Early Design Phase: Budget, Plans, and Feedback, with Louise and Zane

Hello! This is Episode 355, and I’m back with Part 2 of the latest project update with HOME Method members, Louise and Zane, who are renovating their Melbourne Californian Bungalow. They’re early in their design phase, and whilst they have a floor plan design that’s starting to tick the boxes on their wishes and wants, it’s still sneaking up over their budget.  This is a great insight into the early design stages of a project, how you juggle competing demands and priorities, as well as trying to ensure you’re capturing all the details so you manage your risk and avoid omitting something important down the track. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/355] If you haven’t caught Part 1 of this conversation, head back to Episode 354 so you can listen or read the transcript. You’ll find that at www.undercoverarchitect.com/354. In this episode, I talk with Louise and Zane about how they’re taking their existing home into consideration when renovating, and factoring the potential upgrades into their approach and overall budget. Louise and Zane also share how they’ve navigated receiving feedback and input from family and friends whilst they’re in this design phase. As is often the case, when you share floor plans with your loved ones, they can have an opinion about what they think is missing or not working in them.  These well-meaning opinions and feedback can be based on the personal experience of your friends or family, or because of their own professional backgrounds. However, balancing that input with your own project goals and budget can definitely be tricky. We also talk about how their timeline is working in this early design phase, and I give them some tips on some specific things they can be doing sooner rather than later to help squeeze up timelines and pricing certainty as they move closer to their final documentation. This early part of the design process can be super exciting as you see your dreams start to take shape on the page of your designer’s drawings. And yet, it can also feel like nothing is very ‘real’ yet, which can mean you stay too open to flexibility, and scope and budget creep.  It’s great to touch base with Louise and Zane at this point, and hear how they’re navigating this. And if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/355. Now, let’s dive in! SHOW NOTES: If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you. Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.  Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses as well. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/355 Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.