Undercover Architect

Helping homeowners get it right when designing, building or renovating their family home.

Get Started: What do you and your family need from your home (now and in the future)

In this episode, I’ll be helping you answer the last question, which is “What do you, and your family, actually need from your home – now and into the future?”

This may seem like a repeat of the first question from Episode 1, but stay with me here …

Australia has the largest average home size in the world. Yes, that’s right. Bigger than our USA counterparts. And it’s climbed quickly.

In 1984, the average size of an Australian home was 162.2m2. In 2012-2013 ABS figures, this had jumped to 241.1m2. And our families haven’t got any bigger – in actual fact they’ve got much smaller.

We all want more. The world of home ownership is littered with images to seduce us into wanting more and more from our homes. It’s also human condition to strive to improve and achieve. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

However, when you really determine what you need to create a home that works for you, chances are you’ll find it’s actually pretty simple. And this is what I know, from the countless homeowners I speak to and work with, most homeowners want from their home …

  • Space to be together.
  • Space to be apart.
  • Lots of natural light.
  • Heat and warmth when you need it, and cooling breezes when you need those.
  • Flexibility, functionality and durability.
  • Comfort
  • Somewhere to be proud of, to show all your hard work
  • And a home that supports you living your best life – because it doesn’t tax you, stress you, or get in the way of you being awesome.

This isn’t about having less – it’s about simplifying.

Keeping this front and centre as you move along your journey will help you navigate the noise and distractions. It will lead you to the home that is perfect for you.

Head to the podcast now to get this question answered for your home.

https://undercoverarchitect.com/how-to-design-a-family-home/

https://undercoverarchitect.com/floor-plan-250000-home/

This episode uncovers question 3: What can your budget afford?

Ugh … money. At some point it was going to get here, wasn’t it?!

Budget is the main thing that concerns homeowners embarking on their project. What will my build or reno cost me? And will it blow out along the way?

In the last financial year (2015/2016) Australians spent a record $7.7 billion on home renovations according to the latest ABS figures.

That’s over $150 million a week.

The figures for new homes are similar.

When most of us tackle a renovation or new build, we have a figure in mind about how much we’d like to spend on our project. So our research and preparation becomes a study in what our money will buy us. How far we can stretch it, and whether it’s enough for the dreams we have for our home.

Let me start with this advice. Do not ignore your budget. Do not avoid setting one. Doing this work early is one of the most significant things you can do to preserve sanity for your project, and not have it run away from you.

It may sound obvious. However, the countless conversations I’ve had with homeowners that have got terribly awkward when I’ve asked “OK, so what is your budget?” shows me the gaping hole in how we plan our projects!!

Set a budget early. Of course, it won’t be perfect, or fixed, but don’t let this stop you! Start crunching the numbers and determining rough estimates for your plans. Then you can finesse and firm up as you progress along your journey.

There are many free online calculators you can check out. This is a fave:

Home Design Directory >>> www.homedesigndirectory.com.au/calculators/building-cost-estimates.php

And cost guidelines are also useful for new homes:

Construction Cost Calculator >>> www.bmtqs.com.au/construction-cost-table

Flip your thinking …

Your budget is actually what is enabling you to undertake this project. Many homeowners see it as a limiter, because it never feels like enough to do all the things they want it to do.

This may sound a little woo woo … but if you see it as a limiter, you’ll be fighting it every step of the way.

Instead, think of it as the tool, the facilitator, of your build or reno. It’s fantastic that you can access these funds to create a home for your family! Don’t be scared to talk about it, and keep tracking it the whole way through. Educate yourself on what things cost, how to stretch your budget, and empower yourself to invest it well. 

I am a firm believer that your home can be great, whatever your budget.

How do you get bang for buck?

  • Get professional help
  • Take your time in preparing
  • Be aware of the costs in the things you don’t see

Head to the podcast now for more detail on my tips to get bang for buck in your project.

https://undercoverarchitect.com/how-to-work-out-the-cost-of-building-or-renovating/

https://undercoverarchitect.com/cost-of-renovating-or-building/

https://undercoverarchitect.com/how-to-be-inspired-by-design-on-any-budget/

In this episode, let’s talk about question 2.

This question is “What are you allowed to do?” More specifically, it’s “What does your local authority or council say you’re allowed to do?”

