GOOD DOCUMENTATION

A Guide to Understanding Your Fee Proposal.

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 IT IS OFTEN HELPFUL TO PRINT A COPY OF YOUR FEE PROPOSAL FOR COMPARISOM WHEN READING THIS
DOCUMENT.

WHY IS GOOD DOCUMENTATION IMPORTANT ?

• The Documentation produced by building designers forms an important part of the legal contract between the builder and the
owner. Since your project is probably one of the single most expensive purchases you will make in your life, you should only
trust the preparation of your plans to a professional who holds your interests as paramount.

• Good documentation also protects the interests of both parties. It ensures the builder has an exact understanding of the
construction and of your requirements for quality. Good plans leave nothing to chance or guesswork that could lead to
disputes at a latter date. Reputable builders welcome good plans, not only for this reason, but because they know the value
of fast, hassle free, construction that comes with good detailed plans.

• At the end of the day, Good documentation costs less than poor documentation. Consider the cost of rectifying inadequate
foundations, …… 6 months after completion..!

• There is no ‘Standard’ or regulatory ‘Code’ for the preparation of building plans in Australia. The closest thing to a standard
is the Building Designers Association of Queensland’s “Recommended Minimum Standard of Documentation”. Although
there are many design firms who adhere to the Minimum Standard, Intext Design is a Chartered Member of the BDAQ and
is therefore bound by a higher code of ethics that requires us “to maintain the highest possible standard in
documentation and office procedures”. To further this commitment, we guarantee our work.

• Building plans are often requested to be prepared with the “Minimum to get through Council” attitude. Intext Design does
NOT prepare this type of documentation since research tells us it causes budget blow-outs and contractual arguments that
simply increase the overall construction costs. Our fee proposal is not based on “Minimum” documentation. We have
prepared this presentation to help you understand our fee proposal, but also to explain what constitutes Good
documentation. …… Read on to learn more.

1
PRE-DESIGN :
• After your initial briefing with your designer he will
have a good understanding of your requirements,
but there are many other issues that affect building
work. Legislative requirements, site constraints
(see later), covenants, planning schemes and
budget are but a few.

• At pre-design stage the designer must research

these constraints and explain the issues to you so
that you can make informed decisions. For example
a site affected by high bushfire attack can impose
some serious costs on the type of construction if
incorrect materials are selected. Similarly known
areas of landslip may warrant not using brittle
masonry construction.

• This research must be undertaken before time is

wasted on producing a Preliminary design that is
basically flawed and may not eventually gain
construction approval or worse…. Introduce faults
that will live in the structure for its life or cause loss
of a life.

2
SITE ANALYSIS :
Since your building will be uniquely designed for your particular
site, the designer uses his skills to assess the many issues and
possible constraints that the site presents.
• Wind speed,
• contours (ground levels),
• vegetation,
• size & shape,
• orientation,
• views,
• prevailing breezes,
• services,
• privacy issues,
• overshadowing
….these are just a few.

Your fee proposal lists the work allowed for.

3
PRELIMINARY DRAWINGS :
• This is where the designer uses his skills, talents and
technical abilities to produce a dimensionally stabilised
computer model of the building.

• The designer interprets and shapes the clients

requirements and combines them with the plethora of
information gathered during the research stage. The
requirements of Building Regulations, Codes, Planning
Scheme issues, Environmental and economic issues are
added to this mix.

• The resultant drawings provide the basis to discuss all

the issues such as boundary clearances, room size,
scope, arrangement, and proportion. Window size and
placement, furniture layouts, and other such issues can
now be discussed and decisions made to individualize
your project.

• Scroll down to view a set of Preliminary Drawings.

4
SITE PLAN :

• The Site plan is the starting

point for discussions on
issues such as access, tree
removal, overland water
flows, retaining walls and
other such issues

• Where plans from other

associates (eg surveyor)
have been prepared the data
will be included in the Site
plan.

• These plans will allow you to

roughly position the building
on site with a few stones or
pegs at each corner so that
you can make an
assessment of how each
living area will interact with
the existing site attributes.

5
FLOOR PLAN/s :

These are the designers’

interpretation of your initial
design brief and wish list /
line drawing. It incorporates
the designers’ research,
and his knowledge of
building practice and
legislative requirements.

