Question On Additional Floor Required For A&a

[sillbeers15 7]

I am keen to add an additional floor to my existing 2 storey Semi D house. Enquire to my last contractor, I was given a high level quote of $300k for the build up cost.

I have been reading many forum experiences, it seems that many advice to go for an architect and PE over an ID to undertake the A&A.

My question is, if my build cost can be limited to less than $400k (all included), does it make sense to spent $75k for an architect & PE over such a small scale job?

What is my best approach to ensure a smooth A&A?

[ShanTripleS 0]

Hi sillbeers,

My advise would be definitely to go with ID. And as per our knowledge we think that you do no need to spend that much on PE. It's seriously not worth it.

If you are comfortable and covinient, you can drop by our office so that you can get a full information and advise from our professional team. It's a no obligation visit. May be from this view you can get a clearer view on your case. It's still better to get more advises than jumping in to a decision. May be this visit could clear up some of your questions.

You are most welcomed to visit us for a discussion on this. If you decided to come down do me give a call and I shall arrange an appointment with my dedicated team to attend you. Still it's just a visit without any obligation.

Thanks and best regards,

Shan
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[pantieileen 2]

I am keen to add an additional floor to my existing 2 storey Semi D house. Enquire to my last contractor, I was given a high level quote of $300k for the build up cost.

I have been reading many forum experiences, it seems that many advice to go for an architect and PE over an ID to undertake the A&A.

My question is, if my build cost can be limited to less than $400k (all included), does it make sense to spent $75k for an architect & PE over such a small scale job?

What is my best approach to ensure a smooth A&A?

so expensive 75k!

i only spent 26k for architect & PE and mine was reconstruction. I remembered A&A is cheaper. I think if you are not extending your SD laterally, only vertically, redo your wirings/piping for only new floor, not doing any changes to existing 1st and 2nd storey. Possible leh. Then again, i'm only estimating based on my puny experience for a IT, reconstruction from 2 to 2.5storey. i spent 365k, tore the entire house down leaving the staircase only.

how come there's a ID stalker in our forum recently ?

[ShanTripleS 0]

Hi,

I understand that forums are open to everybody and anyone can post their views in it. What we are doing is just giving some advise and opinion. Its still up to you guys whether you want to accept it or.

Why lately being stalked by ID? Because previously most of the IDs will be imposting as a member and recommending themselves in forums. I believe its still going on.

But few of us are not like that and trying to be straight forward and open up some tips and advise. And please take note, there are some things which only IDs will let know the owner and not customers. Try to get that first. What we can see are, most of the owners are sharing their reno details among others. How if you guys are sharing a wrong info? eventually you won't realize until someone tried to use that info and get into trouble.

Something to think about and im not blaming anyone for anything. Its my own opinion.

thanks and regards.

[pantieileen 2]

I am keen to add an additional floor to my existing 2 storey Semi D house. Enquire to my last contractor, I was given a high level quote of $300k for the build up cost.

I have been reading many forum experiences, it seems that many advice to go for an architect and PE over an ID to undertake the A&A.

My question is, if my build cost can be limited to less than $400k (all included), does it make sense to spent $75k for an architect & PE over such a small scale job?

What is my best approach to ensure a smooth A&A?

Forgot to tell you, there are some companies that "Bao" PE & architect. For my case, i drew my ideal layout on drawing paper then i sat down with the architect for him to vat. What can be done, what cannot be done. Can the toilet be placed here or there, can i have extra windows etc etc, can i remove and shift this beam, loading and weight questions. I get my answers immediately. Sometimes it takes 30min-1hour. My architect is patient, middle age, in his 50s. Then he will pass on the recifications to the layout to the junior architect (around my age, late 20s) and PE(middle age uncle) to endorse before submission to BCA/URA. Note, you have to get everything right before they send in to BCA/URA otherwise changes will take a very long time and this can delay projects.

I think there are a few of such companies around and builders tend to use them, i guess "all-in-one" solution. Coincidentally a few of my new neighbors used the same company.

