The standard way to have a custom home or extension designed and built is to use a separate architect and builder. The main problem with this approach is that although architects are great at designing buildings, they are not trained to cost projects.
The project's likely cost will not be known by the client until the tenders are in. By then the architect and consultants have been paid, the plans have been approved and you have invested a great deal of time and money.
It is extremely distressing to then discover that your dream home is going to cost more than you can possibly afford. It doesn't always happen but there is a distinct possibility that it will.
So, how can adopting a design + build approach help you get a far better result?
10 reasons why design + build is a better approach
Unique designs
Every one of our designs is bespoke – like a tailor made suit. We take care to understand exactly what your individual needs are before we put pen to paper (or finger to AutoCAD!). We aren’t volume builders so we do not have a book of plans to chose from. We also do not have a personal agenda like many architects. On the contrary, we take into account not only your personal needs but also your aesthetic, the block, its topography, orientation, views, your budget and a host of other factors. You will receive a one of a kind “WOW!” factor design – guaranteed.
Affordable designs
In comparison to most architects and building designers, our designs are extremely affordable. An architect will generally charge between $20,000 to $60,000 for a set of plans – depending on the size, complexity and service required by the client. Our design costs are substantially lower – at least 50% lower.
An integrated approach
As we are both designers and builders, you will benefit from a streamlined approach to the process of custom home building. With the designer, builder and client working together from the very first meeting, we guarantee that we will design and build a home that suits your individual needs, budget, and timeline. We will also manage all the consultants, Council, and the never-ending paperwork. You don’t have to worry about any of that.
We use all the available expertise from day one
Normally, the builder won’t become involved in the process until the plans are fully permitted. At that point their expertise - which could have identified construction efficiencies and cost savings - is worthless. At Blue Gum, your builder is involved in the design stage as well as the build. Our experience is that early builder involvement leads to better quality designs and builds that come in on budget.
A higher level of service
We pride ourself on the superlative service we offer our clients. As we aren’t constantly tendering on projects that may never get built, we have the luxury of time. That time is spent making sure that your design is outstanding, all of your questions are answered, your job is fully specified, material choices are fully understood and all potential cost savings are identified.
Avoid cost blow outs
We establish the budget from day one. We then estimate your project as it progresses from a conceptual design to fully engineered construction drawings. Our objective is to make sure that your project is designed and built to match your budget. If there is project creep, or unexpected costs, we will help you to get back on budget.
Get to know the whole team
As opposed to the traditional and faulted “design first – cost later – build last” approach, everyone involved with your project will be on the field from day one. You will develop strong relationships with the designer, the builder and the site team. Not only is that a friendlier, more personal way of building, it also allows you to access their cumulative perspectives on your build.
Identify all of the cost savings
An integral part of how we design, and then quote, is to identify as many cost savings as possible. We will make sure that you understand the actual cost of your specification choices and, whilst reviewing the costings, we will present you with a list of all of the potential cost savings avaialble. We will literally save you thousands. This is something you will rarely get from an architect or a tendering builder.
Move in faster
95% of our designs actually get built – as opposed to around 60% of architect designed projects that are then tendered. This high design to build ratio means we can schedule your job as soon as you are onboard at design stage. With no cost blow outs and five teams available, we can generally start your build within a few weeks of receiving the building approval. If you go to tender, you may be waiting 18 months or more for that to happen – if your build doesn’t fall over on price.
Less stress = more happiness
Building can be emotionally and financially stressful. However, building should be an enjoyable experience and our job is to make it exactly that. Firstly, you will benefit from our joint design and building expertise. Secondly, we handle the whole process - all the consultants and Council. Thirdly, the team approach really does help spread the load. Finally, we’re a happy bunch at Blue Gum – and that’s infectious!
A beauty of a block – or a bit of a lemon?
Our advice is to get us on board early. How early? Ideally, before you buy your block. Basically, we’d rather help you select a great block as opposed to a lemon.
