Frequently Asked Questions

Consultation

  • When can I organise a consultation?

    We generally designate one day per week for consultations. When this occurs is quite flexible and can be arranged when suits the clients on a first-come-first-served basis. Generally we try to meet clients between the hours of 9am and 5.30pm on weekdays. However if these times do not suit, alternative times can be arranged but may take longer to organise. You can contact us via phone or email to organise your consultation. Contact details here.

  • What does this consultation involve?

    This consultation involves sitting down with you as the client, listening to your requirements, wishes and what you hope to achieve from the project. We can then offer advice, possible solutions and may provide a quick sketch of our initial thoughts. We will also give advice on whether or not planning permission is required. If you are happy to go with us prior to consultation we can arrange to survey the dwelling at this visit also.

  • How much is the consultation and am I then bound to engage you as the designer?

    There is no obligation to go with us after the consultation. We charge a consultation fee of €130 to cover our costs should you not go with us but if you do decide to go with us this consultation fee will be deducted from your invoice at the end of the design stage.

  • What happens after the consultation?

    After the consultation we will send you a fee proposal and scope of works based on our discussions. If you decide to proceed with us, we will coordinate a time that suits for us to gain access to survey the dwelling. Surveys generally take between one and two hours depending on the size of the dwelling. After this, we return to the office, draw up the survey and complete our initial design proposals based on your wish list as to what works in terms of achieving spaces required and maximising natural light.

Geographic Areas

  • Where is your work confined to?

    Most of our work is confined to the greater Dublin region. But with our Wexford office based in Bunclody, we cover most of the Leinster region too.

Project Details

  • How long will the project take to complete from start to finish?

    The design process will generally take between two and five weeks depending on how quickly you respond with feedback to our design proposals. If the extension requires planning permission, allow a further three months. If no planning permission is required then the tendering process can commence once the design stage is complete. During this stage, a Quantity Surveyor will price up the project and send it out to select builders for tender. This will generally take three to four weeks and can be done during any required planning processes. Once a contractor has been agreed, work on exempt developments can begin straight away. For all other projects a commencement notice needs to be lodged before work begins on site, once full planning permission has been granted - the lead-in time for a commencement notice is a minimum of two weeks. Once work has begun, the construction stage generally takes between three and six months.

  • How much will the project cost?

    We can only give a very rough estimation of how much the project will cost based on similar sized projects we have completed. Once you are happy with the design we can send it to one of our Quantity Surveyors for an accurate costing. We can adjust the drawings accordingly if cutbacks need to be made in order to bring the project back within budget. This will help reduce the risk of going for planning or tender (in the case of exempt development) with a design you cannot afford.

  • Why is an engineer required?

    A structural engineer is required to design and specify the structure for the dwelling from foundations to structural openings in walls to roof structure. We work closely with an engineer who can give you a quote for his services based on the drawings. Alternatively you are welcome to obtain your own engineering services.

  • Is Health & Safety required during construction?

    Generally any projects that will last more than 30 days or have a particular risk involved will require a Health and Safety Consultant to prepare a preliminary health and safety plan. This is required by law to cover any accidents that may occur on site. We can advise on this but it is ultimately your responsibility to engage a Health and Safety Consultant.

Planning Permission

  • Does my project require planning permission?

    We should be able to determine whether or not you need planning permission at the initial consultation.

  • What is exempt development?

    If you plan to extend less then 40sqm to the rear of your dwelling, this can generally be done without obtaining planning permission. In other words it is exempt from planning.

  • How long does planning take?

    This will generally take about 12 weeks from date of lodgement with the County Council. 5 weeks for the application to be validated and for any third parties to make observations, another 3 weeks for Planning Authority to make their decision and a further 4 weeks for third parties or yourselves to appeal the decision, before a final grant is provided.

Building Regulations and Compliance

  • What are building regulations?

    Buildings regulations are in place to make sure all building works are carried out to certain standards in terms of energy consumption, heat retention, room sizes, ceiling heights, fire escape, ventilation, circulation, health and safety, disability access, etc.

  • What assurance do I have that it is built to these standards?

    You require certification that the works were carried out in accordance with the building regulations. This is certification is generally requested by lending institutions to release money and is also required if you wish to sell your property at any point in the future. We carry out on site inspections during the construction stage in order to sign off that works have been built in compliance with these regulations. We are a registered Chartered Architectural Technologist Practice and we are also registered with the Society of Charter Surveyors of Ireland (SCSI) as Building Surveyors, Joe Fallon is also a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers. The practice carries full Professional Indemnity insurance on all our work.

John Ryan, Manor Kilbride, Co. Wicklow

I want to let you know how appreciative I am of all your efforts and all in your office Joe - Eric and Paddy who helped too.  I’m raving about the love and interest that you all put into the project to anyone that will listen! Thanks again guys.

John Ryan, Manor Kilbride, Co. Wicklow

5.0
2016-04-19T10:53:52+00:00

John Ryan, Manor Kilbride, Co. Wicklow

I want to let you know how appreciative I am of all your efforts and all in your office Joe - Eric and Paddy who helped too.  I’m raving about the love and interest that you all put into the project to anyone that will listen! Thanks again guys.

Alan Lawlor, Terenure

I found Joe to be creative - bringing our raw ideas to something that exceeded our expectations. He was very helpful throughout the process/build and found him a haven in what would otherwise have been a stressful time. He was also good value, not only in his own fees, but also in designing a top-class solution for build cost much cheaper than would otherwise have been the case.

Alan Lawlor, Terenure

5.0
2016-04-19T11:16:41+00:00

Alan Lawlor, Terenure

I found Joe to be creative - bringing our raw ideas to something that exceeded our expectations. He was very helpful throughout the process/build and found him a haven in what would otherwise have been a stressful time. He was also good value, not only in his own fees, but also in designing a top-class solution for build cost much cheaper than would otherwise have been the case.

Adrian Mc Cann, Stonepark, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

Styish and aesthetic design was our brief, we were trilled with the finished product.

Adrian Mc Cann, Stonepark, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

4.0
2013-07-15T11:14:25+00:00

Adrian Mc Cann, Stonepark, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

Styish and aesthetic design was our brief, we were trilled with the finished product.

Denis Ryan, Rossmore , Templeogue

Thank you Joe for your time and patience. We are delighted with the extension.

Denis Ryan, Rossmore, Templeogue

5.0
2013-08-20T18:44:46+00:00

Denis Ryan, Rossmore, Templeogue

Thank you Joe for your time and patience. We are delighted with the extension.

Jimmy & Gemma Doyle, Ballindoney, Co. Wexford

Thank you Joe for our bright new home, it is everything we had hoped for.

Jimmy & Gemma Doyle, Ballindoney, Co. Wexford

5.0
2013-08-20T18:48:26+00:00

Jimmy & Gemma Doyle, Ballindoney, Co. Wexford

Thank you Joe for our bright new home, it is everything we had hoped for.
4.0
5
Residential Architect Co Waterford | Bespoke Architect Co Waterford | Farm House Refurbs Co Waterford | Architects Co Waterford | Domestic Architects Co Waterford | Building Surveyors Co Waterford | Bespoke House Extensions Co Waterford | Residential Architect Co Wexford | Bespoke Architect Co Wexford | Farm House Refurbs Co Wexford | Architects Co Wexford | Domestic Architects Co Wexford | Building Surveyors Co Wexford | Bespoke House Extensions Co Wexford | Residential Architect Wicklow | Bespoke Architect Wicklow | Farm House Refurbs Wicklow | Architects Wicklow | Domestic Architects Wicklow | Building Surveyors Wicklow | Bespoke House Extensions Wicklow