DESIGN AND BUILD SERVICE:

Now offering a complete DESIGN & BUILD service:

For the full story, press the “more” button….

Considering the vast number of subcontractors now looking for work in an industry which has all but dried up, we have been negotiating with some of our regular sub-contractors and are now offering a complete turnkey service, where we can handle all designwork, planning applications and can subsequently manage the complete build process on site on your behalf. This is similar to the normal “Project Management” service offered by Building Contractors in the modern building industry. Let us handle the contracts for you!!! Your priorities become our priorities, whether it is the budget, time scale, quality of finish or building style.

An interesting  fact of which most people are unaware, is that an RIAI qualified architect is specifically fully trained and versed in the areas of building law and contract law, which means that your architect, if properly qualified, is best positioned to manage you project on site. It makes perfect sense. Having already spent days and weeks working on your design, we are in the best position to understand your aspirations for your project. Keeping your budget in mind, we will find you the best quality workmanship at the best price available.

We can arrange a very simple form of contract which ensures that your interests are always maintained.

How we do this is really simple!

After planning permission has been granted, we prepare a further set of drawings which are called “Working Drawings” or Assembly Drawings, detailing all aspect of the building project, from initial set out of the blockwork, steel frame or timber frame, right through to the internal layouts and fittings, including stairs, doors, lighting, kitchen units, sanitary services tiling layouts etc. The design of all aspects are first discussed with you the client, and then put down on paper in sufficient detail to remove any ambiguity when later building. This keeps you in charge of the building process. Separate prices can be obtained from the relevant subcontractors and if necessary some details can be re-designed to suit your budget or taste… The important thing is that YOU are in charge of everything, but we handle all the headaches. On site scheduling can be organised, so that nothing is left to chance and the time spent on site is kept to a minimum.

By removing the ambiguity which is normally associated with insufficient drawings, we can insure that the best price is obtained, before you go on site.

An interesting fact: When building contractors are given “planning drawings” to prepare a building price, it is quite common that the builder will increase the building cost, so as to cover any ambiguties left unmentioned on the drawings, which would commonly result in an inflated price being agreed.

The finished expectation is normally different between the client and the builder…. One question… What do you think will be included when the house is finished?

Common issues which are normally not addressed at the start of a house project and can result in “additional extra costs” being included by the builder at a later stage.

Is the external paving specified? Is there lighting outside the house? Is the stairs detailed? is it oak, red deal or white deal? is it painted or varnished? Are there turned ballustrades or square type? Are the internal doors solid or laminated? Are the external windows specified? Are they double glazed? Is the cavity filled with argon? Is the glass a low-e type? Does it have a 0.1 soft coat or 0.2 hard coat? Is the ventilation for the building in compliance with the latest Building Regulations?  Is it in compliance with the BER energy assessment? Is the wall and roof insulation the best quality available? Is there adequate ventilation in the attic? If its a flat roof, is it a warm or cold construction type roof? What are the consequences after ten years? Is the kitchen counter top included in the price? Is it granite, stone, ceramic, formica, butcherblock wood or stainless steel? Is the internal lighting specified? Is it low energy lighting? Is there adequate ventilation for the light fittings in the roof/ceiling cavity? Are the sanitary units specified, or will the builder pick them for you?

This list of questions is just the start… To make sure that everything is finished as you initially wished, we can organise these and every other aspect of the building for you. You might be surprised to hear that the savings made when using an architect more than covers the minimal fee. The reason is simple. When a builder is given insufficient information, an additional price is added to the cost of the building, which covers the time spent by the builder in sorting out the details. Comparitively, we cost less than a builder, but we are better trained and qualified to deal with the issues and always have your interests in mind.

Building a house is probably the single largest investment you will ever make, so doesn’t it make sense to have a qualified professional architect look after this for you? It is what we are trained to do and you can be guaranteed that an RIAI architect will provide you with a top class professional service. Our reputations depend on it.

So, why not consider using our services and let us do the donkey work for you. Our prices will convince you when you ring…..