Get It Right with Undercover Architect

The requirements for working with a Town Planner, when you’ll need one and what you’ll need one for, will vary from state to state, suburb to suburb and house to house. However, there are some key consistencies to know, and ways they can make your journey simpler overall. So listen carefully for tips for your project.  Let me introduce Nuala Dewhurst.  Nuala grew up in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and after living and working in Sydney and Broome WA, she moved back to the mountains and has raised her 4 kids there.  Nuala decided on a career in town planning after getting sick of the lack of pram ramps she experienced as a young mum in the suburbs. She’s been in the industry now for over 20 years.  With extensive experience in the Blue Mountains, Nuala specialises in character and heritage assessments and preparing Statements of Environmental Effects. These are a required document when you lodge a Development Application in with Councils in NSW, and whilst I’ve seen some homeowners have a crack at writing these reports themselves – or use other consultants, such as their designer, to write them – my recommendation is it’s a job best done by a Town Planner. And Nuala will explain in more detail why.  Nuala has worked for State and local government and has always been passionate about the way our communities work. Her career has included assessing proposals for development and preparing city wide plans. She has worked as a town planner in local government for over 15 years before moving to consultancy planning. So she’s worked both sides of the desk – in assessing applications inside council, and in making applications for her clients’ projects. It’s a great set of skills to have – as someone who’s worked on the inside can often provide great insight into how to get your project approved.   Nuala has now established her own business - Griffin Planning. She and I actually met when a client of mine brought me a preliminary planning report she’d commissioned Nuala to prepare on the block of land she planned to build on. I was so impressed with how comprehensive it was, and how much information it gave me in order to design a home for this block, I connected with Nuala. She was also kind enough to attend my last Sydney Workshop and assist attendees with queries they had around Council approvals and Council rules.  It’s great to sit down with Nuala Dewhurst and talk about the role of the Town Planner. I think you’ll learn a lot, wherever your project is located.   This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using a Town Planner for your renovation or building project. Listen to the podcast now.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we’ll be diving into the role of Building Designer. Aaron Wailes is a Brisbane-based licensed Building Designer, with over 15 years industry experience.    Now, Aaron is a friend and colleague I’ve known for many, many years.   Aaron and I first met at Mirvac over a decade ago. When 5 colleagues and I set up our architectural practice, DC8 Studio, Aaron was our first crew member.    And, Aaron and I have continued to partner each other to deliver projects in our respective businesses. In fact, if you’ve checked out the Project Diary on the UA blog, where we’re following the renovation of a Queenslander cottage, you’ll see Aaron was responsible for the documentation and on site management of the project.   Aaron set up AWBD – or Aaron Wailes Building Design in 2009. He and his wife had been living and working overseas in the United Kingdom for some time, and they returned to Brisbane to set up AWBD Design Consultants.  Aaron is incredibly passionate about good design. He’s worked across many different project types, from retirement living, housing developments, apartments and office buildings … both here in Australia, Europe and the Middle East.  One of the things I love about how Aaron works is the way his practical construction knowledge gets brought together with his design skills. When you work with a designer, you want them mentally building whilst they design. So, what I mean by this, is that as they’re drawing lines in a design concept, they’re also thinking about the constructability, the structural design … how all these things come together to meet your brief and your budget. Aaron works in this way with his clients to help deliver them great results.   Aaron is also a gun on Revit, which is a 3D computer documentation tool. So, Aaron will ‘build’ the project inside the computer, before it gets built on site. It’s a great way to uncover and anticipate any issues at the drawing stage – which in turn manages your risk on site during construction. And whenever a designer works with you in 3D, it helps you see the solution before the solution is built, and have that design vision communicated to you.  It’s great to sit down with Aaron to talk about the role of the building designer, and his tips on how to find one, how they’ll help and the way to get the best in working with one.   This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using a building designer for your renovation or building project.   Listen to the podcast now.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So we’re in for a treat in this episode. The first interview in Season 04 is with Shaun Lockyer of Shaun Lockyer Architects.   Now, if you’re based in Brisbane and planning your renovation or new home, chances are you’ve already come across Shaun’s work. It’s prolific and award winning and a huge body of new and renovated homes all over Brisbane – and in fact, in other parts of Queensland and Australia … and even overseas!   Shaun Lockyer Architects (or SLa) has a huge following on social media, an enviable list of clients, projects and awards, and a great reputation for beautiful, sustainable and efficient design solutions that add value to the lives of their inhabitants.  