Tag: construction (Page 8 of 12)

Construction Costs in Ireland 2013

July 19, 2013 / barros / 6 Comments

Click here for our most recent post about Construction Costs in Ireland (2014).

Calculating the construction costs for your project is not an easy task. Every year we publish some guidelines and average prices to help you getting an approximate figure.

Our posts about Construction Costs are very popular and provide useful information to guide you on the costs for your construction project in Ireland.

We have seen an increase in tender prices since contractors have realised that below cost tendering is not sustainable.

Although the reduction in construction prices has been reversed there is still very good value to be had, says Bruce Shaw’s latest report.

The newly amended Building Control Regulations will come into effect on March 2014. While these changes aim to protect the consumer lets not forget that the additional requirements imposed by them will also increase the overall construction costs.

Average Irish Construction Prices 2013

The average construction costs table is generated using Bruce Shaw’s Cost Database and sets out typical building construction costs.

(Click image to enlarge)

Labour Rates

Labour rates were reduced by 7.5% in February 2011. We could not find updated data in relation to 2013 rates but the lack of skilled workmanship may turn this trend around.

Construction Materials Prices

In May 2013 the CSO recorded that all building and construction materials prices increased by 1.1% in the year since May 2012. This is 1.9% less than what was recorded during the same period last year.

The most notable yearly changes were increases in Glass (+10.4%), PVC pipes and fittings (+9.9%) and Stone (+4.7%) while there were decreases in Paints, oils and varnishes (-5.8%), Other Structural steel (-3.8%) and Hardwood (-3.8%).

Guide to Rebuilding Costs in Ireland

The Society of Chartered Surveyors publishes every year a guide to rebuilding costs in Ireland. This guide is intended to assist in insuring a house and the costs included are based on building rates as of March 2013. Click here to read the full publication.

(Click image to enlarge)

The Society of Chartered Surveyors website provides a handy House Rebuilding Calculator. This calculator can be used as a guide to give you a minimum base cost for your construction project.

Typical Exclusions

The above Irish Construction Costs should be used only as guidelines. There are a number of exclusions that you should also consider, and there is one that you cannot even calculate – risk.

Some of these exclusions will apply to your project others will not. But typically they will be:

Land Acquisition costs
Legal fees

Site investigation and surveys
Archaeology survey / excavations

Planning fees and charges
Architect fees
Structural Engineer fees
Quantity Surveyor fees
Energy Consultant fees
PSDP & PSCS fees

Financial contributions (Local Authority Contributions)

Utility suppliers fees & charges
BER Certs
Air Tightness Specialist

Inflation
VAT
Contingency
Loose furniture, fittings and equipment
Financing costs
Fire certificate fees

Check out our other articles in this series.

The Secret Guide to Deal with Architects – Take 3

June 21, 2013 / barros / 5 Comments

If you have never dealt with an Architect before this is a guide for you.

If you have just landed here do not miss our previous tips:

This time we give you some tips about the Brief. The Brief is a summary of all your requirements, they may not be 100% clear or decided but they will give your Architect a starting point for your project.

3. The Brief

Now that you have appointed your Architect it is the time to tell him/her everything you wish for your project. Don’t be afraid to sound silly. Your favourite colour (read Take 2) may now be relevant to the brief.

If you are not sure about what you need let your Architect help you. Architects are used to deal with a wide range of age groups and lifestyles, you will never agree with this but many times they will know better what you need than yourself! (Just give them some time, enough talk and make sure they know what do you have for breakfast.)

Hot tip: Let your Architect know what materials you like and what style you prefer (contemporary, traditional, classic, etc). If you have photos you like show them to your Architect but PLEASE don’t ask to have exactly the same or you would be killing your Architect’s creativity. If you want to copy someone else’s design than you either don’t need an Architect or you need to stop and read this.

Go to Take 4 – Your Budget

Start from Take 1 – Stages

Finding the Right Architect

May 22, 2013 / barros / 1 Comment

It is not always easy to find the right Architect in Wexford or elsewhere. There are many factors that you should consider before you make a decision.

Some of these factors will be easy enough to evaluate, others will require a bit more research, one or two meetings, or asking for references.

Below are the factors I consider to be the most important ones.

Registered with a professional association (RIAI, RIBA, etc)

In Ireland, the title ‘Architect’ is registered and a person cannot practice as an Architect unless he or she holds the relevant qualifications. Prior to becoming an RIAI-registered architect, architects will have trained professionally for seven years, in approved universities and institutes. Architecture is one of the longest training among the professions in Ireland. RIAI Architects are required to continually seek to raise their standards of excellence in all relevant areas.

The RIAI requires to its members a minimum of 40 hours of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) activity in the course of each year.

Experience

An experienced Architect would have dealt with a number of different projects and would be familiar with all stages of a project. Just like in any other profession this experience will make him/her more diligent and knowledgeable and this can save you lots of time and money.

Creativity

A talented architect can create projects that are not only functional but aesthetically beautiful, interesting or even sexy! Architects are trained to use their imagination in a wide variety of scenarios. You should be able to evaluate this by looking at the Architect’s work.

Ability to solve problems

Every construction project will have its problems. Having the ability to solve them promptly and wisely is something that comes with experience.

Communication

It is important to feel that you and your Architect can “sing from the same hymn sheet”. Your Architect should have excellent listening skills and believe me many times he/she will act as your psychologist. Use your first instinct to feel if you connect well or not, all going well trust will come along and your treatment will be over soon.

It is also important that your Architect is able to communicate ideas effectively – to clients, engineers, planners, contractors, etc.This will make everybody’s life much easier.

Professionalism

Professionalism can be easily spotted on the first contact. An email, a phone call, a fee proposal or a meeting may be all you need to evaluate if you are dealing with a true professional or not.

Approachability

You want your Architect to be there every time you need him/her (it’s a bit like a Doctor). You want to feel that he/she is easy to approach and easy to contact. A live Twitter feed or Facebook page are great to assure you they ARE there when you need. Mobile phone or email are essential. Skype is the cherry on top of the cake.

The Love factor

This is a bit like the ‘X’ factor, your Architect either have it or not. Architects with ‘Love’ factor will go the extra mile to ensure they are happy with their work and the client is extra happy with them. This involves time, dedication and passion and not every Architect will be willing to give you this. I do not know many Architects that have this factor but if you are in County Mayo (or close enough) drop by Mark Stephens Architects and you will not be disappointed.

Many other factors are important but it will be very difficult to evaluate them before you engage an Architect.

If you are still not sure why you should hire an Architect have a look at our articles ‘10 Reasons Why You Should Hire an Architect‘ and ‘The Dream Home…??…‘.

Posted by Isabel Barros May 22, 2013

View Isabel Barros’s profile