Working With an Architect During Construction
Many people assume an architect’s job ends when the design is finished, but during construction, their role becomes even more important. Architects help administer the contract between you and your builder, interpret drawings, manage changes, liaise with builders and keep the project aligned with your original intent. This article explains what to expect from your architect on site, how they can help solve problems before they become costly, and why ongoing collaboration gives you peace of mind throughout the build.
Understanding Early Contractor Involvement and Negotiated Tenders
Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and negotiated tenders are ways to bring a builder into the project before construction starts, helping you get realistic cost and buildability advice early. Instead of waiting until plans are fully finished, these methods build collaboration between you, your architect and your builder so surprises are reduced and decisions are more confident.
How to Begin a Home Renovation Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Planning a home renovation for the first time can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start. This article explains how to approach a renovation calmly and deliberately, focusing on layout, flow and how you want to live before making big decisions. A reassuring guide for first-time renovators looking to avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary stress.
Do I Need an Extension? Or Just a Better Layout?
Many homeowners assume they need an extension when their home stops working. But more space isn’t always the answer. This article explores how poor layouts often create pressure to build bigger, and how thoughtful re-planning can dramatically improve how a home feels and functions, often without adding a single square metre.
Buying a House? What an Architect Notices That Most People Miss
When buying a home, it’s easy to focus on finishes and first impressions, but architects look deeper. This article outlines the key things an architect assesses before buying a property, including layout, light, structure and planning constraints, and explains how early advice can help buyers avoid expensive surprises later on.
How to Plan a Home That Works Now… and Later
Good homes adapt as life changes. This article explains how to plan a renovation or new home that works now and into the future, without overbuilding or overcommitting. It explores the role of layout, flexibility and staged planning in creating homes that feel calm, resilient and thoughtfully designed over time.