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When it comes to your property, planning right from the start is the key to saving you money and time. There are a number of things to consider to building or renovation, you just don’t decide one day you will start building something then start. You need to get the plans drawn up and submitted to council, hire the construction crew, order building materials and so on…and if any one of these areas goes wrong then you can have delays for a very long time. Ever dealt with council, your worst nightmare if you don’t know what you are doing. Need I go on? What can you do to avoid these and any problems that might crop up during the construction phase? Hiring an experienced and accredited architect to run the job, and address all concerns and problems with total confidence is the smartest thing you can do for yourself. So what attributes should you look for when hiring an architect? 1. Solve problems This may sound simple, of course you want them solve the problems and every construction site has them. Wrong building materials turning up, limitation on space, plans not read properly and builders doing their own thing. Look for an architect that will mention these issues in the interview. An architect that says they have never had a problem is to be avoided they clearly have never stepped on a building site. 2. Legal documentation and building approvals Every council requires documentation to be completed and this can be one of the biggest hurdles you will need to face. Make sure the architect you choose has experience in completing this type of documentation, and had previous dealings with councils to answer all questions. And there will be questions. 3. Building knowledge You now have your plans, approvals and designs, so you are ready to start building and the architect is to supervise the job on your behalf. Make sure that they have the skills and experience to minimize hidden surprises and anticipate any issues that might come up. 4. Eco friendly designs An eco friendly building will help save on electricity costs and help toward global warming. Check to see is the architect has had experience in eco friendly building design. 5. Value for money Saving money isn’t just about getting the cheapest plans. It’s about getting value for your money. If you spend the time and money on the design and planning stages of your construction or renovation, then you’ll save time and money in the end. An experienced architect can show you how. 6. The design of the building needs to look good but practical. There’s no point having a design that looks pleasing, but isn’t practical for the people who use it. Your architect needs to be able to see any potential flaws in the design and offer workable solutions. 7. Ensure you always end up with what you wanted An architect with experienced and good reputation will be able to give expert advice, ideas and help you with what is best for you, without you feeling like your opinion doesn’t matter. Hiring an architect is challenging because you can't 'test drive' the end product during the interview. You will only know how the project turns out at its completion. So spend the time to choose a good architect. Interview several and see who you think is qualified and a good personality fit for you. You will be spending a lot of time with them so choose wisely! Want to build a home, or have your sights set on medium to high residential and commercial construction want to make sure you have the right information and support you need. Contact Joe Abboud, Australian Consultant Architects Pty Ltd (www.acarchitect.com.au). Located at 12 Union Street, Parramatta NSW 2150, Joe would only be happy to hear from you so call 0411555999 or email joe@acarchitect.com.au to discuss your needs
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