09/09/13
Marius
Just a small token of 'thank you' for your integrity and professionalism. [Dinner Gift Voucher]
This has been our easiest project owing to all of the above and your great way of 'being with the world'!
Many thanks
Linda & Paul Griffin
13/09/2013
Project
reflections
Marius
I wrote this as part of the positive experience we've had in collaborating with
you on our Garage renovation Project - it should be a requirement of reading
for all your prospective clients so that they ' nie kom kakkies maak nie'
Many
thanks Linda Griffin (0424 080 222 - for reference purposes)
Planning component was key to a successful
project for the following reasons:
* Realistic expectations were set in terms
of Timing, Material Sourcing, and
Sequence of Events.
* Planning was presented on a spreadsheet
and used as the reference point for
conversations on scheduling. Seeing this in
operation settled the need to
constantly ask the logic of sequence.
* The builder's experience was invaluable
for scheduling and steeped with
pragmatism
* A problem solving approach from both
client and build was key to a harmonious
relationship throughout
* Expect a delay - our delay was not from
the builder but a door company which
was ultimately seceded by the client for , what appeared to be its
professional
appearance - glossy buildings don't get the
job done and organized builder does.
* Use subcontractors for electrical and
plumbing that the builder trusts.
* Be clear who is project managing these subcontractors
* We felt calm minimizing how many people
we had to deal with and my
preference was always to only communicate with
the builder
* We made no decisions without talking it
through with the builder.
* Important to note that you need to have
an overall vision of the finishing’s
embedded and well described to your builder so
have a portfolio of pictures.
* Be clear what your budget is and do not
begin the project unless both you and
your partner are absolutely aligned regarding
the arrangement. The builder will
pick up this dynamic and certainly does not
want to be part of it.
* Pay in a timely manner, it is the
respectful thing to do
* Do not throw in lots of little favor
jobs because you happen to have a strong
man on site. Your partner does not pick up his boss's kids on his way to
work,
therefore don't expect the builder to nail
your pictures to the wall while he's there
* Check in weekly on progress but
not daily - do not become a time detractor
* In particular, our builder was clear
that every choice was ours and was cautious
not to choose floor colours etc. Rather, he focused on the technical
aspects of the
product
* As we were owner builders, we learnt
some of the product technical aspects at
the store and always opted for products that
would wear and tear well
REMEMBER : In Australia the cost lies in the labor,
not the product. An
example
- We bought high grade stainless steel forage kitchen owing to the cost
of plumbers
* Gumtree was very useful but ultimately
we opted for new white goods because
Harvey Norman covered the cost of
transportation, guarantees and had an end of
year sale. We did not want the hassle of running
around struggling to squash
things into the back of the car.
* Mentally expect delays because they will
happen in areas neither you nor the
builder can foresee (Ours was a week on one box of flooring, the doors 3
week
delay)
*Be smart and find high quality salvage
products - we found a bathroom sink for
$20
at the local dump - valued at $180.
*Always confirm your potential purchase
with builder- our builder had good
impulse control and double checked all
measurements and alternatives before
condoning purchases
*The final touches - be disciplined about
not purchasing anything until the end
because
the spaces keep evolving
*Collaboration with the builder led to
some excellent and practical creativity- we
used floorboards to create counter tops which
is how we also found ourselves
short of one box but it was definitely worth
it.
*We changed the depth of all the kitchen
cupboards and dressing cupboard gaining
increased walking space of 45 cm which is a
lot in a small apartment
*Creativity is good only if you do not
dash from one impulse to another- embed
the
idea overnight.
*Keep returning to the space after hours. Note
how you move through the room as
this lays the foundation for understanding the
traffic flow in the room – important
for
knowing where to ultimately place furniture
*Be smart about your lighting particularly
if you're having tenants - burning lights
will be your cost. We over killed on lights
but were very conscious of how
difficult it is to get an electrician on site
so wanted to maximize the opportunity
*Truly understand the potential of the
space before you start, epiphanies after the
event can be very disappointing
*Glossy packaging and fancy stores do not
necessarily sell superior products – I
believe the builder saved us $3000 by
constantly being ‘underwhelmed’ by the
luxury choices I was wanting to make -
ultimately he was right and while feeling
like a petulant child quite regularly - my
mantra owing to the level of trust
between
us was to 'listen' in order to stick within budget
* I added $5 000 on to the negotiated
budget for the unforeseen and have not had
to
use it - this lays the ground for positive future projects with one's partner
* Think of space as prime real estate and
let it dictate
* Use the mental modeling of your current
spaces to understand what is required in
a dwelling for a stranger. Yes, the ironing
board still has to live somewhere.
* The builder was meticulous in cleaning
up his work space every day. This kept
the
whole environment calm. I want to write this ten times because it was very
important to us. Dust does enter your home, it
can't be helped but to add chaos to
that would have become wearing.
*Really take note of how the builder likes
to work before the project begins and
respect
that.
* The builder forewarned us when it would
be a noisy day.
*Our builder kept us calm when we were
beginning to feel irritable with the door
company
*Do not book guests in too close to
project completion date - allow a month to take
care of the small details. It 's the pressure
of time that will make you behave
irrationally.
*The overall vision can be achieved in
collaboration but it is YOUR project,
therefore your responsibility to research and
come up with the options. That's
what 'owner builder means'
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