Architect & Builder - Knutsford area

[J_S_G]

Hi all,

If anybody knows a reasonably priced architect to take some plans I've sketched up and get them done properly, through planning permission (Macclesfield council) and building regs, I'd really appreciate it. We're talking an extension on a house plus dormer conversion of the roof space. Drinks for anybody who can save me money on the quote I've been handed so far!

Likewise, I think I've found a reasonable builder, but happy to go with any other suggestions if anybody's got somebody to recommend.

Cheers all!

[Combover]

I know of a good Surveyor who could do it for you, PM me if you want details.

[lord summerisle]

i could possibly either pass them on to a fully qualified mate of mine (tho hes a little tied up with moving house that moment)

or else do them myself (i'm an Architect's Assisstant/Architectural Technician) and get him to check em over.

[gonzales]

I know a few people who are in need of the extra cash if you still need someone.

[J_S_G]

Cheers for the replies, all.

OK, there's three things I really need doing:

1. Taking the blueprints I've drawn up as a novice (a novice who's paid attention to other houses in the area, sight-lines from the property, etc), and turn them into something that can get through planning permission and building regs. The roof's an interesting one - it may need raising a few inches/foot or so, and could do with someone who really knows insulation regs (would dearly love to go with some low-volume stuff here), as well as having structural engineering knowledge/contacts - there's some perling to deal with! Current quote I've got from an architect is about £2,500 inc. VAT (excluding council planning and building regs fees) to measure it up, draw it up, prepare a bill of materials, get some calculations done on the perling, and get it through planning, assuming no massive re-work required.

2. A builder to take those plans and sort out all the work - 10ft full-width & height extension, putting a staircase in, dormer conversion, new kitchen and bathrooms, having the front of the house tarmacced, filling in a pond, etc. Central heating experience would be good, too - it's currently oil-fired heating, and I've just had Transco pipe gas to the property - will need a full new system, no doubt. Not to mention the electrics. Current quote I'm looking at is around £65k for this, excluding kitchen/bathrooms, and assuming the roof doesn't need raising or a 50ft RSJ installing!

3. Some smaller scale stuff in the meantime - there are two internal rooms needing no structural work that I'd like to get out of the way - replastering, new (additional) electrical sockets, new flooring down (laminate), skirting boards/coving, and new doors (plus frames 'rejuvenating'). Happy to have a contractor in separately to get these out of the way - I was going to do them myself, but have stripped the first room back to brick, pulled up the carpet, removed radiators, etc. and run out of hours in the day.

If any of the above sounds like it'd match the people any of you have in mind, please do drop me a mail with details - would rather the work went to those who're needy... and reputable... and reasonably priced!

Thanks again.

[lord summerisle]

J_S_G said:

The roof's an interesting one - it may need raising a few inches/foot or so, and could do with someone who really knows insulation regs (would dearly love to go with some low-volume stuff here), as well as having structural engineering knowledge/contacts - there's some perling to deal with!

you mean something like this: http://www.tri-isosuper10.co.uk/

[benny.c]

lord summerisle said:

J_S_G said:

you mean something like this: http://www.tri-isosuper10.co.uk/

I specified this on a job in Vale Royal last year and Building Control rejected it because it has been failing on-site tests. They may have updated it since then but until it has a BBA Certificate I don't think I'll be specifying it again. Kingspan ( http://www.insulation.kingspan.com) do relatively low bulk insulation - not the cheapest but well established. Usually 100mm between rafters and 25mm under does the job but due to ventillation requirements you may not get 100mm between your existing rafters (rafters sit on PURLINS by the way )

A fee of £2.5K isn't bad for a £65K build - I charge 4% of the build cost for domestic work so about the same. If you decide not to use an archietct (at least registerd with the Architects Registration Board http://www.arb.org.uk/ ) then make sure the person you use has Professional Indemnity Insurance which will cover you against any design defects made by your designer. Architects have to carry PII to register with ARB.

Hope this helps.

Edited by benny.c on Monday 3rd September 10:17

[lord summerisle]

benny.c said:

lord summerisle said:

you mean something like this: http://www.tri-isosuper10.co.uk/

I specified this on a job in Vale Royal last year and Building Control rejected it because it has been failing on-site tests. They may have updated it since then but until it has a BBA Certificate I don't think I'll be specifying it again. Kingspan ( http://www.insulation.kingspan.com) do relatively low bulk insulation - not the cheapest but well established. Usually 100mm between rafters and 25mm under does the job but due to ventillation requirements you may not get 100mm between your existing rafters (rafters sit on PURLINS by the way )

A fee of £2.5K isn't bad for a £65K build - I charge 4% of the build cost for domestic work so about the same. If you decide not to use an archietct (at least registerd with the Architects Registration Board http://www.arb.org.uk/ ) then make sure the person you use has Professional Indemnity Insurance which will cover you against any design defects made by your designer. Architects have to carry PII to register with ARB.

Hope this helps.

The only experiance i've had with the Tri Iso was the 9 - one of my collegues had used it on a council house reroofing project... they where having problems with condensation - which i believe was traced back to the builders stapling the insulation to the rafters.

i prefer to stick with Sheeps Wool - but thats much bulkier