Guide to building your individually designed home part 3

CONTRACT:

The completed working drawings and specification are checked and if approved submission for planning approval proceeds. Here the process will differ if you are working with an architect or builder. With the architect you are now ready to put the job out to tender, or to commence negotiations with builders. If you working with a builder on the other hand you usually have a firm quote at this point so a full contract can be signed.

While waiting for approvals it is normal to now complete the selections process. That requires a decision on each and every item to be included in the contract to be specifically chosen for colour and style. On large, complex individual homes you should not under estimate the time required to complete this task. It is common at the top end for this process to be completed in conjunction with an Interior Designer.

CONSTRUCTION:

Once selections are completed and all approvals obtained work commences on site.

As you go along it is not uncommon for you to want to make some changes. Most builders are happy to accommodate you with changes, but please bear in mind it is always difficult for the builder to make changes. Costs for changes often seem high, but do reflect the disruption and administrative complexity of changes being communicated to everyone involved in building the home. Sometimes as many as 12 subcontractors can be involved in a change.

ENJOY THE PROCESS:

Building an individual design home is always an exciting adventure. Most people you work with are anxious to ensure you get the outcome you want. But remember a large complex home involves a very great number of individual components that go into the construction. Anyone of these can cause a problem. Sometimes what you think you asked for is not what the designer or builder thought you wanted. So it is vital you work with people you feel confident with and to then commit to working with those people as a team to help each other create the best possible outcome for you and your family. Most importantly have fun and enjoy the process.