Working with an Architect – Your Home

• By Cooney Architects

This article, Published in RIAI Website May, 2017 by RIAI, is really useful if choosing an architect.

Whether you are planning to build your dream home or are extending and renovating your existing house, a registered architect has the qualifications, vision and experience to take you expertly through your building project.

An architect can also save you money on a project, as they will research viable alternatives and solutions to suit your budget. Whether you are planning a new corporate headquarters or are simply extending your home, a RIAI-registered architect has the qualifications, vision and experience to take you expertly through your building project.

What Architects Do
An architect does a lot more than just provide you with a design, they will help you set a viable brief and budget, guide you through the planning process, obtain quotes for the work, manage consultants like surveyors and engineers, monitor the budget and administer the construction contract.

An architect can also save you money on a project, as they will research viable alternatives and solutions to suit your budget.

Make sure you work with a Registered Architect
In Ireland, the title ‘architect’ is registered and a person cannot practise as an architect unless they are on the Register of Architects. The training and regulation of architects reflect society’s concern that buildings should be designed by a properly trained individual.

How do  I Find an Architect?
The RIAI provides on its website a search tool – the RIAI Practice Directory – that enables you to find a registered architect in your area. You can search the directory by practice name, by skill or simply by location.  If you cannot find a suitable RIAI architectural practice, please contact the RIAI by giving details of the project, address, location and the RIAI can provide a list of architects in your area.

How does it work? The project Stages 

Building Control Regulations
New Building Control Regulations come into force March 1st 2014.  The Government introduced new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (BC(A)R) that set out new procedures for the control of building activity. The regulations apply to most building works (including new houses, house extensions over 40m2, and any building works which require a fire safety certificate) and may affect the cost of projects and their duration.

For more details read The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations, S.I.9 –  Client Guidance Note.PDF File (353 KB)

For more details on Opt Out for Domestic Projects click HERE.

Your Architect can provide you with specific advice in relation to your project. Prior to commencing a project, Building Owners are advised to read the BC(A)R Code of Practice for inspecting and Certifying Buildings and Works.PDF File

How much it will Cost?
Architects’ Fees
An architect’s fee depends on the requirements and complexity of each project and the scope of services required. Some architects will charge you on the basis of a percentage of the total project cost, others on a fixed price lump sum or on a time charge basis. Fees need to be agreed before a project begins.

Building Costs
The cost of your build will depend on a wide range of factors including house size, construction method, materials, finishes and site context. The RIAI have compiled some typicalbuilding costs – from new single and two-storey houses to house extensions.

The RIAI have published a new Consumer Guide for Domestic and Commercial Works to provide clients with guidance on building costs. The RIAI has compiled this guide using average costs for different building types under ‘Commercial Works’ and ‘Domestic Works’. The Cost Guidelines can be used as an accompaniment to the new RIAI Client / Architect Agreements.

Working with an architect will be the best investment you make and raise your project to new levels! 

Please download  working with architect brochure here:  WorkingWithArchitect_2017