MCLA

MCLA works from Millennium Park in Naas and serves clients in the town. Ask at the start whether it takes on projects in the surrounding areas, since that depends on the job. Ask too for examples of earlier work near you.

Fees usually depend on whether you want a full service or only some stages, and on the size and complexity of the project. The Architect price guide gives typical prices in Ireland, so ask for a written fee proposal that sets out each stage and what it covers.

Ask MCLA whether it holds a recognised professional qualification and is up to date with the body that governs the profession, and how you can check this yourself. Ask too for examples of similar projects it has completed, so you can judge its experience before deciding.

The first consultation is usually a conversation about your project, what you want to achieve, the site and your budget. Ask what the consultation covers, whether a fee applies and what you will receive afterwards, such as notes or a proposal. Bring any rough ideas you have to make the conversation useful.

Gather any site details you have, such as an existing survey, photographs, plans and ownership details for the property. Bring a clear brief describing what you want, your timescale and any planning history for the site. If the work is energy retrofit, ask about SEAI grant eligibility before you start, and whether a One Stop Shop applies.

You can ask for a quote by phone, through its website or through its Locufy page. Include the job, the address or area, photographs and drawings if you have them, and when you would like the work to start. Say whether the project is a new build, an extension or a renovation so the quote matches your needs.

Compare MCLA with other architects in Naas on Locufy, looking at the services each offers, what each fee proposal includes and the experience each shows on similar projects. Ask every firm for a written proposal set out in the same way so you can compare the stages and fees fairly.