Annex remodeling architecture fees

cc58

Hi put this in another thread but though I'd ask here as well 
 we recently purchased a property which has an attached annex. The layout was awful so we want to remodel it, put in a new dormer, knock down retaining walls etc. I found an architect who did some fixed fee architecture with unlimited changes for about £800 for the plans for the council which I was happy with. 

Planning approval has been granted now we're onto the second stage and the prices seem excessive 

Firstly Ive been told 3 things are now required.

1) structural engineer fee for proposed works

2) technical drawings from the architect which I guess is what the builders go off and are provided to building control

3) building control visit and signoff

The prices I've been given inc vat are

1) 1750

2) 1500

3) 1000

This seems quite high, are the architects chancing their arm or is this what it usually costs? 

I'm in Bedfordshire if that makes any odds

cc58

Just to clarify, the 1,2and3 costs were for those jobs above so total is over 4.5k 

theonlywayisup

With regards to Building Control,  you have choices.  You can draw plans and submit them to Building Control or you can proceed on a Building Notice (without plans).  You can either chose to go with your Local Authority BC officer or appoint your own.  There isn't much in the price on who you appoint but on the method you chose. The decision to go on a Notice rather than Full Plans will save you the cost of the drawings, but will mean you have to know what is being built and the BC fee will be higher than with Full Plans. 

Without knowing what you are building it is difficult to comment on your fees.  In the South West, an SE for a timber frame dwelling (average sized) will be in the region of £750 plus VAT.   BRegs drawings for that same house would be £1200 plus VAT but the BCO sign off would be included in the BC fee (separate to the drawings cost) and that would depend on the size of the build (on my fictitious build would be circ £800 if on a Notice).

In essence, you are looking at:

Structural Engineers fee
Building Control fee based on Full Plans (drawings)
Building Regulations drawings fee 

or 

Structural Engineers fee
Building Notice fee

The second scenario, the Building Notice fee is higher than the Full Plans application.

Your fees for Building Control will be on your Local Authority website.