Looking for advice on getting an architect, how best to strike a fee and pre-planning meeting.

Hi All,

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to vet a few architects by having a sound them out chat individually and possibly doing this without paying each of them a fee for this first appointment?

I don't have any recommendations from friends because any who have used architects in the past have all had problems with them somewhere along the line and therefore wouldn't recommend them.

Ideally I would like one who is familiar with the requirements for South Dublin County Council but presume that the Council would not be allowed to either produce a list or give a recommendation.

I had thought about booking a [broken link removed] but it looks as if these are closely monitored by the Council and I certainly don't want to waste my possible one meeting through lack of knowledge.

I have had a look already at the [broken link removed] but am none the wiser.

I also don't want to pay a % fee and wonder if there are many architects who will work off a set fee?

Hi,

one way to find architects that are familiar with the planning of a specific council / area is to look up previous applications on the planning application section of council website. The architect name is always on the attached plans (it's also a great way to get some design ideas!).

There are a number of architects who will do fixed price packages, particularly to planning application stage.

Personally, I used Patrick from House7 architects to design a remodel and extension of our house, on a fixed price basis. The costs of build were prohibitive so we've decided to move house instead, but Patrick was recommended to me by a close colleague where he'd overseen the entire build.
http://www.house7architects.ie

There's a Facebook page called " Self Build Ireland " you could ask for recommendations on there

Thanks for those replies.

I had a look at previous applications on the SDCC website and each one used a different architect. A lot of them show problems insofar as more information requested to the extent of 4, 6 or 8 items! They seemed like fairly regular items so hard to figure out how the architects left them off the original application.

I also had a look on Self Build Ireland and see people complaining about their architects taking weeks and weeks to get back to them when they raise queries.