How we work

(Fee: $660)

If, after Step 1, you decide to proceed with Step 2, PlaceMate will deliver these documents:

• A written brief describing your existing site or home, a wish list of what you’d like to achieve and how PlaceMate can deliver it.
• A full list of town planning and building approvals necessary to get your project off the ground, an estimate of how long it will take to get them and how much it will cost.
• A full list of professional consultants you will need to engage to see your project through to completion (eg. structural engineers, surveyors or landscape architects) and an estimate of what it will cost to hire them.
• A breakdown of your PlaceMate architect’s fees at each stage of the design process, beginning with the measured drawings at Step 3.
• A build budget as a rough estimate of what can be achieved within the parameters of your budget.
• A prospective time frame indicating how the project might unfold and a suggested timeline in which to achieve it.

At Step 2, PlaceMate will deliver drawings of our proposed design solution, showing the finished look you can expect. It will include enough detail for a builder to give you an estimate of their costs.

Step 2 includes delivery of the following documents:

• Floor & roof plans
• Elevations (side views)
• Sections (cut through)
• 1 or 2 artist’s impressions.

Step 2 also includes:

• A meeting between you and your PlaceMate architect to discuss the proposed design
• One set of changes. A second meeting to discuss the revisions
• A list of all new doors and windows for the builder to price
• An indicative list of basic building materials will be added to the design
• An onsite meeting between you, your PlaceMate architect and a builder (either our recommendation or your choice) to discuss the proposed works.
• At the conclusion of Step 2, the builder will return with an estimate. At this point, PlaceMate can also provide a fixed fee quote to complete Steps 5 to 7 (descriptions follow).

This is also the time to consider whether or not you would like to go ahead.

• Act as your liaison throughout the town planning process and keep you up to date with developments.

• Site plan
• Dimensioned floor plans at 1:100
• Elevations (side views)
• Sections (cut through)
• Door & window schedule
• Building application forms.

At Step 4, PlaceMate will also:

Recommend a structural engineer – who will charge their own fee – to prepare:

• Soil testing
• Beam sizes
• Slab design
• Retaining walls
• A structural certificate.
• Recommend an energy consultant – who will charge their own fee – to provide the mandatory energy efficiency report.
• Recommend and liaise with a building certifier – who will charge their own fee – to approve the building application.
• Co-ordinate the compulsory fees and charges (QBBC Home Warranty Insurance) that are required by legislation for all construction works over $80,000 in Queensland.
• Co-ordinate a comparison quote between a maximum of two builders. Although open tenders are standard commercial practice, PlaceMate’s preference is to work with reliable, tried and tested builders and craftsman that we know and trust. We believe in working with those who charge a fair price without compromising on quality.

PlaceMate will also act as your liaison throughout the building application process and keep you up to date with developments.

Fee will be quoted within Step 4

PlaceMate will also liaise between you and the builder in the lead up to signing the building contract. We will take care of compiling all the necessary documents and approvals required for construction to begin.

Depending on your preference or the scope of your project, Step 7 may include delivery of the following documents:

• Kitchen design 1:20
• Joinery design
• Wet area layouts 1:50
• Stair details
• Unusual construction
• Lighting & power layouts
• Tile layouts
• Schedule of finishes (a room-by-room list of materials)
• Landscape design

Step 4 may also include:

• Assistance with material selections, including introductions to suppliers to ensure you get the finish or the look that you want.
• Co-ordinating with other consultants, as required, for example:
• Pool builders
• Landscape designers
• Interior decorators.

Step 6 also includes:

• Monitoring construction, including weekly site visits and written reports
• Quality control
• Evaluating builders’ claims for money or time
• Co-ordinating consultants as required
• Heading off any problems during the build

A comprehensive list of all contract administration responsibilities will be included in the breakdown of your PlaceMate architect’s fees detailed in Step 1.