Low energy retrofit - Architect cost

[anonymous]

Please see attached. So this includes one structural survey, to find out what the walls are made of properly (ie : to find out what's best for the property)

I've said I'm using the PassivHaus ethos but not necessarily going full PassivHaus given diminishing returns 

 

Is that quote fair? It seems quite a lot but I don't know if that's normal for PassivHaus 

[JohnMo]

Basics are, there seems to be no real target values.

 

Improve airtightness to what? Just a bit better or 1m3 per m2 at 50 Pa or better?

 

Target U values, better than you find it is too vague.

 

You need a clear statement of what you want to achieve, otherwise it's rubbish in rubbish out.

 

As I mentioned in another thread linking an ASHP to PV and battery is daft.  Let the PV and battery feed the house, if power is available the heat pump will use it.

[anonymous]

2 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Basics are, there seems to be no real target values.

 

Improve airtightness to what? Just a bit better or 1m3 per m2 at 50 Pa or better?

 

Target U values, better than you find it is too vague.

 

You need a clear statement of what you want to achieve, otherwise it's rubbish in rubbish out.

 

As I mentioned in another thread linking an ASHP to PV and battery is daft.  Let the PV and battery feed the house, if power is available the heat pump will use it.

Thanks 

 

If I get that detail, would the quote be fair? 

[JohnMo]

Not a lot of money really 

[anonymous]

1 minute ago, JohnMo said:

Not a lot of money really 

Ah so it is fair 

[AliG]

The price seems fair, but does the architect actually have expertise on this stuff?

 

A heating and ventilation company would probably be your best bet for the MVHR, ASHP and heating. I don't see the architect adding much there if at all.

 

The architect should be able to do the other stuff and detail drawings will likely be necessary for some of it.

 

But you could be paying a lot for simply a list that says new windows to x u-value, insulate floor with PIR etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[anonymous]

7 minutes ago, AliG said:

The price seems fair, but does the architect actually have expertise on this stuff?

 

A heating and ventilation company would probably be your best bet for the MVHR, ASHP and heating. I don't see the architect adding much there if at all.

 

The architect should be able to do the other stuff and detail drawings will likely be necessary for some of it.

 

But you could be paying a lot for simply a list that says new windows to x u-value, insulate floor with PIR etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They've done PassivHaus stuff before which is why I went to them in the first place 

[Dave Jones]

Bit worrying they don't even know the correct term for passivhaus retro-fit, its Enerphit and has a complete spec and phpp sheet. Ask them to show you a completed one they have already done and visit a property they have converted.

[Iceverge]

I would get them to define what they mean by passivhaus ethos? 

 

Architects often specialise in asthetics, functionality, planning approval and the useability of a building. Not so much in the fabric quite often. 

 

If you are not too concerned with altering the house layout I would get a passivhaus consultant to do a PHPP of the building as is and also a suggested upgrade plan.

 

Like Dave says enerphit is the natural target.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[anonymous]

6 hours ago, Iceverge said:

I would get them to define what they mean by passivhaus ethos? 

 

Architects often specialise in asthetics, functionality, planning approval and the useability of a building. Not so much in the fabric quite often. 

 

If you are not too concerned with altering the house layout I would get a passivhaus consultant to do a PHPP of the building as is and also a suggested upgrade plan.

 

Like Dave says enerphit is the natural target.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry PHPP? 

[Iceverge]

Passive house planning programme. 

 

Software to design a passive house. 

[Marvin]

On 02/03/2023 at 20:15, JohnMo said:

As I mentioned in another thread linking an ASHP to PV and battery is daft. 

+1

 

On 02/03/2023 at 20:15, JohnMo said:

Let the PV and battery feed the house, if power is available the heat pump will use it.

and in between the ASHP cycles you can use a diverter and heat your water.

 

[anonymous]

On 03/03/2023 at 12:44, Iceverge said:

I would get them to define what they mean by passivhaus ethos? 

 

Architects often specialise in asthetics, functionality, planning approval and the useability of a building. Not so much in the fabric quite often. 

 

If you are not too concerned with altering the house layout I would get a passivhaus consultant to do a PHPP of the building as is and also a suggested upgrade plan.

 

Like Dave says enerphit is the natural target.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was me who mentioned a PassivHaus ethos tbf. I said that PassivHaus has diminishing returns 

 

I contacted them after seeing this 

 

http://www.guytaylorassociates.co.uk/projects/passivhaus-manchester.html

 

Also tbf I didn't speak to an actual architect. 

Edited March 5, 2023 by anonymous

[ETC]

On 05/03/2023 at 12:19, anonymous said:

Also tbf I didn't speak to an actual architect. 

Who did you speak to and who drafted the quote?

[anonymous]

On 08/03/2023 at 21:50, ETC said:

Who did you speak to and who drafted the quote?

Chris (director I believe?) 

I think an office administrator drafted the quote 

[Nickfromwales]

23 minutes ago, anonymous said:

Chris (director I believe?) 

I think an office administrator drafted the quote 

Would have been a copy / cut / paste document tbh.