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ARCHITECT RECOMMENDATION NEEDED
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Algarve Eagle
- CVO Regular
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:24 pm
- Location: Haywards Heath & Caramujeira
ARCHITECT RECOMMENDATION NEEDED
We recently purchased a villa in Caramujeira and would now like to make some alterations to it. We have a plan A involving external changes, and a plan B involving only minor internal reconfiguration. We have also discovered since purchase that a couple of parts of the villa may have been constructed without formal Camara approval.
Can anybody recommend an architect who is well connected with the Lagoa Camara, can reliably advise on the Camara approval requirements for each of our plans and on the likelihood of getting retrospective approvals for existing structures, and can expedite the necessary approvals?
Experience of successfully working with the Lagoa Camara is more important to us than design creativity.
Any recommendations would be gratefully received.
Can anybody recommend an architect who is well connected with the Lagoa Camara, can reliably advise on the Camara approval requirements for each of our plans and on the likelihood of getting retrospective approvals for existing structures, and can expedite the necessary approvals?
Experience of successfully working with the Lagoa Camara is more important to us than design creativity.
Any recommendations would be gratefully received.
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shanagarry
- CVO Legend
- Posts: 2048
- Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:26 pm
- Location: Craigweil-on-Sea
Architect
We are at the planning stage of a major refurbishment project - increasing our house size by 250m2. At present we are 4 months into getting the plans drawn - mostly because we have changed our minds due to the amount of time we are being told it will take to complete the building/construction stage of the project. Being aware of building timescales in Portugal - I have added the cursory 50% in terms of time and cost and decided to modify our plans accordingly.
We are working with Orange Sky - having spent 3 years trying to find somebody with a modicum of sense capable of giving us reliable advice.We have met some real 'cowboys' in the process. At one stage I abandoned the thought altogether and put the house on the market - so bad was the standard we experienced. The only thing that kept me in the game was the lack of an alternative property with the view and ambiance we had grown to like over 8 years.
I have nothing but praise and admiration for the way Edwin Opstelten at Orange Sky has handled our project so far and would have no hesitation in recommending him to anybody thinking about any building project.
I took up 15 references during my due diligence - all but two were happy and those two complained about 'over-promising and under delivering' - but attributed the responsibility for that to a particular individual who is no longer there. Nevertheless they were delighted with the final result.
We are back in town this coming weekend to view a revamp of the plans because the first draft will require a 10-12 month build time and we want to be there by June 2009. - with September 2009 as a back-stop.
Be very careful in your choice of architect and even more careful if you decide to choose the builder as well. Feel free to pm me if you would like any further information.
We are working with Orange Sky - having spent 3 years trying to find somebody with a modicum of sense capable of giving us reliable advice.We have met some real 'cowboys' in the process. At one stage I abandoned the thought altogether and put the house on the market - so bad was the standard we experienced. The only thing that kept me in the game was the lack of an alternative property with the view and ambiance we had grown to like over 8 years.
I have nothing but praise and admiration for the way Edwin Opstelten at Orange Sky has handled our project so far and would have no hesitation in recommending him to anybody thinking about any building project.
I took up 15 references during my due diligence - all but two were happy and those two complained about 'over-promising and under delivering' - but attributed the responsibility for that to a particular individual who is no longer there. Nevertheless they were delighted with the final result.
We are back in town this coming weekend to view a revamp of the plans because the first draft will require a 10-12 month build time and we want to be there by June 2009. - with September 2009 as a back-stop.
Be very careful in your choice of architect and even more careful if you decide to choose the builder as well. Feel free to pm me if you would like any further information.
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shanagarry
- CVO Legend
- Posts: 2048
- Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:26 pm
- Location: Craigweil-on-Sea
Architect
Further to my earlier post on this subject - I met with Edwin Opstelten of Orange Sky on Monday afternoon to discuss an alternative approach to the remodeling of our plans to fit the time frame we are hoping to achieve.
He took the time to explain the feedback received from the Camara and what it required - showed me the replies (I had a Portuguese speaking friend with me) and left me in no doubt that they are a firm whose integrity is of the highest order.
Given my experience over the previous 3 years in trying to find an organisation who had my best interests at heart it is very reassuring, in these turbulent times, to find that such an organisation exists.
They are not inexpensive but you get what you pay for - straightforward unshakeable facts and guidance.
He took the time to explain the feedback received from the Camara and what it required - showed me the replies (I had a Portuguese speaking friend with me) and left me in no doubt that they are a firm whose integrity is of the highest order.
Given my experience over the previous 3 years in trying to find an organisation who had my best interests at heart it is very reassuring, in these turbulent times, to find that such an organisation exists.
They are not inexpensive but you get what you pay for - straightforward unshakeable facts and guidance.
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Algarve Eagle
- CVO Regular
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:24 pm
- Location: Haywards Heath & Caramujeira
Architect
Thanks to all for the replies to date - I now have three good recommendations to follow up, and feel more reassured that good advice is available.
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beekeeper
- CVO Regular
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 4:51 pm
- Location: leatherhead and carvoerio
Re: Architect
[quote="shanagarry"]Further to my earlier post on this subject - I met with Edwin Opstelten of Orange Sky on Monday afternoon to discuss an alternative approach to the remodeling of our plans to fit the time frame we are hoping to achieve.
He took the time to explain the feedback received from the Camara and what it required - showed me the replies (I had a Portuguese speaking friend with me) and left me in no doubt that they are a firm whose integrity is of the highest order.
Given my experience over the previous 3 years in trying to find an organisation who had my best interests at heart it is very reassuring, in these turbulent times, to find that such an organisation exists.
They are not inexpensive but you get what you pay for - straightforward unshakeable facts and guidance.[/quote]
Can you give me his phone number and address please as may be of use to us
Many tks in advance
Beekeeper
He took the time to explain the feedback received from the Camara and what it required - showed me the replies (I had a Portuguese speaking friend with me) and left me in no doubt that they are a firm whose integrity is of the highest order.
Given my experience over the previous 3 years in trying to find an organisation who had my best interests at heart it is very reassuring, in these turbulent times, to find that such an organisation exists.
They are not inexpensive but you get what you pay for - straightforward unshakeable facts and guidance.[/quote]
Can you give me his phone number and address please as may be of use to us
Many tks in advance
Beekeeper