Understand the architect’s role.

Primarily this involves acting on a client’s behalf to control building quality. It is feasible that an architect could manage the other project consultants involved and also lodge the Development Application and possibly provide services throughout the construction process. It’s important not to confuse the architect’s role with that of a project manager, whose task among others, is to control project time and cost.

Engage a quantity surveyor.

They are specialists in estimating the value of building construction costs. Clients should give the architect’s drawings to the quantity surveyor before the Development Application is lodged. The upfront quantity surveyor’s fee of $5000 is a way of ensuring there is not a budget blow-out later on. Further, it is a way of ensuring that clients don’t end up with an approval for something they can’t afford. Clients should take the time to understand what the quantity surveyor has and has not allowed for. These are the variables that will affect the cost later in the process.

Understand the market.

Customising building is a lengthy process and could take up to 18 months. If there’s a construction boom going on and commodity prices are on the increase, 18 months could alter the cost of a project by 15 to 20 per cent. If clients don’t act on their development approval for a couple of years, the variations could be even greater. If this happens to be the case, clients should work with their architect to trim the project. Architects will charge for amending the drawings; obviously they have no control over the prevailing market.

Actively engage with the architect.

It’s important for clients to explain exactly what they are looking for by talking about as much of their wish list as possible. This will help guide the architect in developing the outcome clients are looking for. Architects are not empowered to provide definitive financial advice, however, they can provide general information on possible cost estimates, based on their experience, during the design process.

Manage expectations.

The gap between what clients want and what they can afford to spend, whether constrained by site or circumstance, is their responsibility to manage. The final outcome produced by the architect reflects what their clients have asked for. However, ultimately, clients must take sole responsibility for the cost of their expectations.

Assume nothing.

It is critical that clients ask every question that comes to them regardless of how trivial it may appear. In doing so, they build a knowledge bank around their endeavour, which assists them make informed decisions.