It is his considered best

design solution for the site
and will incorporate his
knowledge of good design
practice in relation to
energy efficiency and
sustainability issues.

The designer may have

included options or details
that will enhance the
project, but were not
specifically noted in your
design brief. They are
offered here for your
approval.

6
ELEVATIONS :

• These drawings
let you examine
the bulk and
appearance of
the building.

• They serve to
explore external
finishes and
communicate the
buildings ‘style’ to
all parties.

• They serve as
the basis for
further
discussions.

7
 SECTIONS :
• Sections allow
you to gauge the
interior of the
building. Its
human scale and
materials &
method of
construction.

• Sections also
serve as a
means for the
designer to show
you any features
he has
incorporated or
construction
details that need
to be discussed.

VARIATION FEES :
• Your fee proposal has already been adjusted to include any
loadings that Building Designers usually apply to complex or
unusual structures. This is done to eliminate any surprises.

8
3D VIEWS (B&W) :

• 4 off of these
views, in black and
white give you an
indication of how
the completed
structure will look
in real life.

• These are usually

sufficient for most
client’s needs and
Intext Design will
normally include
them at no charge
for simple projects.

• They serve no real

purpose for
construction
except to give
those involved a
quick overview of
the project. For this
reason they are
not used in
working drawings.

9
 COLOURED RENDERS :
• Coloured renders are often useful to clients who wish to try out various
colour schemes, or mixtures of materials.

• These can take some time to produce so a small extra charge is normally
applied for this service.

PHOTOMONTAGE WORK :

• These images require a larger amount of time to prepare and are very
useful when marketing of a project is required such as Pre-sales, Spec
homes or simply to assist a Council officer in visualization of a project when
deciding a Development application.

10
 ADDITIONAL SERVICES :
• The Fee proposal itemizes any other
additional service or report/s that the client
may have requested at the initial briefing.

DELIVERABLES :

• At each stage of the project an allowance

for the assumed deliverables has been
made to ensure there are no surprises.

11
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT :
This is your chance to make the
design exclusively yours. The
designer has interpreted your
initial briefing but may be
restrained by regulations, town
planning, budget and other such
factors. He may have introduced
some design elements to certain
areas that you like and wish to
repeat these in other areas. He
may have included some options
that only you can decide. The
Design Development stage gives
you the opportunity to incorporate
your individual personal needs.

The designer can only guess the

amount of time required for this
stage based on the quality of your
initial briefing. Intext Design has a
unique ‘Checklist’ that will prompt
you to consider the many
decisions and assist you to arrive
at a final plan faster. An allowance
has been made in your fee
proposal.
Any un-used portion of the design
development stage is not charged.

12
 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS :
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT also consists of identifying and applying for
any Relaxation Approvals, if needed; briefing Specialist Consultants;
and making Applications for Development Approvals where necessary.

Issues such as Sun Studies, Energy efficiency, Boundary Relaxations

and Planning Approvals should be investigated, applications made and
negotiated, and incorporated into the plans, during this stage.

Another important part of the Design Development stage is it provides

the opportunity to commence dialogue with builders, to seek opinions of
probable cost,….this is most important if budget is a critical
consideration.

Some of the work required during the Development stage can be done more effectually by the client. For example - opinions of
probable costs from builders; if the client undertakes this work themselves it also allows them to judge the communication skills of
individual builders and starts to build a good rapport between the parties. This can be beneficial when contracting, since it is often
better to spend a little more on a builder you can trust and who has good communication rather than take the cheapest price and
have a bad building experience.

Your fee proposal outlines the work that Intext Design will provide, and equally important, that work which it will not provide. Make
allowance if you would prefer that Intext Design undertakes any extra work not shown ticked in your fee proposal. When comparing
fee proposals from other design firms, also ask what work they have not allowed to do.

For economical use of the design process, and so as not to protract the designers work, all of the questions and issues that may
have been raised during the Development stage should be addressed before going to the next stage – CONTRACT DOCUMENTS.

13
CONTRACT DOCUMENTS :
CONTRACT DOCUMENTS :

These are sometimes referred to as Working

Drawings. They are the technical plans that will form
part of a contract with your builder. They seek to
protect your interests by nominating best practice work
to the various trades. They are laid out more or less to
follow the construction sequence and the various
trades engaged at that particular stage.

