Processes

Pre-concept to beyond completion

responsibility accountability transparency

Architects, homeowners or investors, let’s get together to kick around a few concepts. Engage with us pre-concept, even if it’s only for a mug of tea. Let’s get to know each other, understand where you’re coming from, your ideas and inspiration, so we can make those timely, cost-efficient decisions together.

We relish every opportunity to provide ideas and estimates, add value, save you time and mitigate potential issues for your first home, your forever home, holiday house or commercial build.

After all, it’s your builder who is with you every step of the way: pre-design, reviewing existing structures, drawings, demolition, excavation and staging of works. We are on site every day and there with you at handover through to managing your maintenance schedules and beyond.

We’d suggest a conversation to evaluate site orientation, solar options, the imported doors and architectural hardware that need a three-month lead time so side-by-side, we can decide whether automated doors and heated drawers offer the best return for your lifestyle.

Specialist suppliers, engineers, landscapers, certifiers, councils and Registered Building Practitioners each have their own timelines, processes, approval systems and check lists to follow. Collaborating with these groups early means we collectively benefit from an exchange of ideas and expertise, which saves time and adds value.

While we are proud of each of our projects, we place great store in the relationships that develop with our clients when we are building something great together.

1. Predesign

• Assess master planning, site feasibilities, construction types, access requirements
• Discuss brief, requirements, budget and program
• Implement Passive House principles
• Recommend consultants and architects that are suited to your brief
• Inspect site and assess conditions, orientation
• Assess regulations, authority requirements, zoning
• Assess services available on site for access to power, off the grid or solar, water storage or tanks versus sewer
• Consider budget and program in relation to brief

DELIVERABLES

• Preliminary budget feedback and site constraints, construction methods
• Options and opportunities

2. Schematic (concept) design

• Collaborate on sketch drawings and diagrams and other information to adequately explain the concept
• Assist with preliminary furniture and equipment layouts
• Input preliminary selection of materials and finishes
• Evaluate preliminary design input from consultants
• Consider structural and building services systems to be used in the project
• Prepare preliminary program timeline and landscaping development
• Coordinate the preparation of preliminary estimate for the Cost of Works
• Assess and advise on environmental issues in relation to site
• Consider budget and program in relation to brief
• Obtain client approval for concept design

DELIVERABLES

• Site plan
• Floor plans
• Sections and elevations
• Preliminary finishes boards/schedules
• Program and feedback of preliminary Cost of Works
• May also include:
• Preliminary 3D views
• Schematic Design Report

Design Development (detailed design)

• Review and update brief
• Develop the approved sketch design into a final developed design including plans at each level, elevations, sections and other details sufficient to fully explain the design
• Prepare schedules of materials and finishes
• Prepare furniture and equipment layouts
• Coordinate and integrate information from consultants, trades and contractors
• Prepare, refine and issue updates, estimate and program
• Prepare for planning approval (Development Application) and assist in the coordination of specialist consultants’ input

DELIVERABLES

• All floor plans
• Sections and elevations
• Preliminary finishes boards/schedules
• Program and assessment of preliminary Cost of Works
• Nett Lettable Areas and Gross Floor Areas
• 3D views and designs and a fly-through
• Design Development Report
• Pre DA meeting with local council

• Review and discuss contracts to be used
• Review and agree on stakeholders’ communication and liaison; for example, interior designers, architects, consultants, agents
• Review detailed design against planning and conditions approval
• Review and update brief, program and budget
• Revise design to incorporate any conditions of planning consent
• Prepare and coordinate Construction Certificate documentation
• Prepare drawings, schedules and specifications sufficient to enable the tendering/construction of the building
• Coordinate and integrate information from consultants into architectural drawings and specifications
• Update estimate budgets

DELIVERABLES

• Site plan
• Floor plans
• Sections and elevations
• Detailed joinery and wet area plans and sections
• Finishes, fittings and fixtures schedules
• Consultants’ drawings incorporated
• Specifications

Note that the level of tender documentation provided at this stage will depend on the form of building contract chosen

Contractor / tender selection

• Assist client in choosing trades / subcontractors and list the tenderers
• Prepare and issue plans and specifications to tenderers and liaise
• Respond to queries and feedback from trades / subcontractors and tenderers
• Together with consultant and client, review feedback and specifications
• Review and update budgets: re-evaluate budgets and specifications on final feedback and pricing
• Report on trades, subcontractors, tenderers and provide recommendation
• Assist in approval process by preparing for and attending meetings
• Obtain client’s approval of detailed design and updated estimate, budget and project program

DELIVERABLES

• Prepare and issue drawing and specification set
• Additional information and details
• Site reports and schedules

Contract administration, construction and project management

• Prepare and issue contract documents
• Report regularly to client on time, cost and progress
• Review architect drawings and construction details with client and architect
• Provide client with instructions, additional details and clarifications of the contract documents
• Coordinate services of consultants and architect
• Issue variations, extensions of time and progress reports
• Provide reports and certificates to the private certifier for the Occupation Certificate

Note: Some of this scope may be undertaken with/by the project manager.

DELIVERABLES

• Prepare and issue contract documents
• Provide regular site meetings and coordinate visits with design team and client
• Provide further details and clarification of the contract set
• Issue requests for information (RFIs)
• Issue Practical Completion Certificate
• Issue Final Completion Certificate

Evaluation and feedback
While we are proud of each of our projects, we place great store in the relationships that we develop with our clients when we are building something great together. At the final stages of the build, we’ll do a walk through with you. While there are snags and bugs on every build, we are proactively seeking out the issue to prevent a problem down the track.

We’ll test the machines and appliances with you and deliver a personal maintenance wallet with all the guarantees, warranties, instructions and manuals as well as the contact details of your trades and contractors –basically, everyone you could ever need as well as emergency contacts. 

This is part of the build process every client should see as a value add; the opportunity to run a critical eye over every aspect of the property hand-in-hand with the builder. We work to our values of partnership, passion and commitment underpinned by accountability, transparency and clear communication alongside a robust financial and reporting system. We appreciate your evaluation and feedback.