Council rules and regulations can seem like a complete minefield to many homeowners.

It can be a complete dampener on your plans if you let it … but I promise you, it doesn’t have to be like this.

There will be planning regulations as well as building regulations, determining what you can and can’t do in your project.

Your local council will enforce planning regulations and help control how your suburbs and streets will look.

In some councils, if your project meets all their rules, you don’t need any council approval. Or you’ll have a fast-track option to get your approval. Some councils will require a Development Application for all types of work. (A “Development Application”, or DA, is Council’s formal permission to proceed with any work.)

The best place to start is your local council’s website. There’s usually fact sheets, or flow charts starting with “Do I need a Development Application?” that will help you get some information for your project.

There are also building regulations that govern how your project can be constructed. These operate at a national level, with state variations.

Generally, you’ll need a Building Approval to commence construction. This is when your project is formally checked against these building regulations. A Building Certifier (or Private Certifier) can assist you with these approvals.

Listen to the podcast for more helpful tips and info.

https://undercoverarchitect.com/when-do-i-need-council-approval/

https://undercoverarchitect.com/difficult-council-approval/

https://undercoverarchitect.com/architect-vs-draftsperson-vs-building-designer-whats-the-difference/

One of the consistent questions I receive from homeowners is “Where do I start?”

It doesn’t matter whether you’re building or renovating. Knowing how to start can be confusing and overwhelming.

There is so much information and advice out there. Finding a simple path through it all can be challenging. It doesn’t take much to get overwhelmed. And it doesn’t take too many wrong turns to be in completely the wrong place.

The thing is that ‘wrong place’ is usually an expensive place to be. It can be costly to reverse decisions, and get back on track. It can also force you to have to live with your mistakes, and pay a mortgage on them as well. That’s the double-whammy in building and renovating.

In my experience, all projects start the same way. Building, renovating, subdividing, extending … ALL projects. Whatever your dreams. Wherever you are, and whatever your budget is.

This way involves answering four questions.

These 4 questions are:

  1. What would you like to do?
  2. What are you allowed to do?
  3. What can your budget afford?
  4. What do you, and your family, actually need from your home now and into the future

Let’s start with Question Number 1: What would you like to do?

Often homeowners start by identifying their desires for their home as a shopping list of rooms and spaces. They try to piece their home together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Instead, ask yourself “What am I seeking to achieve?”

(Because ultimately, this is the guts of the question “What would I like to do?”)

What are your big goals for your project?

  • Is it to create your forever home?
  • To give your current home a little more room?
  • To make life simpler, by downsizing? Or another reason?

And then ask “Why”?

I’ll be honest here. Any project involving renovating or building is a long-term play – it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Your “why” is your sustenance to get you through. You need to know it, hang onto it, believe in it, and hold it high. Write it down. Put it on the fridge.

You may keep talking about your home in terms of what you want it to “do”. But it’s also important to think about “why” you want your home to do these things. And why you want to renovate or build in the first place.

Your connection to your home is usually quite an emotional one.

Understanding the “why” of your project honours this. It will help set the framework as you move forward. It will also help you navigate the seduction trap that is Pinterest, Interiors Magazines and Makeover TV Programs.

Creating your answer to “What do I want to achieve” saves your sanity, as well as your money and time.

For more, listen to the podcast now.

Recommended links:

https://undercoverarchitect.com/how-to-prepare-for-renovating-or-building-your-home/

https://undercoverarchitect.com/how-to-stay-on-track-in-your-renovation-or-build/

Welcome to the new, Undercover Architect podcast:

“Get it Right” with Undercover Architect – Your guide to designing, building and renovating your home.

This podcast will help you get it right when designing, building and renovating your home.

In this episode, you’ll learn more about what to expect from the podcast, why Undercover Architect began, and what it’s all about.

After you’ve had a listen, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our launch date of December 6.

Straight up, I’ll be taking you through the first 4 questions that every project – regardless of budget – needs to begin with in order to go well. If you’ve been struggling to get started on your renovation or new home, these first 4 episodes are for you.

Listen to the podcast to hear more, and please SUBSCRIBE, and leave a REVIEW. Help me share the Undercover Architect podcast with as many people as possible, so everyone can get the help they need to “Get it Right”!