First Page Homes
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Initial consultation - What do you actually want?
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​We meet to discuss your needs and question your motives, options and experience with the process, setting the scene for your project. I challenge your ideas at the outset to ensure you are 100% clear on what you want. Time spent on this stage always pays dividends later down the line.
Getting started - Defining roles
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Whether it be an advisory role when purchasing a property that needs work, a new kitchen or bathroom, a roof conversion or a full house refurbishment I create a clear process for you to understand that sets your expectation of everyone's roles, how your project will develop and be delivered. I map out the stages of the process for you, set realistic time frames, establish communication channels and start to put together a plan of how the project will impact on your lives.
The budget - The driver of every decision
The building costs are the biggest part of a home renovation budget but there are other costs. I work with you to draw up a draft budget at the outset to cover all costs that will be incurred along the way. Together we work back from your overall budget by taking into account professional and statutory fees such as planning or building warrant applications. We include insurances, potential relocation costs, contingencies and any other cost items that will need to be included.
Finding the right professionals - They will be part of your life for a while!
Finding architects, structural engineers, kitchen & bathroom designers, interior designers etc that fit your style is hard and time consuming. You have to find one you are comfortable with and can translate your vision into a workable design and fits your own personal style. This is where I step in, being the main point of contact, arranging visits and meetings, gathering quotes and advising clients on the next steps to take toward appointment of your project team. My main role here is communicating between all the parties involved to keep the process moving.
Design - The stage which you should enjoy
Design work takes a lot of your time and can involves countless iterations. Getting planning and building warrant permissions if needed can be longer but it doesnt mean the process has to stop. This phase is however the most exciting bit and is an iterative process to establish on paper what you actually want your home to look like. I act as your point of contact, liaising with all professionals on your behalf until a design and permissions are in place that you are happy with.
Finding a good builder - You are going to need one!
Good and trustworthy builders are out there, you just need to find them. If an architect is involved I work closely with them to go out to tender, set up site visits for shortlisted builders and handle any queries. Tender responses are then collated and presented back to you. Contract signing is a stage that you need to get right as this is your protection once the build commences. The objective of this stage is to find someone trustworthy who will translate all the work to date into practical reality.
Before a builder starts - Getting into the detail
This phase is about firming up your budget. Tender returns will include provisional sums for all sorts of things. You haven't chosen your kitchen yet, you haven't decided on tiles or bathrooms or carpets or light switches. Working to your budget I step in here to start really tying down what you want and getting it costed up, either with your chosen builder or specific provider to give you a fuller picture of your likely costs. Specification sheets for each room of your house will begin to enable you to visualise what you actually want to see in your completed project. Builders like detail at this stage as it saves them time chasing you for information during the build phase.
The actual build phase - Where it all starts to happen
Most good builders have their own project managers who push the build process. I however have the benefit of knowing clients from the early stages of the project, so most often remain as their representative and key point of contact during the build, saving you time when demands by the contractor on the client are at a peak. Period properties especially can throw up all sorts of quirks that will need quick decisions on, often at the most inconvenient time for you. Budget management in this phase is critical, changes post contract signing can reap havoc on a budget. I help clients by implementing a strict change management process during the build to keep things in check. Remedial snagging at the end of the project will also need managing.