Shaun himself has over 20 years of international design experience, including four years as an associate at SAOTA in South Africa, and nine years as Director and Partner at Arkhefield in Brisbane, QLD.   In fact that’s where Shaun and I first met … in 2001, when we started at Arkhefield, 2 weeks apart from each other. Both fairly new to Brisbane, we sat opposite each other and – as Shaun reminded me the last time I saw him - we actually had to be separated at one point because we spoke too much and made too much noise. We’ve been friends since that time.   Personally, I’ve watched with huge admiration and pride, as my friend has built an extraordinary career with such commitment, incredible client service and sheer hard work. In the early days when we were at Arkhefield, he would always talk ad infinitum about his love of designing individual homes: the opportunity to work closely with clients in a trusting relationship, the love of crafting a container for their family lives, and exploring space and volume, light and materials that would surround them each day. He’s always been passionate about residential architecture.   In 2009, he started his own practice, Shaun Lockyer Architects. This practice engages in the design and delivery of bespoke architectural homes for private clients who value a collaborative and transparent design process. Each commission employs a versatility and passion that transcends scale and budget.  The outcomes of all the work at SLa are a reflection of the extraordinary efforts of the team which is comprised of Shaun Lockyer, Jen Negline, Lucy Hyndman, David Gockel, Michael Ford, Ash Hughes, Adam Laming, Kevin Li, Lyle Mitrovich, Katy Roberts, Alex Kean, Ivy Verlaat  They’ve won a mountain of awards … Shaun himself has been recognized for the contribution he’s made to architectural education – and he’s as committed to his role as an industry mentor as he is to being an architect.  It is with great pleasure that I sit down with Shaun to talk about the role of the architect, and his tips on how to get the most from working with one, plus answers to some of the key questions we, as architects, often hear from homeowners about getting us involved.   This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using an architect for your renovation or building project. So, let’s get into the episode.  Listen to the podcast now.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.    And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you confused about who you’ll need on your team to renovate or build your home?  Homeowners often tell me they are. They’re not sure who to speak to first, what costs to expect from everyone, how to know if they’re finding the right people, and when to get them on board.  And sometimes they also don’t understand why they’ll need a specific professional.  I’m not talking about tradespeople here. This is about all the various roles and professionals you may have on board up to the point you commence construction. And then some you need to keep on board, and some you don’t – whilst you build your home.  Some professionals are essential. For example you legally require them to get your project finished, or they’re necessary, because they perform a required role as part of you getting your project built or renovated.   And other professionals will be a choice. For example, you might get an architect, a building designer, or a draftsperson to design your home. Or you may choose to design it yourself. Now – of course, that’s not something I recommend – but it is possible!  And it’s important, when setting your budget, that you have an understanding of who you’ll need, why you’ll need them, what they do and will charge for it, and when they need to come on board.  In this episode, I go through a list of professionals you may need for your project – and outline the role that each performs. I also help you with recommendations about where to start, and how to assess their fees.  Listen to the podcast now.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.  Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 4 is called “Know Your Team”, and in this season, we’ll be exploring the roles of the various professionals that can help you when you’re designing, building or renovating your home.  Often homeowners tell me that they’re confused about who they need to get on their team and which person or role they hire first. And this is the thing about the construction industry … there are loads of different specialisations and professional roles. To be honest, it can be confusing to know:  who does what  who is necessary and compulsory, vs who you might feel you need help from  who is really going to help you achieve what you want to do  what these different professionals will all cost  where to find them  how to make sure they’re a good fit for you and your needs  when you need to get them on board  and why you need to get them involved in your project  So that’s what Season 4 is all about.   Regardless of where in Australia – or in fact the world – you might be listening to this podcast, there are going to be some amazing tips and information for you in this season. My guests are all incredibly experienced, and have been amazingly generous in providing their expertise and knowledge as we talk about their role in renovations and new builds.  I can’t wait to get this season kicked off. So, join me next time for an overview of the many and varied roles you can have on your project – whether you’re building or renovating your home.  And then from the following episode, we start the interviews. There are 10 episodes where I speak to the 10 key professionals you are most likely to come into contact with, need the help of, or want to consider for your new home or renovation project.  I worked out that, between all my guests, there’s over 160 years of experience in the residential industry of design, building and renovating … so this an extraordinary brains trust I’m tapping into!   