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Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  This podcast is called "The Stages of Home Construction". We're diving into the process of home construction for both new builds and renovations, so you can feel informed as your project gets built. We'll be looking at the what, when, who and how of each stage and we'll be giving you loads of helpful, cost saving, and stress saving, ideas and information along the way.  Have you wondered what's going to happen during the construction phase of your renovation or new home? The actual step-by-step process of construction? What the stages are in how it gets built? And when you'll have to make payments, what they're for, and how to be sure the work is complete and done correctly?   And have you heard horror stories about builders going into liquidation, and homeowners having already paid 80% of their building contract, with only 50% of the home being complete? Or builders not coming back to finish the home because they've had their last bill paid and are not interested in returning to deal with the incomplete work?  This construction phase can be a huge challenge, full of stress and expensive problems for the newbie renovator or home builder.  When you enter into a contract with a builder for the renovation of your existing home, or construction of your new one, you enter a legal process. That process is laid out in the document you sign together, and any accompanying documents and drawings that form part of the contract. The contract describes the work that needs to be completed. And it outlines the obligations of both parties, and the processes for contract execution are also detailed.  The contract also outlines how work needs to be paid for as the project progresses. Whichever contract you're using, it will outline the total cost for your project, and then this will be broken up into a schedule of payments. Those payments will be aligned the completion of specific work as you move through each stage in your building or renovation project.  These staged contract payments can also be known as Draws, Progress Payments, Progress Claims - just to name a few of the terms for them.   And they can be a huge source of confusion as you try to work out if the builder has finished the work they're claiming a payment for, and make sure you're not getting caught out and paying ahead.  So, in this season of the podcast, builder, Duayne Pearce, and I (architect, Amelia Lee), are taking you through The Stages of Home Construction.   Listen to the episode now to learn more.  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode introduces a new Project Diary on the Undercover Architect website – the design and construction of a new home in New Zealand.  This is a project I designed for the owners late last year, and so, in this episode, I share how the design process went, and how I worked with these homeowners to create the design for their future forever family home.  So, what’s a Project Diary? Well, it’s where we follow the journey of someone who is building or renovating their home. There are already 2 Project Diaries on the Undercover Architect website.  One is the renovation of a Queenslander cottage, and the other is the construction of a new family home for the Andersons. These project diaries go step by step through their journey … from their design process, their quoting, their selection of a builder and then the construction and completion of the home. It’s really great if you’re planning a project yourself to see how another family did theirs, and what they learnt along the way.  And it’s the Andersons that we’re following again.   See, late last year, they got an offer they couldn’t refuse to relocate back to New Zealand, which is where they’re originally from. They put their home on the market, it sold quickly and they found a large block of land in New Zealand. They worked with me to create design for their home, and they’re now working with a local draftsperson, builder and other consultants to kick their project off.  And they’ve kindly invited us along for the ride. So, I thought I’d use this podcast episode to give you an insight into how the initial design for their home was created.   And then over the coming months, I’ll be sharing more information, as well as photos and videos from their building site in New Zealand. Whilst I’ve never seen it in person, the Andersons are awesome at photographing the progress, and even taking drone footage. So, you’ll get a great chance to see how this project unfolds in the months ahead.  In this episode, I’ll be sharing with you how the Andersons briefed me on their needs, wants and wishes for this home, and the designs I created as a result. You’ll also be able to check out these designs by heading to the website >>> head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/newzealandhome1   Listen to the episode for more info now.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Got questions about your renovation or new home?  This episode answers 3 questions I receive frequently from the UA Community.  I receive a lot of questions from homeowners. Between comments on the blog, people getting in touch over email or social media, and from the members in my online programs, it’s always great to see what homeowners are curious about, and the help they need.   I’ve selected these 3 questions because I receive them really regularly. These 3 questions are:  What is the best stage to get a quantity surveyor in to do a cost report on your design?  Do I really need a Project Manager on my new build or renovation?  How do I find time to get my reno or building planning started?  Listen to the episode for more info now.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Know what to look for in an architect's or designer's quote so you can protect yourself and your project. Request your FREE Guide now … It includes a complete transcript of this podcast, my top 10 tips, plus 3 bonus tips not mentioned anywhere else >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/quotechecklist  This episode is to help you know what to look for in an architect’s or designer’s quote. If you’re receiving fee proposals from potential designers for your project – and infact any consultants you might need on your team, this episode will be great for you.   I’ve seen many architect and designer quotes in my time now, and to be frank, some of them are shocking. They expose both the homeowner and the designer to a huge amount of risk.   And it’s fine when everything goes well, but if there’s any discrepancy or frustration during the project, then it can be very difficult to understand next steps, and what recourse you might have in your project. The fee proposal, and any agreement you sign, becomes a type of contract for the services you’re paying for. When it’s not well-written, it can cause huge problems.  