Architect or Builder & Drafter for extension/reno?
Kerri
2 years ago
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Kerri
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Builder? Draftsman? Architect? All? None??? HELP!!!
Comments (11)"Architect-designed houses are not accessible to all." This is a myth championed by the building industry. Alternatively, why not focus on the key benefits architects bring to a project. Here are a few for you: • Appoint an architect to your project and you’ll gain a home designed for the way you want to live.The alternative is a builder-designed home that suits what the builder is used to building. Quality builders will ask for plans and specifications to be thoroughly documented so that they can go ahead and do what they do best, which is build. Working out with the owner what you’re going to build and why is the architect’s role. • An architect manages planning approvals. This process is complex, often arbitrarily applied by many Councils, fraught with pitfalls for the novice and is ramped up every year with new hoops to jump. If you want a professional on your side who knows the territory, will go in to bat for you and will forge a way through this minefield, you need an architect. • If you’d prefer to put the works to tender to a number of builders rather than having to accept the quote of the builder you started the process with, you need an architect. • If you’d prefer to protect yourself with a proper, architect-managed ABIC contract that works equally for both parties and is legally enforceable, you need an architect. • An architect will minimise costly changes during construction as he or she will produce a proper level of drawings (expect 20 x A3 pages for a new home, rather than the 1-2 pages you’ll receive from a drafting service.). The reasons for this are that you have on paper exactly what you want to build. Without this, you are entering a contract with a builder with none of the details resolved. You wouldn’t do that if you were buying a house, so why do it when spending an equally significant amount of money? Unfortunately, some builders see this approach as an opportunity to happily accept constant changes from ‘project managing’ owners because it’s just another variation that he can charge for. The longer he is there, the better for his margins, particularly when there’s no contract to speak of. Finally, an architect is a specialist with a professional duty of care, irrespective of financial gain. In other words, they’re there to support and protect you, without benefit to themselves. No one else in the building industry can provide this....See MorePossible to build a simple extension for under $2500 sqm?
Comments (11)Hi Amanda My renovation work has ranged from $1,500/m2 to $4,000/m2 (and more). What varies is the standard of finish, the amount the existing home is disrupted, and the structural gymnastics being performed. I would concur with the above advice that finding the right design professional and briefing them well will help you deliver a renovation in alignment with your goals for it. What also is important is starting your reno with a great overall strategy. There are a few ideas involved in this, but one that has worked for my projects (both my own and my clients') is to capitalise on the economy of building 'new' when extending. New work is less expensive to build than renovating (on a square meterage rate), so consider whether you can bolt on your extension and not disrupt the existing too significantly. Below is a photo of the type of thing I mean - this was a reno I did of one of our own homes, and we added a living/kitchen/dining pavilion on the rear of an old Queenslander home. This home is another example - the entire extension was built for a similar price to the refurbishing of the existing home - and yet provided significantly greater returns in space and design. "Before" shot from rear "After" shot from rear You may not be seeking something of this aesthetic (and your council may limit your aesthetic too), but the general intent of these extensions is that they 'bolted' onto the existing home. The roof of the new extension is separate to the existing, with a transitional built element that tucks under the existing roofs to bridge between the two. Best wishes with your plans - getting ready upfront will also help you manage your costs. Time = money so when you brief your team well, everyone works efficiently, and construction can flow seamlessly without unnecessary delays, then that also assists in keeping on budget. I wrote a blog about how projects go over budget, and how to minimise this risk on your project. Click here to read >> Regards Amelia Lee, UA www.undercoverarchitect.com amelia@undercoverarchitect.com...See MoreWhat order would a complete reno go in?
Comments (6)The most important thing for you to do is get a GOOD builder and SMART architect that'll help you drive your reno dollar further. The architect will come up with brilliant ideas that make what you've got work smarter for you and a good builder -well, they're just worth their weight in gold! They'll both allow you to be the client which is the most important role for you to take on. The builder will work out the order of trades so that your reno takes the least amount of time. They'll also be able to speak to trades in a professional way to get you exactly what you want. I'd really suggest that you go to an architect to get your design plans firmed up - particulary if you're doing any extensions and find out what walls are load bearing. I'd also strongly suggest in the most enthusiastic terms possible - do your home work - have all your plans and materials, appliances etc done BEFORE you even take down a door - changes during the process will cost you big money (not to mention irritate your building team)....See MoreHelp with House Reno/extension
Comments (19)Bit of a circle thing, the engineer will have trouble commenting on what you plan to do without drawings of the existing and proposed. Never met an engineer who could not work their magic on any structure, but there will be simple and cheaper methods and then there can be some super expensive ones. Builders and engineers should be communicating as well. If i were you, i would have identified a builder, get a good architect to work with you, your budget, the builder and engineer, and town planner if this requires DA approval. Overshadowing is the shadow your structure casts on the neighbors property. Overlooking is when they can see into your property, some councils have means to prevent this and the last to build normally has to screen their windows to prevent overlooking, some require only high windows, not all councils and not all property sizes will be affected. If the architect draws in a 3D package it is a simple matter to show you where the shadows land at any time and day of the year, based on you address. If allowed to build that top story, they can show you if you shade your pool. This is a big investment from you, most likely you would be living with the results for years, i would imagine that you would want the best outcome for your family, and to engage professionals would be the way to achieve those outcomes. Thoughts and ideas from forums like this are great, but sometimes they are not aware of the outcomes of comments which might affect your whole project, and councils around the country all have different requirements. Check and check again. What is allowed in Brisbane with height and upper floor window sizes on smaller blocks, will not be allowed in Melbourne, or Sydney councils. Shadowing while really not an issue in Brisbane, will be a huge issue in Melbourne, so get a local team. Ros...See Moresiriuskey
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