Architect and Engineer Fees for Attic Conversion

Hi all,

We are planning to get the attic converted but access to the attic is very difficult. We live in a large end of terrace house and attic space is huge.

What would a typical architect fee be for this (to include VAT) for looking at our access and space layout options and developing construction drawings for a contractor. We will manage the contractor ourselves. Likewise, what would engineer fees likely be?

Planning is not needed.

Many thanks,

B.

with the detailed info you've provided! the complete unknown existing condition of structure and fabric or standard of conversion, and whether upgrade to the existing home are required, with a visual inspection of the situation or detailed brief of what it is you require, typical fees to take on a job like that to:
planning will range from 1-5k
tender 1-5k
construction 1-5k
would you not just go and get three quotes? compare service and references and take it from there!
if i may - prepare a list of your requirements and images of what finishes you want, what the space is, what additional works/ alterations are expected to the existing home, what your budget is, etc etc. the more specific you are about what it is you require from your architect the better! for both parties. best of luck

Hi B, I have been working on quotes for getting my attic converted too and I´d recommend definately to get 6 quotes. There are loads of cowboy builders and a lot of guys that talk the talk but dont walk the walk. Dont go with the cheapest quote...it is not advised at all.

I have found the best option is go with a qualified architect. The initial chat and a view of their portfolio costs nothing.

I am looking forward to getting our conversion done next year.

Thanks for the advice. Very helpful.

We recently got an attic converstion and other building work done.
The total builders cost was €32K + VAT. The architect bill was €4 + VAT.

We used an architect that we had seen two examples of attic conversions that they had done on similar houses and had good references from the clients in question.

This architect quote covered

- the consultation phase, discussion of ideas and drawing up of sketches and different ideas of how to best fit the stairs into the landing and utilise the attic space

- Drawing up of proper plans and tender documents
- Getting planning
- Getting tenders from builders and helping us choose a builder
- Managing the build

I know you say that you will manage the builder yourself, but you need to keep the architect on board to inspect the structural work on the attic, as it goes along, to ensure that building regs were obeyed and the work is high standard to help negotiate any changes that occur.

Even in a well managed build with no disasters, changes can occur, either at the request of the builder or the client and the architect will be able to help negotiate the costs of these changes.

Unless you are a construction professional, I would strongly suggest that you need an architect working for you until the job is finished.

32k + VAT...was that cheap in your opinion.must have being a fair size.

Hoping to get ours done for 10k or less.

Do u really need to pay architect fees...it's an attic after all

Sorry if I sound negative but I've seen people get extensions done cheaper

Fedupwtbs said:

32k + VAT...was that cheap in your opinion.must have being a fair size.

Hoping to get ours done for 10k or less.

Do u really need to pay architect fees...it's an attic after all

Sorry if I sound negative but I've seen people get extensions done cheaper

Click to expand...

• do you intend to sell in the future? how will you prove the work was done properly?
• will it comply with building regulations? what if there was a fire, will your builder be aware of current regulations?
• is planning required? who will check? who will put in the application?
• how do you compare builder quotes? will you have drawings and spec prepared to compare quotes accurately? or will you just take the cheapest? and what if something goes wrong? who mediates between the builder and you, what happens if there are extras due to you not thinking the process through at the start?

'hoping' to do it for... why not get a drawing and spec prepare by a professional, so at least you can accurately compare builder quotes to start with.. oh but sure its only an attic..



[broken link removed] see page 31
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad,1586,en.pdf planning short version
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/BuildingStandards/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,1657,en.pdfattic regs short version
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,18754,en.pdf some building details
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,18749,en.pdf carefully consider air-tightness
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,18749,en.pdf (<br />)

Fedupwtbs said:

32k + VAT...was that cheap in your opinion.must have being a fair size.

Hoping to get ours done for 10k or less.

Click to expand...

As I said we got other work done too, quite a lot actually. The price was fair for what we got done. I think about half of the cost was the attic.

You can get some sort of attic conversion for 10K, but we got a dormer, a high quality stairs and a toilet and a walk in wardrobe in the attic as well as a fair size bedroom with top quality insulation.
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Do u really need to pay architect fees...it's an attic after all

Sorry if I sound negative but I've seen people get extensions done cheaper

Click to expand...

Its not just an attic, its a roof and its holding your house up.
If you mess with the structural integrity of your house and do it with without a professional designing it and ensuring that it is built competently, then you are taking a big risk and you will have a hell of a job explaining it to a potential buyer in the future whose surveyor has told them them that the attic is a liability

Fair points..I probably did sound a bit negative.

But if you paid approx half of the 32k and got everything you mentioned then I agree it's a good deal.

My father in law is an engineer so he has agreed to do some drawings to work from. He has a lot of experience in this area.