Size Does Matter When Building

by | Oct 20, 2022 | 5 Things you need to know

It’s simple, the bigger the build, the more it will cost

Establish a Realistic Budget

This may surprise you, but we have realised that everybody has a budget – whether it is $800k or $10million, there is a limit to how much money is available. Surprisingly, the bigger the budget the more opportunity there is to get carried away & exceed the budget. We have found that the biggest determiner of cost is size – the bigger the house, the more it will cost. This is not only true for the structural build, but also for the finishes. The size of your house should be determined by the size of your wallet, not your ego or your neighbour’s house.

Quality Over Quantity

Many people try to get the biggest house they can at the expense of doing it well. Generally, quality suffers when the size of the building exceeds the available budget. When budget starts to run out towards the end of the job, it is the finishing touches that suffer but these are the elements that can make a design outstanding. A well designed house doesn’t have to be big. Efficient design allows for more life in the space & therefore more budget to do it well. Focus on what you need, rather than on what your neighbours have. Fitting the biggest house that is allowed on your land is not always the right solution.

Concentrate on Details

You have heard it said that the devil is in the detail – when it comes to buildings, the delight is in the detail. The difference between a quality product and a cheap one is generally the way it is detailed. An old Nokia phone makes phone calls just as well as the latest iPhone but we all want the iPhone because it is detailed well.

Have Realistic Expectations

The best way to avoid disappointment is to be honest an open about your budget and to manage your expectations. Disappointment can come when the root of the idea is lost because the money is not there. Your architect can be creative with a limited budget, if you allow them appropriate freedom. Unexpected positive results often arise from great constraints.

- Peter Couvaras
Peter started the Couvaras Architects from the dining table in 2005, and has built a reputation for delivering buildings that not only function well, but deliver an element of delight. He is responsible for client engagement and managing the team.

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