Require an architect
J Tufty
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (15)
Related Discussions
Won't an architect’s involvement drive up the cost of my project?
Comments (2)Well said! I have to add this too: Architects don't just design pretty houses or draft plans. We are professional consultants who offer a variety of consultation services in many forms ranging from occasional hourly consults to regular on-site observation and management of construction contracts. Just because you have a stock plan and are on a budget does not mean you don't need an Architect. In fact, the cost over-runs that can occur due to the *lack* of an Architect consultant on your stock plan building project can cost you significantly more than what was "saved" on the Architect's consulting fee or even the costs "savings" for having foregone an Architect's custom design on the plans. And if you are contracting it yourself, the value of an experienced consulting Architect is immeasurable. Architects are not expensive designers. We are primarily thinkers, planners and puzzle solvers, and when it comes to building we are experienced ones!...See MoreArchitect, building designer, drafts person, oh my!
Comments (47)Jacinta, am very sorry to hear that you've had no luck with your project pursuits......but may I also add your story is unfortunately not too uncommon and it doesn't surprise me...........after doing this for a fair while now may I add a comment or two.....skimming through the post above, a completely underestimated and often overlooked skill required by a design professional, whether categorised as an architect, designer, drafty or whatever is their capacity to manage the client's expectations of what is viable in a certain situation for a certain budget with their experience and knowledge. Yes construction costs have risen, and will continue to do so, and that's nothing new. $350K depending upon what you're doing and where, once upon a time was a healthy budget, but not anymore when you stack up the components. that is not to say that you cannot do anything, but to achieve something you'll need to be working with people who are all over the current construction costs and can help you strategically and logically consolidate your priorities simultaneously within the design/creative process to resolve an appropriate solution. There is always a (creative) solution to a scenario and a way to successfully navigate/negotiate challenges such as council limitations, challenging context, budget or whatever. Honestly, as a designer that's the easy bit, the hard(er) part is managing people in negotiating their particular "wants" and expectations and relative costs. What I understand really gets to people (like you have clearly experienced here ) is the unpleasant surprise and disappointment down the track after investing time and money with a company/designer in believing that you're working towards a feasible outcome when in reality the concept/direction is revealed to be non-viable, stonewalled or beyond budget. To avoid exactly this issue I service the front end of projects very broadly considering hard costed concept scenario options and hence "cutting to the chase" in order to appropriately align project requirements and project budget against the relevant specific contextual backdrop. Very quickly we endeavour get a realistic and accurate handle on whether a particular project direction is going to be viable or not and manage the client's expectations appropriately and fairly with minimal time and investment from their end. Depending upon the client and situation this step of the process initiates recalibration of client expectations (on budget or brief) and identification of what is possible one way or another so moving forward can occur with confidence and efficiency. From experience this has proven to avoid the exact situation you've unfortunately experienced. This should not be a "nightmare", rather it should be an exciting time in the process. At the end of the day it all comes down to money, it is invariably the ultimate controller of the decision-making process and accordingly you need to find and work with people who inherently understand this and can design honestly for you with respect to this factor and your specific needs. I hope this helps in some way and completely understand and sympathise with your situation :)...See MoreWhich pro? Architect, builder, building designer? Help!
Comments (8)Hi RJ, There seems to be some dangerously incorrect criticism floating about of using area rates to map out the cost for a project in the early stages, however we can use this to highlight to the Houzz community the appropriateness of using area rates to cost your project in the early stages. RJ you have done everything right in using an approximate area rate to map out your project costs before a designer is appointed!! Although there is some merit to note it is helpful to source your area rates from similar projects from the industry at that point in time - which can be obtained from a QS/Cost Planner/architect/designer - at least you are starting to think in realistic budget terms terms. $2K/m2 may/may not reflect what a builder can deliver for a bespoke design - depending of course on whether structure or kitchens / bathrooms are affected (i.e. check out this amazing kitchen / bathroom calculator from realeastate.com.au!! https://www.realestate.com.au/calculators/renovation-calculator/) ........however this is still getting you close to what might end up being the budget or the revised scope of work. The first thing your designer should do - almost before ANY drawings are done - is check your project budget matches your brief/scope of works by using Cost Plan A area rates and an 'Opinion of Probable Cost".. They can also identify if you are touching other parts of the site or scope that need to be taken into account that you may not have realised. At the start of a project, when there is no design yet, only plans with an approximate area scope of works (floor area schedules), it is what is referred to as "Cost Plan A" stage. Refer to this helpful description from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services; "Due to the very nature of information available, cost plan A is developed in conjunction with floor area schedules and should be based on data gathered from other similar projects, surveys of existing conditions and major project specific issues such as the suitability, age and condition of existing facilities, including upgrade of site services, asbestos removal, topography, heritage issues and so on."....http://www.capital.health.vic.gov.au/Planning_and_evaluation/Cost_plans/Cost_plan_stages/ One of the benefits of using an architect is that we are rigorously trained and registered to provide "Cost Advice", and right from the early stages using area rates. Building designers must provide this advice however are governed by consumer law and not by an Act of Parliament. When your project is at this stage there is clearly no 'Trade Breakdown" as the design hasn't even started yet!! And yet we must guide you as to an appropriate budget to match your scope of works. A responsible architect / building designer will test these area rates with industry-standard costings to identify an appropriate budget right from the beginning, so that we can make adjustments to the scope to ensure we can get excited about what you can really afford to build before the design is finished. Refer also to this helpful article by Choice on "what can go wrong"......but also what can go right when using an architect/building designer; https://www.choice.com.au/home-improvement/building-and-renovating/design-and-trades/articles/architects-designing-to-build-budget I love that you are already excited to begin looking at a shortlist of Pros in the Brisbane area and I wish you Good Luck!...See MoreHamptons Style Builders / Architects Melbourne
Comments (3)Hi Ben We offer architectural services for any style of residential project and currently have a few "Hamptons" inspired projects on the go. We've recently completed one yet to be photographed but attached elevation to give you an idea. Depends upon what you are seeking specifically. Is it a new build or a renovation project? Where will the project site be located? Hamptons style is timeless and derived from traditional/colonial architecture aesthetic. But good design of these types of homes involve intimate understanding of this architectural language (the particular detailing, balance, scaling and symmetry) and capacity to apply the aesthetic to functional requirements of the modern day lifestyle and living needs. I'm working on a coastal Hamptons project at the moment on which whilst the previous architect made it look pretty, the spaces are completely dysfunctional and awkward, and so we're having to completely re-work the main areas to achieve appropriate entertaining and alfresco proportions, that are required of a classy Hamptons inspired residence..... We service a wide range of custom (relatively high end) projects across Melbourne, Geelong and surrounding coastal areas, so please feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss further. Paul Di Stefano www.pauldistefanodesign.com...See More
PROBetterSpace: The Floor Plan Experts
6 years agoJ Tufty thanked BetterSpace: The Floor Plan Experts
J Tufty
6 years agoJ Tufty
6 years ago
PROOnePlan
6 years ago
PROOpus Bathrooms
6 years agoJ Tufty
6 years ago
Rose Williams
6 years ago
acew1234
6 years ago
PRODrawmyextension.co.uk
3 years ago
OnePlan