VALUE OPTIONS - How Best to Develop Your Property
There are three options by which land owners might choose to develop their property. Each option requires selecting either an existing design or creating a new design which fulfils the family’s needs and lifestyle requirements, and selecting a builder to construct the home to a standard which represents value and is affordable. Value is determined by each customer, the fair monetary exchange for a level of quality of design and construction as promised and delivered. These options include:
Project Homes
These homes are typically the cheapest in terms of financial outlay and the quickest to construct. Produced en-masse, the economies of scale enjoyed through repetition of a particular design and the resulting buying power afforded when ordering products and materials in bulk makes this an attractive option when price is a driving factor. There is a huge market for such homes. Built to a price, but restrictive in terms of quality, choice and individuality, such homes are usually
the right choice of investment in suburbs with a high density of existing project homes. Similarly, it would likely be an under-capitalisation of your investment to choose a project home in an area where land values are substantial, where individually designed architectural, heritage or established quality homes dominate.
Architect & Independent Builder
These homes are typically the most expensive in terms of financial outlay and the most time-consuming to produce. Architectural fees are charged for design works with a focus to detail, aesthetics and architectural intent. Plans are developed and submitted to Council where, if approved, they are submitted to builders for tender.
An early costing might be commissioned from a Quantity Surveyor however, until tenders are received, some 6 to 12 months after design commencement, the exact cost of the home remains unknown. The absence of specialist builder input and updated pricing during the design phase may manifest as a tender over-run,
necessitating redesign, further tendering, re-submission to Council, additional fees and further delays in commencement of the project. The owner typically also pays for all external specialist consultant’s reports required, Council fees and other outgoings. Once a building contract is executed it is hoped the builder will work compatibly with the architect, not always achievable as each has individual priorities, the architects to preserve the quality and detail, the builder’s to
explore any cost saving measures or alternatives that may present for additional profit. To ensure quality, the architect should be retained for contract administration and project management at an additional fee. All of the above costs must be accounted for, often stretching time and finances well beyond the owner’s affordable budget and all previous expectations.
Architectural Designer Builder (Chateau)
These homes represent the decision of best value for premium quality. A team of professionals work as one from the outset, including architects, designers, quantity surveyors, builders and planners. This synergy ensures optimum results are achieved in design, cost and time efficiency
Each discipline is involved throughout the design development phase to ensure efficiencies are explored and details and costings are correct, allowing an accurate fixed price construction sum to be determined at design stage. Architectural services are include in the construction contract sum, together with all standard external specialist consultant’s reports, Engineering, Council fees, liaison and administration fees and so on, for peace of mind and a single point of contact for advice, service and accountability.
Visit our projects to review some of our recent architect designed homes as well as our future architect designed homes , to get a feel of what an architectural designer builder such as Chateau can do for you.
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