Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 9Feb 26, 2008 11:19 am supa007 Thanks guys for the advice. Fortunately I don't already live there, so demolishing won't be a problem. But I'm now ****** that the architect wasted our time and money for absolutely nothing gained... One consolation is that our architect is a family friend and only charged us $3K up to now. Feel really sorry for Helen's bro, 20K down the drain!!! Yak, do you know of a good eco friendly architect in Melb who would have some sort of idea about cost of building. supa you learnt a lot in the process even though it now seems like a waste of time. 20k Helyn ... my goodness surely it didn't cost that for drawings etc. Did he start the build and then cease when he realized how much it would cost?? I agree with the others ... frequently it is cheaper to start again. We found a builder and design we liked, modified it extensively, got an ecoarchitect to look it over and fine tune the spec and window orientation etc and then progressed to build. It has taken us a bit longer than we liked but we now have a great build progressing and more importantly a good relationship with our builder. We considered renovating and building onto our old house but it wasn't feasible given costs. Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 10Feb 26, 2008 11:40 am I agree with what the others have said.
I have a friend whose an architect and one of the common questions he gets asked is whether people should renovate or build new. He tends to tell them it depends on the character of the home, if its a standard home you are better to build new. This may be wrong but I think its around double the cost to renovate as to build new. I find this quite helpful for pricing; http://www.archicentre.com.au/2008Jancostguide.pdf If you are unsure about how to select an architect and whether renovate or build new, you may want to look at getting a concept design done which will give you an idea of costs. I know archicentre offers this service and I'm sure most architects would. I'm not sure but building designers may also offer this service. Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 11Feb 26, 2008 2:28 pm Thank you thank you. This is all good reading and find that all your thoughts re. going over budget reflecting my concerns.
Buldozing and rebuilding (as well as selling up and moving) are options for us. Mine is no period home, however we are considering renovating because we have already done quite a bit of work to the current house. I have actually found an architect's website which spells out every step of the way with regards to the level of service he offers (renovating or rebuilding). He starts off with a set fee verbal consultation to advise whether a renovation will be the best way to go or not. From client testimonials he has actually advised selling up as he didn't think either renovating nor rebuiding would make sound investment. Also as part of his design service he claims he is able to outline all consultants' fees and a detailed opinion as to the construction cost of the project before moving on, and at the concept revision/design development stage he would organise an indipendent detailed estimate to ensure the project is financially viable before proceeding (correct me if i'm wrong but I take this to mean the plans are submitted to sub-contractors to ensure that it can be cost effectively built). This including permit drawings is the minimum level of service (no less) that we have to commit to should we choose to progress with the architect's proposal - God only knows how much he would charge up to this stage. Am I being naive to believe that above makes good sense, or do all architects claim the same. I will be going to see another architect this week to compare her pricing structures to this one I'm already looking at. Thanks again, loads of research but hopefully will get us the best decision though more and more we'd probably be better off starting new. Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 12Feb 26, 2008 2:51 pm Quote: Yak, do you know of a good eco friendly architect in Melb who would have some sort of idea about cost of building. Don't know any in Melbs, but places I'd check with are. Ask Emilis and ask him who he would recommned - he has done projects interstate and he migh be a good option for you. http://www.emilis.sa.on.net IMO he is the one of the best eco architects I have met to date - radical - and non convential to some, but he makes realistic designs that work and well within budget. or try the http://www.ata.org.au - Goto their next meeting and ask the question at the meeting, who theyh woruld recommned - they have a whats new whos new section at the end of each meeting, (great time to talk to people who have been there done that re eco houses.) and try the archicentre in Melbourne. They will give you some names - but my preference would be to try in the order as per above. Emilis, ATA, then the Archicentre. My thoughts Steve Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 13Feb 26, 2008 5:55 pm supa007 Our dilema is whether to bite the bullet, reduce size of extension and look for cheaper builder, or delay building by coming up with new set of plans, get town planning, building permit, then bulldozing and start new? Appreciate if any one can offer practical advice. Hi Supa, If you knock down and build from scratch you may find that you don't need to go through planning. If you're doing a dual occ or something like that you will, but a "straight swap" would most likely just need a building permit. We're doing a 35sq double storey in place of a 12 square single storey, and only required a permit. Justin. Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 14Feb 26, 2008 6:18 pm Quote: 20k Helyn ... my goodness surely it didn't cost that for drawings etc. Did he start the build and then cease when he realized how much it would cost?? Well, I admit this is second hand information, didn't see the payment myself, perhaps brother exagerated or rounded up a tad, however my understanding was that this was solely for architect services, it certainly wasn't for any building as idea got canned before anything got started. The point is that surely architects should have some idea of the industry they are working in and be able to give rough idea of expected costs, not give advice from an ivory tower. To say brother was p***ed off, was an understatement!!! Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 15Feb 26, 2008 6:35 pm I personally would NEVER engage an architect….(Sorry if there are any watching this thread)
