I am sure there are multiple threads on this just wonder how these fees sound
Renovation budget is 200-250K
It is only going to be the ground floor that is re worked and not by much , no knocking supporting walls, maybe just opening them up. The rest of the house layout will stay the same just re wiring and plumbing
Does 20K sound a lot for the architect including sign of for the conservation architect for planning??
Thanks
Moss,
Sounds par for the course for conservation work, though I would expect them to also put it out to tender and project manage for that amount.
S
markstephensarchitects.com/2010/ … tect-cost/
Didn’t realise the RIAI had stopped postinguidelines on architect fees.
Hi Moss,
I am currently completing the renovation of my house which is a listed building. Like you I did very little redesign but needed planning due to its listed status and almost had a stroke when I got quotes from conservation architects.
Now that I am almost out the other end I appreciate more what I am paying for. Sorting out planning for a listed building is a huge job for an architect and in many ways is more challenging than designing a building from scratch. Basically the local authorities have outsourced building control to the architectural profession IMO. The LAs have listed whole streets particularly in cities without ever inspecting their interior, once you apply for planning to renovate then the LA makes a decision on the basis of a very detailed conservation report submitted by your architect and paid for by you. Also as part of planning the architect has to submit detailed drawings of each room, even if you are not changing the layout. S/he should also advise you on materials, conservation best practice, tendering for the work etc.
In my experience €20k is around the going rate for conservation architect in Dublin. That said mine was a bit (approx 1/3rd) cheaper than that and I would be happy to PM you his contact details if you like.
IMO if you are planning to just refurbish and not redesign your main consideration in choosing an architect is their experience of getting through conservation planning and choosing and supervising builders. Mine was excellent in that regard and really saved my life on a number of occasions by intervening to stop the builder mucking up things and also researching how to solve the complex damp proofing problems which emerged unexpectedly when we took up the basement floor of my place. He was also very budget conscious and advised about what was worth spending money on and what wasn’t. So I think he saved me more money than his fee cost in the end. If you don’t have experience in managing building projects it is worth spending the money on a professional conservation architect to advise and represent when dealing with builders.
Thanks for the feedback. I was just surprised given it is only going to be one floor that is re worked and while planning is required every house on the road has done similar and more with no issues. Thanks again
Conservation architecture is one of the biggest rackets in Ireland, (it can’t be avoided for a protected structure).
As earlier poster mentioned, vast swathes of Dublin have been listed as protected structures.
I can understand protecting the external streetscapes, but it is nuts how detailed the conservation rules are on the interior of houses.
What ever happening to your home being your castle?
The architects got their snouts firmly in the trough when the protected structure rules where being introduced.
Somewhere in the next 50-100 years the rules will be overturned (in terms of interiors of properties and volumes of properties protected).
The stock of red-bricks in Dublin is probably approaching 100 years old. How costly will they be to maintain when they are pushing 200 years?
It’s not sustainable from a cost perspective when these properties are being used for family homes. (Competitive economy, how are you)
Preserving the streetscapes makes sense.
Preserving the interior finishes on a few high grade buildings makes sense.
Preserving interiors on street after street of redbricks, (many of which are already torn up into flats) makes no sense, unless you earn a living as a conservation architect.
Rant Over 
Hmmm …
Given that your architect, if registered and as a professional with PI obligations as well as business overheads, must earn a decent salary and make some operating profit to keep the business afloat, you cannot expect ridiculously low fees. In domestic projects the clients often expect undivided 24/7 attention before, during and after the physical works.
If your architect is paying themselves a reasonable 1000 p/w and allowing a modest 250 overhead plus 250 business profit allowance that’s a €1500 burn per week at a minimum - assuming a single job phase being worked at a time and working from home - not unusual in the current clime.
Given that most jobs would have an early block of concentrated design/planning work requiring full-time inputs over two months - that’s 12 grand down already!
Later it becomes less full-time but the project span, including snagging and final completion certification could be two years thereafter.
It is wise and sobering to stop and think, prior to hiring anybody to provide a service, if you would do the job for the same renumeration yourself.
Agree with tis- except I’d guess few are making the €1000 salary.
Just bumping an old thread here.
Anyone got any more information on red brick houses being “protected internally” or whatever the phrase is? And what kind of basic renovations might be covered?
riai.ie/consumer_services/working_with_an_architect/the_project_stages/
RIAI page may be of interest