Hello to all, my sister has received quotes from architects for pre-planning meeting and planning application .One quote was for 650 euros pre-planning and 2500 euros for planning application.Also if any further info was asked for it would be 500 euros.this person is very qualified and has proven track record ,but do you think its a bit steep ? The other price was 2200 all in .why such a difference ? Your opinions please....thank you.
Other posts have referred to the quality of the work you will get for this money.
People don't seem to understand that the lines on the planning drawings do not proportionally reflect the amount of time put in or the sheer work needed to create the design.
Using CAD even a visually dense drawing can be drawn in around a day but even for the survey this doesn't reflect the time taken to visit the site and survey the building.
How much less might it reflect the time taken to design a building from scratch, a significant part of which process can be trying to bring out of your clients mind what they actually want, sometimes melding conflicting desires and aspirations within the one person and definitely from each person in a couple living together.
Depending on how well the couple have communicated their relative ambitions you may end up like a marriage guidance counselor before the job even gets to planning lodgement.
There is no way this process of discovery and creation will be recorded in the final drawing, which could be the twelfth revision or more.
If all you want is a square box with a standard window and traditional building spec a draughtsman could knock out a permission in a day based on sketch plans in his possession.
It would look terrible, probably take away from the dwelling and add little or nothing to the amenity of the the house because it would not be properly designed.
Each site is its own unique set of circumstances, each client is equally unique - standard boxes are the same poor quality solution and people know this instinctively.
In addition to this, if the draughtsman didn't understand detailing and scheduling, specification and contract, you could be well on your way to a disaster.
The fact that your sister hasn't appointed the architect for the complete job, inception through planning, tender process, working drawings, site inspections and final certification suggests neither person she spoke to has properly explained the role of the architect to her or the benefits of appointing a competent design professional.
May I respectfully suggest she reads the Key Posts at the top of this forum, particularly the ones entitled " What to ask your architect at your first meeting" and "The Self Build FAQ".
This should inform her as to what she might expect to discuss with her representatives and why their role should not end with "a set of drawings".
ONQ.
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All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.