- Most people have a good understanding of the process involved in getting planning permission, but are less familiar with what happens after it is granted. There are still several important stages before your home is ready to build.
- Construction drawings
- Planning drawings show what you have permission to build. Construction drawings develop that design into the detail needed to actually build it.
- This is where materials, structure, insulation and important details are resolved. It’s also the opportunity to incorporate bespoke features. Something as simple as recessed blinds may need to be considered before walls and ceilings are constructed.
- This information also allows contractors to provide more accurate construction costs, reducing surprises later.
- Choosing a contractor
- The next major decision is who will build your home. Some clients prefer to tender to several contractors, comparing costs, experience and availability. Others may already have a local builder they trust and prefer to negotiate directly with them. There is no single approach that suits everyone.
- Construction and sign-off
- Once construction begins, professional oversight becomes particularly important.
- A question many clients ask me is, “Why do I need to certify my home?”
- Certification provides confirmation from a qualified architect or engineer that the home has been inspected during construction and built in compliance with the relevant requirements. Once important stages are covered up, it can be extremely difficult for someone to certify work they haven’t seen.
- You may not feel the consequences while living in the house, but you could when you decide to sell or refinance. Missing certification can become a significant issue for solicitors, lenders or future purchasers.
- Professional involvement also helps ensure work is completed correctly and allows practical solutions or new ideas to be incorporated as the build develops.
- The result is a well-designed, properly documented and certified home that protects your investment into the future.
- For more information, contact McDevitt Architects – 083 196 6317 or [email protected]
There are still several important stages before your home is ready to build.
