Build your Home
| Build your Home |
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Seek a suitable plot. Visit the area that you are interested in and ask the local residents directly, or in case of a village, the village muchtar, if there is land for sale. Seek the assistance of a registered estate agent who may be in a position to offer to you alternatives but bear in mind always that most local sellers do not use the services of estate agents. The direct approach (find out who the owner is of the plot you are interested in and ask him if he wants to sell) may prove to be the best one. Bear in mind that it is the seller who pays for the commission of the agents and not the purchaser and for this reason agents have the owner's interest at heart and not yours. The next step is to appoint an architect to carry out the design. There is an abundance of well-qualified architects on the island and many capable technicians as well. We suggest that you appoint an architect for the purpose (not an engineer or technician). Architect fees range from 4%-6% (on the building cost) but you can agree also on a fixed fee. The prevailing fees are 3.8% on the building cost for a complete set of architectural plans and 1.6% for supervision (including the issuing of certificates). In addition a 1.5%-2% is payable for the structural design and 0.3% for structural supervision. If you are at a loss as to the choice of a suitable consultant, seek the advice of the Registrar of the Association of Architects & Engineers (all licensed architects must be registered). Please bear in mind that in case of large buildings you may be able to negotiate a lower fee (as also in the case of repetitive work). In case you require air conditioning and central heating, we suggest that the advice of a qualified electrical and mechanical engineer be sought. Fees for this consultant are around 4% for the design and 2% for supervision (on the cost of the works). Central heating is not generally required in the seaside towns (although this is a matter of own judgment) but air conditioning (at least in the bedrooms and for the seaside areas) is recommended. The cheapest form of cooling is the normal wall mounted units. Split unit type with heat pumps is increasing in popularity and it is an alternative to be considered. Solar heating is an economic alternative and its adoption is relatively inexpensive, having a payback period of approximately 5 years. Insist on all drawings being ready before inviting tenders. Invite a number of tenders from contractors who are reputable. Remember that the lowest tender price is not always the best. Your architect must be in a position to advise you on the selection but bear in mind that contractors are registered depending on their organisational ability and past performance. Ask for the contractor's registration and recommendations from past owners, developers and architects. If you are contemplating the development of a costly building, you are strongly advised to appoint a project manager who will manage the design team and the whole development. Also the appointment of a quantity surveyor on such large-scale projects is strongly advisable. It is recommended that a building permit be secured first before works commence, although works such as excavations etc may begin prior to the issue of the building permit. In this case, your architect must consult with the Appropriate Authority to see whether there are any major objections to the drawings. When the building permit is issued works may begin. Try to avoid variations and/or changes as these will give rise to claims on the part of the contractor which will mean a financial loss to you. Upon completion of the work your architect must submit drawings (as built) to the Appropriate Authority, if changes have been introduced, for the issue of a covering building permit. Upon the issue of the covering permit or, if this is not required, an application must be made to the Appropriate Authority for the issue of a certificate of final approval. When this is issued, it will have to be deposited at the District Lands' Office so that the registration of the building on the title deed of the land is effected. |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 05 April 2008 ) |
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