Taking control of your home building project

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to build a new home from the ground up, or simply looking to carry out a few home renovations, you’ve no doubt seen building company horror stories that have circulated in the media. Stories of building companies going under, supply issues, escalations in material costs and the uncertain cost of living situation has prompted many homeowners to start reconsidering their plans.

There are a few steps you can take to help mitigate the risks associated with building and renovating, and maintain control over your budget and project outcome.  

Why hire an architect?

You are going to invest a considerable amount of time and money on any type of home building project. The key to getting value out of your financial outlay is good design. 

You may think that good design is something that you can achieve by yourself and that you can save money without bringing in an architect, but doing this can put you at greater financial risk. An experienced architect with accumulated years of practice and expertise will know all the right things to do and all the mistakes to avoid, in return helping elevate your design from good to great. 

Planning a house renovation or new build

If you’re on a tight budget, it makes sense to prioritise urgent builds such as updating a kitchen or bathroom before moving in, and leaving major renovations until enough savings has been accumulated. While this is a perfectly valid desire, there may be other alternatives to explore that take into account long term needs or vision.

We explore these options with a Concept Feasibility Plan that provides the opportunity to review plans and to stage the works as needed. The aim is to reduce or eliminate the need to redo works in a few years’ time, thereby producing overall savings in the long term. Often the way to achieve the best results is to hold off on quick fix solutions, be patient and focus on the future gains.  

Cost of home building materials

Material supply issues and rising costs have been causing havoc in the building industry. Some materials are just not available at the moment and it is unlikely that we will see this change for some time. This may mean that you need to be flexible and prepared to find alternatives at short notice. A professional architect with knowledge of reputable suppliers and good building materials, as well as an understanding of supply chain limitations, can proactively assist in risk management on your build. Knowing what you’ll need, and the viable alternatives, will help to reduce the risk of inferior quality materials being substituted in by the builder. 

Renovating and build time frame

Knowing the ins and outs of town planning can be tricky. Understanding of the building time frame involved in designing and building a new home, or carrying out renovations and extensions, will assist you greatly during the planning process. Different planning zones can have varying application wait periods. Taking this into consideration early means you will be able to commence with your other plans sooner and manage any permit curveballs ahead of any committed build dates. 

Get your permit application right first go by learning more about the building and planning permits here. 

How to choose a good builder

In the current climate we recommend working closely with a single experienced builder in the early stages of the design process to build trust and facilitate honest open discussion. 

A trustworthy builder will provide practical and realistic advice on what you can and can’t achieve with your budget. Working with your architect and builder together will allow you to utilise both their skills and help you get to know and build a relationship with the builder before you enter into a contractual relationship with them.

We understand that most people are building or renovating for the first or second time and won’t have access to a whole array of reliable builders to choose from. This is why we love to share our knowledge and help put your project in trusted hands. 

Homeowner construction contract

It is important to understand the implications of the building contract you are agreeing to. A third party architect-administered contract can assist in mitigating contractual risk by providing an independent third party to evaluate variation claims and negotiate terms to resolve issues during construction. 

Including clauses that allow for cost escalations to be dealt with fairly will ensure your project can continue to progress. Be flexible about timelines that creep out and don’t immediately seek damages as it is not always within the builders control. Open and honest communication with your builder and full transparency over lead times, delivery times and cost increases can make a smoother build process for everyone and maintain good relations.

If you’re considering a building or renovation project but feel you need some support with the process, please phone us on (0439 991 887) or send us an email at hl@jdaarchitects.com.au or get in touch through our online contact form. We have the skills and experience to smoothly guide you through your next build project.