Can you just get an opinion from architect but do most design yourself

7 years ago

We are wanting to extend our house out the front and back plus add a small downstairs addition. My husband has done a great design and drawn it on SketchUp. He is knowledgeable about building stuff being a Structural Engineer so has a good idea of what is possible. The plans look terrific to me but I am concerned about forking out loads of money without the thoughts of an architect. Is it possible to run through our drawings and ideas with an architect for a fee but still do the drawings and rest ourselves??? Thoughts around this would be appreciated.

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oklouise

7 years ago

we've done plans for many renovations but now prefer to have a professional do the final drawings from our rough proposals because they have knowledge and equipment to make better drawings and associated documentation that are more recognisable by councils, builders and tradies, it's great to have a professional take an objective look at your ideas and, like asking HOUZZERS, you may occasionally learn something you hadn't considered. Perhaps you could ask an Architect and/or Building Designer for a fixed price quote for what you need and prepare to pay a professional fee for a professional service..last time we had a building designer prepare plans from our very detailed drawings and specifications it was about $2000 with provision for about 2 minor revisions..i guestimate it worked out at about $150 per hour including time spent on discussion, site inspection, accurate measurement of existing building, preparation of Basix certificate, council submissions and disagreements about some ideas, but we'd do it again.....our neighbour trusted a professional to suggest a solution to a problem and paid $10,000 for something that turned out to be a glorified carport Doing the preliminary plans and understanding what you want to achieve will help a professional provide a more cost effective service

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Comments (8)

PRO
Artique Design Group
7 years ago
And this is the main reason I have started my company.... I do it for the love / passion of architecture, like a chef creates a new dish. to be straight up, $150 p/h is ok and I don't know the designer or O/H he or she may have etc. but if you would like a chat and example look up my web site or give me a call.... happy too help
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lomboshouse
7 years ago
make sure they are familiar with your area/council restrictions! the incompetence of ours has cost us $$$$. had to go to town planning because they did not consider the overlay and planning restrictions.
PRO
MB Design & Drafting
7 years ago
It depends on the complexity of the design, site, council area, etc.

The more complex, the more you'll need professional advise. No different to me using a structural engineer.

An out of area architect probably won't know local council regulations so use a local designer be it architect, building designer or draftsman. They'll also check the engineers plans as well; while many engineers can design something that works, many don't consider the usability or workability of the design. I had one that used a steel beam under the floor joists in the lower ground floor garage ceiling as that was more practical (cheaper) in his eye's but hadn't considered that the motor for the motorised panel-lift door will be placed exactly where the steel beam was.....hence a roller door could've only be installed.... lucky we found it soon enough!

Yes, have a fresh set of eye's look at. It cost's too much to construct and then not get it right!
PRO
Dr Retro House Calls
7 years ago
Dr Retro House Calls offers a service for just two to three hours to review plans, provide opinions and suggestions for anybody who is well progressed with their design, but who would like an independent and professional opinion.
PRO
Undercover Architect
6 years ago
Hi

My website and podcast may help you feel more confident about the design your hubby has done. Season 2 of my podcast goes through room by room how to design a home ... what mistakes to avoid, and design tips to help you get it right.

You can check it out here with the first episode >>> http://undercoverarchitect.com/fundamentals-of-great-design/

Best wishes for your project,

Regards

Amelia, UA

www.undercoverarchitect.com
PRO
My Architect
4 years ago
"Architect-designed houses are not accessible to all." This is a myth championed by the building industry. Alternatively, why not focus on the key benefits architects bring to a project. Here are a few for you:

• Appoint an architect to your project and you’ll gain a home designed for the way you want to live.The alternative is a builder-designed home that suits what the builder is used to building. Quality builders will ask for plans and specifications to be thoroughly documented so that they can go ahead and do what they do best, which is build. Working out with the owner what you’re going to build and why is the architect’s role.

• An architect manages planning approvals. This process is complex, often arbitrarily applied by many Councils, fraught with pitfalls for the novice and is ramped up every year with new hoops to jump. If you want a professional on your side who knows the territory, will go in to bat for you and will forge a way through this minefield, you need an architect.

• If you’d prefer to put the works to tender to a number of builders rather than having to accept the quote of the builder you started the process with, you need an architect.

• If you’d prefer to protect yourself with a proper, architect-managed ABIC contract that works equally for both parties and is legally enforceable, you need an architect.

• An architect will minimise costly changes during construction as he or she will produce a proper level of drawings (expect 20 x A3 pages for a new home, rather than the 1-2 pages you’ll receive from a drafting service.). The reasons for this are that you have on paper exactly what you want to build. Without this, you are entering a contract with a builder with none of the details resolved. You wouldn’t do that if you were buying a house, so why do it when spending an equally significant amount of money?

Unfortunately, some builders see this approach as an opportunity to happily accept constant changes from ‘project managing’ owners because it’s just another variation that he can charge for. The longer he is there, the better for his margins, particularly when there’s no contract to speak of.

Finally, an architect is a specialist with a professional duty of care, irrespective of financial gain. In other words, they’re there to support and protect you, without benefit to themselves. No one else in the building industry can provide this.
Audrey1967!
4 years ago
From what I have seen of Dr Retro's comments on this site, he would be someone that I would trust to hire to review plans and offer objective advice if ever I were in this position.

Can you just get an opinion from architect but do most design yourself

oklouise

Comments (8)

Artique Design Group

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