You will find, more often than not, builders will only work with you once you have plans and engineering drawings. However, in our experience, we recommend that you get in touch at concept phase to partner with your builder along the way, and here is why.
Plans to suit your budget
When you get in touch with Cunningham Constructions QLD, we will meet with you on site to discuss your concept and your project goals. At that point we can give you an early (and rough) indication of price. This is the point where you can start discussing alternative construction methods and designs to help keep your project within budget before you even engage the architect. You may also be given options that you hadn’t considered. For example, have you made the best use of your land? Are their options that you didn’t think were possible?
We can then collaborate with the building designer during the planning phase which will significantly reduce the time it takes to get to a final design that can be delivered within budget.
The benefits of your builder as your Building Consultant
Too often we commence building works and basic practicalities and usability have been overlooked. In the world of project homes and volume builders, customers may choose to engage an independent building consultant (at a cost) to ensure everything they need has been considered, however when you are choosing to build a custom home or undergoing a large-scale renovation, we can fulfil that role and ensure your needs are met from the outset. It will most likely save you thousands in the long run to have your builder at least look over your draft plans to help you with any changes you may wish to propose. Are your doors in the most functional spots? Does your kitchen have appropriate lighting, working space and utility? What about natural light? Have you considered all available options?
Image by: The Home Chaperone: www.thehomechaperone.com.auFinancing your project
Budget and finance planning discussions with the builder are often avoided, which can result in significant expense only to find out at the last minute that your project goals and your budget are out of alignment. It really is important to be transparent with your builder to ensure that they can deliver the project to the highest possible standard within your budget.
There are so many ways in which a building or renovation project can be financed. You may be thinking well duh…, cash or credit! Well correct, but what we are really talking about here are your options to get you to your end goal. Factors to consider are timeline, pricing structure, and cash v credit.
From a pricing perspective, with some builders you can choose a fixed price or a cost-plus arrangement which both have pros and cons, and we will have to dedicate another blog post to this later. With regards to the project timeline, you can work with your builder to split your project into smaller phases which may enable better financing options so that you don’t have to compromise on scale, but also give you increasing functionality to live in and enjoy while you save towards the next phase.
Project Timeline
In an ideal world we would all love to start and finish a project in one go. There is less disruption to our already very busy lives and less risk of doubling up some expenses. However, we know it is not always possible, so rather than put the project on hold, or ditch it all together, engage with your builder early on to create a plan that can help you get you to your goals.
Let’s say, for example, your project includes an extension, carport, and a deck. By slightly tweaking the design or carefully staging your works, you could do your extension first, refinance or save, do your carport next, refinance or save, and then do your deck. Bearing in mind that most council approvals will give you a 2-year window to complete approved works.
Cunningham Constructions QLD would love to partner with you to deliver your designs to the highest possible standard, within your budget all while ensuring that the impact on you is minimised.
Do you have an exciting project planned?
Get in touch today!
Our Process
To help simplify the building process and answer some questions we are often asked, we have put together a guide on what you can expect when building with us and building in general. Download your free copy by entering your name and email below.
Smarter Building Guide
Send download link to:
Our Process
To help simplify the building process and answer some questions we are often asked, we have put together a guide on what you can expect when building with us and building in general. Download your free copy by entering your name and email below.
Smarter Building Guide
Send download link to: