Stage 5: Contract Documentation

Down to the nitty gritty.

Contract documentation is where your architect works feverishly to document the new works to your home (everything down to the kitchen sink) to enable a builder to accurately price the project.

This package of work can be undertaken whilst your application for the planning permit is still being processed by Council (if you wish to expedite the process as much as possible). Or if you would prefer to wait until this is in place, can be undertaken once permit documentation has been received.

The contract documentation expands the outline plans and elevations already produced into be a larger set of documentation that usually includes drawings such as reflected ceiling plans, detailed sections, sectional and plan details of key junctions, window and door schedules, and joinery drawings. It will also include a detailed finishes and fixtures schedule and specification.

Given the extent of documentation and coordination with consultants (e.g structural engineer/ energy assessor) required to accurately price a project, this package of works takes a number of months to complete and is usually the most labour intensive phase of works for your architect.

During this phase the architect will touch base with you a number of times to ensure everything being documented is as you wish.

Upon completion of the documentation, the proposed works are now ready to be tendered to prospective builders.

What is tendering?...find out in our next section, Contractor Selection.