Where to start

PandaDancer

we know what we want to do to the house, and I am aware we will need planning permission. Looking to remove current kitchen extension and rebuild a bigger one around 5sqx4sq meters and put a third bed room upstairs 12 sq meter max. I want to replumb the house, get a new boiler or heat pump and energy upgrade. Do we get planning first? Get quotes from a builder, get an architect? Would a one stop should be first port of call. Everyone seems to want 5k upfront and I’m not sure if we can afford or do what we want. Who would you talk to and spend money on consults first?

Calahonda52

Who are these guys?

Everyone seems to want 5k upfront

monseiur

If planning permission is required you need an architect to draw up plans etc. and apply to your local planning authority. Once you have obtained planning your architect may employ the services of an mechanical engineer to draw up plans and specifications for all the plumbing work required. Your builder may do the actual plumbing work as part of his contract ditto electrical work or you may get your own plumbert, electrician etc.

Depending on the scope of the work you may require the services of a quantity surveyor. All works must be overseen and signed off on by a competent engineer.

Forget about fitting a heat pump, it seems to be the general consensus that retro fitting them does not work, you may end up with in a freezing house but with astronomically high electric bills. Beware if snake oil salesmen in the business, do your own independent research. Oil is the cheapest way to heat an older house and oil prices may drop if the NATO v Russia war ends soon. If budget allows consider upgrading attic & wall insulation. Contact SEAI regarding grants for heating upgrades, insulation etc. chances are you may qualify. Your architect and/or engineer should be able to advise you in this regard also.

PandaDancer

Build*** and Shom*** are charging €3k per sq meter. It’s like €120k to do half of what we wanted to do at a builders finish. And you need a surveyor at least for the bank. I had the consults and they want €5k to come back and do drawings etc. one builder was reasonable but wasn’t into the remortgage paperwork. At this point it’s cheaper to move.

Ray Palmer

Just to come in on this as I am sort of in the same situation. While I don't think the fees are unreasonable given the expertise involved and the time it is a little off putting. There is another sort of option that I am exploring at the moment. Certain iPads have lidar built in. This means you can scan a building and it will draw the plans of the property into Sketch-up. You do need a license for the software which is 120 for a year. These plans are not perfect but somebody with the pro license can finish the plans off and prepare them for a planning application.

There is at least one person on Adverts that will do house drawings for 500euro and I think you could get them to clean up plans you make yourself. While an architect would be needed for some jobs a lot of extensions don't need any such input. An engineer will need to check plans and sign off again if it is nothing complicated it won't take much input.

Not saying it will definitely workout I am going to give it a go myself but I am a qualified draughtsman from 30 years ago so it will be a little easier for me. In saying that I don't instantly know new building products or techniques so no ideas of costs. You are paying for expertise. It also depends on tech you have, I have a VR set too so can walk around the design which is apparently very expensive to get done.

PandaDancer

Oh wow your set up sounds deadly. My house is a standard ex corpo house k3 design I believe. Just want a 30 meter kitchen diner with a mud room/laundry room. French style doors. It’s not that difficult - pretty unimaginative tbh. And just the quotes seem a bit insane. Not thinking about entering grand designs lol.