The Design Process

 

1. You start by contacting us by using the enquiry form, email or telephone and we discuss briefly what it is that you have in mind, your location, budget, etc. Budget is essential to know at the beginning of the design process, as it is very easy to design a wonderful home, then find it costs far too much to construct. We operate differently, whereby we start by identifying the funds available for construction, the type and style of house, and then we apply a rough known rate per square metre to build in your region, so we can then ascertain how big the design can be to fit that budget. Knowing the building costs at that stage of design allows flexibility for trade-offs, such as materials or fitting specifications against area, etc.

2. We then set up an appointment for an online meeting, where you will be invited to our computer, using your Internet browser on you own computer (See Remote Internet Design). The meeting may use the telephone for voice communications, or an Internet voice service such as Skype.

3. Prior to the meeting, we do research into the site you have bought, or are considering buying.

You need to supply us the address or Lot number and we search the Land Information database to seek boundary dimensions and orientation to North, as well as determining if there are any easements or other constraints on the building envelope. Photos sent are also of value for putting into context, and we also use Google Earth a lot for this purpose. See Site Variables and Prices for more information on what we need to have provided before design can begin.

Prior to this research, we request a deposit be paid, to cover our time and expenses. Refer Prices.

4. Once the meeting begins, if you have decided on a plan already, we discuss in more detail the style, number of bedrooms etc, cladding materials, discuss any aspects of other houses that you like, etc.

5. Once we have enough information, we are able to start the design online, and will take this so far as time permits for both parties before we take the task away to work on. Once we have completed the concept design, we issue another invitation to join in the design process on our PC using the Remote Internet Design system to view again.

6. We have a very good "hit rate" for getting a concept plan to meet expectations first time, so we're confident that we can produce a design that suits your requirements.

7. Once we have the Concept Plan finalised, we give you the choice of continuing to use our service for the next stages of drawings, or of using your own local draughtsperson to take over the concept. We do hope, though, that we will be be engaged to do the whole process of completing the drawings and undertaking Building Consent lodgement and monitoring through the Consent process.

8. We finally invoice for the remaining fees and deliver the plans by courier to you, and / or take them to the council for lodgement for the Building Consent application.