Postby OLBC Group » Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:59 am
There are two typical routes: design and build or architect & contractor. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and both can work well or not depending on the individuals involved. There is no right answer.
Those who have suffered at the hands of a D&B company usually complain that the building works (basements in particular) were subcontracted to others without them realising, and the company they signed up with were really just a design and management company. This meant there was no clear line of responsibility, which can easily result in problems down the line, especially with a big project like yours. There are relatively few genuine design and build companies who can take on design, planning consents, all aspects of construction including basements (these require a very high level of insurance) and full project management.
If you can find a genuine, full-service design and build company and you feel you can trust them, this should be a safe route to procurement.
Some find greater comfort in using an architect to prepare plans and gain consent, then going out to building contractors to price the work. This does delay the point at which you have to commit to a building company, and if you know an architect you can trust this could also be a good route to procurement. The typical set backs with this route are usually discovering too late that the proposed plans are way outside the budget. An experienced D&B firm know what the cost of a basement, loft extension, kitchen extension and full refurb are, give or take the 10-15% to allow for your choice of fit out items. Less experienced architects can also come up with designs that look strong on paper but are disproportionately expensive to build. A D&B firm have the knowledge of constructing detailed engineering plans and can “cost-engineer” a project to your budget from the outset. Some people find comfort in an architect managing the building company for them, and this can work well. However there is no guarantee you will end up with a better, cheaper or quicker result, as there are many pitfalls in having more professional entities with opposing agendas.
If you are not particularly budget conscious, or want something particularly unusual in architectural terms, a well-known architect could be the right choice for you. If you want to extend your home within a set budget and would prefer a single point of responsibility, a genuine D&B company may be best for you.
Be open minded about all the options and speak to a range of professionals. It is always a leap of faith so ask lots of questions and go with your instinct on who you can trust with your home.
Good luck!