I’m really hoping this Season 4 helps you understand more about the various professions that can assist you with bringing your home dreams to life. And their key tips on getting it right in your project.  Listen to the podcast now.  Our “Get it Right” podcast partner for Season 4 is COLORBOND® steel and their Matt range.  COLORBOND® steel Matt is a great choice for creating a stunning, sophisticated and subtle look for your home. With a beautiful and neutral look, it has an elegance I know you’ll love, and diffuses light for a soft, natural, textured finish.   And not only does COLORBOND® steel Matt look gorgeous … It’s also durable, strong, 100% recyclable, high tech, tested and designed for the Australian climate, a choice for bushfire zones, able to give your home a contemporary and sophisticated feel, AND has 50 years of history behind it as a brand.   Head to www.colorbond.com/undercoverarchitect for more info   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are lots of mistakes that I see homeowners make when it comes to building and renovating their homes. Mistakes that cost them extra time, money and stress along the journey.  Some of the main mistakes – the most stress-inducing mistakes – come from how homeowners manage their communication. So, I’m referring to their communication with their team, with establishing their vision and in managing the elements of the project along the way. I have 3 key mistakes to share with you so you know what to avoid in your renovation or new home. These mistakes relate to how you communicate, and what you might avoid communicating – to the detriment of your project. What are these mistakes? They are: #1: Getting lost in the weeds #2: Giving accusations not feedback #3: Hanging on for too long. Listen to the podcast now for more information on these mistakes, and learn how they can really cause problems on your project. I also share critical ways you can avoid making these mistakes yourself. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our interlude - examining how to use communication as the powerful tool it can be, to get it right in our renovation or new build. In the last episode, I took you through the first 3 Communication Tools you can use in your project to help it go more smoothly, and achieve success overall. Do you remember what they were? They were: Your team, Your brief, and Your language. In this episode, I’ll take you through 4 more Communication Tools, and explain how to use them effectively as you move towards the building stage, and during construction. These 4 Communication Tools are: Your quotes Your legals Your project management Your result Listen to the podcast now to learn more about these last 4 Communication tools so you can get it right. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I want to take a moment to deep dive into one key area that can be the cause of loads of challenges in your renovation or new build.  I’m not overstating it, when I tell you that this one thing can be at the heart of most building disputes, errors and costly mistakes. In fact, a lot of serious litigation cases can be credited to this one thing failing or missing.  So what is it? This one crucial tool?  It’s  … COMMUNICATION.  When it’s done well, it helps projects run smoothly, achieve great outcomes and create homes that are a joy to live in.  And when it’s not. Well, it’s how projects unravel, money and time is wasted, loads of stress is caused as well, and the whole experience of renovating or building made awful.  When you build or renovate your home, there are so many moving parts to pull together. Different team members, different ideas, decisions, processes … boxes to tick, rules to satisfy, budgets to meet …  And in the middle of all of that will be you, and anyone else in your family who gets a say, figuring out what you want from your finished home – and how to bring it to life.  That’s the sometimes-hilarious-sometimes-frustrating thing isn’t it? Not only do you have to get it right in communicating your vision to those helping you design and build it. You also have to get on the same page as your partner, or your family members, in actually creating that vision in the first place!  No wonder it can get hairy sometimes.  So, in this episode and the next, I’ll take you through some of the most important elements of communication for your project, and how to use them successfully to get great results, and save yourself headaches along the way.   And then in the third episode of this interlude, I’ll share some of the key mistakes I see people make, so you can avoid those too.   What are the first 3 Communication tools? They are:  Your team  Your brief  Your language  Listen to the podcast now to learn more about these first 3 Communication tools so you can get it right.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As you begin to design and plan your new home or renovation, chances are you’ll be:  looking at the spaces you want to create  how you want to wrap them up (their size, shape, etc )  and what you want to put in them (finishes, fixtures, furnishings, etc)  When you start to allocate your budget to these dreamed and imagined spaces, finishes and fixtures, it can be a surprise to see how quickly it gets consumed.   And often, in my experience, the reaction can often be “But where is all the money going?”  There are many things required to create a working, finished new or renovated home, and they can chew up a significant chunk of your budget – and yet be almost invisible in the finished product.   So in this episode, we go through the main areas where money can disappear in any project, so you can manage them in yours. I share the main hazards to be aware of, and how you can protect your budget in each of these areas.   Of course, the ones I’m listing here are not exhaustive – the best way to manage your budget is to manage all of it!    However, I’ve seen these areas regularly surprise homeowners, and end up costing them far more than they intended.   