Okay, having learned a lesson recently on managing client expectations can I say you've done the right thing second time around.
Now I'm going to tell you a few little known facts about the process.
Most people don't understand what is involved in designing because all the see is the final drawing.
However if you've ever been involved in any design process you will soon realize that the time spent drawing the final agreed design up is the least part of the project.
Start to finish you can draw up a set of say three A1 drawings in about two days, fully noted - plans sections and elevations.
That is the least of it - its the getting to that stage that takes the most time, looking at options, considering alternatives, doing sketches and 3D studies to get the "feel" of it, and doing some future planning to avoid shooting yourself in the foot later.
The design decisions that define what will be shown on the drawings is the more time-intensive part of the work and unless the client fully engages with those decisions and is clearly intending to take it to site it will never get done.
If the client won't fully engage with the design process its a total waste of time and the exercise is only good for getting in prices as opposed to what you may actually want, so get that clear in your mind from the start.
You'd be better off saving yourself fees and just getting a rough idead of the area and multiplying by the following factors per square foot
- €60 - Direct Build, no contractor - can lucky or can be a poor result
- €80 - contractor - basic specification
- €100 - contractor - reasonable standard of finish
SO for 400 sq ft the prices are
- €24,000
- €32,000
- €40,000
This excludes design fees and is for exempted development only.
Obtaining planning permission, site surveying, presentations to planners all cost extra.
You're paying for the person's time and the planning permission may involve negotiations with both the planning officer and the neighbours.
Hope this helps.
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.