DREAM CRUSHER

WE TALK WISH LIST VS REALITY CHECK!

In this episode, Rebeka and Kribashini chat about the realities of building for profit and being able to balance the values, design intent and livability to work within the parameters of your budget without sacrificing the architectural integrity of the project. Sometimes (actually, a lot of the time), we can’t afford everything that we want. Sometimes there are dreams to be crushed.

The more you build, the more experience you get in knowing how to weigh up what’s really important. There are so many decisions to be made along the way and it can be super challenging to come to a final decision that aligns with your overall intent for the build. Quotes can vary a lot and Rebeka and Kribashini talk through how to assess each quote to determine what’s best for the project. Sometimes the cheaper option is actually the best one. Other times, spending a little more money upfront will save you loads in the long run.

It’s easy to get stuck on some ideas and get devastated at the end of the build when there’s no money left. Rebeka and Kribashini discuss the importance of value engineering at the beginning to prevent you from having to compromise on the quality of the end product. The skill is in managing the budget from the outset in a realistic and tangible manner

At the end of the day, you are the captain of your ship and you need to point it in the direction you want it to go. The nature of building is an emotional rollercoaster with so many variables and unknowns but if you’re clear on your intent and the parameters of the build and have a great team around you, you can find a solution for any problem. And if you’re stuck, don’t forget that we’re always here to help.

If you have a topic or question you’d like us to cover, contact us here.

SOME TOPICS THAT WE COVER:

  • [1:40]: There are so many great ideas but determining what can fit into the budget is a challenging decision-making process
  • [3:00]: How we can get stuck on ideas and we need to use both our gut feeling and facts and logic to come to decisions
  • [4:15]: There are so many design solutions – find the right one that fits within the margins of your build
  • [4:50]: Value engineering at the beginning will prevent you from having to compromise on the quality of the end product
  • [5:55]: How building is an emotional rollercoaster where at the beginning you’re spending all the money and then it becomes really constricted towards the end
  • [6:30]: The skill is in managing the budget from the outset in a realistic and tangible manner
  • [7:00]: Quotes can vary greatly and experience will teach you how to work through all the factors
  • [8:30]: The general consensus is to not take the lowest quote but it’s important to assess the risk
  • [9:15]: It’s common to spend too much money on professional fees. It’s important to understand the implications of each decision and how that affects your budget overall
  • [10:48]: How going back to the vision of the Rathmines project is the ultimate decision-maker
  • [11:30]: Maintaining the 7-star energy rating whilst also keeping the architectural integrity of the project intact and considering livability factors
  • [12:50]: Fostering a great team can help you work through any problems but you need to have your vision and parameters set and drive the project yourself
  • [14:00]: You are the captain of the ship: the cost controller and vision controller and it’s not an easy task

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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Anyone is more than welcome to join our Women who Design, Decorate, Renovate & Build group. You will note that it’s a closed group but ask to join and if you’re into building and renovating, this is such an amazing and supportive FREE community, so come on and join in the building goodness!