I take you through 4 main areas that can swallow your budget for a seemingly invisible result. I also share key tips to help you protect your budget in these areas – and overall.  Money gobbler 1:Services (especially electrical and plumbing)  Money gobbler 2:Excavation and retaining  Money gobbler 3:Your home’s skeleton (the structure)  Money gobbler 4:Extra living expenses during your project   And one last word on this …   I see some homeowners behave like it’s a foregone conclusion that their project will blow budget and timelines. Renovating and building doesn’t have to be that way.  The renovating and building journey is not a one-step process. It’s a step-by-step journey of discovery and selection. Sometimes you only have 2 options. Sometimes you have 200. Sometimes you may feel like you’re crawling, and at other times it feels like big jumps towards the finish line.  The most straight-forward way to avoid nasty surprises on your reno or new home journey is to start with good information and a reliable team. Then you can also work to make informed choices as you go. Checking and adjusting along the way. What did we say in an earlier episode? ADAPT AND INNOVATE!!  Revisiting your design, your budget and your timeline at each of these stages will help you do this, and make the best choices for you … your budget, your site and your life. That’s the way you create the perfect home for you.   Listen to the podcast now to learn more about these 4 main areas, and how to protect your budget, and manage your risk overall.  This season, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED.  Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project.   Kiiko LED is founded by Craig Thomas, who I’ve personally had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in my own projects, and in client projects.    And so I’ve been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order.    Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now!   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the things I often see occurs is that homeowners will be so diligent during their early phases of their projects. Total ninjas when juggling competing demands, sorting their priorities, hunting down bargains, making strong decisions so they meet their budget.  And then construction will start.    They’ll head to site and start seeing progress. And then they’ll start changing things. Or they’ll see a material or fixture somewhere, fall in love with it, and have to have it – even though it’s more than what they’d originally budgeted for, or already selected.  This might be because construction feels like the last point at which you can be sure you’ve got it right. Your last opportunity to ensure you’ve made the best choices, because once it’s in, it’s permanent and you’ll be living with it.  And perhaps too, it’s because it can be hard to visualise things when they’re all on paper. You’re looking at lines on a page that represents rooms and spaces and joinery. Often homeowners will walk on site and say “Oh, is THAT what it looks like” like it’s the first time they’ve actually realised.   When you make changes on site: be it because you’ve not understood how something actually was designed … or you see an alternative product or material you would rather use … or you change your mind about anything you’ve previously selected or included in your design … these changes rarely save you money.    More often than not, they cost MORE in time and money.  And it’s in these changes that homeowners can blow their budget. They’re spending a little extra here and there. All those ‘little extras’ add up over time, get a builder’s margin added onto them, and can end up being a big budget blowout.   In this episode, I share the ways you can spend your budget wisely, and stay on track for your project, as well as the tools you can use. I go into detail on these three specific strategies:  Strategy 1: Start how you intend to finish … and finish how you started  Strategy 2: Monitor your progress – in time and money  Strategy 3: Be realistic about your own abilities  Following these strategies will help you to manage the spending of your budget with the same discipline you set it with. And ultimately that will help you stay on track in your renovation or new build, and deliver the finished result without huge financial headaches.   Listen to the podcast now to learn more about these strategies and stay on track with your spending!   Links mentioned in the podcast  Microsoft now has a template you can use to set up your budget in excel  https://www.microsoft.com/australia/madewithoffice/article/how-to-keep-track-of-your-diy-renovation-in-excel.aspx  Pocketbook is one of my favourite apps for streaming your bank account and tracking / categorising transactions  https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/pocketbook-personal-finance-expense-tracker/id653330894?mt=8  Renovation Budget Tracker ($4.50)  https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/renovation-budget-tracker/id381991960?mt=8   AMP Budget Tracker  https://www.tracker.qandamp.com.au/  Tom’s Planner  https://www.tomsplanner.com/  LED Lighting and how to get it right  http://undercoverarchitect.com/what-is-led-lighting/   This season, Undercover Architect has a podcast partner: Kiiko LED.  Kiiko LED is customisable, DIY, LED strip lighting, that you can order online to your specifications, for your needs and project.  Kiiko LED is founded by Craig Thomas, who I’ve personally had the pleasure of working with for over 12 years now, in my own projects, and in client projects.   And so I’ve been able to organise with Kiiko a fantastic UA Community only offer. If you head to their website at www.kiiko.com.au/undercoverarchitect you’ll be able to access a $25 discount to use on your first order.   Check it out, and start building your Kiiko LED strip lighting now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.