I'm reading a report in the Irish times that two out of every five architects will have lost their jobs in the last 15-months. Given that figures are provided by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), it's official. For those in the sector, it's a well known fact that architects are the first in the firing line in any downturn, the rest tend to follow. Does s this mean that the worst is yet to come for tradesmen and builders ? I hope not. But rather than wallow, lets have a look at what out of work architects could now potentially do for a living..
Domestic Architecture Jobs
During the boom times sourcing an architect for a domestic project was like chasing rainbows. For many property owners you had to be related to, close friends with or in possession of some compromising information on an architect in order to get them to consider a taking a domestic architectural job. OK, I exaggerate slightly, but with so many high paying commercial building projects in offing, domestic commercial projects simply didn't register for many. Now however, things have changed. Domestic architectural contracts can offer a steady revenue stream for registered architects and should be considered. At onlinetradesmen.com we are seeing a steady demand from property owners nationwide. See here for more.
BER Assessors
It seems that a lot of skilled construction professionals are banking on the BER regulations as a means to providing a livelihood in the downturn. The regulations now require that all private dwellings that are rented / up for sale have a BER certificate from a qualified BER assessor . This should provide a steady workload for many - if the regulations are enforced (another day's posting). It's early days yet, but the signs on our own service are that property owners are starting to take this seriously. Since Jan 01 requests for BER assessors on Onlinetradesmen.com have increased by about 400%! You can see more at in our BER section.
Qualified Architects pre-qualify to train as BER assessors. Sustainable Energy Ireland are responsible for setting the training standards for BER assessors nationwide, with training companies like chevron training doing the certification. SEI have set the bar so that only holders of a "National Certificate Level 6 Advanced Certificate/Higher Certificate in construction studies or other cognate discipline or equivalent" are eligible to to take the course. According to the SEI,"Equivalence may be determined as a combination of an appropriate construction-related qualification and significant relevant experience." I get a little concerned about the latter statement as it adds a layer of ambiguity as to who can train - I just hope that the qualifications are being policed properly. Bottom line is that architects, with their in depth knowledge on construction technology, practices and materials, are ideal for this area.
Domestic Project Management
While domestic or residential project management services are in their infancy in Ireland, they are well established outside of Ireland. It's a service that makes complete sense for property owners who are undertaking construction projects without the experience or knowledge to manage it themselves. Sure, a building contractor can manage the build, but that still leaves the property owner with an awful lot on their plate. By appointing a project manager to oversee the planning, design, contracts, construction phase and snagging, property owners can ensure a project is completed on time and on budget - without the stress and normal hiccups. This area can be serviced by surveyors, qualified project management professionals and - surprise - architects. Onlinetradesmen.com is launching a service around this for property owners - Architects should apply! See here for more.
Other areas
There are doubtless a vast number of other areas that architects can apply their highly developed skills of organisation, planning and creativity to. Suggestions of interior design, landscaping and other areas come to mind. Perhaps the reader can suggest some others ? Maybe between us we can narrow the gap between the 2 and the 5....
Friday, January 16, 2009
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I really don't believe that the BER assesments are happening wholesale yet on rented properties. Does any know if this is the case ?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I understand that the RIAI are trying to create jobs for architects in the middle east and beyond. Has anyone been contacted by them in this regard ? Aj, Architect
I don't think the BER is a holy grail for assessors. I am a qualified BER assessor and I am struggling for continuous work in the area at the minute - a lot of competition. It takes about 3 hours work plus travel per job means so I can really only get one assessment in on a day, with no guarantee of another assessment the next day. I charge €250 including VAT and the SEI charge.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look at other income streams as well unless it picks up which is mad really - if the certification was being enforced then there would be loads of work on. Obviously it is not being taken seriously and is an example of yet another ill though out regulation.
BER is going to be beaten to death, the only money to be made at it is if you are training. SEI are going to release a new block of assessors in March and September of this year.
ReplyDeleteWithout proper building control officers and management there is no means of enforcing the householders to have a Cert.
There will be a brief flurry, where blocks of new houses as yet unsold come on the market, which will need certification. It will then be down to estate agents or tenants to push the requirement.
I think by end of 2009 a glut of BER assessors will kill the possibility of a reasonable chance of work for all.
BTW Graham, your rate is very fair, have seen people quoted €750 for a €360 rating.
At the moment Ireland is suffering a major over supply in all the workforce, across the board, public, private etc. There are major losses yet to happen from association with the construction sector and where we all end up is anyone's guess.
It's time for re-evaluation and re-training for all and put the thinking caps back on!!
3000 assessors trained, 1650 registered with sei ,no work for those that are registered.chevron will train anyone with a pulse , no such thing as a need for a construction background to do the course.Some people got on the course with level 7 hairdressing cert.Whole thing is a joke.some assessors working for a little as 100 EURO a cert.....................
ReplyDeleteDone the course in early jan through chevron , 5 eatate agents on the course. any body i have talked to about renting or selling there house say estate agents will do the cert for €100 as long as they get the business.
ReplyDeleteIs this really true ? My understanding is that the BER regulations exclude estate agents from BER assesing properties that they sell themselves for a period of 1+ years.
ReplyDeleteI think that may have been loose talk on behalf of the real estate agents in question really. Bad as BER enforcement is at the minute, I think the SEI have closed that particular loophole. Happy to be provedwrong of course...anyone seeing anything else ?