They are broken down into subcategories as follows :

• ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS,
• STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS,
• OTHER DOCUMENTS

Following is an example of Contract Documents.

14
DRAWING REGISTER :
The drawing register is usually one of the
first documents in a set. It is a sort of
‘index’ and contains a list of all the
documents that will form part of the
contract.

In accordance with legislation it should

also include a Design Certificate showing
the designer’s name, QBSA license No,
and a signature demonstrating the author
has checked all of the drawings listed
against the codes on which the design
has been based, and accepts
responsibility that they comply with those
codes.

Documents that do not come with any

such certification may have no legal
standing in the event of a dispute, or the
designer may be operating illegally.

CHECK YOUR DESIGNERS LICENCE

No ON THE Q.B.S.A. WEBSITE
BEFORE ENGAGEMENT.

15
SITE WORKS.

KEY PLAN :

The KEY PLAN is a quick

overview or introduction of the
overall work. It will show the
Authorities at a glance the
property data and the intended
extent of :
• Partial demolition,
• addition,
• existing,
• or new work intended.

This plan also addresses any

previous approvals or
concessions gained and a
summary of how planning
scheme requirements affect, and
will be met, in the development.

16
DEMOLITION PLANS

Demolition Plans should be

prepared for Full demolition
or substantial Partial
Demolition works. This
applies particularly if this
part of the work is intended
as a separate contract to
the main Building Contract.

The drawings spell out

matters of :
• Main Contract,
• Safety
• Fees
• Standard of work
• Protection of
Existing structures
• Occupational Health
• Responsibilities, etc.

Where only minor

Demolition is required it is
usually a part of the
Building Contract and this
plan may be omitted if
partial demolition is shown
with the floor plans.

17
EARTHWORKS

Earthworks plans
are required for
heavy equipment to
establish the initial
Building platform.
They show :
• Platform
levels,
• Extent,
• Overland
water flows,
• Standard of
work,
• Tree Removal
• Etc.

EARTHWORK
DETAILS
Earthworks plans
should also show
details of :
• Platform
calculations
• Retaining
walls,
• Overland flow
drainage
requirements

18
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT :

These plans demonstrate to authorities

how the Environment shall be managed
both during and after construction.

ENVIRONMENTAL DETAILS :

Details should adequately describe the

methods and materials used in
managing the environment.

19
BUILDING SET-OUT :

These drawings allow the

builder to accurately position
the structure on site. They
serve to show the authorities
how the works comply with
minimum required boundary
clearances and maximum
building heights.

If a Structural Grid is to be
used for other aspects of the
building work, the Major Grid
locations will be shown here.

BUILDING SET-OUT
DETAILS :

Set-out details assist to co-

ordinate various trades and
delineate the responsibilities
of the various practitioners.

20
 STORMWATER & U/G
SERVICES.

These plans
demonstrate the
placement, size, method
of supplying
underground services,
rainwater collection,
rainwater storage and
stormwater drainage.

STORMWATER DETAILS : These are usually accompanied by a schedule that demonstrates

the calculations used to determine pipe sizes and that the hydraulic flow rates will be adequate
or the works. Details include best practice water management and environmental management.

21
SANITARY DRAINAGE :

These drawings show the size

and placement of underground
drainage lines. They can
include grey water re-cycling
methods if required by the
client.

SANITARY
DRAINAGE
DETAILS.

Adequate drainage
details need to be
provided to ensure
future structural
disasters and
drainage problems do
not occur.

Best practice, codes

and regulations need
to be noted here.

22
 ANCILLARY WORKS & HARDSCAPE

This work usually comes towards the

completion of a project, however since
it is a part of the “Site Works” it is
included here to show minor items of
the contract such as :
• Paths & Driveways,
• Fencing, Gatehouses
• Swimming pool
• Letter boxes,
• Clothesline etc,

ANCILLARY
DETAILS :

Specific Details showing the construction requirements must be

included to ensure correct construction standards.

Specific items of the clients requirements (letter box, fences, gates

etc) must be detailed to enable compliance with the clients needs.

23
 LANDSCAPING :

Blank Landscaping plans are

presented for input from the client
or associated Consultant
(Landscaper, Landscape Architect
or Nursery Suppliers).