What type of problems? Well, let me share a scenario I hear FAR TOO OFTEN when it comes to homeowners working with designers. This is not typical to architects … it happens with building designers, interior designers, draftspeople – I hear it across the board.  So, in initial conversations, the designer seems great. They don’t seem precious about aesthetic or particular design direction. They tell you they’re not fixed on any one style, and will design to what you’re seeking aesthetically.  They tell you your budget is spot one for what you want to build or renovate.  They give you a timeframe to execute your project and they’re ready to start now.  And so you sign on the dotted line.  Things start well enough, but then things slow down, they’re not responding to your phonecalls or emails, and missing deadlines they promised.  Or, they’re now telling you your budget isn’t enough, and they’re not willing to have their reputation damaged because you want them to design a budget project.  And style-wise, they now have a specific vision for your project, and really couldn’t care less if it’s how you wanted your home to look.  They now seem to be precious about their reputation, and their design style and vision. They take feedback personally. They threaten to resign when you express your frustrations. They tell you they own copyright and you can’t take the design anywhere else.   You’re backed into a corner, bullied and battle-worn, and feeling like you’re funding the work of an ego-maniac. And you can’t wait for the whole thing to be over and for you to just be in your finished home already. It’s not the home you dreamed of, you’re spending more than you wanted, it doesn’t look the way you expected, but you’re tired, and feel stressed every meeting and during every conversation with the designer.   You feel you’ve got too far into the process to turn around now, and anyway, who would pick up the process now? So, you keep paying your increasing bills, and subjecting yourself to terrible service from a design professional who only demonstrates arrogance in their ability and little respect towards you as their client.  Sounds horrible doesn’t it? And it is. And unfortunately it’s a scenario I hear far too often, and as I said, it’s not typical to architects. It happens across the board, regardless of the design professional’s qualifications.   Some design professionals are just terrible at taking care of their clients.   The good news? You being informed is the key to not hiring these people in the first place, or seeing the red flags early so you can terminate things quickly.   It starts with your quote or fee proposal, and the agreement you sign with your designer. So, let’s look at what needs to be in it, so you can check this off for your project. I’ve got 10 things for you to look for in your architect’s or designer’s quote or fee proposal.   Listen to the episode for more info now.   And head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/quotechecklist and download the full transcript of this podcast.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Choosing the right designer is crucial for a successful home project. There’s a distinct difference between design and drawing, and several pitfalls can be avoided. Interestingly, a higher budget doesn’t always guarantee better designs. The hosts share seven essential tips to assess designers effectively, focusing on experience and interpersonal dynamics. Homeowners will learn how to foster a productive relationship with their chosen designer, leading to successful renovations or builds.

Request your free E-Guide “The View from Upper Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/viewfromupper   Is your main view from the upper floor of your home? And are you needing help with how to design a home to best suit this?   I receive so many questions about how to design a home when your best view is from the upper level. Especially from homeowners who have young families, and are grappling with where to locate the major living areas of the home.  Do your living areas get located on the upper floor where you can make the most of the view, but then accept that they're a storey away from the garden? Or on the lower floor where your living spaces can then have a great indoor / outdoor connection, but then don't have the view as part of that everyday living space?  Having a view can add some serious dollars to the value of your home. It can often improve natural light, and natural ventilation too, as you're exposed to sunlight and breezes in your home.   So if your view is amazing from upstairs and invisible from the lower floor, that might have already made the decision for you about how to arrange your spaces. Or, if your block is narrow, your main view is out to the streetside of the home and your lower floor is going to be all garage door and entry, then again, your decision may be simple to put living on the upper floor.  If it's not this straight forward, or perhaps your main view is to the rear, then ultimately only you can make the choice that suits your needs and your home.   However, there are some challenges and opportunities to consider, and questions to ask, so you create the best outcome for you.   In this episode, I discuss the key challenges to contend with when designing for a block of land when your main view is from the upper level or floor. I also explain the opportunities that are available, and how to maximise them.  And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your 'View from Upper' block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your 'View from Upper' block.  Listen to the episode now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Request your free E-Guide “The Dual Access Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/dualaccessblock   What is a dual access block? Well, this is what we call a block that has two frontages – at opposite ends of the home.  This may be via two street frontages, because for some reason there’s been a subdivision that’s left a sliver of land only one block deep. Or it may be because the home faces a park where pedestrians can arrive at the home – but it has street access for car at the other side of it. Or perhaps, it has rear lane access at one end, and a street frontage at the other.  Your home may not have dual access strictly speaking - but perhaps it overlooks a park, or reserve area or golf club to its rear. However, as a result its back is more exposed, you might have popped a gate in your back fence, and you end up having two frontages as well. So some of these strategies used for dual access blocks will also apply to you.  