Quality builder and building designer Perth

Hi, I am looking to build a 270sqm single storey house in the western suburbs of Perth which will be my principle place of residence. My budget for the build is $500,000 and I would like to have a good quality house with some high specs. I would prefer a custom design as opposed to a project build as I have some specific design preferences for my block. I already have a concept design that i have developed but need a building designer (i can't afford an architect) to help me finalise the design, draw up the concept, prepare floor plans and elevations and prepare construction details and specifications to enable quotes from builders. My idea was that by getting the design done it would ensure competitive quotes from builders. I have had some initial discussions with building designers and some have indicated that my budget is too low. The others have indicated that they could do the job and design a house within my budget range. However, I am concerned that they may not be able to accurately estimate the build cost. Has anyone had any experience with building designers (are they worth it)? If so, could you recommend some designers that do great work and have reasonable costs (so far the design costs range from $10k to $35k)?

The designers that I have contacted have suggested a few boutique mid range builders but I have not heard of them. Can anyone suggest a mid range boutique builder that specialises in contemporary flat roof single storey homes that has quality workmanship and delivers on budget?

Any help would be appreciated

Cheers

Joe

Hey Joe Blogs Welcome to the forum

Here's some steps to start you off in perth approximate (≈) prices simple build
1.Contour Survey ≈ $700 * Licensed
2.Site inspection & report ≈ $500 ** Licensed
3. Converting your sketch to Architectural Engineering*** Construction (AEC) 3D bim ≈ $2500 *** Licensed
4.Artists Coloured renderings and walk throughs $5000?
5. Quantities 1st and 2nd Stage ≈ $1000
6 Energy report ≈ $500
7. CDC Certification ≈ $1000 **** Licensed
8. Access to apps and online data ≈ $500 ***** Licensed
9.,10. etc
* Licensed Surveyor
** Licensed Geotech Engineer
*** Licensed Structural Engineer
**** Licensed Building Surveyor
***** Licensed Software Engineers
Check to see what you get for $10-35K?
As a rule of thumb Builders charge 3-5% on a $250K Build ≈ $7500
and they own copyright and will refused to give you quantities, cost breakdowns ,etc
BTW, you'll find some of the above examples on this forum

OT, As you can see, engineers are out pacing Artists and Architects by a mile.
Please let me know what you're paying in other parts of Oz?

Engineering is also about creating and lifting standards without ripping off the battlers and punters

Cheers
Chris

Thanks that’s really helpful to get a ball park for costs

We're only at slab down, so early days yet, but my builder, Residential Attitudes, has some really great single story designs that you could really go to town with. They are a part of the Oswald Group so have been around for a while. I don't work for them, I promise!

Most builders have their own group of TAFE trained designers and one hopes they know the R-Codes (Residential Codes) as my architect got sacked for not knowing them. If they do not know them, then council or the Certifier will knock the plan back costing you more.

A designer will charge about $750, while the first stage of changing your plan to a floor plan will cost you $1,000 with an architect. As builders have their own team of designers, they are not too happy if you come along with a plan, but a floor plan, contours, soil report and private quote for earth works will allow you to ask for four free quotes from builders.

As the sales person of the builder gets a commission, you better make sure they have at least a TAFE qualification and they know what they are talking about. My builder was New Choice Developments and a critical review of them is available on productreview.

Summit was rejected here in Perth due to bad reviews on productreview, but talking to an architect there gave me lots of useful info. Ross North has a clued up salesperson and dropped the quote by $10,000 when told they may not be in the race. Dale Alcock wanted $500 for a quote, had a salesperson without building experience and bad publicity on TV, where it needed a court action (foundation steel on sand instead of chairs!) to demolish the newly built house.

That's means Bugger all, I know of 3 jobs that they have lost in the last month
Unfortunately, the clients did there money on the preparation of plans ...eventually they pulled out once they scrutinised the data/proofs ... and now they are my clients.
I make it quite clear to the salesman and builders... we don't seek/pay commissions... (try hard work for a living)
OT, the best thing you can do is to take your drawing, better still your 3D AEC models and builder quotes to a trusted source and scrutinized them, using apps before you build.

Cheers
Chris

are you sure the "architect" you sacked is a real architect? how can someone be an architect and not knowing Rescode? how did he get through the registration process?

Correct, but with building being such a complex undertaking and with the architect's charges being quite high due to them being a percentage of building costs, one expects no mistake being made.

But you are correct, it pays to check. One overseas TAFE-like female designer masquaraded (spelling!) as an architect, so I asked and it was confirmed, she did not graduate from a Polish university, but her charges were in-line with an architect's charges. Interesting to hear from an architect, that salespersons in volume builders are working on a commission-based salary and the architect claimed they are very similar to his.

By getting several quotes it is very interesting to see huge differences for many items, e.g., electricity delivery and builders can then be reminded to cross check if they made a mistake.