How does the Design and Build process work?

How does the Design and Build process work?

Health Life Design presenter, John Eussen, sat down with TSF Managing Director, Stephen Moore, to share more about the process of designing and building and carrying out major home renovations.

Is there an estimated time for the process? Or is it really case-by-case?

Stephen – “With Covid (Covid 19) things have changed, and that is that most councils aren’t fully staffed. So, they’ve got (Town) Planners that are working from home, so that process is a bit slower than what it tends to be. And despite what councils will tell people when they ring up, we’re finding that approvals are taking 3 – 6 months through council at the moment.”

So, that’s fairly standard?

Stephen – “Fairly standard. However, there is the CDC process with a private certifier. That’s much quicker if we can go down that line…”

In the instance where I want to build, what do you prefer the client to bring to the table? Or,  do you really suggest that they don’t do any research, and you just do the whole sight for the client and you work from scratch?

Stephen – “It’s a good point. We have clients that come to us at both ends of the spectrum. We have clients that come literally with a box full of photos, ideas, magazine clippings, and very firm ideas.  And we have other clients that come to us with just some ideas.  …”we want five bedrooms and an open plan”. We can deal with clients either way.”

“Importantly, we don’t rush them through that design process. Some clients need to see what’s being designed in order to visualise and be able to accept that’s the way that they want to live. Given that this is a very customised approach that we have. None of our architects come with any particular style. It is all about what the client is looking at doing and our role is to turn that into good architecture.”

You mentioned the fixed price before, how do we get to the fixed price that you offer?

Stephen – “So, what happens is; in our Tender phase,   one of our Project Managers will be armed with your approved plans. And what they do is go and develop a document called a scope of works. The scope of works is absolutely integral in getting this right. What the scope of works is a written version of what it is that we’re doing.  So we’re going to, very accurately, describe from a builder’s point of view, what it is that you’re looking at building. The builders can then take that document and apply their costings on that. And that’s how we get to a fixed price.”

Watch the full interview to learn more about the all in one service and process that The Site Foreman offer clients and the unique three steps service model when designing and building custom design homes with The Site Foreman.

If you’re thinking of designing and building or carrying out major renovations on your home, feel free to call us and speak to one of our Design Consultants on 1300 728 006 or email service@thesiteforeman.com.au.