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Do You Need a Building Contractor and an Architect?

Choosing to extend your property can be a costly business. As we all know, home extensions in Sydney don’t come cheap, so it can be tempting to skip the step of hiring an architect to draw up the plans, especially if your contractor offers an in-house design service. 

Hiring an Architect

In many instances, it’s necessary to hire an architect, especially if you’re planning a complicated project on a challenging site or if the council requires that you use an architect. Architects have the ability to utilise clever designs on awkward sites to maximise your new space.

In addition, they’re usually able to get their plans through the council more easily, especially when dealing with extensions on traditional homes which need to be sympathetically designed and built to blend in with the original building.

Furthermore, only architects are qualified to administer building contracts and by law, must carry PI insurance. This makes them the best choice for anyone planning home extensions Sydney wide who want a complete service from design right through to completion.

Hiring a Building Contractor Only

An increasing number of building contractors are now offering in-house design services which considerably reduce the overall cost of a project. With new CAD software, it’s easy to create drawings in 3-D which will show you exactly how your finished extension will look. 

These architectural drawings also include everything from the internal and external measurements to the plumbing and electrical requirements to give a full blueprint of the project. 

However, you may find that these designs tend to be standard and lack the vision that an architect can bring. Architects have spent many years learning how to utilise space and can add design elements that will give you more usable and cohesive areas. 

But if your extension is fairly straightforward, using a building contractor to design the space may be a more affordable option.

A Complete Service from Start to Finish

With the introduction of CAD software, more and more building contractors can offer a complete design and build service that includes everything from the plans right through to the finishing touches. 

Whether you choose an architect or a building contractor or a combination of both, it’s advantageous to have a team working with you who will take responsibility for the project from start to finish. 

It will not only ensure that the whole project runs more smoothly but as long as you hire a reputable company, you’re likely to have your extension finished on time, on spec and to budget.
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