How much will my building cost?
Mindful Design #17
The Cost Iceberg, image: Thorsten Deckler, after Brick & Bolt
Welcome to Mindful Design Newsletter # 17 in which we try to answer the most dreaded question architects, builders, and every other professional hates to be asked.
There are so many variables that a definitive answer to this question is impossible. Even worse, the consequences of trying to answer and risk giving ‘bad advice’ will have most experts running for the hills.
However, it's a REALLY important question, and you cannot make good decisions if you don’t know the answer.
To help you get an idea of building costs for a custom house, we created a cost calculator.
But be aware that the calculator gives you only part of the answer. As the iceberg drawing in the header shows, many factors, some not so apparent, make up the final cost of a project.
You can find the calculator here.
To help shed some more light on the issue, we spoke to the quantity surveyor (Q.S.) we’ve been working with for many years. The interview ran over several pages, and when I asked my partner to proofread it, she almost cried out in bored pain.
So, I’ll spare you the pain and give you the main take-away:
TD: What’s the biggest problem when it comes to building costs?
QS: “People’s expectations almost always exceed their budget. There’s a kind of magical thinking involved. It’s not just lay people who are prone to this, it’s a human thing and applies to all of us.”
TD: So, what can we do about this?
QS: “The best thing to do is to reach clarity. You reach clarity by asking the right questions, doing the work, the research, the planning, and working out the unique costs of your project. This is the only way to reduce your risk when it comes to building.”
There was a lot more said, but I already tortured one person enough…
So how do you reach clarity without spending a lot of time and money?
The answer is to do the work in a very focused manner. That's exactly why we've created the Needs & Options Review. It is designed to help you gain clarity BEFORE you start designing. Many people skip this step and rush into getting plans drawn up when they don’t have a clear understanding of the constraints or the opportunities for their project, not to mention costs. This is like going to a doctor and asking for brain surgery because you have a headache. Without a diagnosis, your doctor won’t know how to treat your headache. Your doctor will always make a diagnosis first. But the construction industry tends to skip the diagnosis or rush through it. No wonder 85% of building projects go out of control.
To help you understand how to avoid this fate, we've created a short video about the Needs & Options Review. You can watch it here.
A first step
Ready to take the first step on your building journey? You can book a free 30-minute 'Expert Call' and get answers to any questions you might have about your project. Book your call here.
Overwhelm
If you, like me, feel overwhelmed by recent global events, never mind the prospect of building, take heart in the cyclical nature of life by reading this.
Curiosity
Not ready to take the first step, but curious about how architects come up with ideas? Take a peek inside our sketchbooks, here.
From the Sketchbook
I have just returned from the most amazing trip through Lesotho. It was my first time visiting this tiny mountainous country and I was blown away by the beauty of the landscape, the remote villages, and the Basotho people. Life seemed so simple and tranquil and the buildings so honest. I know this impression is probably far from the truth, but I am inspired to make things simpler for myself and the people around me.
Maletsunyane Falls, Lesotho. Sketch: Thorsten Deckler
Until next time.
Love, Thorsten.
Help us spread the love by sharing this newsletter and following us on social media!
Thorsten lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa. His 20+ years of experience as an architect have taught him how important it is to make costs part of the creative process.
Outside of work, he’s always on the lookout for inspiration, documenting his travels, architecture, and insights in a growing collection of sketchbooks which you can see here.
Image: 2Summers
