do I need an architect? Know any?

[cibby]

Just bought a 30 year old 3bed semi house, with nothing at all done by previous single elderly man owner- so no downstairs loo, nor utility room, nor shed. Want to add extention to have these with new kitchen. Am concerned re shores/sewage etc. Gas boiler in kitchen.
Have names of 3 very well-recommended builders who know their stuff, but do I need to employ an architect to get plans? (I know exactly what I want done)
Has anybody got an idea how much plans would cost?
Do you know any architects you can recommend for house which is in Dublin 15?
Tried to search out one, on their Royal Society of Architects site today -but there are no details of what they do, or I couldn't find any locally. surely one would be glad of a nixer?
Your views please!!

 

[Vanilla]

A good architect will give you a good design, expect to pay up to 10% of build cost for the best ones. A civil engineer can draw up plans for you if you really do know exactly what you want. Fixed cost which will depend on what you need as to plans, planning permission, supervision etc.