Design process

Hi all, Gin and I are busily working away at our design ideas and have graph paper of varying size sprawled all over the outside table as I type away. We have a few concepts but I think that we will quickly realize that we are going to run out of space. Our current lot size is 594 sqm and the lot is 13.1 meters wide 43 meters long approx. So, We have come across many types of designers, drafts people, and architects who can do varying types of jobs. Obviously if you go with a draftsman you are supplying the design for them and you must ensure you have very clear vision as to your requirements. We have had quotes from 3000 to 45000 for design and blueprinting as well as management of the project. In many respects we are looking for  some good design ideas, and in a perfect world we would go with an architectural firm who could manage the project but for the size of the project it just doesn’t make sense to spend that much money.   Our wonderful bank isn’t interested in helping us finance the design process unless it is incorporated into the price of the builders price and we don’t want to chose a builder based on their inhouse design skills, we want the design first, then let our project go to tender. This is one of the rudimentary problems we are encountering. The bank is happy for us to have crap design just as long as the building comes in on budget and is worth the allotted loan.  Some of you would say, well just cough up the 20k for design and get on with it. Well, we could do that but then we would be diluting our ability to borrow by using up cash reserves.

So, we are going to have to start to think….