Tips to Reduce Project Costs
Residential construction has changed significantly over the past few years and money does not travel nearly as far as it used to. A key change that we can make during the design process is to review our priorities and identify ways that we can reduce costs and still create an affordable and rewarding project. 
An early sketch plan for a new home in Wy Yung
Reduce the Size
It’s not what you want to hear, but the most effective way to save money is to reduce the overall footprint of your extension or new home. Firstly, look at spaces that may not be completely necessary, such as a second living area, a butler’s pantry or rarely-used ensuites.

Next, look at how some spaces can be adaptably used for more than one purpose. Can the spare bedroom and home office be combined? Can the laundry be in a cupboard or part of the bathroom? Can the hallway be used for storage cupboards or desk space?
Also, assess the size of each specific room. Thoughtful and efficient design can create a floor plan that perfectly suits your needs and furniture so that no space is wasted in your Living/Dining areas, or in your bedrooms.

A bonus of reducing the size of your project is that the outdoor area becomes larger! Clever design can help you get the most out of your garden spaces, which will positively impact the interior views and aspects.

If you are renovating within an existing footprint, reducing the size translates to reducing the scope. The best way to undergo this process is to create an overall design solution and then stage each area to renovate, based on priorities and your available budget at the time. This method will ensure that you have a cohesive long-term vision and give you the flexibility to complete the project at your own pace. 

Early Builder Involvement
Finding the right builder is critical to the success of your project. If you can involve a trusted builder early in the process (from Concept Design), they can begin to provide valuable advice relating to buildability, costing, materials and scope. This can help us get ahead of some future issues and also help to create a positive and trusting relationship between all members of the project team.

Some people would prefer to wait until the tender stage of a project before approaching multiple builders to get a fair ‘market’ price. This can work well, although there is a risk of all tender prices coming in higher than the budget, or the temptation of selecting the cheapest builder who may not be best suited to your project.

Often, if you can find a builder you trust, and involve them early, they will likely be grateful for the security of a future project and be able to provide transparent costing advice along the way. It is also a great way to plan your project timeline and potential start date for construction.
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*I can recommend trusted builders who are keen on early project involvement.

Flat-Pack Joinery
Joinery can take up a large percentage of your budget. It is also one of the most useful and rewarding components of any home, and my initial advice is to focus your money on the most important area of joinery (eg. the kitchen).

I’ve also recently begun working with a flat-pack joinery manufacturer in Melbourne, who can provide pre-cut panels, hardware and fixings that can be assembled onsite by a carpenter. This method can save around 40% from typical joinery costs.
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There are limitations though, particularly to the bespoke nature of the design, and to the materials that can be used (mainly pre-finished, laminate, veneer, MDF). Any high-end custom timber, or stone, or intricately detailed joinery will still need to be manufactured and assembled by a joiner and stone mason, but if you’re keen to install a simple yet custom-designed kitchen, wardrobe or vanity, then a flat-pack system can save you some money.  

Orientation and Window Design
Many factors go into creating a 7+ star house, but the most important ones to get right are the orientation and window layout. If you place too many large windows on the East, West or Southern facades of your house, then you may need to overcompensate with expensive glazing or an array of elaborate insulation methods to make-up for the heating a cooling loads. This can soon balloon costs and blow your budget.

Be careful and deliberate with your window placements. If your best views are to the West or South, you can still capture them if you prioritise and remove any unnecessary glazing in other parts of the house or space. Clerestory windows and skylights can also be used to capture Northern solar access if your block is restricted by its orientation.
 
Due North is the ideal orientation, but the other points of the compass can be embraced through clever design, shading devices, or a healthy supply of landscaping and plant life around your home.

Pick Your Moments
Who says you can’t have it all? No person in particular, but constant inflation and a volatile building industry can place restrictions on any budget.
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Whether you’re planning a small renovation or a new home, it’s a good idea to prioritise where want to focus your money. For some people the answer might simply be ‘the kitchen’, or ‘the ensuite’, but the design process can often draw out a more nuanced picture of our priorities. I recommended looking at your brief and listing the spaces from top to bottom based on their priority of value. This can greatly assist your decision-making when the time comes to tighten up the budget. ​ ​
The approach view was a key moment for the 'Farmer's Cottage' project
No matter the size or ambitions of your project, there are almost always some budget constraints. Having some advice and tools to manage your budget, plus a clear understanding of your priorities will give you the best chance of completing your project without breaking the bank.  


​  -  Words and images by Nick Johnston