How good design saves money
Architect Opinder Liddar gives his tips on maximising your budget by planning a project that delivers the best return on your investment
Most self builders work with a finite budget. Architect Opinder Liddar reveals how to maximise your funds
Today, you could technically build anything – if you had a large enough budget. However, in reality, funds are limited and self builders demand innovative solutions for their bespoke projects. Of course, I understand that in designing your dream home, you want it to be exemplary and exciting. But I also know that unless you can afford it, your scheme will not happen.
As an expert at events like Build It Live, I have the opportunity to talk to many prospective self builders. All too often, I’ve seen people who present me with wonderful schemes that they simply can’t proceed with. These projects are unaffordable because the design is too elaborate and there are no appropriate cost controls in place. Not only is this emotionally draining for the clients, but it’s an unnecessary and expensive ordeal. So, what’s the best way to achieve a fantastic design within your budget?
Concept phase
Your design drawings have a direct impact upon the affordability of your scheme. So, it’s important to ensure you spend plenty of time at this early stage setting everything up correctly. Establish a clear and comprehensive brief, highlighting all the components you want your dream home to include – your chosen designer should be able to help you with this. As your plans develop over time, the elements of the scheme that are possible can be confirmed while others, perhaps due to planning or cost constraints, will be revealed as not very viable.
This approach is far better than not mentioning ideas that are important to you early on, and then attempting to add them to your scheme further down the line. The latter strategy may result in going back to the planners, altering the technical design or making changes on site. These sorts of adaptions will cost you time and money as the scheme progresses.
At this stage, your designer should also make sure that the scheme is appropriately costed before you commit to planning and construction expenses. When this is done at an early phase of your project, you’re less likely to change your mind later. Remember, it’s far cheaper to alter things on paper than on site.
Site focus
A great self build project responds to the opportunities offered by the unique characteristics of the plot. I always design this way around rather than trying to impose a pre-made plan onto the land. Key money-saving benefits of this approach are that the scheme can account for different site elevations, minimising digging out or infilling to establish level areas.
More importantly, by taking this approach, you can design your house to make best use of solar gains and guard against potential over-heating issues. This will have an impact on the long-term running costs of your new abode. Ideally, you want to use the sun to help heat your home when the weather is chilly, and ensure you’re not paying to cool the property where the solar exposure is too great. 3D modelling will allow you to make use of this free and natural resource, as you’ll be able to map the level of sunshine across your plot and use this knowledge to best position your windows and shading devices.
Your architect may also want to get ground investigations done at this point so that they can factor any unusual subterranean features into the costs. These kinds of surveys are particularly important if you’re still in the process of buying your site.
Setting out
Most bricks and blockwork are produced in sizes that are a factor of 75mm. If your masonry is set out with these dimensions in mind, the labour involved in cutting the units will be reduced, as will the volume of offcuts.
Bear in mind, too, that sheet materials such as plywood, insulation and plasterboard usually come in 1,200m by 2,400mm proportions. If a timber frame is set out with 600mm noggins (the horizontal pieces of wood that separate the vertical pieces in the structure) and your rooms are designed to be 2400mm high, the effect will be the same.
As well as reducing waste, this way will save you money. I’m amazed at how much new material is thrown away simply because the builders need to cut everything to make it fit the design. I wish there were more ways to recycle unused goods, particularly for insulation that hardly weighs anything, but is incredibly bulky to shift and dispose of.
Research suppliers
There’s a lot of credibility given to named brands that have achieved their status through a reputation for high quality materials. However, there are many up and coming companies, too. It’s a good idea to keep an open mind and consider alternative options. Use your builders’ contacts and accounts to look at potential substitutes with much better prices. Typically, sanitaryware and kitchens are the major items where people drastically overspend. Shop around and you’ll likely find a cheaper but equally credible solution.
Future proof your design
As a self builder, you’ll want to make the most of the site that you have. Even if the funds aren’t available from day one, you should have your roof designed so that, should you wish to convert the loft to habitable space in the future, it’s relatively easy to do. By designing in attic trusses as opposed to regular alternatives, not only will the structure be easier to convert if required, but you’ll have more useable storage space until you do.
You can also set out rafters that are suitable to receive lights if needed. Floors can be integrated with a popout section where a staircase up to the loft could be positioned. Doing things in this way will make the job relatively inexpensive as you don’t have to remove and replace the whole roof or alter any timber work.
De-risking your project
Self building your own home is no easy feat. Having a good designer as your guide will ensure that errors are minimised and the journey is relatively enjoyable. A key part of this process involves looking ahead to curtail risk as much as possible. For example, an architect will factor in the relevant planning policy that affects your site so they can develop the best strategy to create the home you want.
When permission is granted, ensure your plans are developed to a detailed level of technical design. The concept drawings will really be tested at this stage as they will ideally have reduced any convoluted construction techniques. This high level of specification in your schematics enables contractors to provide you with accurate and precise quotations, on a like-for-like basis. There’s no room for any alternate interpretations.
In the past, I’ve seen people hand planning drawings to a contractor who gives them a lump sum price and starts on site. Later, disputes arise when the building firm says they haven’t allowed for x, y or z as they weren’t clearly identified on the plans. This is an awful position to be in, as you may have spent thousands of pounds already, and are now tied to a company that will be claiming for all sorts of works you thought were included. This is where having a detailed plan effectively pays for itself.
At Lapd Architects we make sure that, as well as having the technical package that has been priced, these plans form part the building contract between you and the tradespeople. This ensures that both parties are covered and clear on the work. This protection would pay your designer’s fees many times over should it be needed to defend your position.
Long-term view
Your new home is not only an investment in your future but, if it’s done right, can also become a long term financial asset. A unique, wellconsidered house will be worth more than other standard properties. Where you invest properly into the design, this will pay for itself when it comes to creating a sought-after dwelling of considerable value, allowing you to maximise your budget, too.