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6 Steps to Planning a Successful Building Project

Doing your homework will ensure your home building or renovation journey is as smooth and stress-free as possible

Natasha Saroca 22 June 2014

Houzz Australia Contributor. Natasha is a freelance journalist who began her career working across a number of home design and lifestyle magazines, including BuildHOME and Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly. She enjoys writing about design and colour trends, decorating ideas (particularly how to transform rooms with colour and patterns), organisation tips, entertaining ideas and easy updates for the home. When she’s not creating Ideabooks for Houzz, Natasha can be found writing about all things fashion for Missy Confidential, working on her soon-to-be-launched website – www.asmartsequin.com – or shopping online for new quilt covers, cushions and fashion illustrations (her three current obsessions).

Houzz Australia Contributor. Natasha is a freelance journalist who began her career... More

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So you’ve decided to build a new home or renovate your existing one: now what? While you may be tempted to rush out and find the first available architect or builder so the project can get underway stat, it’s important to do plenty of pre-construction prep work so you know what you want, what to expect and can handle any problems that arise along the way. After all, poor planning can cause a building project to fall behind schedule, run over budget and, even worse, result in a home that’s far from what you originally envisioned. It definitely pays to be prepared right from the start to save you from unnecessary stress and disappointment later down the track.

Here, we take you through the essential steps to help you plan a building project that (hopefully!) goes off without a hitch. Are you ready to get started?

Liz Prater Design Home

STEP 1: Write a wish list
The first thing you should do is sit down and write a dream home wish list. Think in terms of style, structure, layout and functionality – after all, while you want your new or newly renovated abode to look good, it needs to suit your lifestyle and needs, too.

Split your list into things that are must haves (features that you need and are non-negotiable, like the number of bedrooms, open-plan living, an abundance of natural light and sustainable design elements) and items that you’d love if your budget allows but are happy to compromise on if your funds won’t stretch that far (such as a home theatre, pool or high-end designer fittings, fixtures and finishes).

Wolveridge Architects

If you’re renovating or doing a knockdown rebuild (that is, demolishing your existing dwelling and rebuilding a new one in its place), it’s also important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of your current home and site. Is it too cramped and small? Does the interior look tired and outdated? Is the floor plan impractical? Does your house have a poor carbon footprint? Thinking about what you like and loathe about the home you have now will ensure your new or renovated abode is a joy to live in and suits your needs, both now and into the future.

Jeff Karskens Designer

STEP 2: Work out your budget
Once you’ve written your wish list (the fun part), it’s time to sit down and work out your budget (the not so fun part). Check how much money you have in your home building or renovation fund so you know what you can afford now and whether you need to apply for financing.

Next, make a list of all of the costs involved in the building project; this includes the construction, materials, design and engineering fees, stamp duty (when buying or building a new home), site works, council approval fees, home warranty insurance and landscaping – you’ll get a more accurate idea of the total cost involved once you’ve received quotes from several design professionals and builders. Don’t forget to budget for decorating your new or newly renovated home and for moving/renting fees if you have to relocate once construction is underway.

To avoid cost blowouts, build a buffer of between 10 to 20 per cent into your budget to cover any unforeseen expenses that may pop up, even if you’ve done your homework.

Remember to look into any government rebates or benefits you may be eligible for (e.g. stamp duty concessions or financial incentives for homeowners who build more sustainable homes), as this will help reduce the total cost of your building project.

Christopher Polly Architect

STEP 3: Build your team
Looking for an architect, building designer or home builder who’s reliable, respected and is someone you trust and get along with can be tricky. It’s also hard to know where to start your search. Do you look for design professionals and builders who have great portfolios on their websites (or projects featured on Houzz), visit display homes in your area or create a short-list based on recommendations from friends and family alone?

David Mac Interior Design

Since choosing the right team to undertake your project is undeniably one of the most important decisions you’ll make on your home building or renovation journey, we suggest doing all of the above, plus some extra legwork to ensure you select the best people for your particular job.

Industry organisations including Archicentre, Master Builders Australia (MBA) or the Housing Industry Association (HIA) will also prove invaluable when it comes to choosing an architect or builder (some home builders also offer design services), as they can recommend reputable professionals in your area. Seek referrals from others who work in the industry, too – your chosen architect or building designer may even have a builder and a team of other tradies they regularly work with.

