This article by George Kouparitsas was first published in Get It LIVING magazine . Read the article at the original source here.
Creating your dream home, whether it’s a renovation or a new build, is an exciting time! It’s also one of the most important decisions – and largest investments – you will ever make. Remember, the process of designing and building is just the first part; you will have years of enjoying your home ahead of you, so you want to make sure you get it right and don’t compromise on quality or liveability. While there’s lots to think about, don’t feel daunted. Here are some tips to help you feel more confident going into the process.
Step 1: Pick an architect you feel comfortable with
This may seem like a no-brainer, but the most important step of the design and building process is choosing the right expert to guide you through the journey. While there are many professions that can draw up house plans, I always recommend using a registered architect or a licenced building designer. You can search if someone is a qualified architect on the Architects Australia website (architectsaustralia.com.au). Do your research by looking at their prior projects and organise to meet with your architect before you sign them on. You want to make sure you like them, trust them and are confident they understand your vision. If you’re working with a big architectural firm, make sure you have a clear understanding of who your project lead will be, as this is the person who you’ll interact the most with.
Step 2: Give a detailed brief
This is the fun part. Come armed to your meeting with your ideas, wish list and mood board. Don’t be afraid to set up a Pinterest account, or even just a scrap book of images your architect can use as inspiration. This will help ensure everyone is on the same page. Have a clear idea of your must-haves, as well as those features you may be able to compromise on. Now is also the time to be honest about your budget. Architects are experts at creating designs to suit your budget, so you need to put all your cards on the table here to receive a realistic view of what’s possible.
Step 3: Finalise plans
Next, your architect will present you with plans for review and amendment. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions if you can’t visualise what is being proposed. Standard floor plans can be difficult for some people to interpret, so I always give my clients 3D visualisations, which provide a ‘real-world’ perspective of what your home will look like when completed. We do this using a specialist program called Revit, so if this is important to you make sure you check your architect uses Revit before you engage them. If your plans don’t look exactly how you imagined them, then don’t panic. An architect’s job is to take your brief and deliver the best design possible, which can sometimes be different to what you imagined. If you’re concerned, just talk to them and discuss your options. Changes can always be made, but once you understand why they’ve taken that path, you may be happy with the proposal. Open and honest communication is paramount – and again, it’s why you need to be comfortable that the architect you’ve chosen listens to you and understands your vision.
Step 3: Secure your trades and seek approvals
Once your plans are finalised, it’s time to get quotes and lock in your trades. I recommend trying to get quotes from at least two different builders, as their pricings can vary greatly depending on a large number of factors. Again, as outlined in step one, make sure you pick someone you trust and feel comfortable with. Always look at their previous work and don’t be afraid to ask to speak to one of their past clients for a testimonial. Now’s the time to also pick any fixtures and fittings you want. If you’re not sure, your architect can assist with this, or you can engage an interior designer or interior decorator.
This is also the stage where your architect will seek the necessary approvals for the build to begin (if you’ve engaged them to do this – you can always work directly with council or town planners if you prefer). Depending on whether you’re doing a renovation or a new build, you may need DA (development approval), BA (building approval), as well as engineering and certifications to ensure your home complies with all laws and standards.
Step 4: Build and enjoy
You’re at the tail-end of the process now. Once all your trades are locked in and the build begins, you will start to see your vision become a reality. If you’ve employed your architect to manage the whole process then they will work with your builder to ensure everything goes to plan and iron out any issues as they arise. If you’re managing this part yourself then make sure you voice any concerns you have as soon as an issue arises, so there’s time to fix it. Always keep open lines of communication.