New House Build - help with planning permission

Hi Joanna, we're nearing the end of a build. It's a complex process! First off all check with your local camara that you can actually build. Is there an existing ruin? This is usualy essential in order to build. We had a ruin and although we knocked it down and built new, we had to apply for a rebuild after we were turned down for a new build project. You have to get the house signed off by a licenced engineer or builder in order for it to be legal. And you must comply with strict regs regarding many aspects such as water supply, septic tank, earthquake and fire resistance, accoustics, etc. So you'll need to find someone to work with you, I have no idea if there's a standard fee for this, I knew someone who paid 125 euros per month to a really helpful engineer. I think it's rarely done but is possible. We have ended up paying an architect and building company to do ours after a failed attempt to try and sort out a self build. And 4 years of frustration! The architect was essential in working with the council and getting us permission, if you afford it, I would say after the camara, an architect is the next vital step. Some camaras are more helpful than others and the regs vary between them. Good luck.

Hi Joanna, which area of central Portugal are you in?

We know a good structural engineer who speaks good english, has all the building contacts locally and who was a great help with the Câmara. We renovated an old xisto building.

We are just waiting for Silves Camara to grant us permission for our house, our fees for the architect and engineering design is circa 25,000 euro, which is more than we have paid for our UK projects, but I would say that it's the only way, if you want a (relatively) stress free experience. The Portuguese architects are necessary for monitoring the standard of build, we find our guy to be better than the UK architects, he is based in Lisbon, so let me know if you need his contact details.

@tygger Thank you for your comment. You are probably right regarding the importance of architectural monitoring during the build but we were quoted over €30 000 Euro incl VAT and it did not include any monitoring, just a set of plans and assistance with the licencing process. I suppose every project is different. If you have a €300 000 budget, then €30 000 architectural fees although steep, are still acceptable, but if you have a €120 000 budget and you are going to monitor the quality of the build yourself (my husband used to be a builder), you cannot spend 25% of your budget on the design and planning approval. As I said everybody's situation is different. 

I was just wondering if there are any alternatives to going an expensive route and hiring an architect or is it possible to find an architect who can offer a partial service for a reasonable fee...   By the way, are you waiting for the outline planning permission (the first stage) or the actual licence to build? How long have you been waiting for a response?

Kind regards,

Joanna