Choosing the right architect is a matter of great importance when you decide you want to create the home of your dreams.

The all year round climate of the Algarve is characterized by long hot summer months and cool, humid winters and this poses special cooling and heating considerations in planning your home. It is therefore important to engage the services of an architect experienced in designing Algarve homes and one that you can communicate with easily.

When you decide to build a new villa or refurbish an existing one the first step is to choose an architect

Before briefing your architect it is important to be aware that the Loulé Municipal Authority ( the local council) has a general plan (Plano Director Municipal) that sets out the regulations governing any construction within the municipal area.

The Plano Director Municipal stipulates a maximum area of permitted construction above ground level. Areas of basements normally do not count as areas of construction.

Accordingly, you can discuss with your architect the number and type of bedrooms and bathrooms etc you require, the best point of orientation for the villa in relation to its environment and access.

Projects are normally tailored to suit the client’s individual needs and it is customary for an architect to produce a number of sketches before you approve the final design.

At this stage the licensing and execution project begins.
Licensing Project

The licensing project has to be submitted to the municipal authority and consists of six distinctly separate sections - architectural, structural, water/sewage, gas, heating, and acoustic.

If the project is located within an already approved development these sections can all be submitted at the same time and the official go ahead normally takes between four and six months.

If it is to be built in an urban area but outside urban developments(“resorts”) , then the architectural section of the project has to be first submitted and only after its approval, usually within three to five months, can the other sections be submitted.

A building license is generally issued after about six months of the submission of the initial project or projects.

The total cost of planning and licensing should be between and percent of the total value of construction.

Tendering & Project Management Stage

At this stage you should consider inviting tenders based on the details included in the execution project. This can be done by your architect or project manager to ensure that you get the best deal not only in terms of cost and quality but that construction will be done strictly in accordance with the specifications.

The total cost of planning, licensing and project management should be between and percent of the total value of construction.

The project manager, preferably a qualified engineer and or an architect, who will be responsible for overseeing the technical and practical aspects of the planning and construction of your new home. He will work closely with the architect and the builder throughout the whole of the construction period, including periodic visits to the site, to ensure that quality standards are met and the work keeps to time schedules.