And then there are those real hardcore architects who have certain ideas for your house in their own mind and prefer that you heed their designs. Personally i don't like it. Prefer that they listen to what i want instead.

I realized it's good to make friends with "all-in-one" PE/architect & builder. I can get instant estimated quotations when i window shop for houses to know what it cost to A&A, rebuild, re-erect. Call them on the spot when i "window-shop" tell them where trucks can access, location of sewage manholes in the house etc. Was viewing a few conservation properties in Geylang

[Lauer 15]

so expensive 75k!

i only spent 26k for architect & PE and mine was reconstruction. I remembered A&A is cheaper. I think if you are not extending your SD laterally, only vertically, redo your wirings/piping for only new floor, not doing any changes to existing 1st and 2nd storey. Possible leh. Then again, i'm only estimating based on my puny experience for a IT, reconstruction from 2 to 2.5storey. i spent 365k, tore the entire house down leaving the staircase only.

how come there's a ID stalker in our forum recently ?

Yes, 75K is way over the top. A rate of 7 or 8% of the construction cost would be reasonable.

In my view, never ever engage an ID to do A&A, let alone reconstruction. IDs are not QPs.

Cheers!

[shln168 0]

Silbeers15, I am in the same situation as you are - wanting to add an additional storey to my 2 storey corner terrace. I think I must met over 8 Architects in total and all have quoted in the range of $40-68k, excluding the structural engineer fees.

And actually, all have told me that because we are changing the height of the existing house by adding in another 0.5 storey, this will automatically constitute a reconstruction, instead of an A&A.

Pantieileen - are you able to share with me your architect's contact please? Am not able to PM you. Thanks lots in advance!

[sillbeers15 7]

Pantieileen - Appreciate that if you are able to share with me your architect's contact through PM? Thanks!

Shin168 - Perhaps we should PM each other and share information regarding topic?

[ganglong 0]

I am keen to add an additional floor to my existing 2 storey Semi D house. Enquire to my last contractor, I was given a high level quote of $300k for the build up cost.

I have been reading many forum experiences, it seems that many advice to go for an architect and PE over an ID to undertake the A&A.

My question is, if my build cost can be limited to less than $400k (all included), does it make sense to spent $75k for an architect & PE over such a small scale job?

What is my best approach to ensure a smooth A&A?

Hi sillbeers, of course you will need an architect & PE first before the ID can come in and do the interior works.

[Atelier 0]

Lauer's estimate of the Architects fee at 7 - 8% is about the average in the market. Branded or award winning Architects can charge above 10% of the construction cost.

The traditional way is to appoint an architect and consultant team first to help prepare a schematic design and some preliminary cost estimate. The design could then be adjusted accordingly to fit your budget.

The architect will prepare tender drawings and documents to call tender for a builder. A few builders are invited for the tender. Although the architect will provide the tender report and evaluation, you have the choice to decide which builder to use.

Now a days, many people look for an all in one builder. The correct term to use is Design and Build (D&B). You appoint the D&B contractor and they will appoint or have their own architect and consultant team to do the design and authority submission.

Going this route, the architects and consultant fee is cheaper as they do not have to provide the service of calling tender and evaluation. Also, the contractor may provide most of the design and drawings leaving the consultant team to just check and do the authority submission.

Hope the above info is useful.

Cheers

[rogerlohyk 0]

Yes can agree with what Atelier had said.

A good team of Design and Build people should have 3 experienced group of people in it, and these are naturally:

- Architect / Professional Engineer, giving sound advises on the Dos and Don'ts on how to maximize your $$$ by building the house either vertically upwards, horizontally front / rear / sideways or just reinforcing the structure for lofts etc.

- Interior Designers, giving sound advises on how to beautify the interior / exterior with brilliant ideas to sometimes even covering up the flaws of your existing structural / architectural etc.

- Builders, basically they'll just be doing the execution part in building as per what the Architect / Professional Engineer / Interior Designer designs, take charge of the overall on-site works and not miss the construction and renovation completion deadline.