Bricks, cement, concrete and steel forms are deeply linked with the public’s perception of most commonly used construction materials. This is certainly true for larger, civil engineering construction projects such as dams, bridges, tunnels and road networks. Yet in residential construction, 70% of the world’s population live in timber framed homes.
Understanding the process of construction, the materials used, how to competently interact with contractors and being willing to make mistakes and hopefully learn an immense amount from others mistakes, can save you an enormous amount of money and provide you with a high end finish.
Contractors and builders spend their time between project sites and materials suppliers, if you are taking a more involved role in the project, then it is important to manage paper work and start to keep track of expenses on a spreadsheet. You will spend a lot of time watching instructional videos, hopefully with a competent ad blocker on, and searching for material prices online.
Continue the read, for industry insights, to help you make sense of your timber home build.
Foundational Knowledge
The first and most important step to take is the design of the home. This is crucial not just aesthetically, but also in terms of the cost of construction and receiving planning permission from the council. Avoid the impulse to meet with possible builders and starting the process of interior finish selection, as you would be wasting a lot of your and the professionals time. Construction is a technical field, measurements, plans, a design and room layouts are an integral part of it.
The three industry professionals involved would be:
1. An architect, architects are essentially house designers. Like any designer, an architect will technically be able to work on anything but will always have their own take on home creation. It would be helpful to have a general idea of what you would like your home to look like, at least in style. Google searches, as well as Pinterest boards and architectural magazines can be an aid. Find an architect that suits your tastes, be sure to look at previous work done by the architect and if possible visit a few of the sites already completed.
2. A draftsperson, similar to an architect, a draftsperson works with building plans. They do not design however, the job of a draftsperson is to take the designs and technical layouts provided by architects and engineers, and complete the process of drawing up accurate plans.
3. An engineer, engineers are required to calculate what loads a structure can take and therefore what strength of materials is required. In addition, they can test ground water conditions and soil strength for durable foundations.
Trade Secrets
If your intention is to save money, there are ways around some of the design fees:
Owners with a very simple home in mind or with an innate sense of design, may be able to work directly with a draftsperson and not employ the services of an architect.
In addition, several websites offer complete building plans based on the budget and rooms required. Ensure that the plans are purchased through a reliable website, where correct architectural and engineering guidelines have been followed.
Next Stages
This is a great stage to make sure that you can comfortably afford the home build. Based on your detailed plans, you can either begin the process of calculating the materials and labor required yourself, or you could employ a quantity surveyor. Quantity surveyors take historical building data to compile the cost of your build. Bear in mind that your build may take longer than planned for and that contractors will make some mistakes. Budget for a contingency fund above the estimate price, anything from 10 to 30% is realistic.
The following step would be council approval. The architect and draftsperson can submit plans on your behalf. Alternatively you can also submit them yourself, you do not have to be a trade professional to submit plans. The council can take several months to approve plans. This is a good time to begin interviewing contractors.
Follow The Plan
At this point in your build, you move from design professionals to those more involved in planning, budget and actual construction oversight.
The professionals involved:
1. A Project Manager, the role of a project manager is to devise a schedule and budget, and to ensure both are met. The project manager will draw up a schedule of works, letting you know how long a project will take and when payments are required. This is a role that many owners take on themselves, reading up on the topic, learning from industry insights and taking an online course are highly recommended activities.
2. A Builder, builders can also be known as general contractors. The builder works directly with each of the tradespeople, must know the correct steps of home construction and have a detailed knowledge of the machinery and labor required for quality construction, as well as expertise in timber building work.
The Finishes
Do not be afraid to interview any of the above professionals carefully. You are looking for good natured individuals, as the jobs involved can become incredibly stressful. Make sure to only pay for services that have already been completed. Listen carefully when professionals speak, this will help you learn but will also give you an insight into whether they can take on the project at the moment. Take the time to find a comfortable balance between the certainty a owner needs to have and the humility of someone learning new skills.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
