Building Bylaws

Prior to starting to build you need a building bye laws consent and cards.

The Building bye-laws set standards for building work. Their aim is to ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings by setting requirements for building design and construction. The bye-laws also promote energy efficiency and aim to improve access for disabled people.

Building byelaws consents usually take up to 5 weeks to come through, although can be much faster for simple applications.

The drawings required for both of the above are quite different. For more complex projects these drawings are not detailed enough to enable a builder to complete or even start the works, but this varies from project to project. You can find out more about this from the RIBA website or by contacting me, I will be happy to advise you.

Fees

Between 5% &15% of the contract cost is a good place to start the budget for professional fees. It is dependant on the size and complexity of the project.

As a rough indication of the cost of a project it is possible to use a 'square metre' rate to formulate a building budget. Build costs in Jersey are currently running at around £3,000.00 a square metre.

These figure are only a ‘ball park’ but give a good rule of thumb for working out the likely cost of your aspirations and establishing if your budget will go as far as your ideas.

So for example a single storey extension of 20 sq/m of floor space = 20m x £3,000= £60,000. A two storey extension at 40sq/mm =40m x £3,000 = £120,000.00

Cost can vary enormously with factors such as specification levels, higher quality being more expensive, site access and general build-a-bility. Work to historic buildings tends to be more expensive and more complex.

Alternatively I work on a time charge. Time charge rates are: £120 per hour.

Expenses for copying, travel, international calls and postage are all charged as per my schedule of disbursement - please contact me if you wish to view these. All appointments are made with the appropriate RIBA Standard Forms of Agreement. Other consultants fees and statutory authority fees are payable directly by the client

All fees are by negotiation, please contact me to discuss.  Payment must be made prior to any Local Authority submission or drawing issue.

Initial Contact

I never make a charge for a first meeting with a client (subject to a time limit of 1.5hours including travel). If you are embarking on a project for your home, however small, I feel it is important to be able to make an approach without incurring costs. Building or remodelling your home is an exciting prospect, but it can be challenging and it is important get a feel for the person who you will be engaging to guide you through this process and ensure that you will be content working with them.