10 Mistakes That Can Easily Be Avoided With Your Project

Building your perfect home is something that should take delicate planning, in order to to be done without anything going wrong. Listed in this blog post are 10 common mistakes which can be avoided to prevent wasting time, money and effort.

1. Beginning without a plan

It is rare for work to be done in one area without affecting another, which can cause you to make further alterations, resulting in working without a plan and things going wrong.

Without planning, the right research can’t be done and relevant local authorities may not be notified. Many clients have started working on a build to then discover that planning permission is denied, or they didn’t think to request it in the first place. An architect can help you plan your projects from start to finish and prevent any problems occurring.

2. Not looking at the future sale value

Things in life can drastically change, so consider the future of your property in case you may need to sell. That bedroom that you converted into an office may be beneficial to you, but it might mean making your house unavailable to families.

It can be difficult to consider your current and long term needs, but having an experienced architect can give you the support to design your perfect home without cutting out any future potential.

3. Not thinking long-term

Think ahead to make your design adaptable to any changes in your life. Will you be having children? Do you have any elderly or disabled family or friends who often come over? Your architect can advise you on how to present your visions in your home whilst considering the long term future.

4. Using the wrong contractors and suppliers

Having an expert architect design your project and provide suppliers and contractors will result in saving you time, money and will prevent potential mistakes. You will want everything to go as planned the first time and to have the best possible build within your budget. Also remember that a registered architect means being insured on protecting your building.

5. Not considering costs

An architect isn’t only skilled in planning and design, but they can help you reduce costs in both the short and long term. You may assume that adding space to your home means having a costly extension, but an architect can look at your existing structure and find ways to add more space without having to increase the size of the property.

There have also been strong developments in sustainable design, materials and technology over the years. Many people forget to consider the long term costs in their budget; work out with your architect how your current design can save you money in the future.

6. Not having a specification

Make sure with your architect you have thoroughly prepared designs to work from, with a specification that includes details of every material from the foundations up to the roof and everything in between. This will prevent the wrong items and materials being brought in and onsite changes to the design.

7. Impatience

Take your time throughout every stage of the process and make time to change your mind. Your vision can often alter during the process, and with an adaptable project, changes can be done easily. By giving the project the space and time it needs, the finished result will be exactly what you require for a lifetime.

8. Not hiring the right specialists

From reading “10 Steps to Choosing an Architect” you will know that there are lots of factors to consider when selecting the right architect. Specialists may cost more, but if you want to save money by hiring general people then expect lower quality results.

9. Not having a precise budget

An experienced architect will design and plan to the budget you’ve provided. Adding more funds partway through a project isn’t always a good idea, as the design is so thorough with the budget that more money can mean more complications and delays.

Provide a concrete budget and make sure it is set before the design is final.

10. Lack of understanding of value and quality

Prices can really vary on minor details, so take the time to decide what level of quality and detail you can afford. Prioritise your spending on the parts of the design most important. Would you rather invest extra funds into the living room or bathroom? Are there alternative materials that can provide what you need for a lower price? It is vital that you know the right level of quality and value that you want to achieve.

At Nicholas Jacob Architects we can prevent these mistakes being made and ensure the process of the project is both efficient and enjoyable using our expertise and experience.