Programmes like the Block and Our First Home make it look so easy, but renovating and building is hard work and making it look great is even harder. Here are some tips from the team at LAD Architecture on getting the most out of your renovation / building project, and the most out of your design team.
Tips for dealing with mixing old and new in a renovation project
- Take note of the existing features/details of the home and embrace these in the new design.
- Design a quality renovation that honours the original character/features of the home.
- Don't take shortcuts in the design or construction phase.
Tips for sticking to a budget
- Identify what is truly important, the non negotiables! You can work around everything else if the initial quotes are too high.
- Factor in a contingency sum, as when renovating you often don’t know what you're dealing with until linings are removed.
- Being aware of, and realistic with your budget right from the outset.
- Have a good understanding of costs involved with chosen products as these are controllable elements within your design (your architect/designer can guide you here).
- It's important that your architect/designer identifies and explains any items on your 'wish list' that cause alarm bells to ring in relation to your budget. An upfront & honest architect/designer will suggest alternative products more aligned with budgets.
- Do the planning/decision making prior to having work priced. Price plans before building consent stage, so that plans can be modified if quotes come back too high. Don't leave plans open to interpretation by those pricing jobs ...... make sure that your architect/designer is very specific with fixtures & fittings that are specified on plans, so quotes are completely accurate & you're comparing apples with apples regarding quotes.
What things commonly cause a budget blowout?
- Not having a realistic budget right from the outset & no contingency factored in for unknowns!
- Not having realistic & accurate costings at the start of the project.
- Excavation or unknown site issues. Prior to purchasing a site, we ask our clients to engage an engineer to test the site and provide foundation recommendations.
- Inadequate planning and changes late in the piece (variations) or unforeseen circumstances (such as ground conditions differing from what was expected).
- Structural defects or leaks discovered within the existing building.
For homeowners: How do you get the best out of your architect/designer?
- Ensure you have a clearly defined brief (very clear about what you're wanting to achieve) & budget ....... this is extremely important!
- Ensure your designer/architect is a great communicator and listener.
- Talk to family and friends who have experience with building and/or renovating and ask them how they achieved this.
- Be prepared to ask and answer lots of questions from your designer so they can understand and meet your requirements (no question is ever a stupid one ..... if you're thinking it ..... ask!).
- Be prepared to make compromises & be open to alternative suggestions from your architect/designer (if necessary, to work within budgets).
- Be fully informed - understand their processes & the building process and make sure that fees are clear & complete right from the outset.
- Communicate frequently & be honest!
- Involve your architect/designer in the selection of a builder.
What should you think about before choosing someone/having the initial meeting?
- Talk with friends and family and ask for recommendations.
- Ask for references from the architects/designers most recent clients.
- Check out architects/designers website, Facebook pages & marketing material to make sure you're impressed.
- I believe before you select the architect/ designer you need to arrange a meeting to ensure that you 'gel'.
- Have a clear understanding of what you want to spend on your project prior to visiting your designer, get an idea on styles and looks that you like and what your necessities are in your daily life.
- Identify budget and expectations ...... do your own research on whether your budget is realistic before approaching architect/designer.
- What is their fee structure?
- What is their workload/time frames like?
- What are their expectations of your design input, what are your expectations of their design input.
How to avoid disagreements?
- Make sure you have a clearly defined brief & budget.
- Make sure there is a thoroughly detailed contract/ 'Letter of Engagement' drawn up outlining fee expectations, scope of works and extent of your architects/designers involvement prior to undertaking the project.
- Understanding that changes made to the design/working drawings 'late in the piece' could incur additional design costs.
- Understanding that changes made to the design/layout during construction will incur additional costs.
- Have frequent, clear & open lines of communication.
- Make sure there are clear time frames established for design/ working drawings right from the outset.
- Early planning/decision making and a good understanding of your expectations, communicated clearly to your architect/designer.
How to deal with disagreements?
- Call a project/site meeting as soon as any issues become evident and before they escalate.
- All parties to be honest and fair and work through issues to achieve the best possible outcome for everyone.
- Ask for clear explanations & honest communication during these meetings to ensure everyone involved is 'on the same page' & the outcome is a positive one!
Content supplied by Charlotte from LAD Architecture
*Cover photo courtesy of The Official Photographers