Drafting Edge in Ormond, Victoria, Australia | Property

Drafting Edge

Locality: Ormond, Victoria, Australia

Phone: 9578 1595

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• Architectural designer
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23.01.2022 Overcapitalising is a term that’s frequently bandied about and often scares people away from perfectly viable renovations. When you consider the fact that most houses will double in value every 7-10 years with only basic maintenance, it’s hard to overcapitalise in the long run. If you’re looking to sell in the short to medium term, or you’re particularly concerned about adding extra value to your house, consider ways to renovate so your house jumps into the next price category. Adding bedrooms, for example, will always add significant value to your home. But in general, any renovations that are done well will increase your property’s worth.

19.01.2022 Most building projects require additional consultants engineers, surveyors and soil experts for example. While many companies, including Drafting Edge, can organise these consultants for you, some clients prefer to engage consultants themselves. If this is your chosen path, make sure you know what to ask for. If you request the wrong service, you may end up paying more for extra site visits and if the information provided is not up to scratch, construction costs may be higher.

19.01.2022 Your designer, architect or draftsman is the vital link between your dreams and the reality of your renovation. Choose wisely. Here are a few questions to consider: Will I feel comfortable working with this person for a number of weeks/months? Does he/she understand me? Do they really ‘get’ my vision for the project? Does he/she have a thorough understanding of local council restrictions? Does the quote include everything I need? Has it addressed planning issues? Am I... getting value for money? Does he/she have experience in this particular type of renovation/extension/building? See more

14.01.2022 Knowing what you want is one thing; finding a way to articulate it can be much harder. Browse renovation websites, look through property listings, cut out pictures from glossy magazines whatever helps you explain your dream renovation.

14.01.2022 If you move out while building takes place, make sure you regularly visit the building site. Not only will you be able to check progress against deadlines, you’ll also be able to address any on-site dilemmas and suggest last-minute adjustments. Adding a window to take advantage of a view at frame stage will be much cheaper than making the change later once the job nears completion.

14.01.2022 Moving out while renovations take place is often easier, but for many people it’s prohibitively expensive. Staying can work; just be sure you know what to expect and understand how your life will be disrupted. If your kitchen and bathroom are being replaced, you’ll need to get used to microwave and bbq dinners and using a port-a-loo (the novelty quickly wears off!). By its nature, building can be a messy process there will be dust and mud. Also prepare for periods without w...ater. If your renovation is a first floor extension your life won’t be disrupted as much usually it’s only towards the end when the stairs are put in that you’ll have to adjust your lifestyle. On the plus side, staying while renovations take place means you’ll see your house evolve in real time. You’ll also be well placed to make last minute adjustments to the build. See more

13.01.2022 Sometimes it can seem easier to let your designer take over all aspects of designing your renovation. However only you know exactly how you want to live, what your family requirements are now and into the future and where the limits of your budget lie. So take the time to talk to everyone involved in the process and make sure they understand your vision. If you’re not happy with the direction of the project, say so. After all, you’re the one paying the bills. Drafting Edge are committed to supporting you to find the design that fits your lifestyle.

13.01.2022 Most builders ask for payments in stages (for example deposit 5%, base 10%, frame 15%, lock-up 35%, fixing 25% and completion 10%). Within the building contract and via negotiation these values can be altered, however it is advisable to get professional advice before you agree to make changes to the payment schedule as the current values are fair to both parties. Before committing to a contract you should understand when the builder needs payment and ensure you can meet them. If there are any disputes you should contact the Building Commission.

13.01.2022 Should you use a draftsman or architect? The answer depends on what, exactly, you’re after. When selecting a design professional, remember to keep your budget at the forefront of your considerations. Cheap drawings may only require expensive problem solving later, however being over designed may blow the building budget. Draftsman can often provide the same skills and services as an architect for a lower price, however some will simply draw your ideas onto paper and not enhance them to their full potential. When considering a draftsman, make sure they have the practical experience relevant to your project and have the skills to offer the creative expertise you require.

11.01.2022 It’s your draftsman’s job to consider any relevant town planning and overlay restrictions in your area. But it doesn’t hurt to research these yourself, before you start the design process. Pinning your hopes on a design that requires complicated approvals and dispensations is a sure fire pathway to disappointment. Drafting Edge can help you translate the jargon into understandable language

09.01.2022 Builders turn the dots and lines on your building plans into a reality. Whether that reality matches your original vision is largely dependent on the quality of the builder and the relationship you have with them. Once your plans are complete, talk to as many different builders as you need to to feel comfortable you have found the right person for the job (and make sure you’re talking to the builder and not just the site supervisor or project coordinator). Ask to see previous... projects they have worked on, talk to their past clients. Every builder is different. Some are very hands-on, others subcontract out various stages of the building. Both models can work; just make sure you are comfortable with their chosen approach. Importantly, take care to understand what is and what isn’t included in your quote. Not surprisingly, it’s the omissions from quotes that can cause the biggest arguments down the line. See more

05.01.2022 If you’re buying a block of land for a new house or a development, get a soil report before you buy. It may uncover extra costs you weren’t aware of and will help you develop a more accurate budget for your build. If you’re doing a second story extension, a soil report will help determine the depth of new footings required and whether there’s a need for underpinning of existing foundations. Better to know these costs up front rather than later, once you’ve already committed cash to the project.

01.01.2022 When is the best time to renovate? There’s no magic answer, it will depend on when you’re emotionally and financially ready. Renovating can be pretty intense, and while the results can be amazing, there are plenty of stories of projects ending in disaster simply because the owner wasn’t prepared for the upheaval. There are pros and cons for each season. Starting in summer, for example, means less rain-affected days but also means you may lose some time over the Christmas brea...k. In any case, most larger jobs will spread over several seasons. The best tip we can give is to get your plans prepared and discussions with builders underway before you even set a start date. Plans and permits can take over 12 months and building lead times can also be many months. Much better to wait a while to get the perfect outcome than to compromise on your design or your builder just to meet a pre-set start date. See more