Choose a Builder First (Before Doing Your Design)

27/03/2024

Design and Architecture

When thinking about building your dream home, most people start thinking about the design first. And why not? The design aspect is so exciting! Visualising …

When thinking about building your dream home, most people start thinking about the design first. And why not? The design aspect is so exciting! Visualising how your new home will look, researching floor plans online, creating mood boards of different interiors and styles. However, a crucial decision is often overlooked at the start, that can either make or break your entire home build experience. And that is, choosing the Right Builder from the word go!

It may sound like something you don’t have to think about until months down the track (once your designs are finalised). But to start your building process with this mentality is a huge mistake!

First up, let’s distinguish the difference between a builder and an architect. An architect is a licensed professional with formal training in design. Design, not construction. And an architect will often cost more because of their formal training in the field. A home builder is someone who brings building designs to life through the construction process. They are responsible for the erection of a home and making sure that the designs are executed upon accurately and properly.

INTERRUPTION: Did you know you can also engage a Design and Build Specialist?

What is this? Well, a Design and Build Specialist is a rare breed but is also incredibly valuable. The rule still applies for choosing a builder first, but if you can engage a design and build specialist, you can cut out even more of the back and forth communication and avoid being caught in the middle as the client. These builders have everything in house and know exactly what they’re doing from all sides of the build (including both design and construction).

When working with just an architect. There’s no Project Manager driving the progress of your project. No single point of contact to chase up engineers, soil reports, surveyancers etc. (the architect is often left waiting on receiving information back from multiple parties). So, you’re often left wondering where your designs are up and continually having your home build delayed. Or, the responsibility falls on you to chase up surveyancers and soil reports. Is that something you really want to be doing? *When using an architect, we’ve even seen a project blow out by two years!

A Design and Build Specialist wants to see the project through as quickly and efficiently as possible. They want to be able to effectively execute on the design, to build a stunning, custom home to showcase ‘their’ work as well. Essentially, there’s more incentive for a Design and Build Specialist to prioritise your designs!

It’s interesting, as humans, we always want to rush in and get to the “fun stage” first before making sure we’ve got all our ducks in a row. For example, choosing an architect before a builder is a bit like starting to cook a Bombe Alaska dessert, without making sure you’ve got all the necessary ingredients. And I don’t know if you’ve seen a failed Bombe Alaska dessert before, but it’s not pretty…

So, have you thought about these things?

Is your floor plan realistic with the geography of your block?
Is a single storey or a two storey home going to be more cost effective?
Is your dream design going to have to be redrawn and redrawn to fit your budget?
Does your architect know about the cost increase for the specific materials you want to use?
What if your design doesn’t fit building requirements?
What if you spent your “extra money” on a fancy architect and now have no money left for the builder’s luxury selection options?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the total number of house designs actually built FELL by 4.8% from January 2023 to January 2024. In conjunction with this, the price of new home builds INCREASED by 19.4% from January 2023 to January 2024. Among these statistics, Victoria was the second highest state for unexecuted house designs, just behind New South Wales.

You may be thinking, “why are more and more house designs NOT being built?”

To put it simply, the cost of building materials is on the rise, and a lot of home designs don’t accommodate for this or align with this. Meaning, the cost of actually building the design is much higher than initially thought and is often too unrealistic or unachievable.

Hence, the builder needs to be playing a bigger part, earlier on. So, back to choosing a builder FIRST!

While architects are known for designing your dream home, it’s the builders who should really be influencing these designs to make sure that your vision is accurately aligned with reality. You don’t want to have poured your heart and soul into a design, only to discover that it’s not going to happen.

Often, builders also have their own in-house design team so you don’t even need to work with separate contractors throughout the process. Think about that for a moment! You can have the design of your dreams with a 99% chance it will become a reality and you don’t have to worry about miscommunication issues between your architect and builder. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a good thing.

So, here’s why choosing your builder FIRST, might just be the most strategic move you can make when building your new home…

Point 1: Understanding Budget Realities

Builders have their finger on the pulse when it comes to the construction costs and can provide valuable insight into budgeting, earlier on in the process. Engaging a builder first allows you to establish a realistic budget based on current market conditions and construction complexities. This pragmatic approach ensures that your design plans align with your financial constraints, minimising the risk of expensive design revisions later on.

Fun Fact: According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the amount of designs actually being approved in Australia, was the lowest it’s been in 2023, since 2014.

Do you want to be part of this statistic? Or do you want to be part of the “ground-breaking, innovative solution” and choose your BUILDER first?

