is any planning required, etc.

Tyson Lannister

sydthebeat wrote: »

Draftsperson doesn't really exist any more as a profession. That's like getting the "wood work teacher" to draw up your plans.

At a small domestic level most professions would be able to do what you want. Each would bring a certain specialism.

An architect, an architectural technician, a structural engineer... Maybe even a surveyor... Would all be suited.

As a technician myself, I'd argue that our profession would have a good mix of all the skills of the above professionals... But I also know good engineers who have a flair for design, and I know good architects who have good Knowledge of construction and structures.

I like "The Woodwork Teacher" reference as an example of sub par.

Bubbling

Realtine wrote: »

Advice please and thanks in advance.

We are currently int he middle of getting various builders quotes for a small kitchen extension out the back of our mid terraced house - 19sq meters approx.
We have found a builder we like and like his work.

however, should I have a draftsperson, or architect draw up plans? another builder I spoke to said obviously it was up to me but for a simple extension I probably didn't need to do so.
Im totally ignorant in this field, but is it something I should do before I engage the builder and what are the consequences if I don't.
thanks.
I've looked through the forum but can't find a definitive answer.

The implications of doing things on the cheap can be very costly in the long run.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” – Benjamin Franklin

While money is always a critical factor when people pay for something (along with time and quality), be careful - no point in making a small saving now to the detriment of the whole project and the big investment that you will be making.

You can get 3 quotes - but really what do you want? The cheapest design you can get? Or, a design that creates a beautiful house of you, adding value to your lifestyle while you live there?

"It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little".

Give consideration to the implications of wanting to only pay for a cheap design.

No point in making small saving to the detriment of the whole project and the big investment that you are are making.

However, either way: appointing a Technician or Architect will require and Engineer to design and sign off on the foundation and beam design, etc. (any thing structural....)

Maybe ask different parties to come out and review what you are looking to get done. It might cost €150 to €200 for an 'initial consultation' and this will allow ideas to bounce around and let you see who might be a good fit to work with. This might be the best money spent on the whole project.

BryanF

bubbling, please don’t copy your posts around. Thanks

Bubbling

Apologies.

Both recent posts were modified to address each query independently and appropriately. It was the aim to help the OP in each case.

The threads were covering similar and overlapping subjects and accordingly some of the response information (while the same in parts) was appropriate to each thread and reflected the very similar topics.

It was decided that it was better to inform, rather than edit out what might be relevant information in each case.

Just trying to help.

BryanF

Bubbling wrote: »

Apologies.

Both recent posts were modified to address each query independently and appropriately. It was the aim to help the OP in each case.

The threads were covering similar and overlapping subjects and accordingly some of the response information (while the same in parts) was appropriate to each thread and reflected the very similar topics.

It was decided that it was better to inform, rather than edit out what might be relevant information in each case.

Just trying to help.

If you have a problem with a mod direction, please use the PM function.

Have a read of the forum charter before posting again

If you want to link to a previous post with advice for a poster, that’s probably a better way to go.

mountai

FWIW . Planning permission is not required for an extension of this size however --- I echo the sentiments expressed by others , "Penny wise , Pound foolish " . You can get a box added to your house with minimum effort, but employing a designer with flair and imagination could make a huge difference to any project . Architects usually work hand in hand with structural engineers and should offer a full package . Under no circumstances employ a builder without drawings and a contract . Bite the bullet and do it right , you wont regret it .