Considering building, renovating, pimping your home?

Posted By Trish Goodlet

When considering building your new home, renovating, or pimping your investment property there are key questions that your architect, designer or builder SHOULD ask. Having answers to all or most of these questions will help the initial consultation and pave the way for a more easeful relationship.

Our recommendation is that you consider all of the questions below before you meet with potential professional contractors. That way you will be on the front foot and will be less likely to have any unwanted surprises throughout your project.

We also recommend you keep a record, either paper or voice recording, of all the items you have agreed to, just in case you need to refer to them later.

Below are some of the questions a good architect, draftsperson or builder will ask their clients before committing to a contract:

1. What type of project are you considering? Is it a new build, a renovation,a commercial or an investment property?

2. What is your budget? Who is financing your project? Do you have access to funds through to completion? Are you able to provide proof of funds? Are you aware of the 20% overrun rule?

3. What is your expectation in terms of time for the project to be completed? How fixed is this time frame?

4. Who will be living or working in this space, numbers?

5. Flexible space. If it is a family home, do you expect the family to grow? If it is a cafe do you foresee expansion in the business over 5,10 years?

6. If it is your home, how does your life roll? Do you entertain, work at home, hardly ever at home etc?

7. What is the most important configuration for you in terms of

bathrooms, bedrooms, living spaces, study etc. Prioritise!

8. What part of your current home do you spend most of your time in?

9. If you are living in a current home, what is it that you love or dislike about the spaces, style etc?

10. How long do you intend to hold the property?

11. Where is the project located?

12. What is the aspect of the land i.e. views, sun orientation, land sloped or flat?

13. Do you want low maintenance or higher i.e. garden, pool etc

14. Are you a gardener? What type of landscaping are you looking for? Low maintenance, permaculture?

15. Is safety, privacy an issue for you?

16. Do you want the project to be sustainable, off the grid, permaculture principles, Biophyllic etc?

17. What is your BHAV (Brave, hairy, audacious vision)? What is your style, your funk? French colonial, modernist, Hamptons beach etc ?

18. Do you have a mood board, pinterest account?

19. Are there any materials that are super important to you?

20. How do you do leisure ie.e surfboards, jet skis etc

21. When communicating, what is your preferred method of communication? Frequency, expectations?

22. When decisions are to be made, often they need to be made immediately. Otherwise you can have up to 30 builders waiting on

site with nothing to do. This can be time consuming and expensive. Are you good at making decisions on the hop?

23. How involved or not involved do you want to be? What is your interest level? Do you like to micromanage?

24. How do you ensure that the design of the project fits with the surrounding environment and neighbourhood?

25. Are there any specific building materials that you recommend for the project, based on the location and climate?

26. How do you ensure that the project is accessible for people with disabilities?

27. Can you provide examples of projects that you have completed within my budget range?

28. What is your approach to sustainable design, and how can we incorporate sustainable elements into the project?

29. How do you incorporate natural light and ventilation into your designs?

30. Can you provide a detailed schedule of when specific milestones of the project will be completed?

31. What is your experience working with local authorities and obtaining necessary permits and approvals for the project?

32. How do you handle unexpected weather or other natural events that may affect the timeline or progress of the project?

33. Can you provide recommendations for reputable suppliers and subcontractors for the project?

34. How do you ensure that the project is energy-efficient and cost-effective in terms of ongoing maintenance and utility costs?

35. Can you provide examples of projects where you have successfully incorporated sustainable design principles, and what were the results?

The following are questions you should ask your architect, draftsperson or builder. You will save you a whole lot of time and possibly money if you do.

Can you provide examples of your past work and references from previous clients?
How will you communicate with me during the project? Will I have a single point of contact or will there be a team assigned to my project?
What is the expected timeline for the project, and how will you manage any delays or unexpected issues that arise?
Can you provide a detailed breakdown of costs for the project, including all materials and labor including tax? Will there be any additional fees that I should be aware of?
What permits or approvals will be required for the project, and will you take care of obtaining them?
How will you ensure that the project meets all building codes and regulations?
How will you handle any changes or modifications to the original plan?
Do you have experience working with my specific type of project or in my location?
How do you handle disputes or conflicts that may arise during the project?
Can you provide a written contract or agreement outlining all project details, costs, and expectations?
What is your process for ensuring quality control and ensuring the project is completed to a high standard?
How will you handle any warranty or maintenance issues that arise after the project is completed?
Will you be able to provide ongoing support or maintenance for the project after completion?
Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for ways to make the project more sustainable or energy-efficient?
How do you handle unexpected changes or challenges that arise during the project? Do you have a contingency plan in place?
Can you provide any insights or suggestions for ways to improve the design or functionality of the project?
How will you ensure that the project is safe and meets all safety standards?
Are there any specific insurance requirements that I should be aware of for the project?
How will you handle any unexpected costs or changes to the project budget?
What steps will you take to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget?
What is your policy if the project runs over price and overtime?

Most of all, you need to enjoy the process. Good luck and we would love to hear how this information has assisted you with your decision making and projects.