Point 2: Ensuring Design Feasibility

Builders possess practical knowledge about what works and what doesn’t work during the construction phase. By involving a builder early, you can benefit from their expertise in assessing the feasibility of your design ideas. Builders can highlight potential challenges or suggest alternative solutions that maintain the integrity of your vision whilst also optimising functionality and cost-effectiveness. This collaborative approach fosters a smoother transition from concept to construction, minimising surprises and delays down the road.

Fun Fact: According to the Association of Professional Builders, on average, 80% of home designs never get built. The main reason for this is that architects design homes based on the client’s brief, rather than their budget and building costs. Most custom home builders offer a design and build service. So instead of paying $20,000 plus for a fancy architect, why not pay just a few thousand to a builder and have your designs done with accurate information?

Point 3: Streamlining Communication and Collaboration

Building a home is a collaborative endeavor that requires seamless communication and coordination between various stakeholders. By selecting a builder first, you establish a central point of contact for all parties involved in the project. This streamlined communication ensures that everyone is on the same page from the start. Builders can efficiently predict or troubleshoot any design issues before the design goes to site. Which means better transparency, trust and accountability throughout the entire construction process.

Testimonial from a Crown’s Client – Maddy Canning:

“We recently had the pleasure of working with Matt and Shane as our home builders, for the second time, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, they were an absolute delight to work with and their expertise and attention to detail truly shone through. Matt and Shane demonstrated exceptional professionalism throughout the entire process. They were prompt, reliable, and always available to answer any questions or concerns I had. Their communication skills were top-notch, ensuring that I was well-informed and involved in every step of the construction journey.

What impressed me the most about the whole team and trades was their unwavering dedication to quality craftsmanship. They took great pride in their work and it was evident in the final result. The attention to detail they exhibited was remarkable, ensuring that every aspect of our new home was quality.They were meticulous in their approach, leaving no stone unturned to create a space that was not only aesthetically pleasing but structurally sound.

They listened attentively to our vision and were able to bring it to life. They offered valuable suggestions and solutions along the way, always striving to exceed my expectations. Beyond their professionalism and craftsmanship, Matt and Shane were incredibly friendly and approachable. They fostered a positive and collaborative atmosphere, making the entire building process enjoyable. Their friendly nature and willingness to go the extra mile made us feel valued as a client.”

Point 4: Prioritising Quality and Craftsmanship

Quality craftsmanship is so important to the success of a building project. By choosing a reputable builder early in the process, you are essentially prioritising quality and reliability from the outset. Builders with a proven track record of excellence bring valuable experience and expertise to the table, ensuring that your project is executed to the highest standards of craftsmanship. From selecting the finest materials to implementing best practices in construction techniques, a seasoned builder is committed to delivering a superior end product that exceeds your expectations.

Point of View: As a client, you want to be confident that your design is going to be executed upon, to the highest possible standards and you’re not going to run into maintenance issues down the track. Custom builders implement bespoke solutions to suit your environment, design and intended lifestyle. So, knowing that your builder is going to be doing everything they can to make your home a success, from the very start of the project, is very comforting.

Point 5: Mitigating Risks and Ensuring Peace of Mind

Building a home is a significant investment, both financially and emotionally. By selecting a builder before anything else, you greatly reduce any risks and safeguard your major investment from any potential pitfalls. Builders conduct thorough assessments of site conditions, zoning regulations, and permitting requirements, minimizing the likelihood of costly delays or legal complications down the track. Moreover, their comprehensive understanding of construction logistics enables them to anticipate challenges proactively and implement effective risk mitigation strategies. This proactive approach instills confidence and peace of mind, allowing you to start your construction journey with clarity and assurance.

Testimonial from Crown’s Client – Kristie Thomson:

“It’s been 8 months since we moved into our dream home and we still pinch ourselves with how amazing it’s turned out. From the moment we met with Matt and Emily, we knew our vision was in great hands. Building can be a very stressful time, but if you have trust in your builders, the end product makes it all so worth it. Matt Shane and their team sure know how to create beautiful homes.”

Does the above help give you some more insight into the benefits of choosing a builder before an architect? We hope so! And we hope that your home design is part of the 20% that gets built – not the 80%. To give yourself the best possible chance to have your dream turned into a reality, consider the above and reach out to a builder for even an initial conversation before starting your designs.

This could be the best decision you’ve ever made. And save you a lot of unnecessary stress and heartache!

Choosing the right builder before engaging an architect is not only a strategic move but also a fundamental step towards achieving your construction goals and dream home. By leveraging the builder’s expertise early in the process, REMEMBER you can: