Stage & Fee Structure

Recommended Project Stages:

At every stage in the development of the design to the built reality, we work closely with the client as a team, to realise the dream.

1. Sketch Ideas and Feasibility.

During this first stage the client brief is collected. A great place to start is to consider your needs and wants and list them in order of priority. We all have basic needs that we must have achieved, but as things turn from the priority needed to a possible extravagant want, it becomes clearly to define where your budget will extend to. A copy of your lands "Certificate of Title" and any other existing plans or information is also obtained at this stage, including a soil test (if that is already done). We will then go to site to analyse the surroundings, taking in views, sun, and any obstacles that need to be avoided.

Once the brief is established time schedules can be added if required, along with any consultant work with the local Councils, Energy Assessor, Engineer, Surveyor, Builder and even the Building Surveyor in some cases.

From the collaborations of all this information, a sketch idea can be formed. At all times considering the land shape, size, orientation, sun aspect, council or covenant restrictions, street scapes, possible views, visual or neighbouring obstructions, possible over shadowing issues, weather conditions or any other possible influences to the outcome of the job.

2. Preliminary Design Stage.

With the overall idea or sketch accepted by the client, we progress with the preliminary plans. This entails documenting the ideas gathered so far, and establishing what the floor plans and elevations may look like and possible materials they will be constructed from. This is where the aesthetic of the building is reviewed and refined. Along with sizes of rooms and what must fit and work within these spaces. Any further issues with consultants are carried out around this time. This is the most IMPORTANT stage, where most of the time and effort is realised. Time spent now can minimise changes and unnecessary expenditure later on the building site. IF questions/queries arise, feel free to ask, we love to assist you, to find the right products/applications for your project. If we don't know, we will find out!

3. Town Planning Applications (Obtaining a DA from the Planning Department).

This is the first stage of the "working drawings" where real information is placed on the drawings, noting everything from the type and size of windows, down to what sewerage system you wish to use or how many car parks, work for your unit development. This stage we are compiling all the reason "why" we want this building built. The clearer the information supplied to the Planning Department the more likely we will get a YES, you may proceed. Planning Approvals are unfortunately NEVER a guaranteed.

By the time we hit this stage, you know what your home or building is going to look like, and we can start looking at builder's quotes/costing; tweaking the job where necessary to meet any budgetary requirements. This is the real review time, where changes can be made relatively easily, before any department puts a stamp on anything, or a builder digs a hole, or places a beam.

4. Building Permit Applications.

We do not proceed to this stage until the DA (if required) is issued and passed, and all previous payments are finalised.

This is the final documentation stage, where the I's are dotted and T's crosses. As with all other stages you are given check copies (and/or PDF's). This is the stage where final details are worked out with thoughts to "HOW" does it all work, and "How" will it be built; Where the other consultants can do their portions of the work, and builder's can give finalise prices and/or give direction on "how" THEY best like to built the structure.

The WHOLE team is all hands on deck to make it work... obviously the bigger the job, the more time this stage takes, but in our experience time spent now can save thousands of dollars later.

5. Construction Time.

During this time, some clients employ us to assist with decisions on products, colours, sourcing of materials, etc. Others (especially owner builders) may require more measurements or details. These services vary depending on the clients and the job, so we charge hourly rates for any extra specific details or our time spent on the job.

Fee Structure.

Due to the individual nature of every client and design, we do not provide quotations over the phone or via internet and email site unseen. However, we are happy to supply an estimate quote to you, if you can provided a client brief or "wish list" of requirements, "certificate of title" of the block and address, photos of the block or existing house, time frame, and general overview of your requirements.

For a fixed quote: we need a copy of the above items, and a site visit by a staff member, to ensure no unforseen issues, plus some initial consultations with the local council, before we can supply the quote.

Site trips are charged at our current hourly rates.

Each stage of the design can be charged at hourly rates or as a fixed quote. All payments are to be made before progress is advanced to the next stage. Payments can be made either by EFTpos, cash, credit card, cheque or via internet. All council and consultants fees are not charged through us, however we can organise contact or quotes with each of these consultants for you.

For more information and current hourly rates, feel free to call us on (03) 63266100.