I have never come across one that does not waist space and get the specks right. I had to work with one recently on a large reno and extension of an old hotel, nice man, don’t get me wrong I really liked him, but…..I have found builders and Home Plan Designers more switched on to the needs of their clients. And NO, architects don’t know the price of the selections they are choosing for you, just like me, I don’t know the exact price of them either, that’s not our job. We choose your design, not cost it. It’s a real catch 22. For me, I would employ a Home Designer……1/2 the price of an architect. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 16Feb 26, 2008 6:52 pm Two quotes I've had from builders about architects :
"Architects like spending other people's money" and "Architects like building monuments to their own egos" Justin. Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 17Feb 26, 2008 6:53 pm Justin Two quotes I've had from builders about architects : "Architects like spending other people's money" and "Architects like building monuments to their own egos" Justin. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 18Feb 26, 2008 7:12 pm Quote: The point is that surely architects should have some idea of the industry they are working in and be able to give rough idea of expected costs, not give advice from an ivory tower. To say brother was p***ed off, was an understatement!!! They do!!!! The achicentre guys have a concept phase now designed to overcome just these issues. Check out their website. My advice to anyone considering an architect - and they are useful at their job - is to ensure you both fully understand how and where they will fit into the project, what you want - how many $$$ you expect to spend - and define up front exactly what the deliverables and the payment schedules - in writing and both signed and agreed to for a set cost. If they can't do that - then find a better architect. I'm in IT and I've seen many a project that has gone off the rails because both the client and sales/ software developer have not done the hard yards to setup these guidelines first. Just like building with physcial timber bricks and mortar, the main issues arise when changes of mind happen, noone says I wasnt this - and each party wastes time talking things over changing it etc etc. Be clear, be concise and be definite on what you want from the start. Then once that's done - you have concept plans - take it to a quantity surveyor who will cost it up for you to the nearest $. Then youcan decide from there. and remeber each area costs more or less to build in. For Instance - my mate was building a big shed on KI - he thought the quote was excessive - I rang a mate of mine who is a Quanity Surveyorand asked him how much to build a shed of this size, he looked up his books, said XYZ + add XX% because it was on KI to cover extra labour and transport costs. They have it all in a book clearly defined to cover most variables and it is updated whenever it changes. Rant over Steve Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 19Feb 26, 2008 9:28 pm Quote: Quote: The point is that surely architects should have some idea of the industry they are working in and be able to give rough idea of expected costs, not give advice from an ivory tower. To say brother was p***ed off, was an understatement!!! Quote: They do!!!! Well, this one didn't !!!!! But, Ok, can't judge from one bad experience. As you said, perhaps the key is picking the right architect in the first place. Re: Is an architect best and how to choose one 20Feb 26, 2008 9:45 pm Helyn Quote: 20k Helyn ... my goodness surely it didn't cost that for drawings etc. Did he start the build and then cease when he realized how much it would cost?? Well, I admit this is second hand information, didn't see the payment myself, perhaps brother exagerated or rounded up a tad, however my understanding was that this was solely for architect services, it certainly wasn't for any building as idea got canned before anything got started. The point is that surely architects should have some idea of the industry they are working in and be able to give rough idea of expected costs, not give advice from an ivory tower. To say brother was p***ed off, was an understatement!!! I can understand his annoyance . You would think an architect would have some idea of costs. We've had one good and one bad experience with architects. But I agree in general they have their head in the clouds. Fantasy does not always = reality. Your build is relatively simple, I believe your job can be easily done by a good building designer, you really do not need to pay for the architect. Remember, architect's… 3 11317 I've just had a look at the website. The company are just building broker's. There are plenty of similar companies that basically draw your plans (they own them so you… 8 11739 I have stone pavement (?) in my backyard around the pool. I have not tended to them and so there is moss growing on them. I intend to clean them but was wondering what the… 0 2484 |