Do I have to use an architect – can’t I just go straight to a builder?
Hill Architects
10 years ago
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Builder or Architect/Design Ideas?
Comments (9)Hi Virginia, How did you go with your quest to find a designer for your house renovation? What a beautiful rock wall that is - and how wonderful to have river views that can be maximised by building up. A good designer will be able to take all your design priorities and combine these with strategies to maximise sustainable design principles i.e. lots of natural daylight and ventilation, material selections, correct orientation, good zoning within the house and opening up views, and direct access to garden areas from living areas etc. The real challenge is in identifying how to achieve everything you want with a budget that is realistic, and more often than not compromises may need to be made in your brief in order to match your budget, especially if that is a fixed budget. Go with a designer or architect whose work you like and with whom you feel comfortable, and the process should be rewarding. This is a big investment, and so its better to go with someone whose work you love and with whom you feel comfortable, who can also help you manage your budget and understand the whole project costs. On a final note, your ideas are lovely, and I can imagine a modestly sized new 2-level extension, which could link to the area above the rock wall, the garden below, and possibly the roof of the existing house (depending on where north is and where the views are!) would work really well. Good Luck!...See MoreWho do i need to talk to builder / architect / designer?
Comments (6)Sounds like this house may be a money pit and you are just making new of existing problems and not in the end getting a better result. If the house was in good order and you only needed to knock out say a wall or two to open up the space. Or also possibly replacing the kitchen and bathroom and finally giving the house a fresh coat of paint (inside and out). It may be work considering and speaking to a builder and bathroom/kitchen designer to get prices. But if the house needs much more than this it may be better to look at demolition, (see a builder about this) then rebuilding a prefab or kit home to suit your current and future needs. From my experience any old home that needs major maintenance work completed and also room reconfiguring is a much more expensive project to take on then building something new from scratch. If you do decide to go down the building road, then I suggest working with a good builder who has great communication skills and pick a knowledgeable interior designer that does more than pick paint and tile colours. You need a designer who has a rough idea, (based on past experience and similar projects in your area) of what things cost. Set them a reasonable budget and get them to pull together ideals and concept drawings so your builder can give you a pretty good ball park cost. You can alway pass then next stage onto a draftsman if its not to complicated and work with both the designer and builder to find the correct balance to meet you personal style and a budget....See MoreWhat can I do to update tv area instead of just plants?
Comments (78)As you guessed , I just express my opinion . Some agree , some don't . Some houses which I have sold 20 years ago are still in the same decor , other people may not have purchased . I prefer a planned colour pallette and something that has a Wow , and I definitely won't have the same colour walls and ceilings all through a property . Some fast food restaurants do have the same colour all the way through , but even they tend to have white ceilings or similar . I do have a ( small ) stainless deep fryer that does great chips though ! As far as texture goes , I 100% guarantee I would have more texture than this house , to use the obvious comparison . That is why , if you go back up to my original post , I suggested a feature wall of wallpaper , and a painting -- texture and colour . I don't like grey or beige as primary colours , and in fact don't consider them pastels either , but thats pointless arguing semantics . I wouldn't have that combo , the OP would -- good on her . If houzz only had people that agree , it may be very boring ....See MoreI already know what I want. Will an architect help me?
Comments (2)My architect used my Houzz booklet and wish list totally on board, and exceeded. In fact it has won 2022 house awards. I had major input in design and fit out. The architect says it is his best house, and totally ‘Kay’. They are at Enoggera, and totally versed in Queenslanders. Check out their website https://www.flourisharchitecture.com.au. Best way to gauge is go and interview them. Previously, I had spoken to 20 architects to get someone to take onboard the needs of a 70 year old....See MoreMy Architect
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