The Pre-Construction Process

As a builder, I get a lot of calls from potential clients who are excited to get started on their renovation as soon as possible and think that they are all ready to go. After a quick chat, I ask them to send through any documentation my way so I can look over their plans and see what's involved in the project.

"Oh, we don't have any plans yet" is a common response I get as most potential clients are new to the building process and are not aware of what is required before any construction begins. This is totally normal and is why I hope this post will be able to provide anyone thinking of renovating or even those who have started with some insight into what to expect when it comes to the pre-construction process.

The building process is long. It can be exhausting and isn't just confined to the actual construction of the home. Usually, there are months, sometimes years of planning by an architect or building designer that gets the project to the point where builders have the correct documentation ready to start knocking up some walls.

So, where do you start? If you have a builder in mind, don't be afraid to give them a call and ask for any recommendations of designers or architects. We are more than happy to help point you in the direction of some amazing architects we have worked with in the past – so don’t hesitate to get in touch. When it comes to architects and designers, we believe you get what you pay for. We see a big difference between your average designers and the amazing ones and although they may cost a bit more – they will generate more thought-through, bespoke plans with greater detail and save on constructions costs throughout the process.

If you don't have a builder in mind, you still have several powerful tools at your disposal when deciding on an architect or designer. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Houzz can be really helpful to get a feel for their work and style, which is a great base to start from. This is also a great time to start collecting inspiration and ideas for your own home.

Once you have selected your architect or building designer, the process to design your home can take a while. Generally, they will give you a few initial concepts for you to pick from and once agreed upon they will start to draw up your future home. At this stage, the plans for some projects will need to be submitted for council approval. The three most common reasons for this are if you're building on land under 300sqm, if you have a heritage overlay on your property or any special environmental conditions on your land such as flooding. Not to offend anyone that works in council, but these guys don't really move at the fastest pace and getting the tick of approval to move to the next stage may take some time.

Once the council gives you the green light, it’s time to start working on the interiors. As a builder, it makes my job a lot easier to quote, build and complete the project as efficiently as possible when clients produce interior drawings. It also reduces the likelihood of client variations and therefore an increase in cost – which is something we will touch on in a future post. Architects are not the only designers that you will require - they also engage with other professionals such as engineers, energy assessors and geo techs to do their bit to get the correct documentation ready for construction.

Once this has all been put together, it’s time to reconnect with your builder or reach out to potential builders to begin the quoting process. Once you decide on a builder and agree with the terms it’s time to get a contract drawn up and signed. It’s worth noting this process alone can take some time and will usually be more than 6 weeks.

There is one final step left before we can start building. If your architect or designer has not done so already, you will need to engage a building surveyor. These are the guys that make sure all the documentation that I have I mentioned is relevant to standards and codes, and that everything complies. This ensures that all completed building work is safe for use and built correctly. Once you are issued with a permit, it is now time to start building.

We know it’s a long process and can be overwhelming, but we promise it’s worth it in the end! A good builder will make you feel comfortable from the start. You should have a great rapport and a high level of trust in them to do the right thing and build professionally.

I hope this helped provide you with a bit of insight into the pre-construction process and what to expect from the first stages of a building project. If you have any questions or want to have a chat about your project, please don't hesitate to get in touch.