I just need a quote, I do not need residential drafting services

Why is this not a correct approach?

One of the most common response that I get as an interior designer is that a lot of clients believe in a wrong myth; and that is “I just need a quote to build this, I don’t need any drafting services.” Now this is a very common situation and I thought it is important to educate our potential clients why this is probably not very true.

It makes sense that because a builder needs to build your residential home extensions, or a new home project, that you need to approach them for a budget cost. That is understandable, however it is definitely not the correct procedure. Instead, you will need to grab yourself a well-designed plans, get help with DA applications and DA approvals before you can get a builder to quote for an accurate cost. Generally, a builder can tell you they can build anything. This is not wrong neither, yet, they can never guarantee what you build is compliable to the council’s regulations. And if get caught, who has the responsibility? It’s you, the home owner.

Builders could never quote you a real price without any drawings. What do you mean by a “real” price? Well, generally a builder can only provide you an estimate cost, which often is different to the final cost that you pay? Generally builders can quote you a figure of the “standard” things, and once you start choosing better quality products, that’s an EXTRA. Other costs that you might not be aware of is the nature of your land, did you know a slope floor landscape cost more on hydraulic needs than a flat land?

What more can’t a builder tell you? DA approvals! Yes, builder can tell you yes to what you want to build, but they may not have a clue in what is actually eligible to be built in your land, and your local area and most importantly, they cannot give you an exact quote without clear specification. What you were thinking can be simply different to what a builder is thinking? Only clear specified drawings will give both you and the builder a clear idea of what is expected from you, to make you a happy home owner!

Located in Penshurst, GO Design Solutions is more than just a residential drafting services company. With over 10 years over experience, we are confident of council regulations and report standards which helps to maximise the possibility of getting DA and CDC approvals.