Architectural Information Guides:
The following Architectural Guides have been prepared to assist people looking to renovate their homes, build a new home or engage an Architect. There are also links to other documents such as the Architects Code of Conduct. If you can please provide us with feedback on these guides so we can improve them.
10 Mistakes People Make When Renovating
This is a short guide which highlights 10 common mistakes that people make when renovating their homes and includes:
- Renovating too early
- Undervaluing your property
- Only thinking short term
- Skimping on design to save money
- Tendering off council drawings
- Not stating your budget accurately
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Stages of the Design and Building Process
This guide details the 7 stages of our design process, which allows you to choose the extent of our service, including the following stages:
- 0. Pre Design Services
- 1. Concept Design
- 2. Design Development
- 3. Approval Documents (DA)
- 4. Construction Approval (CC)
- 5. Construction Documentation
- 6. Construction Period Services
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Guide to preparing your Budget
This is a detailed guide designed to assist the homeowner to establish a suitable and realistic budget for their project and includes:
- Reviews different types of budgets
- Looks at what design or build options you may have
- How building costs vary
- What your budget needs to cover
- Identifies many designs and building issues
- How Architects fee's work
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Design and Building Approval Timeline
This is a detailed guide designed to explain the reasons why projects can take months or years from concept to completion and includes:
- Timeline chart
- Our 15 point review of each of the stages in the process, complete with tips and notes on how to fast track this process
- Identifies lead times, critical paths and unexpected causes of delay
- The role you play in getting your project completed on time
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Tendering to Builders: 10 Step Guide
Tendering a builder is an important step in the construction process. This guide provides helpful hints to have a successful tender including:
- What can happen if you don't follow the right process
- How to properly issue a tender
- Important inclusions in a tendering contract
- How to compare multiple tenders to ensure you get a fair price
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Briefing your Architect: 10 Step Guide
If you are planning a new home or renovation, then briefing an architect may be the first step. This short 10 step guide gives explains how to start and comes with a blank form to complete including:
- What outcome you hope to achieve
- Your priorities - critical, wanted and wish list items
- Your scrap book of images
- Your construction budget - if applicable
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10 Questions when Choosing an Architect
This is a guide to our visitors when choosing an Architect:
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Related Documents
Download:
This is a download from the NSW Architects Registration Board.
This is a download from the Australian Institute of Architects. A simple guide about the architectural design process, without the jargon.