Emotions often run too high when you first see that ideal block – the views, the acreage, the wallabies, the sheer beauty of the thing! What you actually need at that moment is us to bring you down to earth. We will look at your block for free and give you a dispassionate assessment of the likely challenges and build costs.
That 360 degree view from the top of the mountain – have you considered the $60,000 driveway to get you up there, the off grid costs, the wind in winter and the bushfire implications? We will help you achieve your dreams but we will make sure you have your eyes wide open whilst doing so.
A Home That will fit you like a glove
Your needs, and those of your family, are totally unique. Your taste and your budget are too. As is your block of land, its orientation and views.
So, please don’t plonk a house out of a book on that beautiful block without considering the alternative – a custom home that will fit you like a glove. A home that will not cause you palpitations when your mortgage statement arrives. A place to live your best life in.
A home where you wake up in the morning and literally think “I really love living here”. We specialise in unique, one off, custom designs that will make you really smile.
Life is literally too short to live in anything less. And, if you want something truly different, we have built everything from strawbale homes to earth houses. We do like a challenge.
Estimates, estimates and more estimates
Isn’t money boring – until you don’t have enough of it? Well, we will literally bore the pants of you because we will estimate your project at the beginning, at conceptual design stage, once we have the engineered drawings and just before we deliver our fixed price quote to you.
Why do we estimate so much (it certainly isn’t because we love estimating!)? We estimate so that our clients are not left sad, stressed and in possession of a lovely set of plans that will never become a home that you will live in.
Our aim is to keep your budget in the spotlight at all times. At the end of the day, we want to build your project and that will only happen if we keep you on budget.
Let us manage the consultants
Whether you are building a $150,000 extension or a $1,000,000 home you will need to engage with a host of consultants. Energy and bushfire assessors, engineers, waste water designers, planning consultants, building and land surveyors – to name a few.
Often these consultants form an intertwined web which requires knowledge and project management skill to traverse. You will be delighted to hear that we manage all of this on your behalf.
Also, as we work with these consultants every day, we receive preferential treatment – so no waiting three months for a report.
Fully Specified Builds = No Variations
No one likes variations after contracting – except disreputable builders. At Blue Gum, we believe in having our projects fully specified before we quote. That way there will be very few surprises after we start building.
For example, instead of having a provision for your kitchen joinery in the contract, we will already have introduced you to our joiner, you will have a joinery detail, 3D renders and an actual price.
This will be the same for every single item in your build – from the black hinges on your door to the cost of your freestanding bath. That way you know what you are paying for, and you won't get any unwanted surprises after contracting.
Building and plumbing approvals Made Easy
Once you have been guided through planning, it’s time for construction drawings, engineering and the building surveyor. Think of the planning application documents as the picture on the Lego box.
The construction drawings, which are required for your building and plumbing permits, are the instructions in the Lego box. They detail how the various components are connected. Our designer, construction manager and engineer will work closely together to ensure that your build is constructed cost effectively and to the highest standards.
We also manage the submission of all the documentation to the building surveyor – whose job it is to make sure that the project will comply with the National Construction Code and the Australian Standards.
Fixed price contracts = No Cost Blow outs
We’ll let you into a little secret. No building contract is truly fixed price. There will always be certain items that are provisions.
At Blue Gum, our objective is to ensure that we are realistic in our assessment of the likely cost of those items.
We will also, by ensuring that every detail of the build is specified and priced, help you avoid variations after contracting. Our aim is to ensure that you receive as fixed a price as possible and, if necessary, make sure you know what contingency you will need in reserve.
How we build differently
We strongly believe in continuity of care during the building process. Each project has a leading hand allocated to manage the day-to-day activities on site. You will get to know your leading hand intimately. They are all highly experienced.
They have their own teams, and they stay on the job from the beginning until the end. A quality build is a given. We also employ all our carpenters directly and they are all trade qualified.
You won’t see any shoddy piece work or unqualified subbies on our sites. And, our construction manager, who oversees the leading hands, is a legend. What he doesn’t know about building literally is not worth knowing.
We also have an unapologetic approach to detail. It is almost frustrating sometimes, but the result is a thing of beauty.