Q&A

We want to build our own house

Q We have seen a number of sites with FPP for sale in our area (Dublin 6/14). We are interested in going down this route and building our own house. Could you advise us of what pitfalls to watch out for? We would need to engage an architect and wonder if they would also project manage the building for us. What do you think the cost of that would be? We want to build a two-bedroom detached bungalow with an en suite and main bathroom.

A What a lucky position to be in. To help answer your question we asked David O’Shea from ODOS architects (odosarchitects.com) who has extensive experience with this type of project. He suggests that prior to purchase, you ask an architect to visit the site with you and review the site conditions and the planning permission documentation. Check the expiry date on the grant. An allowance of between one to one-and-a-half years should be allowed for the successful delivery of a project of this size. Also check the conditions of the grant for fear there could be some compromising ones, notably design changes/contributions/levies.

Your architect will oversee the development on site up to completion and certify the works on completion. Architects’ fees are normally charged on a percentage of the final project cost or on an hourly rate and depend on the extent and complexity of the work and the services required. Your architect will discuss and agree the services and fee appropriate to your project. Fees can vary greatly but don’t choose an architect based on the cheapest fee, check the quality of his/her built work.

Visit their office to get a feel for what they do. People can be shy about approaching award-winning architects but O’Shea says that not only are award winners now affordable but add value to your property. He also advises that you should be satisfied that you can work together. Ensure your architect is registered on the RIAI register of architects. On his projects he has found that this, coupled with the fact that people can now afford better building contractors who were either too expensive or too busy during the boom years, means it is an extremely good time to build. As to cost, that will be dependent upon the house size, complexity of the structure and the standard of finish. Building costs have fallen 20 to 30 per cent in the last two years.

Greenhouse in front?

Q Inspired by your gardening page I am interested in getting a small greenhouse for tomatoes, etc. There is no room in the back garden. Could we legally put one up in the front garden? It’s a small cul-de-sac so there should be no trouble from passers-by. We are not too worried about what the neighbours’ think?

A It’s not so much what the neighbours’ think, it’s more what your planning office thinks. The section in the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 referring to “the construction, erection or placing within the curtilage of a house of any tent, awning, shade or other object, greenhouse, garage, store, shed or other similar structure” states that “no such structure shall be constructed, erected or placed forward of the front wall of a house”.

Your questions

Send your queries to Property questions, The Irish Times, The Irish Times Building, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 or email propertyquestions@irish-times.ie. This column is a readers’ service and is not intended to replace professional advice.