Design, documentation & manufacturing

Before we get started we offer a complimentary one hour consultation either in person at our office or via the phone or Zoom (depending on your location). This meeting will allow you to get to know us and establish a broad design brief for your project. With this briefing information we can then provide costing, timing and design advice for your particular needs on your proposed site.

Fairweather Homes will guide you through the architectural design & fabrication process which will take you efficiently through to the engagement of a builder and completion of your new home.

Concept design & construction documentation

Outlined below is a guide to the typical design & documentation process provided by MODUS Architects. Detailed scope of services and fees are described in specific project Client & Architect Agreement.

1: Concept design

This stage involves MODUS Architects being engaged to prepare concept design drawings to suit the client brief and site conditions. It is the owner’s responsibility to provide, via consultant engagement, accurate site information, including site dimensions, orientation, levels, roads, easements, encumbrances, and services. The owner shall provide design brief information such as number of rooms and their function and relevant design information and for the building and surrounding landscaping. Energy & water saving & sustainability interests and project budget should also be provided.

1.1: Client & Architect Agreement signed and approval to commence work; Site visit and inspection to gather and assess site information; Existing conditions drawings where required

1.2: Prepare first concept floor plan; Meet for presentation of concept plans

1.3: Receive feedback from client for incorporation into developed design; Prepare final concept design plans & elevations & 3D views; Prepare build cost estimate report (including manufacturing supply price estimate)

1.4: Coordinate discussions with authorities & referral organisations if required; Coordinate documents to support Town Planning (DA) application or Report & Consent (if required)

2: Construction documentation

This stage involves MODUS Architects completing construction documentation drawings and specifications based on approved concept design. This stage also requires coordinating consultants and preparing documents for building permit application and builder’s quotations. Note that it is the owner’s responsibility to engage specialist consultant such as geotechnical and structural engineers, energy assessor, landscape design and other specialist consultants as required. At the completion of this stage MODUS Architects will issue documents suitable for building permit, builder quotation, manufacturing quotation and construction contract.

2.1: Approval from client to commence work on construction documentation based on 1.3 concept design; Receive feedback from client, authorities and consultants from concept design stage; Meet to discuss client’s design requirements; Commence preparing updated developed design documents

2.2: Coordinate client, authorities and consultants feedback and advice for incorporation into construction documents; Prepare and provide final construction documents, drawings, specifications & schedules; Prepare build cost estimate report (including manufacturing supply price estimate)

2.4: Prepare & issue documents package for building permit application & for builder quotations

3: Contractor selection

This stage involves MODUS Architects assisting the client with selecting a contractor to build the project. Note that it is the owner’s responsibility to sign a construction contract with a builder to work in accordance with documents prepared by MODUS Architects and with Assemble Systems to receive manufactured building elements where the builder will oversee and be responsible for the project from site establishment, delivery & installation to project completion and handover.

3.1: Approval from client to seek builder quotations and assist with contractor selection; Issue documents to prospective contractors; Receive quotations and assist the client to assess submissions

Manufactured system

Outlined below are details of the typical manufacture & delivery process supplied by Assemble Systems. Detailed scope of supply is described in relevant supply agreement provided at time of manufacture

Purchase agreement, component detailing, manufacturing & delivery

This stage involves Assemble Systems manufacturing in accordance with the purchase agreement and project scope. During this stage all materials and components will be detailed, ordered, and manufactured ready for delivery to site for installation by your builder in coordination with Assemble Systems. Note that it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that building permit is in place and a registered builder has been engaged to deliver the entire project, insurances are in place including manufactured building elements, as well as site access is prepared and any authorities’ cartage and cranage permissions are received for delivery and access to site.

1.1: Preparation of preliminary quotation for customer approval; Prepare final purchase price; Purchase agreement signed for the manufacture of detailed building solution; Purchase price deposit payable at time of signing Purchase Agreement; Assess site location & access requirements; Review architectural & structural design documents & specifications; Prepare logistics plan & assembly strategy in consultation with the builder; Prepare detailed 3D CAD fabrication model; Prepare full manufactured supply items quantities take off

1.2: Purchase price staged payment at completion of 3D CAD fabrication model to commence manufacture; Manufacture of fabricated elements & systems

1.3: Purchase Price final payment 5 days prior to delivery; Deliver manufactured building elements to site; Coordination delivery with onsite installation by the Builder

Cost information

Each project is unique and therefore will be costed differently by each builder depending on inclusions, specifications and scope of work.

In our experience, the cost of completed buildings which incorporate the prefabricated panelisation start at around $3,300 per square metre for an average 3 bedroom home on a flat site (updated July 2024).

Please note that 2020 to 2024 has seen escalations in the cost of building materials and supply shortages resulting in average 10% to 30% increase in the cost to build. These increases may continue so we are not able to make any confident long term projections of building cost at this time.

Final builders cost will vary depending on type of building, finishes, complexity, site conditions, level of finish & detail, location & inclusions.

Please note:

– consulting site visits are charged at cost for distances greater than 50km from Melbourne CBD (negotiable)

– not all projects need planning approval however for those that do we seek additional fees to manage the town planning process

– all prefabricated supply items must be received by the builder and incorporated into the construction work by the builder