era | Commence YOUR BUILD
STEP SIXTEEN
IN THE PROCESS TO DESIGN + BUILD ARCHITECTURE SPECIFIC TO YOU.
start to build
The beginning – the start – the commencement point at which you begin to build your architecture.
Get to know about commencement.
Technically, there may be a specific date or time frame from signing the construction contract, when commencement of the actual building work will start.
For example, you may accept a tender or sign a construction contract on a certain date and the contract will say that work will commence a certain number of days later.
However, it is essentially when you start to build your architecture. Exciting times!
There are a few things that happen between when the construction contract is signed and when the actual works begin. This is what I will talk about here.
What is commencement?
Commencement marks the very beginning of building your architecture.
Once your construction contract or contracts are signed, things will get underway – sometimes faster than you anticipated!
A contractor will need a bit of time to mobilise and organise a few early day things before they commence to start the actual work of building your architecture.
This may include
Organising sub-contractors
Collecting Insurances and Security
Scheduling a Construction Program
Setting up the site area with a fence, signage and amenities
Connecting to services such as creating temporary power
You need to be prepared with any information you need to provide to the contractor or contractors so that your information does not delay any work they are required to complete under the contract.
If their work is delayed by you, this may affect the time frame and cost of building your architecture.
This may include
Finalising a building permit
Delivering any outstanding information for the site to the contractor required before they commence
Finalising a Safety in Design Report
Finalising the delivery of Principal Supplied items
Finalising any Prime Cost or Provisional Sum items
Finalising finishes or other schedules
How to commence.
If you haven’t already – get organised!
Things are about to happen.
Put all of your documents in order ready to go so that you can grab any at a moments notice.
The number one thing you will need in order to commence is a building permit.
You will also need documents to build from, so print a hard copy and have it handy.
You may also need to provide a hard copy to the contractor if your contract notes that, so prepare a set for them if you need to.
If your contractor has not organised it, you should speak to them and schedule a Start-Up Meeting.
This is the first meeting that will be held to discuss building your architecture. It is useful to have everyone involved in the project in attendance so that they can all meet one another. An important part of the meeting is to explain the roles and responsibilities of each person present. Another is to walk the site with everyone so that everyone is on the same page about where things will happen, where things will be located and where boundaries will be.
Meet everyone, get acquainted and settle into working together.
If you have employed a professional such as an architect, designer, design and construction organisation or project home builder they will likely guide you through the commencement of your architecture.
If you are doing things yourself, all the best – things are beginning!
Your commencement in the process.
The choice of what type of contract you use will determine which construction process will be utilised for the work and therefore how building your architecture will commence.
THE PROCESS.
This is the sixteenth step in the process to design and build architecture.
If you would like to see how this step fits within the process, you may be interested in a little Book I have written that sets out each step in the Process in one place. It is a guide and workbook to help you through each step in your architectural journey.
The process is summarised in this little Blog post - era | the Process to Design + Build Architecture.
Each step in the process will also be broken down into its individual steps right here in this little Blog - so keep checking in to see the whole set!
Til next time!
Start the process to find your architectural language and make your little ideas a reality.
Click here to see the little things I have made for you, or click here if you would like to work with me one on one.