Allan Nicholls Has Joined Partnership With Sydney East Architects
Our Unique Point Of Difference
At Sydney East Architects we believe that through our long and diverse range of skills and services, including negotiating planning consents, complex building compliance issues, & addressing disputes that commonly arise during construction, we have the ability to recognise issues that raise the possibility of time & cost overruns.
We have an extensive range of experience in various building types including the following;
High End Bespoke Housing / Heritage / Medium & High density Residential / DUAL OCCUPANCY / SECONDARY DWELLINGS / ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS / Heritage and Adaptive Re-Use / Affordable housing / RESIDENTIAL STRATA UNITS / ALTERATIONS & additionS / Commercial / ecclesiastic
We are proud to be operating a referral business. Over 70% of our clients are retained or referred by our previous clients.
Immediate Services
How To Prepare for your Home Building Project
So you are contemplating to renovate or rebuilding you home & you didn’t know where to start.
Your home is usually your biggest investment & renovating or rebuilding is costly & sometimes emotionally difficult.
You may have questions, even fears & you may be asking these kinds of questions:
What design is best for my needs? / What will it cost? / What is the process? / How do I get consent from council / What are the permissible design options? / How do I learn the process?
How do I start the process? / Who do I contact first?
Relax, you don`t need to work all of this out and read endless web articles on how to do this yourself.
Best Residential architects should always seek to first listen to their prospective clients & extract a design brief by carefully understanding all of their clients specific needs, desires & lifestyle and budget.
This is why we produce an aesthetic and functional design brief that defines your needs as must haves, would like to have and may have if possible etc. and be referred to throughout the design process.
Two Immediate Services To Get You Started
If you are beginning your research for your home project the logical place to start is with service 1, however you may be more advanced in your research where the logical staring point is service 2.
Your may also require a strategy review to anaylise your specific needs affecting you and your family or the circumstances may be difficult or unusual.
Talk To Allan On The Phone 0419 284 695
Immediate Service 1
For the research stage
Immediate Service 2
For the analysis stage
Our Needs And Options review Video
Establishing Your Needs And Your Options Early is The Most Valuable Thing Your Can Do
The term “on time and on budget” is achieved by adequate up front planning of your project.
Below are Some Of Our Luxury Bespoke Housing Projects Mostly Located In Sydney East
The construction m2 rates below are a rough guide and approximate and subject to may factors. Building costs are elevated by covid and refer to Sydney East architect designed homes where rates are higher than elsewhere. Composite m2 rates vary significantly in other areas and by level of complexity and quality of finishes. Fees for Sydney Architects specialising in residential design are often dependent on scope of work, contract value, complexity. Fess may range from 6% - 15 % of the build price.
Building estimates using composite m2 rates are calculated by the build price divided buy total m2 of the new build. It is used as a short hand method of comparing project types against probable costs which have been demonstrated in previous projects.
Bellevue Hill Bespoke High End Luxury Home Addition
Step site sloping to the Front
These projects typically have the highest quality fittings & finishes that may cost on composite m2 rate of $8,000 /m2 or more.
Design styling varies due to its land value, location, lift installation & excavation are contributing factor to elevated build costs. This projects often have multiple ensuite bathrooms and extensive floor area due to larger size of land and market expectations..
This project was approved under the Woollahra DCP and NSW Housing Code. Consent process may be complex if multiple consents process is used. Construction program may take 8 to 12 months as they are usually multi leveled construction & have elaborate internal fitouts & external features.
Vaucluse Bespoke Luxury Contemporary Home Addition and Maker Over
Step Site Sloping to the Rear
These Projects Typically have medium quality fittings & finished that may have a cost implications leading to a composite m2 rate of $6,000 - $8,000/m2
Design & styling varies dependent in the land value & location as do the expectation of owners on quality of fixtures and finishes.
This project was approved under the Woollahra DCP (Development Control Plan) and NSW Housing Code.. Assessment time may be extended where neighbours object or the owner wants to exceed the numerical standards of the Woollahra Lep
This project was designed for a sloping allotment which is a common challenge for architects in Sydney Eastern suburbs.
North Coogee Bespoke Contemporary Home Addition To Bungalow
Site sloping to the Rear
These projects also vary in design and have a more controlled on budget of up to $5,000/m2 and vary due the the land value & size.
Design & styling varies dependent in the land value & location as do the expectation of owners on quality of fixtures and finishes. They often are alterations and additions rather than complete new builds with some maintenance required on the existing structure. Consent process my be relatively simple.
This project was approved under the Randwick DCP an the NSW Housing Code.
