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Building a new home or undertaking extensive renovations at your Auckland property can be exciting but if you have never built before it can be easy to make mistakes. A qualified architect can help transform your dream home ideas into a workable plan easing the stress of your building project. However with such a lot at stake it is important to feel comfortable with your architect so here are four tips for creating a productive working relationship.
Be clear about your expectations
Your architect can only respond to your choices and ideas if you communicate them clearly. If you are too vague, then you risk getting a design that does not truly reflect what you want in your new home or renovations.
You also need to be clear about budgets and time constraints to make sure your architect comes up with a feasible design.
Remember they are the professional
While it is your prerogative to set the style and layout of your new home, remember that your architect is a professional and will have undertaken training as part of their career.
They will know if something simply isn't practical or will stretch your budget too far so take on board their advice. An experienced local architect should also have a good knowledge of planning regulations and be able to tell you if any of your ideas will fall foul of the council.
Be flexible
Even the best-laid plans sometimes have to be changed so be prepared to be flexible. It might not be until you start building that you discover part of the plan won't work and will need to be rethought. Keep an open mind throughout the build process.
Keep in touch
Because things might change and you may need further clarification, it's important to make yourself available and keep in touch with your designer during the work. Some may visit the site while others will deal with you over the phone, but a good architect should be on hand until the building is complete.
If you are using a project manager or main contractor, make sure that they have all your contact details in case they need to clarify anything with the architect directly.
Picking an architect
Entrusting the design of your home to someone else is a big step, so you want to be sure you have chosen the right architect for the job. Spend time talking with the planner before you commit and ask to see some of the other buildings they have worked on. If you choose to work with a local architect, they will probably have completed other local homes that you could visit.
Different architects may have different styles of working so make sure their approach fits with your ethos and the way you want to run the project. For example if you will not be able to supervise the work directly, you might want to look for an architect who is willing to take the lead on the building site as well.
Don’t be afraid to talk to two or three different contractors through Builderscrack before making your final decision.
Our blog is full with helpful news and knowledge covering architecture and design related repairs and renovations around your home. Our trusted tradies will respond to your job, often within a few minutes. You decide who you want to communicate with. You’re in control the whole way.
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Read moreCheck out how homeowners like you are using Architects on Builderscrack to build, repair and improve their homes right now.
We need help to get a permit for additional toilet and tiled shower in our bathroom renovation we have the floor plan so design not needed.
Read moreWe are in Remuera in a modest townhouse and we have an upstairs internal deck (approx 2.5m long) that we want to remove and then continue on with existing roof line but with the installation of a new Velux skylight into the new roof. We have a builder ready and we will be obtaining a consent, so we need a few basic drawings to manage E2 and cladding (cedar).
Read moreI would like advice/plans to put in a stair case to the attic and put in bedroom and bathroom, put a double garage with accommodation above and build a deck and replace windows with doors to open out onto the deck from an upstairs dining room. Would like to start plans now but building towards end of January next year.
Read moreNeed a person to get a cad drawing suitable submitting to council for building consent , I have a scaled hand drawn plan already
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Read more100 square metres business premise Lighting and plumbing system 5 spa chairs, 6 manicure table One waxing room
Read moreI had my bathroom renovated recently. We changed from cubicle shower to tiled wet shower. We didn’t know we had to get consent from council to make the changes. We are now applying for certification of acceptance from the council and one of the requirement is to get the floor plan for current bathroom. We haven’t made any plumbing changes. We need the floor plan for the bathroom after the renovation.
Read moreNew house 2019. We have the plans. Now want to tie-in the pool and deck to the house. It'll have a cantilevered corner, louvres, glass awnings, pergolas, 100m2 +. We want a drawing done so we can visualize it and get it built.
Read moreSmall renovation replace shower over bath to shower only. Require drawings for council. Preferably early 2021
Read moreIs about 1/2m from each boundary.
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Read moreHi, I am planning to buy a house and then revovate. I want to hire an architect/builder for an hour to come along with me during open home and give their expertise advise and approximate cost analysis for renovations.
Read moreWith over 184,000 reviews in total, and an average rating of 9/10, you can be confident that your job will be handled with the utmost care.
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Our trusted tradies will respond to your job, often within a few minutes. You decide who you want to communicate with. You’re in control the whole way.
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