As most people only experience building a new house once in their lifetime (if atall), they usually find the process quite confusing. Although the different processes are constantly changing, the drawing production process and council preparation process stays the same.
Step 1. Initial Consultation with Architect/Building Designer
At the initial meeting with the architect/building designer, you the client will discuss all your thoughts in relation to your development. You will be asked to describe in brief the overall hopes for your new residential property eg. size, types of spaces, use of these spaces.....
Service fees and what they include will also be discussed at this time. Finally, after the meeting a fee proposal as well as a Client Brief and a contract will be sent to you.
Step 2. Building Designer/Architect Site Analysis
The next step is for the building designer/architect to analyse your site verbally. They may provide a written report (if you can not be present) and discuss with you the restrictions and assets of your property. This stage is not only valuable to people that have already purchased a property but also to people that are in the process of buying and that have not yet exchanged contracts, as we can discuss issues such as sun orientation versus street face versus outside living and how these factors affect greatly on the quality of living for that particular property. Their analysis and review will also consider such things as wind direction, shade and tree shadowing aswell as many other factors that can go unnoticed when purchasing property.
Step 3. Initial Design Process
The Initial Design process includes council and other relevant government bodies. This involves research as well as the study of your requirements - where sketch design drawings are produced and discussed with you prior to developing the design. The drawings produced at this stage are minimal but should include all floor plans and some elevations or a three dimensional rendering of the proposed building. Refer to How-To-Read-Plans for more information.
Step 4. Developed Design
This stage sees your initial sketch design drawings developed into a house you should be very happy with. If you are not happy with how things look at this stage, you will need to discuss further changes with your designer. The majority of designers will allow 2 major sessions of changes in their contract. Once you are happy with the design your drawings will be developed to working drawings that will have lots of detailed information including notes and dimensions.
Step 5. Working Drawings
The final design stage involves the production of detailed drawings that will be used for your council Development Application (DA) as well as for construction. You may also need to produce other reports with your DA to council such as a Statement of Environmental Effects, Waste Management Report, Site Analysis Plans, Geotechnical Report, Landscape Plan, Flora and Fauna Report and Fire Report - check with your local council.
Further reading
Before you proceed with trying to build or design your own home you may find it beneficial to read the following related articles:
