HOW MANY ARCHITECTS DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A HOUSE?
This is not a bad joke, with a corny punchline.
It’s the story of my own recent home renovation.
Just how many people are involved in building a “parent retreat” addition to an existing dwelling, on a flat site, on the Northern Beaches of Sydney?
2 Clients
Typically for a residential project,
this is usually 2 clients ie: both partners / husband & wife
(and it’s a challenge when your husband doesn’t agree…)
this is usually 2 clients ie: both partners / husband & wife
(and it’s a challenge when your husband doesn’t agree…)
3 Architects
At MWa, our 3 architects work together to deliver as your architect.
Our clients know it’s a team effort, working to progress a project from sketch designs to approval drawings, documentation for construction including interiors and selections / specification, documentation for tendering, co – ordination of design consultants, design management and contract administration through construction.
Our clients know it’s a team effort, working to progress a project from sketch designs to approval drawings, documentation for construction including interiors and selections / specification, documentation for tendering, co – ordination of design consultants, design management and contract administration through construction.
6 Design Consultants
In order of appearance for this home addition:
surveyor, bushfire consultant, stormwater engineer, structural engineer,
independent certifier, landscape architect. Other commonly needed consultants are an arborist, geotechnical engineer & heritage specialist, quantity surveyor / builder.
surveyor, bushfire consultant, stormwater engineer, structural engineer,
independent certifier, landscape architect. Other commonly needed consultants are an arborist, geotechnical engineer & heritage specialist, quantity surveyor / builder.
8 Builders
“1 builder” was actually 8 people in this case –
the director, project manager, accounts who manage the progress claims, and the builder’s on-site crew including foreman(1), carpenters(2), labourers(1), apprentices(1). (Completed in 12 weeks with between 5 and 9 people on-site every day. Great job.)
the director, project manager, accounts who manage the progress claims, and the builder’s on-site crew including foreman(1), carpenters(2), labourers(1), apprentices(1). (Completed in 12 weeks with between 5 and 9 people on-site every day. Great job.)
24 Trades
(co-ordinated by the builder, site briefings with builder + client + architect)
(co-ordinated by the builder, site briefings with builder + client + architect)
In addition to the builder’s full time resources on-site providing co-ordination,
labour and carpentry skills, and ordering of all building materials, the following trades
were on-site during the build, often at least twice, but some up to five times at various stages throughout the project: excavator, waste, demolition, concrete, termite protection, bricklayer, insulation, cement renderer, plumber, electrician, carpenter, window joiner, roofer, gyprocker, joiner, waterproofer, in floor heating installer, tiler, the epoxy man, glazier, timber floor installer, stone mason, painter and finally, the cleaners.
labour and carpentry skills, and ordering of all building materials, the following trades
were on-site during the build, often at least twice, but some up to five times at various stages throughout the project: excavator, waste, demolition, concrete, termite protection, bricklayer, insulation, cement renderer, plumber, electrician, carpenter, window joiner, roofer, gyprocker, joiner, waterproofer, in floor heating installer, tiler, the epoxy man, glazier, timber floor installer, stone mason, painter and finally, the cleaners.
24 Suppliers
(suppliers I went directly to as the client & architect)
(suppliers I went directly to as the client & architect)
Pavers by Amber, Tiles by Di Lorenzo and Hardware & General, Grout & Trims by Exclusive Tiles, Bathroomware & Taps & Heated Towel Rails by Harvey Norman, Bathrooms On-line, WC Bath & Shower and sinks by Concrete Nation, Attic Ladder by The Attic Group, Strip Drains by Stormtech, Oak Flooring by Tounge & Groove, Fireplace by Jetmaster and A&H Chimney, Blinds by Exquisite Solutions, Lights & Electrical Fixtures by Urban Lighting and Light Up Balgowlah, Paint by Dulux and Murobond, Stone (recycled) by The Brick Pitt, privacy film by TintFX, external aluminium louvres by Louvretec, Leaf Gutter Guards by The Leaf Man, picture rails by Art Line.
Hopefully, the above pyramid gives the inexperienced an understanding as to why building is a team effort, and why it takes so much time, energy, effort and money.
Even a simple residential addition requires significant resources to be successful, in terms of good outcomes with the right balance of time, cost & quality considerations.
A smooth and stress free building project requires a stable project pyramid where every person on the team is in the right place at the right time, doing their specific, specialised job, with the right information on hand.
If you don’t get this organisation in place, time, cost, quality and value are compromised, in one way or another.
My advice is to engage MWa to design, document and manage well, and build your home on good foundations.
Get your project pyramid right with MWa.
Michelle
Contact us to book an Initial Consultation
Call MWa 0421 088 110
email: talktous@mwarchitects.net.au