PROCESS
Is your home holding you back?
Most people reach out to us because their current house no longer fits their lifestyle. It’s too small, too dark and hot or simply poorly laid out. We help you move from frustration to a clear plan of action.
Step 1. Preliminary Consultation
30-minute obligation-free phone chat. The first step is a conversation about your current home and the lifestyle problems you’re trying to solve. Stephanie Skyring will provide initial feedback on what’s achievable and whether your budget aligns with your goals.
Step 2. Design Ideas Workshop
The turning point for your renovation. Before committing to a full service, we investigate the possibilities on-site. During this 2–6 hour workshop, Stephanie sketches concepts and explores costs specifically for your home. You’ll stop guessing and start seeing exactly what is—and isn’t—possible.
Step 3.
Three Ways to Move Forward
The workshop provides the evidence needed to make an informed decision on your next steps:
Manage Your Own Project:
- We provide advice on the next steps and the contacts for our preferred consultants to help you move your Design Ideas Workshop concepts forward. Use the Renovation Collaborative Online Courses as your step-by-step guide.
Complete Architectural Service:
- A partnership from concept to completion. Stephanie manages the design, approvals, and construction to ensure the vision is fully realized. Read our process below. (For project budgets of $1,000,000+).
The Decision to Sell:
- If the workshop reveals that the house cannot be renovated cost-effectively to meet your needs, you gain the confidence to sell. This prevents you from overcapitalizing on a property that doesn’t fit your needs and budget.
Complete Architectural Service: Process
We guide you through each of the following stages from concept to completion:
Predesign
We gather and prepare essential site data, including land surveys and measured drawings of your existing home, to create an accurate design foundation.
Concept Design and Sketch Design
Following our initial Concept Design exploration in the Design Ideas Workshop, we move into more detailed Sketch Design. We further explore floor plans, elevations, and 3D forms that balance your aesthetic goals with your functional needs and budget.
During this stage, we identify sustainable design opportunities and engage specialized environmental consultants as required.During this stage, we identify sustainable design opportunities and engage specialized environmental consultants as required.
To ensure financial viability, we continuously update our internal cost estimates as the design evolves. We may also introduce a builder from our trusted network at this stage to provide preliminary pricing and construction advice.
Before finalizing this stage or proceeding to Town Planning Approval, we coordinate a detailed costing from the builder or a cost estimator to confirm the project aligns with your budget.
Construction documentation
We further resolve the Sketch Design, bringing it to life through the detailing of the structure, materials, and all internal and external finishes. This stage includes comprehensive interior design for kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, and custom cabinetry—including the selection of all fixtures, fittings, and finishes.
We coordinate the structural engineer, building certifier, and environmental consultants to prepare the detailed plans and schedules required for accurate construction and Building Approval. If a builder is already engaged, we work collaboratively with them to ensure the technical design remains strictly within budget.
Builder Selection and Pricing
If a builder is not already engaged, we select the right professional from our network of trusted builders. We provide them with comprehensive construction documentation to ensure an accurate, “no-surprises” project cost.
Upon receiving their pricing, if necessary we refine the scope of work to ensure the final price remains strictly aligned with your needs and budget.
We then guide you through the construction contract signing process, ensuring you are ready to start on-site with confidence.
Construction Advice
We visit your construction site regularly to provide ongoing guidance to the builder, ensuring the project is completed in accordance with the design intent and technical drawings. This serves as a vital layer of quality control throughout the build.
As the project nears completion, we conduct a thorough defects inspection and support the builder in finalizing any outstanding details, ensuring the end result meets your expectations and our high standards.