Self Build No Experience

BlindedByGlory

Hi everyone, I have found all the posts on here extremely helpful as my wife and I are seriously considering going the self build route.

We are looking to buy a site in County Dublin for €150k - €200k which has planning permission already approved.

Our budget for a ‘turn key’ build would be €300k - €350k. This would need to include all costs. From reading the various posts on here this seems realistic for what we want if we build. We are happy with a basic design with nothing to fancy and whilst we want a quality finish I know we won’t be able to afford the highest spec.

My question to the community is this. Is it possible to just work with the architect at the design phase and then hire professionals to manage everything from there? I appreciate you will still need to manage him or her! With my work commitments I can’t see myself having the time to be as ‘plugged in’ as many on this forum and considering I or our family members don’t have the expertise anyway it would suit us to pay to have the project fully managed for us.

Any comments / advice appreciated.

Thanks

Bonzo Delaney

BlindedByGlory wrote: »

Hi everyone, I have found all the posts on here extremely helpful as my wife and I are seriously considering going the self build route.

We are looking to buy a site in County Dublin for €150k - €200k which has planning permission already approved.

Our budget for a ‘turn key’ build would be €300k - €350k. This would need to include all costs. From reading the various posts on here this seems realistic for what we want if we build. We are happy with a basic design with nothing to fancy and whilst we want a quality finish I know we won’t be able to afford the highest spec.

My question to the community is this. Is it possible to just work with the architect at the design phase and then hire professionals to manage everything from there? I appreciate you will still need to manage him or her! With my work commitments I can’t see myself having the time to be as ‘plugged in’ as many on this forum and considering I or our family members don’t have the expertise anyway it would suit us to pay to have the project fully managed for us.

Any comments / advice appreciated.

Thanks

Basically your looking for a main contractor whose approachable and fair to deal with.
Ask around the local area for recommendations.
Paying a project manager is still going to cost you similar to main contractors income at the end of the day.
From what I've experienced lately is most domestic project managers are moonlighting as main contractors anyway and vice versa.

Bricriu

Have a look at snip. Top-class work and honest.
Not connected to them in any way except that they built my house, which is super.

BlindedByGlory

Bonzo Delaney wrote: »

Basically your looking for a main contractor whose approachable and fair to deal with.
Ask around the local area for recommendations.
Paying a project manager is still going to cost you similar to main contractors income at the end of the day.
From what I've experienced lately is most domestic project managers are moonlighting as main contractors anyway and vice versa.

That’s interesting and good advice I’m sure. Thanks.

There’s a few things I’m trying to get my head around that are basics to everyone on here I’m sure!

Would most self builds have a Project Manager to oversee all individual contractors or can you just get a construction company you trust who will do everything from start to finish?

I’m sure this is down to personal preference / budget, but would you need to engage an individual architect, QS and Project Manager or can you hire one firm to cover all of these? Excuse my ignorance!

Thanks

BlindedByGlory

Bricriu wrote: »

Have a look at snip. Top-class work and honest.
Not connected to them in any way except that they built my house, which is super.

Thanks, I will do just that.

I had a quick look and will take some time later to dig deeper.

They look like a one stop shop for full build. Is that the case?

Bonzo Delaney

Always best to have your own Architect and engineer
All in one outfits are profit based the money comes from the one bank account.
If you've your own Arch and Eng they work for you and your interests

BlindedByGlory

Bonzo Delaney wrote: »

Always best to have your own Architect and engineer
All in one outfits are profit based the money comes from the one bank account.
If you've your own Arch and Eng they work for you and your interests

That’s a good point. Something to consider. I appreciate your input ðŸ‘