If you’re listening in Australia, you may be familiar with the last season of The Block, which featured dual access blocks. There was a street on one side, and a laneway at the other end of each site. Old cottages were relocated to the front of each site, with a new two-storey extension designed for them.   The extension had a kitchen / living /dining and deck at the rear, and then a garden. Then, on the rear laneway, a two storey building was built, which had garaging at the lower floor, and a studio over the top. These are also known as Fonzie Flats – in honour of Arthur Fonzarelli from Happy Days. If you don't remember Happy Days, I’m showing my age here. But it was a TV show we watched as a kid, and Fonzie lived in a flat over the Cunningham’s garage.   I'm not kidding though - this type of development is seriously known as a Fonzie flat in the property industry. And so I'll talk a bit more about this design strategy for dual access blocks, later in the episode.  There will be some parallels between a dual access block, and a corner block. However, I find that dual access blocks require some different thinking because of what happens to a home when it’s basically straddling between two public interfaces. What happens it has to face or address a frontage at either end of the block, maintain security and appear like its not turning its back, can be a bit different to the exposure of a corner block.  However there are consistent challenges and opportunities when it comes to designing for a dual access block that are worth being aware of to get great outcomes.   And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your dual access block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your dual access block.  Listen to the episode now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Request your free E-Guide “The Acreage Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/acreageblock   Acreage homes can cover a lot of different types. It can be a single acre in a suburban area where large lots are the norm ... right through to a regional or remote area, where there’s thousands and thousands of acres of a working property, with a home situated on it.  Through Undercover Architect, I’ve had the benefit of working with many regional clients, both here and overseas. And I also live on acreage myself, in the Byron Hinterland.   Over the years, and especially from my own personal experience of living in our current home, I’ve learnt that acreage homes are a really different experience of design and living.   There’s different ways to consider how they’re arranged, and how they’re used, and what functionality they need, that can vary from your normal suburban home. Even when they’re in a suburban area.   However there are consistent challenges and opportunities when it comes to designing for an acreage block that are worth being aware of to get great outcoms.   In this episode, I discuss the key challenges to contend with when designing for an acreage block of land. I also explain the opportunities that are available, and how to maximise them.  And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your acreage block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your acreage block.  Listen to the episode now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Request your free E-Guide “The Sloping Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/slopingblock   Do you have a sloping block? And do you know how to design your new home or renovation to make the most of it?  So many homeowners get in touch with me because they have a sloping block and none of the inspiration they’re looking at applies for their scenario. They’re confused about how to get a connection with their outdoor areas, about how they’ll not spend a fortune in excavation and retaining, and how to best deal with the sloping terrain.  This can apply whether their block has a gentle slope to it, is like goat country, or is somewhere in between.   And it usually becomes a case of which of these three options you’ll choose ...   do you build or renovate so our home sits elevated above the slope, floating over it  do you excavate the site to create a flat platform so the whole home can be built of renovated on one flat pad   Or do you do something in between, and step the home to marry in with the slope of the land, so you can create a connection with the site as the home terraces across the slope of the site, creating more of a split level home  Each of these choices have an impact on your costs, the type of home you can build or renovate, and the outcome you create with your home.  However there are consistent challenges and opportunities when it comes to designing for a sloping block that are worth being aware of to get great outcomes.   In this episode, I discuss the key challenges to contend with when designing for a sloping block of land. I also explain the opportunities that are available, and how to maximise them.  And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your sloping block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your sloping block.  Listen to the episode now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Request your free E-Guide “The Wide Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/wideblock   Do you have a wide block? And do you know how to design your new home or renovation to make the most of it?  When it comes to wide blocks, these can occur in different configurations.   There’s of course the more generous blocks. Ones that have nice wide frontages – so generally 15m plus – and are overall quite large in area. They can present challenges in how you arrange the home on the block so that it’s not dwarfed by the overall block itself. So it doesn’t look like a little dot on a great big horizon, basically!   At the other extreme, there’s the configurations where the block is wide and shallow. There are a lot of areas where subdivision has created blocks with a wide frontage, and their overall dimensions mean that a home will be strung out with most of it exposed to the street.   I’m going to focus mainly on those that are shallow and wide – so almost the opposite of what we discussed in narrow blocks in the last episode. The strategies will apply whether your block is shallow or not, but I’ll be specifically talking about blocks that are wider than they’re deep.  However there are consistent challenges and opportunities when it comes to designing for a wide block that are worth being aware of to get great outcomes.   In this episode, I discuss the key challenges to contend with when designing for a wide block of land. I also explain the opportunities that are available, and how to maximise them.  And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your wide block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your wide block.  Listen to the episode now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.