Transforming your vision into a completed building can take years, this is precisely why it’s important to have a good rapport and trusting relationship with your architect. With more than 30 years’ experience delivering high calibre projects, Blane’s approach takes the stress and strain off you, so that you don’t have to manage the project and your budget. And you can have as much or as little input into the design and selection of materials and finishes as you like. Below gives you an insight into the three key phases in every project.
During your briefing conversations with Blane, he’ll help you confirm your essential needs and optional wants, and potential budget, before preparing concept ideas for your review and for costing purposes. This can take some back-and-forth before you arrive at a design you’re ready to pursue.
Once you’re happy with your design, Blane will prepare planning drawings to lodge on your behalf, to obtain approval from local authority. Once planning approval is granted, Blane will produce documentation drawings, and help you identify and engage a suitable builder. Then the builder can obtain a building permit for construction to commence.
Blane stays involved throughout the build process to provide advice to the builder, and resolve any unforeseen issues that arise on site. He’ll be your representative throughout this phase to have the difficult conversations on your behalf, and ensure that everything is delivered to the most exacting standards. Once the build is complete, and you get your keys and occupancy certificate to move in, Blane will supervise the defects period, when the builder has to rectify any problems in the first 12 months after completion.
In your first conversation, Blane will ask you a several project-related questions. These often include whether your project is a house (new build or renovation), multi-residential or commercial project; The location and qualities of your site; What problems you’re trying to overcome and what you’d like to achieve and more.
If your project sounds like a good fit and Blane has availability, he’ll set up a complementary initial consultation at your home or proposed site, to get a feel for the opportunities, and discuss your aspirations and options. If not he can recommend another architect who may be able to assist you.
If you feel comfortable working together and you’re interested in progressing the discussion, Blane will prepare a fee proposal outlining the architectural and design fees, with indications of other costs (such as consultants and proposed build costs, if you have a construction budget in mind already).
Finally, if you chose to accept the fee proposal, Blane will provide a Client-Architect Agreement, to formalise his appointment as your architect for the duration of the project.
Then your project can commence.