How do you check your design drawings? And what can you expect to happen during the Design Phase?

Knowing how to check your design drawings, and what your architect or building designer should be showing you, can prevent a lot of regrets and costly mistakes in your new home or renovation.

Learn what to do here.

Hello! This is Episode #212, and in it, I’m going to help you understand how to check your design drawings during your Design Phase. 

And also how to know that you’re getting the right amount and quality of information from whoever you’re working with, before you sign off your design and commit to it being fully documented in the next stage of your project.

The Design Phase is a really important part of your project. Far too often, homeowners race through it, for a combination of reasons. 

However, it’s worthwhile taking your time in at this point in your project, so you avoid some really common mistakes that happen during the Design Phase.

Often I see people race through the Pre-Design and Design phase, not really too worried about their drawings, thinking there’s still enough flexibility and time in the project to make changes later if needed. 

When racing, homeowners often miss out on exploring the available design options. The beautiful thing about home design is that there can be loads of ways to create the right result. 

And when you race through the pre-design and design phase, you are prone to making mistakes that bring extra expense, time delays and big regrets.

It’s so important that you invest time into the Pre-Design and Design phases to set up your whole project journey really well. And actually ensure that your future home reaches its full potential for the budget you have to spend on it.

So don’t race the Pre-Design Phase or Design Phase. 

Take your time. Know the steps involved, work collaboratively with your team, and do the work of understanding yourself, your needs and the lifestyle you envisage living in your future home. 

Learn about your site and your project journey, so you manage your risk, flesh out all the options, create the best strategy to achieve the full potential of your design on budget. 

Time spent in this phase pays huge dividends in a smoother construction phase, a lower stress project, and a far better outcome in your future home.

Design professionals such as building designers and architects can have a different way of doing things based on the nuances of their business, what they see working for their clients, and the types of projects they do.

So part of you learning from what I mention here, is to also enable you to have more meaty conversations with potential designers before you hire them. 

This will enable you to extract information from them about what their process looks like, what you can expect to be seeing them present, how they’ll guide you through the design process, and what other information they might be providing in terms of three-dimensional models, virtual walk-throughs, etc.

Because there’s two big issues that happen for homeowners during this Design Phase when it comes to being presented with drawings, reviewing them, giving feedback and taking the next steps in their project.

The first is that they’re not presented with great quality design drawings, or design drawings that give them great information about their future home. I mentioned this earlier.

The second is that the homeowner themselves feels that the design drawings are still sketchy and all being worked out, because it’s the Design Phase, and so they don’t invest the effort into getting really clear on their feedback. 

Or they’re uncertain on how the design is developing, or knowing what they’re signing off and agreeing to. They hold back, waiting to be told when to dive into the details or give more specific feedback.

So, it’s really important to get your head into the game even when you’re looking at the floor plan design, and know that your feedback is impacting those other things too. Don’t worry that you’re giving too specific feedback when you still feel general discussions are happening. It’s up to the designer, as the professional, to moderate and manage that feedback – you just need to get it on the table.

Listen to the episode now.

RESOURCES:

To learn more about AirWallex and set up your free account >>> HEAD HERE

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” >>> FREE WORKSHOP

Take the first best steps in your project, whoever you’re working with, and whatever your dreams, your location or your budget >>> GET STARTED GUIDE

Getting started on your home design and want to get it right? This mini-course will help you know what to do >>> HAPPY HOME DESIGN

Learn how to choose the right builder for you, including the specific things to check and questions to ask in this mini-course >>> CHOOSE YOUR BUILDER

Learn the practical formula to designing a stunning kitchen you’ll love spending time in … and that works for you and your family >>> KITCHEN DESIGN CHALLENGE

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> HOME METHOD

Listen to Episode 193 and learn the next best steps to take when you’re ready to sign a contract with a builder >>> Episode 193

Season 2 podcast season “How to Design a Home” >>> SEASON 2

Season 7 podcast season “The Stages of Home Construction” >>> SEASON 7