Embarking on the adventure of building your home is an exciting undertaking. It will be filled with joy and excitement and in my experience, be ultimately rewarding. There will also be times of uncertainty, challenges, frustration and uncomfortable situations.

All of the above come with taking ownership of your future home. The process from the first time you meet your architect through to accepting the keys to your home can be anywhere from 1 to 3 years, sometimes longer. It is important to have an understanding of the process and to know that your architect is there to support and guide you.

It is important to manage your personal energy levels which can be challenging at the best of times. Completing an architectural build while maintaining family, work and life commitments is a complicated task. There is nothing wrong with communicating your energy levels for the project with your architect. Some of the best work is achieved by reviewing items with a clear mind after some time away from the process.

It is meant to be fun after all.

We find the key to achieving a smooth process is clear and regular communication between involved parties. Any issues which arise are best dealt with as soon as they become known, no matter how small or large. We aim to achieve this by regularly asking the questions; Are you happy with the process to date and do you have any concerns? Is there anything you don’t understand relating to the upcoming process? Please be uncompromisingly honest with your architect. Everyone experiences growth, both professional and personal through the process.

Setting expectations prior to scenarios arising is a helpful tool in working towards the best outcome. As architect, sometimes we forget that for many, it may be the first time they have embarked on this adventure and the smallest piece of information can be largely valuable in setting expectations. Always feel free to ask your architect for clarification if anything is not clear. There is no such thing as a silly question.

Simply speaking, the process is easily divided into two sections; Design and Construction.

Many clients find the transition between the two challenging.  You have spent the last 12 months in close quarters with your architect designing your dream home down to the cutlery dividers. You grow close, often becoming friends and then your builder enters the team.

It is at this point your architect is required to become impartial in order to deliver your home as it has been designed but also taking into account feedback from the experienced builder. I am often reminded that as architects we are capable of designing spectacular dwellings however this means very little if we are unable to construct them to the same quality. Your builder is the brains trust here and will regularly make suggestions to achieve your vision in a practical and long-lasting way. The best solutions will always be a combination of design intent, builder feedback and owner input.

At times, the construction phase of a project can feel combative however often, the goal of each party is the same viewed through a different lens.

We feel that combative situations are best mitigated when prospective builders are introduced to owners early in the process. Builders then become an integral part of the project development, well before the construction phase begins. This allows all parties access to invaluable experience covering cost parameters and buildability among other aspects. And, perhaps more importantly, it allows a relationship of mutual respect and clear communication to be harboured before entering into a building contract.

In my experience, this aids in facilitating honest and productive communication during pressured situations. Parties can work towards solutions together in good faith.

The result being a home the owner, builder and architect can be proud of, not to mention the ongoing friendships a building process can nurture.