[leslie]

i am married to an architect and am now resigned to the hell/ heaven that is self-build. now you know where my interests lie thought i'd pass on a few tips for everyone thinking to build.

it is largely developers/ contractors building all those badly built props you are looking at. before you hire look carefully into past as most of these guys can close shop if they screw-up and repeat same mistake. developing is about maximising profit so expect they will attempt to wrack up the dollars at every turn and dont expect quality to lisst higher than profit. generally, unless you find the angel, their focus will be more on profits than a decent outcome. if you do this take time to find the angel and make sure contract is solid.

if you hire an architect to help you design/ build your home they will have a vested interest in it going well. if it doesn't they could lose their livelihood but on the bright side even if this were to happen you will be insured! archittects can negot discounts on things and while they will mark-up to some degree this usually covers the time and energy expended on your behalf to achieve said item. good arch will be able to advise you on clever ways to achieve what you need/ want not just on what they have done before. unless you hire a moron the savings of hiring the professional should pay their fees and possibly leave you with money left over. most people think architects are expensive but this is not tthe case if you are careful/ do your homework.

if you want more info about hiring an architect, what they do and their obligs to you consult riba.org.uk and the araeb.nz (something like that - sorry cannot remember but goole nz organisation of architects) they have sections that elaborate. when you look at archies folio make sure their projects are relevant to what you want - a good arch will stick to their own design mantra and refuse to build a timbered cotswold cottage in place of their usual modernist bolt-hole. avoid flavour of month archies without experience. the very clever brit janet street-porter hired no exp but 6 publicists f-o-m david adjay to do up her place and the budget flew from £150 to £300 in no time. they do not speak.

always remember, one persons environmentally friendly sod house is anothers damp, dark problematic hole in the ground. if you are building by the sea maintenance costs will be crippling unless arch knows all the engineering and climate info and is experienced. if you want to insulate with hay better get the densities right or you'll be cold. site it wrong and you will live in an oven. if you are grouping together to buy land etc it will work even better for you as you will benefit from economies of scale. a minimum contingency fund of 10-15% is smart. a well designed home values up beautifully with time. your initial consultation with arch should be free (as with devel - funny how that sounds).

enough from me. go forth and erect...

[leslie]

somehow put this in moorfs thread. doh

forgot to mention another good way to build - again can be huge success if you do your homework.

there are also contractors who approach the job with skill and professionalism. they are as dedicated as your average architect/ exceptional archie. they usually work in a small team and each has a skill set that is complimentary. the best way to find out if someone qualifies in these competencies is to look at previous work and take references, both owner and professional. google the professional references they give you to see where referee is coming from. google the contractor. ask for the names of a couple of the sub-contractors he would be using on your house? google them...

too many people in the business are better talkers than doers. when you ask for info put them on the spot. dont let them go home to write up a list.

i had a dream last night of my friends husband (getting interesting?) which is natures way of reminding the hypothyroid of us. michael is a 'contractor' but does tons of work for picky, top architects mainly in n america. his projects appear in magazines around the globe. he is totally hands-on, will move into a caravan on site if it calls for it. knows how to do most everything although doesn't hesitate to contract out when appropriate. not the quickest builder, but his client dont have 3 years of snagging/ costs to manage following his departure.

it cannot be emphasized enough that if you are going to build your dream home you need to put a little front-end research in. you wouldn't hand your savings to a stranger in the street and its that much easier when they are sitting on your sofa making googli eyes at you. if you cannot research to save your life then google. if it works for al quaida it can work for you.

[Karoline]

My boyfriend Jerome Sutton has been working as a stone mason/garden designer/landscape consultant for a couple of years now in the Bay of Islands and knows the people you should hire: trustworthy hardworking people, that are difficult to hire, because they are busy! He knows bricklayers, concrete poorers, tile layers ... etc.
If you are living in the Bay of Islands area and need help and advise, you can send me a message and i'll give you his mobile phone number. If he can't help you personally, he'll know someone you can go to.

His own speciality is anything that has to do with stone. He has made stone walls, stone decoration on houses, barbeque areas, pool areas and also crazy things like inhouse waterfall features! They call him the Stone Guru, because he has an amazing feel for it. He never had to advertise to get work and that says enough i would say!
Good luck with your house plans!