PROCESS & COST
Residential Projects
PROJECT STAGES
The process of taking an initial idea and realising it as a finished home has five distinct stages. Each stage is comprised of a clear set of steps and well defined deliverables, all designed to guide the project along a smooth & predictable path to completion.
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The common questions of "how much will it cost?" and "how long will it take?" are addressed from the outset, first by establishing a budget guide and then refining the estimate as the design is progressed and the details become known. Principally, we aim to take the ambiguity and uncertianty out of the building process so the client can enjoy the experience to the full.
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Throughout all stages of the project we act as your single point of contact. We manage all aspects of the process, ensuring all parties (engineers, builders, local authorities etc) are coordinated efficiently.
SCA engage for either the complete five-stage lifecycle, or on a stage by stage basis if suffcient to meet the client's needs.
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Stage 1: Concept Design
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We begin with gaining a full understanding of your requirements - everything you intend to achieve by designing and building a new home. The process starts with in-depth conversation that ranges from the practical - how you envision living now and in the future - to the personal, such as the colours, textures, & materials that will bring it to life. It's important to establish the budget at this early stage, ensuring this guides the design so it will be affordable to construct. The result of these conversations are documented in the Client Design Brief, which serves to guide the project through all subsequent stages.
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With the Brief completed, we're able to derive the concept for the design and develop those ideas - this is where you see the home first emerge on paper. We develop the concepts through hand sketches and computer modelling, and work closley with you to refine the program (room layout) and the overall form into what will become the working design. This is for many the most exciting stage of the project, where ideas first come to life, becoming real and tangible.​​​​​​​​​​
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Stage 2: Design Development
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​The purpose of this stage is to refine the concept design and gain planning approval from the local authority to proceed with development. During this stage the concept is matured to the point where a formal set of drawings can be produced, including plans, elevations and sections. Materials and the colour palette are also incorporated into the design at this stage.​​
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To help you visualise the house in three dimensions, photo-realistic renders are produced, similar to what you can see for the various examples on the Projects pages. Physical models can also be produced if desired. The stage concludes with a completed submission to the local authority for Development Application (DA) approval.
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Stage 3: Construction Drawings
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To build a house as precisely as intended, and to understand how much it will cost, detailed technical drawings are required. These drawings document precisely what materials will be required and how they will be used to construct the new building. This is typically the most labour intensive stage of the process, the output of which is a complete Technical Drawing Package for the construction of the house. These drawings also incorporate the necessary input from specialist consultants (structural engineers, energy efficiency assessors, etc) to ensure all regulatory requirements are met, necessary to obtain a building license.
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Stage 4: Contract Tendering
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The contract documents consist of the technical drawing package and accompanying schedules (e.g. material and glazing choices) and specifications (detailing the level of finish). Detailed and precise the documentation ensures a more accurate the price and reduced risk during construction. During this stage, we manage the process of identifying suitable builders and procuring tender responses from them. The stage is completed when the client has awarded the contract to their preferred builder and agreed a finalised price.
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Stage 5: Contract Admin
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Once the build has started, we continue in our role to ensure the design intent is realised. We will typically handle all RFIs from the builder, process all variations and resolve any design related issues. By this stage in the project there should be a high degree of trust established, where the client relies on us to see their build through to successful conclusion.
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SCA FEE STRUCTURE
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Fees are based on the size and complexity of the project, which is typically represented by the client's requirements for the following:
- House size (square meters)
- Complexity of design
- Finishes and materials
With this key information understood, a fixed fee for Stage 1 is determined. This is done after an initial meeting to discuss the project, and a site visit.
Fees for the remaining stages can be estimated and discussed if desired. Depending on client preference, contractual engagement can occur on a stage by stage basis, or for the complete 5 stage project.
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If you'd like a greater understanding of how costings and fees are determined,