sybilipicus

Hi All

Don't know if any of you can help but does anyone have any recommendations for architects in the NE of Melbourne (or the general vicinity!). We own a block of land in Hurstbridge and are looking at building a home on it (it has a slope but is flat apart from that!-if it makes a difference!)

Thanks!

Petals

Sorry don't know an architect. Sloping blocks are good. They give interest to the property. We have a sloping block and it was fine to build on being an acreage block we were able to excavate the house site, retain the top soil and set the house down so it did not look as big and blended with the landscape.

Landscaping is also more interesting. Ours is not a steep slope but its turned out very well. Retaining walls etc add interest.

Good luck hope you can find an architect. They do not come cheap but they often save a lot of money building.

We drew up out own plans and had them drawn up by a draftsman.

sybilipicus

Hadn't even thought of a draftsman and in our case I think will be the best route anyway as we've already done a rough sketch of the general lay out that we want etc!

Many many thanks for pointing out the existence of the draftsman path...will def be looking into it

Geelong Gent

Go to your local council in either person (ask for town planning) or via website. Have a look at their planning rules and regns. Also research building codes. Upgrade your sketch paper with ruler and pen to get the right layout of rooms and then take along to draftsmen. Some charge by the hour so if you have already done most of the work it will be even cheaper.

ukecadet

That's a good idea.
What would the average rate be for a draftsman and how many hours do you think it would take.I know it may be how longs a piece of string scenario but a ballpark figure could be good for the OP.

Geelong Gent

Architects are about 6% to 8% of the total estimated project cost (billing like lawyers and doctors)

For standard working drawings its about $3k but really depends on level of complexity etc. If however they are simply taking from sketch and using CAD to make a copy its only a few hours work. I don't really know hourly but the draftsmen I recently used for a project in East Melbourne cost me $1500 if he had started from scratch it would of been $4500+. Hope that gives idea of cost savings

Petals

Not sure of the rates now as it was a long while ago we built. We actually built the house ourselves too, contracting out some of it and oh doing other bits. Saved us lots of money. As trusses and frames are made in factories these days its drop by with the plans and they build them and deliver to the site.

If you get a local draftsman in the area he will be familiar with the local council rules and guidelines and will also be able to refer you to a firm to get the permit he may also be in the business of issuing permits him/herself. Just ask around. The council may also be able to point you in the direction of a drafts person if you pop along and have a word to them.