SERVICES

Our office is traditionally engaged in a full-service arrangement to design and manage a project from conception through to completion. This is achieved through various stages.

THE BRIEF

This is where you tell us what you want and we discuss what you like and together we will determine objectives, design intention, budget and timing. If you’re not sure, we can provide some guidance. Then we shall produce a fee proposal - how much it will cost - based on the brief.

What we do:

  • Help you clarify your ideas.

  • Write a brief outlining your ideas, what you want to achieve and get it approved by you

  • Tell you what is achievable with your budget

  • Prepare a fee proposal and review with you

 What you do:

  • Fill in FW Architecture’s Home Brief form

  • Tell us what you love - show us pictures of other houses you like and go onto houzz.com or Pinterest to identify styles and ideas you admire

  • Think about your preferred aesthetic (modern, traditional, or eco for example)

  • Determine your budget.

  • Consider your time frame.

PRE DESIGN SERVICES  

What we do:

  • Check accuracy of existing plans and measure

  • Obtain property information and check planning rules for any constraints (e.g. height or boundary)

  • Get topographical, geotechnical and existing services surveys if required

  • Gather information on site levels, soil, services location, sun and wind data, vegetation etc.

 What you do:

  • Supply any existing property information you have: plans, surveys and any additional land information

 

SCHEMATIC DESIGN 

Using all the information gathered and the design brief we’ve produced together, now we create a concept design - how your finished house will look.

 What we do:

  • Present site layout and floor plans

  • Work up into sketches, layout plans, perspectives and elevations to show the overall scale and feeling of the house

  • If required develop a 3D model to better show how spaces work

  • It usually takes several meetings to refine the concept design.

 What you do:

  • Be available for meetings to discuss the concept design

  • When you are happy, sign the design off so we can go to the next stage - costing and detailed design.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Now we refine the project size, aesthetics, major components and details. We develop the design to the point where the you can use the plans we create to price, receive bids and build your project.

What we do:

  • Coordinate fee proposals from consultants

  • Provide floor plans, elevations, sections to scale, and sketches of critical details

  • Prepare finishes schedules including colour schemes and materials

  • Present a 3D computer model showing the relationship to the site, sun and views and between interior spaces

  • Show fittings and furniture layouts for each space

  • Confirm the updated project timeline with you.

 What you do:

  • Approve consultants’ fee proposals (for example structural engineer)

  • Agree on your procurement method (how you are going to engage someone to build it, for example tender or negotiated tender)

  • Review the 3D model and tweak the final design

  • Review critical detailing

  • Discuss landscaping ideas.

  • Agree on finishes, colour scheme, bathroom and kitchen fittings, etc

 

CONTRACT & SITE ADMINISTRATION

Once construction begins, the architect’s role is to impartially administer the building contract between you and the contractor, and keep an eye on things as they get built. This is known as contract administration.

 What we do:

  • Observe construction and run weekly site meetings to ensure work is in accordance with plans and specifications

  • Report progress via site meeting minutes

  • Issue contract instructions and provide additional information the builder needs

  • Receive claims for payment, make deductions as outlined in the contract, and issue certificates to authorise payment to the builder for work completed

  • No additional money is spent unless variations are approved by you.

 What you do:

  • Attend site meetings if you want to

  • Review site meeting minutes and discuss any concerns with us

  • Pay the builder once we have approved their bills

  • Discuss and approve any variations to the building contract

 

PRACTICAL COMPLETION

Construction has finished and all the dust has settled. Your architect will see that everything is finished as it should be.

 What we do:

  • Assess and identify any defects at the end of construction (known as snagging)

  • Issue defects notices to ensure they are corrected before final contractor payment

  • Review warranties and guarantees provided by the builder

  • Prepare as-built drawings, services contacts

  • Determine and certify practical completion.

 What you do:

  • Move in and enjoy your new home

  • Send out house warming invites!

  • Give us a call to tell us your feedback and thoughts on the process.