Maroubra Budget Makeover & First Floor Home Addition
Step Site Sloping to Rear
These projects also vary in design styling is tuned to the requirements of councils policy for heritage zones.
An experience architect in Sydney East may be able to achieve this type of styling at $4000/m2 with standard finishes an fixtures an with selected appropriate builder. They often are alterations and additions rather than complete new builds with some maintenance required on the existing structure.
This project was approved under the Randwick DCP and NSW Housing Code. Typically planning stages may take several months & councils assessment time may be extended where neighbours object or the owner wants to exceed the numerical standards of the Randwick LEP (Local Environmental Plan)
Forster NSW Bespoke New Contemporary Coastal Homes
These projects also vary in design and have a more controlled on budget of $4,000/m2 and upward which mary due the the land value & size.
These coastal design homes on NSW Northern Coast also vary in design styling often have less stringent design parameter due to lower density environment and larger allotments. Considerations for requirements of structures to be build within bush fire effect lots must be made early in the project.
This project was approved under the Great Lakes Council (Development Control plan). Councils assessment time may be extended where neighbours object or the owner wants to exceed the numerical standards of the Great Lakes Council LEP (Local Environmental Plan)
Tamarama Units Conversion to Single Dwellings
Site Sloping to the Front
These developer driven projects also vary in design styling is tuned to the requirements of councils policy and desired future local character.
Costing these kinds of projects usually require the services of a quantity surveyor in providing project building costs in the preliminary design and construction documentation phase. They projects are often near complete new builds where some elements of the structure my be retained to gain planning benefit in councils assessment.
This project was approved under the Waverley DCP with deep excavation in the basement for storage and parking.
Kensington Victorian Home Contemporary Addition To Grand Victorian Terrace
Kensington Conservation Zone
These projects also vary in design styling and design more influenced by requirements of council.
An experienced architect in Sydney East may be able to achieve this type of styling at $4000/m2 + with standard finishes an fixtures and with selected appropriate builder. They often are alterations and additions rather than complete new builds with some maintenance required on the existing structure. Contemporary styles are often permitted on heritage items and within conservation zones.
This project was approved under the Randwick DCP (Development Control Plan)
Bondi Junction Contemporary Styled New Home
Narrow Site Architecture on a Lower Budget within a Conservation Zone.
These projects also vary in design styling is tuned to the requirements of councils policy for heritage zones, and viewed more closely by council if next to a heritage item.
An experience architect in Sydney East may be able to achieve this type of styling at $4000/m2 +with standard finishes an fixtures an with selected appropriate builder.
This project was approved under the Waverley DCP (Development Control Plan)
So What is Our Process?
A question you may be asking is, what is the usual process? Whether you project is an alteration and addition, renovation or rebuild, the below road map is your essential guide to most residential projects.
Service For Busy Professionals
We offer a concierge service for the busy professional where we manage the process from concept to completion. We are beside you at every step of the way prompting you at the appropriate time so you dont` need to worry. This takes the burden off our clients where we report progress or present decisions that need to be made in the comfort of your own home or place of choice, during or after hours and at your convenience.
So How Is A Design Brief Written?
The above Needs & Options Review Service is aimed a providing a functional & aesthetic design brief which is the most important element in the pre design phase. Without it your project is likely to be frustrated with significant changes and expensive delays during construction.
An experienced architect will not rush through the design process until they have an effective functional & aesthetic design brief. This may include essential must haves, would like to have & indicate essential detail to successfully design for all of your needs.
The design brief is extracted from the step 1 downloadable free guide below.
Step 1 in Our Process
Download the free guide; “How to Prepare prepare For Your Home Building Project “
This guide is loaded with information and check lists to launch your project into the design phase with a design brief
To begin the Needs and Options Review, download this free guide which is packed with information and fields to fill out to launch your project into the research phase. This will be reviewed in our Needs & Options Review Service.
This is a specific process that we undertake & includes preparation in the early stages so our clients can understand the process & assist in writing a design brief.
Some previous clients have approached me & wanted to commence their project in a rush. This often leaves important matters overlooked. It is important not to rush this process so we advise you download this free guide as early in your process as possible to allow sufficient time to discuss things with your partner.
The above guide contains useful information about the design and building process, forms and checklists and cost guides that form a functional and aesthetic design brief. This document is reviewed at various stages of the design process to inform the development of your final design.
What Some of Our Clients Have to Say
Are you Preparing to Renovate an Apartment Block?
One of our Completed Projects New Balconies & Garages to Interwar Style Residential Unit Block at North Bondi
Free Guides To Assist You In Your Research Phase
Below is an external link to our new web site for our partnership in Sydney East Architects
