Services

Why work with an architect?

Are you considering a renovation or new build? It’s a moment that can spark excitement and optimism, while also feeling nerve-wracking and overwhelming.

This is a big undertaking that you want to get right. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had some kind of expert ally to help balance your goals, site, and budget?

This is exactly what I do.

I help you:

  • Design a home that is the best balance between your values, location, and budget.

  • Get the materials and details right to avoid increasingly common issues like condensation and poor durability.

  • Prepare all the necessary documentation and reports for your council approvals and building approval, and manage the submission process for you.

  • Liaise with and coordinate the work of all consultants (such as engineers, bushfire consultants, and energy-efficiency assessors.)

  • Capture every element of the project for the builder(s) to cost and advise comprehensively, with no remaining surprises during the build.

  • Join you for site meetings to work collaboratively with the builder so we can work together toward the common goal of good communication and a great built outcome.

Best of all, my only vested interest is a great outcome for you. A well-matched architect is both a skilled leader and trusted partner for you during this life-changing process.

I want you to enjoy this process and be involved in the bits you care about while feeling confident that you don’t need to stress about all the rest.

Architecture Services

Architecture services are available in three service streams. These are outlined in more detail (including an indication of fees) in the Information Package.

 

Mini Service

Budgets $250k+

Focuses on simple and conventional building form, structure, materials, and products. We keep the design, discussions, and process as straightforward and trimmed back as practical. This simplifies our service and therefore allows for a lower fee compared to other services options. This service is not available for renovations.

 

Full Service

Budgets $500k+

Is our preferred and recommended service.

 

Plus Service

Budgets $700k+

Includes additional investigation, innovation, and creativity for clients seeking a highly unique home, resolved and completed to an extensive level of detail. This extends our service and increases our fee compared to other service options. This service is the only option for owner-builders and unconventional construction methods like straw-bale housing, due to increased hours dedicated to education, exploration, and detailing requirements.

 

Services and associated fee ranges are detailed in our Information Pack:

 
 

Feasibility or Retrofit Advice

 

$550+

If you're wondering whether to renovate or knock-down-rebuild, or if your home could be cost-effectively retrofitted to be thermally more comfortable, an on-site feasibility workshop might be for you. Over two hours together, you'll show me around, and we'll discuss your situation, values and goals, and I'll share as much insight and advice as I can, on the spot.

If you're thinking about a retrofit or renovation with a budget of $10,000-$250,000 it's likely I'll advise you to engage an energy-efficiency consultant to model your home in NatHERS software, and advise you on step-by-step best ‘bang for buck’ steps to take in improving your home. Some assessors can even offer you a breakdown of the estimated payback period of each retrofit measure taken. I offer limited services to help facilitate access to these consultants in rural areas.

Please download our Information Package for more information.

 
 

Service Region

 

You're not too remote for me. Projects 'within cooee' (in yellow below) usually incur no extra travel fees, including Wagga Wagga, Gundagai, Tumut, Thredbo/Jindabyne, Cooma, Tallangatta, and Albury-Wodonga. We also know this country as Ngarigo, Jaitmatang, Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri land.

Further afield, in the pink zone, site visits are usually at a flat rate of $450/visit, and we'll discuss ways to minimise these.

Beyond that? If you think I’m the perfect match for your project, it never hurts to ask.

(Service zone is based on a driving time radius)

 
 

Resources

 

$28

My Book

In 2020 I published a book called 101 Things I Didn’t Learn in Architecture School. It was written to help Australian students and graduates of architecture bridge the gap between study and practice, but has also proven to be a sturdy resource for homeowners and DIYers alike. It includes a section about energy-efficient design and construction, and is specific to the Australian context.

 

$0

Free Resources

You can find excellent advice, for free at the following locations:

 

“Sarah has been fantastic to work with. She has excellent architectural expertise, complemented by a wealth of knowledge on sustainable building practices. She is open and easy to communicate with and I learnt alot from Sarah during our design process - no question is a dumb question (and I have alot of them) which I truly appreciated. As part of our process we also engaged a builder early on, and it made for an excellent team. Sarah is also really practical which i loved, she considered what was fit for purpose for our project. I also really appreciated the values that she works to, but where it wasn't possible for us to achieve those things, it was a non-issue.”

”I would highly, highly recommend working with Sarah!!”

- Morgan, client.