Architect / Planning Costs

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bluestreak56

Veteran
 Maidenhead
Hi all,

I'm in the process of putting in planning permission for two small rear double storey extensions and a small side double storey extension:

I have had varying quotes on the job from architects / planners and have got the following today:

£650 + VAT + Council Fees (£172 I think) + Ordnance Survery Map £18

= £970 for planning application including any re-applications if needed.

If I want building regs its an additional £650 + VAT

I have no idea about these things, is this a reasonable sum?

Any advice would be appreciated.. Cheers
 
sounds reasonable - maybe even cheap, we paid more than that in architects fees - but we retained them to go through the rfp process and provide some project management - i think the plans drawn and submit was about £1k, and the other fees were on top.

having them run the rfp process worked for us, because we got responses that were sort of in line with how much the building federations estimated the build costs to be.

their project management services were expensive and crappy - they gave the work to pals and were never actually on our side at all. If i did it again id jst make sure that the building firm had some form of project management.

having a fixed price from the builders and a staged payment that was always in arrears was the single biggest piece of advice i'm glad i took and would pass on
 
Check online your local council pages for details of their costs, planning and regs. Architect costs do vary depending on the size of company. If you like their approach to the work and detail what you are getting for your money go for it. Remember you are the client and paying their wages so you need details.
 
It's really a 'horses for courses' scenario depending on the type of architectural/surveying practice/sole trader you entrust this work with. Depending on the complexity of the work involved, and you havn't supplied much information in this respect, those costs on face value seem very reasonable although you may get a 'one man band' architectural/ building technician with sufficient experience, who is not RIBA qualified, to produce adequate drawings, specification which are sufficient for planning purposes, building control submission and construction purposes without the addition of VAT. You are also based in London where rates for this type of work may be more expensive. Don't forget the Building Control fees (plan charge and inspection charge) which are based on a schedule that you can access online from your LA Building Control Department and will be at least £500 plus VAT. You need to include these in your budget.

Look at the 'Architect Your Home' website where charges for this type of work are 'eye watering' for what you might pay. :thumbsdown:

http://www.architect-yourhome.com/

I won't even comment on what you may have to pay out for any project management/post contract services should you choose to go down this route. :wink:
 
Thanks for all the advice, the quote is from a LTD registered company who have been trading since 1995. They are not a big company but mainly formed of chartered structural and civil engineers. I'm not certain if they are RIBA qualified although as above the RIBA qualified architect who worked on my parents house years ago was expensive, slow and incompetent.

I think I will go with this as I have a good builder who steered me toward the company .. wish me luck and thanks again! :thumbsup:
 
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