Aspiring home builders should review this checklist before engaging an architect...
This blog should inspire potential homebuilders to take the necessary steps towards getting their dream home designed by an architect or competent draughtsman in Jamaica. This blog is opinionated and the reader must be aware that practices and requirements will vary amongst designers and architectural firms.
Read more for a checklist that you can use before engaging a building designer.
Location
Location may seem like the most obvious one but sometimes aspiring home builders may exaggerate or underestimate the potential of their lot and the location itself. A good architect/designer will understand the soil condition of your lot and the governing rules for building on the plot. Nonetheless, your property may best suit a particular type of development based on community trends or the covenants of your land title. You must therefore be able to produce the land title for the property you wish to develop. A good designer will seek to accentuate the best features of your lot and maximize the space on which you are seeking to build. Consequently, your building designer should be familiar with the lot through site visits and other means of research.
Land Surveyor's Report
A land surveyor's report can determine the shape, features, and boundaries of your property. The report is used to determine if there are any easements or encroachments on the land and is very useful in maintaining local codes and regulations. This document is essential for the architect or designer to prepare and present your site plans. Site planning forms an integral part of the final design document put before the council for approval. Therefore, the Land Surveyor's report is a necessary part of your building application and design process.
Topographic Survey Report
Usually, this is an overlooked report that perhaps is the most important in locating all surface features of a property. A designer/architect will read this report to understand the natural features and elevations of your property. Specifically, these reports are useful in determining the location, size, height, and any changes in elevation of your lot. This understanding means that your building design can hug or caress the natural contours of your land with consideration given to the various elevations, building positioning, and the preservation of structural integrity. In retrospect, all sloping lots should employ a topographic survey to conceptualize the best means of maximizing your lot's potential.
Owner's Design Requirements
It is a good idea to write down your must-have home features. The designer should then identify what is important to you and begin the design process based on your rough requirement list. You should at least know how many bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, or even green spaces you want to be included. This phase is the time to decide whether that car porch or garage is really worth the extra spend. Moreover, it is always worthwhile to consider your budget and discuss it with your architect/designer before starting the design process.
A good designer will understand the correlation between your design and the associated cost to build. However, the best designers will be able to conceptualize a building design suited for your budget. We can only recommend that you are honest as you reflect on your housing needs as an individual or a family. You should be clear on whether you want an affordable home or one that is a luxury statement. Bear in mind, your age, income, and desires are all factors that determine the type of house you should be seeking to develop. For example, the needs of a graduate professional seeking to build an entry-level house are different from a retired couple looking to downgrade the size and footprint of their currently-owned large multi-story home. You will be more fulfilled and happy if you can accept a design that serves your needs adequately and is within your building budget.
Financing & Budgeting Needs
Your budgeting needs relates to how you plan to fund or finance the building activities of your project. Many aspiring builders are tapped into financing options such as banks, credit unions, personal savings, joint ventures, and even NHT to name a few. How your project will be finance deserves serious consideration before engaging in any pre-construction services.
Contract for Design Services
Usually, a contract is formed between the engaged building designer and the client. The client should be able to read and understand the rights of both parties under this contract. The aim and intent of each contract will vary between design practices. Usually, these contracts are based on the requirements of the owner, Jamaica's building codes, and the roles of the designer in the building project. That is to say, a contract under which the designer has agreed to carry out project management services will differ from one that is to produce design services only. As such, a building designer will outline the scope of work for design services under which he/her is contractually obligated.
What important item(s) do you think we missed? We encourage all building professionals to participate by commenting/emailing as we aim to build a sustainable online community towards home building in Jamaica.
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