Success with your Residential Project…

When thinking about a residential project, the first thing that most people think about is design.  But who should you see about the design?

• Builder?  Potentially free design, but you’re obliged to that builder, with no chance of getting competitive quotations for construction.  The standard of builder design is also variable – it may not suit your project.
• Drafter?  A drafter focuses mainly on producing drawings for Building Approval and Construction direct from a concept that you provide.  But have you been able to come up with the best concept?  And how effective will the drafter be at translating that concept into a fully fledged detailed design whilst producing the required Approval and Construction drawings?  Will you get any guidance on potential cost?
• Building Designer?  A building designer will at least engage in a more comprehensive design process with you, before going on to prepare documents for approval and construction.  Typically a building designer has had less formal training in design than an architect.  Again, you would need to check what process is going to be followed to match scope & quality with budget.
• Architect?  An architect undergoes the longest formal training period, and is able to deal with complex projects (both small and large).  Typically you would engage an architect for a unique type of project with complicated sites, complex regulatory requirements, demanding design requirements, rigorous budget control requirements.  An architect is trained also to take guide the project all the way from inception to completion.

The practice of James Stephenson Architect will take you through a simple process to make sure that the design is not only good and right for you, but that it is feasible.

It is these important initial steps that make the difference by helping you understand the look and feel of your project, perhaps with some options, before moving into the more expensive process of detailed design and the production of documentation for approvals and construction.

This efficient method ensures that you are not only getting what you want but within the price range you can afford. Whether it is extending your entertainment space with a deck to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving home, a renovation to a traditional building or a much loved character home, or even a totally new build – big or small – the same easy process is used.