The project is the only suitable language of communication between the builder and the customer
Designing is an outcast of individual suburban construction in our country. Probably, over time, this industry will acquire completely civilized forms. But today most of the projects used in construction are typical.And some customers even believe that it is better not to spend money on the project at all. Unfortunately, none other than construction companies help them to take this step. Those who undertake to build without a project.
However, the sad consequences of construction without an official project are manifested already during the execution of the works. And after the construction of the house, they turn into a heavy lifelong legacy. After all, in addition to the layout of rooms and floors, the project includes information about all communications – from water pipes to air ducts. The lack of a project sometimes leads to deadlocks when disputes arise with the contractor. And the courts, most likely, will make a decision not in your favor – due to the lack of criteria for resolving the conflict. No experts, even if they wanted to, would be able to understand what was done and whether it was done correctly. They simply have nothing to compare the result of the construction with. In addition, without design documentation, it is extremely difficult to formalize relations with various state bodies (BTI, Registration Chamber, etc.). Therefore, in no case do not neglect this stage. You need to find people who do projects. As a rule, these people are called architects.
An architect – like a doctor – has value only if he does not depend on outsiders
You also need to choose an architect. No less meticulous than builders or best kitchen remodelers. If we draw an analogy between construction and medicine, then an architect is a doctor, and builders are just nurses. Anyone who considers the participation of an architect superfluous, can only be advised to make an appointment with a nurse. Knowing the laws of housing construction, the architect can and should implement your architectural and constructive ideas (if they exist), take into account many factors and determine priorities, tie the desired to your financial capabilities. An architect is both a technologist and an artist who embodies your ideas about an ideal home. You must understand him, and he must understand you. Find an architect you can trust.
Architects are both private practitioners and joined some collectives. Some firms specialize only in architecture, planning and design. However, along with them, many construction companies are engaged in project activities. In this case, they must have a license for exactly this type of activity – designing (be careful). In addition, it is no secret that designers of construction companies are almost always biased people. Their work can consist not only in creating a project for your house, but also in increasing the volume and cost of work for their company. When implementing a project in a construction company, it turns out that it sets itself a task. Nothing is surprising if she sets herself such a task, which she will then easily and profitably solve.
In this sense, it is better to order a project from an architectural office or design workshop: their employees can work impartially on your idea, and you will get a more economical project – all other things being equal, with ordering it from a construction company. In addition, a project from an office or a workshop will certainly be more interesting in an artistic sense: the level of their employees (at least on average) is higher than their colleagues in construction firms – thanks to a narrower and deeper professional specialization. It is clear that in construction companies, design is an additional (and very inexpensive) service and therefore simply unable to attract high-class performers.
Only free is worse than cheap
Most often, the construction company that undertakes to produce the project promises to return part of its cost to the customer. But not in cash, but in services. That is, later on, the customer will have to pay less according to the estimate – for materials and completed works. Some companies go so far as to promise to do the project for free. This does not contribute to the achievement of high design quality (and do you think that tens of thousands of oppressive buildings have appeared over the last decade?).
In addition, a free project is far from free (unless it’s jam-eaten two, three, or four times). Simply, in the course of price games, the company rewrites the numbers from one line to another. From the line “project” – to the line “works” or “materials”. Of course, you don’t see it, but does it change anything? This method copies advertising of the type “bought something for everyone – a gift”. But this very “something” may include the value of the gift. Give in load and take money. But it is one thing when we are talking about some every day goods for one hundred hryvnias, and quite another thing if people intend to receive an order for several tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. We believe that, in this case, such white thread games with the customer are humiliating and inappropriate.
Of course, designing in an independent (from builders) design workshop is not cheap. But in practice it can give significant savings. After all, the author of an independent project is not interested in increasing the cost of construction, he receives money for something completely different. In addition, later he will be able to objectively conduct author’s supervision of the quality of construction. The architect may recommend a construction company known to him. Do not reject his offer, but first ask for a finished project (which you can take to another firm for an estimate). It is better if the architect is completely independent of any construction organization, and we depend only on you. Indeed, ordering a project is better for some people, and building a house for others. Leave the architect’s recommendation as a last resort (unless, of course, he is a good friend of yours).
Now that you already have the project at your disposal, you can more objectively choose a construction company. To do this, invite several companies to estimate your project (just don’t tell them that you have organized a competition, however, everyone understands it that way). As a result, you will become the owner of the most interesting documents! Completely different people will each in their way embody (so far only on paper) the same. Pay attention not only to the prices, but also to the materials that will be written to you. The same (at first glance!) Works can also cost … very different amounts. If we talk about regularities, and not about exceptions – happy are those who can pay a price above the average level!
