Hi @cojabound, Thanks for your helpful tips. I initially went the architect route, but would have to sell my kidney to pay their fees. I got quotes ranging from 12000 to as much as 25000 Euro plus VAT for getting the design, the engineering drawings and to complete the application for the licence to build. And this is on a small, single-story house with a flat roof (170m2). SO I bought a piece of software called RoomSketcher and did the design myself. The Software is not very sophisticated but it has a 3D walk through option that allows you to visualise what your house is going to look like.
I can find a CAD technician to do the drawings according to my initial design, but the next step is a bit more tricky - I need a Structural Engineer who can check the drawings, make sure that they follow Portuguese Regulations and who can help me navigate through the licencing process. I would willing to pay the architect or a structural engineer a decent fee fee to go over the design and make sure that it is going to work, but where do I find someone who would be willing to do that at a reasonable price, 4 figures rather than 5? So any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Joanna