Tag: construction (Page 9 of 12)

The Secret Guide to Deal with Architects – Take 2

November 29, 2012 / barros / 11 Comments

Dealing with Architects can seem a bit daunting if you have never done it before. But we are here to help you to make the all construction process for your project as painless as possible.

This time we give you some tips about Fee Proposals.

If you have just landed here, you may want to start with Take 1 – Stages.

2. Fee Proposals

When approaching an Architect to get a fee proposal for your project you don’t need to tell him/her what is your favourite colour and how many steps you want separating the living room from the dining. We know you are all excited about getting your project started but these details are not needed to prepare a fee proposal.

Hot tip: If you can’t figure out what are the main points the Architect needs to prepare a fee proposal, just ASK him/her! Don’t waste your time and the Architect’s time with too much information. Later on when you appoint the Architect s/he will be asking for your Brief. The Brief will include your requirements and aspirations and that’s when you have to provide as much information as possible.

Go to Take 3 – The Brief.

Start from Take 1 – Stages.

The Secret Guide to Deal with Architects – Take 1

November 2, 2012 / barros / 7 Comments

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

We will give you a few tips for each of the stages involved in your construction project.

If you are not sure if you need an Architect or an Architectural Technician stop reading right now. Read this first and come back when you are ready.

1. Stages

Every construction project has different stages , it is important to understand these stages when you are comparing fee proposals from different Architects.

Hot tip: You can get away without some of the stages (although you will regret it later) but there are a few stages that CANNOT be removed from the process.

Go to Take 2 – Fee Proposals.

Irish Construction Costs 2012

July 6, 2012 / barros / 0 Comments

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

The latest publication from Bruce Shaw – Bruce Shaw Handbook 2012 – shows that tender prices bottomed out and prices rose by 2%. Bruce Shaw is one of Europe’s leading quantity surveying practices, they provide construction cost management, construction project management and consultancy services.

Prices are still at levels not seen since the late 1990’s but it seems that the race to the bottom has halted, says the publication.

Below cost tendering is not sustainable and many contractors and sub-contractors have realised that.

Bruce Shaw predicts that prices will remain very competitive but they will rise by a further 3% during 2012.

Average Irish Construction Prices 2012

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

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Average Irish Construction Prices 2012, Construction Costs Ireland

Average Irish Construction Prices 2012. Source: Bruce Shaw

Labour Rates

Labour rates were reduced by 7.5% in February 2011 (after prolonged negotiations with the construction trade unions). Below is a graphic showing Irish construction labour rates since 2005.

It is interesting to note they remained unchanged between 2008 and 2011. We believe they will stay at this level for a good few years but the lack of skilled workmanship may change this at any moment.

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Basic Hourly Wages in Ireland. Source: Bruce Shaw

Construction Materials Prices

Bruce Shaw Handbook notes the prices of some materials are reducing also but by less than might be expected since local manufacturers are experiencing smaller production volumes and imported commodities such as steel and copper reflect global demand.

This, however, contradicts the latest price index published by the Central Statistics Office of Ireland in May 2012.

In May 2012 the CSO recorded that all building and construction materials prices increased by 3.0% in the year since May 2011.

The most notable yearly changes were increases in Stone (+11.3%), Sand and gravel (+9.8%) and Paints, oils and varnishes (+7.4%) while there were decreases in Other steel products excluding structural steel and reinforcing metal (-2.3%), Plaster (-1.9%) and all other metal fittings (-1.8%). All building and construction material prices increased by 0.2% in the month. Click here to read the full publication.

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 2012. Click here to read the full publication.

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