Once you know you want to build a home, getting the project underway can feel like it is ruled by uncertainty and confusion.
Facit Homes often see the result of this confusion during the early stages of a project. Many of our customers come to us with a beautiful design that they can’t afford to build - it's not just one or two projects that end up in this predicament.
Which led us to wonder, why does this keep happening?
Listening to those same lovely customers, we uncovered some misconceptions that they had about the beginning of the journey.
So, we think it's time to do some myth busting…
What are the common misconceptions?
Many choose the architect and builder route because they are unaware of alternatives. But should you trust in tradition?
Let’s take a deeper look at some of the common assumptions we've seen at the start of a project…and what the reality is.
Assumption: Hiring an architect
“I need to hire an architect to design my home.”
An architect isn't the only option. Design teams can perform the same function as an architect, and if placed within a multi-functional architectural design and construction studio, they may even have a more realistic and applicable understanding of what they should design for your project.
Assumption: Locality is key
“The architect needs to be local so that they are familiar with the local planning constraints and the area.”
Location used to matter much more for design and build projects. A local team would mean greater experience with the local council and hopefully a smoother project. However, the national planning framework allows any architectural team to learn the constraints to any planning authority so hiring a local isn't necessarily an advantage anymore.
Assumption: Project management
“My architect will manage my project for me.”
This is a common misunderstanding. If you choose to hire an architect, they will design your home as per your direction and requirements, but they don’t typically manage your project for you. You would manage all the different individuals in your project (planning consultant, architect, engineer, builder, quantity surveyor etc.) while also making all the necessary decisions for design without any guarantees of how it will impact the budget. (Terrifying).
Assumption: Project costs
“My architect will tell me how much my project will cost me.”
This isn’t part of a traditional architect's role. Typically build costs can only be estimated when the building has been designed in detail and the design has been priced by contractors who will provide quotes for the costs.
Assumption: Planning application is more important than cost management
“I’ll get planning first and then worry about the costs.”
Error! Many projects start with this intention (often because they are worried they won’t get planning), but then have to spend much more than intended in design because they have to spend time and money recreating a scheme that actually fits the budget (or also for a planning appeal).
Assumption: Builders
“I need to find (and hire) a local builder.”
While many choose to hire a local builder, the construction world has evolved and the alternative construction options are now both well documented and proven methods, e.g. prefab companies, such as Huf Haus and Baufritz. Despite the Grand Designs horror stories, many people still see hiring a builder (again often local) as the only option.
Assumption: Project timelines
“It won’t take too long to build.”
The build phase of a project is often less time than the initial phases. Creating the design, applying for planning permission, building out construction information, going to tender, and finally mobilisation can take years in a project, especially if there is unsuccessful design work and recosting to add to the timeline. However, even though this the case, the build often takes far longer than predicted in a traditional process - and mostly because no single party has full responsibility for the project.
Assumption: Sustainability
“Building a sustainable home costs more.”
The raw materials and elements involved in building a home close to Passivhaus standards, using timber frame construction and adding solar panels do cost more and when integrated into the build during traditional construction, they can cause costs to spiral. However, when integrated into the building from the beginning and built using modern methods of construction, you can build more sustainably for the same cost - mainly because of the time that you save building on site. You can get a high quality home for the same price.
Why Facit Homes?
Facit Homes exists to take the hassle and risk out of building a home. We want to build beautiful homes better - both in terms of the process and the finished product.
With this in mind, we only design homes that can be built. Homes that fit the budget from the outset and homes that are designed to gain approval from the local planning authority (our 95% success rate with planning applications across England speaks for itself here).
Designing your home is the fun part, a process which led to the creation of our costing system to make sure that excitement doesn’t overtake reality (and end up dooming the design to the shelf of unbuilt homes).
The Facit Homes cost tracking and dynamic estimating system has up-to-date details of every material and construction cost, inc. mains connections and other often forgotten parts of the build. We created it so that we can design a home and know the costs in-real-time. So that any home we design and build ends up costing within 1% of that initial cost estimate. 1%!
How do we help our customers?
We have perfected our system in a number of ways so that Facit Homes customers never end up in a position where they have a beautiful design that they can’t afford to build. How do we do this..
A single contract
An end-to-end service that does what it says on the tin. We organise every part of the project in one centralised process, so our customers don’t need to spend precious time and energy organising architects, architectural technicians, engineers, quantity surveyors, professional consultants (e.g. planning), groundworkers, builders, electricians, plumbers and any other companies / services the project requires.
A single source of truth
Our centralised project management process streamlines decision making for our customers. It limits the mental load of a project, provides more certainty in the project and allows us to deliver a project in less time. We crack on and get things done, helping our customers to make the fun choices (cabinet colours, appliances and lighting design) while we also manage the rest.
One company, many professionals
Our studio has a multitude of experience. We bring architects, designers, technicians and construction professionals together with our manufacturing and construction process so that our customers don’t need to go into contract with an architect or a builder. They just deal with the professionals.
Service guarantees
We take 100% responsibility for everything so that nothing can slip through the cracks. Every part of the process is expertly managed by our construction management professionals so that nothing is missed, no blame is shifted and there is never a lack of direction on site.
Support
We don’t just get the job done, we guide you through the process so you can make the best decisions for your project.
Our advice is rooted in our experience of helping customers to bring their project to life and we provide guidance at every stage of your decision making, so that you never make choices that aren’t right for you and your future.
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