The house of your dreams is available.
After an inspection, you’re willing to pay your deposit.
However, there may be things you should consider that aren’t obvious to a purchaser.

Here are 6 ways an architect can help you determine if your dream house is what you’re really after.

PROPERTY INSPECTION
As an expert in the building field, an architect can alert you to costly issues, and advise what can be done to rectify faults where they exist.

  • Building compliance issues
  • Moisture damage is often difficult to spot
  • Wall cracking can be an indication of uneven settlement or poor soil conditions
  • Old/ damaged down pipes, gutters and eaves can lead to excessive storm water sitting on you property
  • Roof condition
  • Uneven flooring
  • Etc.

SITE CONSTRAINTS
With a thorough knowledge of local council conditions, an architect can best advise you of what can and can’t be done with your proposed property purchase.

  • Heritage overlays can limit external additions and modifications
  • Tree protection zones
  • Coastal planning controls
  • Future sub-division possibilities
  • Access into your house site may restrict redevelopment possibilities
  • Soil conditions (should you consider advice from a geotechnical engineer to evaluate future potential)

FLOOR PLAN EVALUATION
An architect can advise you of the advantages and disadvantages of your floor plan.

  • A floor plan is more than just spatial arrangement to an architect
  • Determines furniture sizes and human circulation
  • Storage areas can be overlooked
  • Is the current garage suitable for one or more cars
  • Window and house orientation can dramatically affect energy use
  • Is there good potential to renovate in future

CONCEPT DESIGN & COST PROPOSAL
An architect can provide you with concept plans, 3-D modelling and a cost analysis that fulfill your current and/ or future requirements for your home.

  • What is a realistic budget for what you want
  • What can be achieved with a fixed budget
  • What will the new work look like
  • What will the interiors look like
  • How long is the process from concept to completion

LATEST DESIGN AND ENERGY CONSIDERATION TRENDS
Considering that design elements do change, being aware of current design trends is important. Architects are involved in material availability, current planning trends, and environmental considerations.

  • What is available in stone, tiling, and porcelain
  • What can be done with concrete for bench tops, flooring, and wall finishes
  • What light weight cladding is available/ suitable
  • Are there fire issues with certain products
  • Potential of a basement – cars, play areas, wine storage
  • Will a staircase be an issue at any stage, is a lift appropriate

FINDING THE RIGHT BUILDER
An architect can assist with the process of ding you the right builder, and managing the building process

  • Finding builders who specialise in what you need – new, modern, heritage, small, large
  • Finding a quality builder
  • Competitive or negotiated tendering
  • Signing a contract
  • Managing the builder throughout the building process
  • Ensuring the builder is never paid ahead of delivering a service or product

So, an architect can assist/ hold your hand/ direct you during one of the most costly exercises of your life – buying your home. Getting it right can lead to enormous enjoyment for many years. Approaching any new work to your home correctly will add value beyond the dollar spend. Getting it wrong can lead to nightmares.

Could be worth the small expense to get an expert – your architect.