Don’t know difference between an architect, building designer and home builder? Archicentre offers a helpful summary of each of their roles, here.

Tribe Studio Architects

Once you’ve come up with a short-list of professionals, set up meetings so you can discuss your project with them, check out their qualifications and experience, request a quote (get at least three so you can compare their costings and approach) and see if you mesh well together – after all, you will be spending lots of time with each other while your project is designed and constructed.

Before making your final decision, ask to view examples of projects the professionals have recently completed and seek references from previous clients. Don’t forget to check with the consumer affairs body or the architects registration board in your state to ensure your builder and/or architect is registered and licensed. Finally, read your building contract thoroughly before signing along the dotted line so you understand what’s required of all parties, including yourself, under the agreement.

Dylan Chappell Architects

STEP 4: Deliver your brief
Once you’ve chosen your design and construction team, it’s time to pass on your wish list to your architect or designer and watch as your dream home ideas come to life in the form of a series of detailed plans and drawings. Your brief will give them an understanding of what you want and need in a home, ideas they will take and refine so they can design the dwelling you envision but one that also takes into consideration the characteristics of the site and surrounding area, energy efficiency and sustainability, functionality, aesthetics and your budget. This process isn’t always straightforward and may take several weeks or even months to get just right.

Smyth and Smyth

During this phase, you’ll also need to discuss building materials, fixtures, fittings and finishes. Your architect or building designer (and any other consultants enlisted to work on the project, such as interior, kitchen or bathroom designers) will advise you during this process and help you choose materials and products that will enhance the look, comfort, practicality and carbon footprint of your home.

It’s important to make confident, solid decisions during the planning stage to avoid unnecessary cost blowouts that may occur if you make changes to the design of your home once construction has commenced.

Wolveridge Architects

STEP 5: Sort out your permits
While your architect, designer or builder will ensure your new home design or renovation plans meet the basic requirements set out in the Building Code of Australia, there are other regulations (based on environmental, heritage and local development considerations) you must comply with before construction can go ahead. These requirements vary in each state and territory and are administered by your local council, which may also have guidelines pertaining to the type, size and scope of work that can be done on your property.

Some architects and builders may obtain planning approval on your behalf, but if you decide to manage the project yourself (that is, become an owner-builder), this very important task will rest on your shoulders. Either way, it’s important to thoroughly research what’s involved and what documents must be submitted to avoid delays, or worse, the possibility that your development application will be denied.

Highshots Photography

STEP 6: Get ready for building to begin!
Your plans have been given the big tick of approval from your local council, so what’s next for you? It’s time to get ready for construction and start planning for the completion of your project, even if it may be weeks or months until it’s finally finished. If you’re renovating your home, think about how the work will affect your day-to-day life. Will you be able to handle the constant stream of contractors coming in and out of your house? How about the dust and noise? If not, consider moving elsewhere while the work is in progress.

Tim Davies Landscaping | Perth

If you’re building a new home and planning on decking it out with new furniture and decor, consider donating, selling or tossing unwanted belongings, or gifting them to friends or family.

Does your yard need a makeover? Now is the time to enlist the services of a landscape architect so they’re ready to revamp your garden once your building project is complete, or at the same time if most of the action is happening indoors.

Finally, remember to stay calm if delays occur. There are some things you just can’t plan for or prevent (such as Mother Nature or unexpected delivery delays), so there’s no use getting stressed out when there’s nothing you can do. Take comfort in the fact all of the preparation you did leading up to this point, such as choosing an experienced team who is well-versed in dealing with on-site problems, will ensure your project gets back on track with relative ease and then make the rest of the process as smooth as possible.

Gage Roads

TELL US
Have you recently built your dream home or renovated your current one? What’s your best piece of advice for someone about to embark on a similar project? Share your tips in the comments section below.

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Collective Design Group

What about engaging an interior designer as part of your team?? Avoid costly mistakes and budget blow-outs and have your home designed around the way you live rather than having to change the way you live to suit your home..

4 Likes 17 September 2014 at 1:46pm