The clients can complete these

and return them to the designer
for further input or simply annexe
them to a contract. This can be
part of the building contract or a
separate contract negotiated by
the owners. Either way, the notes
on these drawings protect the
clients’ interests during
construction.

LANDSCAPING DETAILS :

Details are provided with all Landscaping plans.

24
SUBFLOOR PLANS
STRIP FOOTINGS :
This is an example of the
footing plans that the
builder will use.

FOOTING DETAILS :
Intext Design will produce
all your footing details in-
house. Which means at
tender stage each builder
quotes on an equal basis
enabling you to compare
apples with apples.
More importantly this
speeds up the planning
process by freeing up your
time running around to other
consultants for Engineering drawings
and saves $$.

At construction these drawings will be

checked and certified by the builders’
Engineer.

WHEN COMPARING DESIGNERS

ALWAYS ASK IF FOOTING PLANS
ARE INCLUDED.

25
 SUBFLOOR BASE WALLS :

Depending on the type of construction

your project requires, either a Masonry
Base Wall plan, or a Subfloor Stumps
plan will be supplied.

These plans are fully dimensioned and

noted. Where applicable, a Structural
Grid will be shown.

SUBFLOOR DETAILS
All relevant details that will be needed for construction will
be shown on the plans.

COMPARE THIS WITH OTHER DESIGN FIRMS.

26
 FIXTURE
DRAINAGE :

Fixture drainage plans are an extension of the SITE –

Sanitary Drainage Plans. They show how the necessary
pipe-work will be concealed within the structure and
where access panels and such must be located. They
also nominate pipe size, traps, gullies etc. Planning this
before construction is necessary to prevent unsightly
bulkheads in the middle of a ceiling or noisy
unconcealed drains in the living areas.

DETAILS :

Any details required will be included in the plans.

27
 SLAB STIFFENING BEAMS :

Many design firms include

these plans in the slab
drawings, this often serves to
clutter the slab plan and can
cause errors. Intext Design
provides a separate,
dimensioned, beam plan to
eliminate this. After all, a
building is only as good as its
foundations.

BEAM DETAILS :
All dimensions, reinforcement, concrete
strength and other data will be included for
accurate pricing and construction.

COMPARE THIS WITH OTHER DESIGN

FIRMS.

28
 SLAB PLAN :
All slab engineering is done
initially by Intext Design. These
plans will be checked and certified
by the builders’ Engineer, prior to
construction.

SLAB DETAILS :

All the necessary slab details will

be provided, enabling builders to
price equally and tender “apples
for apples”.

29
SUPERSTRUCTURE
FLOOR PLANS :

Fully dimensioned floor plans

of each level will be
prepared. These are usually
produced at 1:50 scale, far
better than many design
firms, who use a 1:100 scale
as the norm.

ROOM SCHEDULES :

Schedules showing individual

room areas, heights & length
of perimeter, assist the
builder in quickly formulating
his tender price.

30
 ROOF DRAINAGE :

Roof drainage and flashing plans demonstrate

to certifiers how the designer has calculated
the rainfall volumes and made allowance to
provide for storm events required by the
building code.

Even those freakish 1 in 25 year storm events

(that seem now-days to happen once every
couple of years), are provided for, to ensure
your home is not inundated and you do not
miss out on a drop of rainwater for your tank.

DRAINAGE DETAILS & SCHEDULES :

All details to enable the proper construction of

the rainwater system and schedules
demonstrating compliance with the Building
Codes and Regulations are included with the
Roof Drainage Plans.

31
 ELECTRICAL PLANS :

Electrical reticulation plans

showing General purpose
outlets (normal household
power points), data outlets,
telephone, TV, etc will be
provided, for you to complete
with your requirements. These
can be returned to the designer
for further input or you may wish
to use your own.

LIGHTING PLANS :

Separate Lighting Plans to show

light fittings, air movement,
smoke and motion detectors, switch locations etc will
be provided for you to complete, or you may wish to
take these to your local lighting shop for them to
prepare a quote. The marked up plans can be
returned to the designer for further work or simply
annexed to the contract drawings as an addendum.

Regardless of which way you deal with your Electrical & Lighting plans they are supplied, noted with the relevant codes and
standards necessary to comply with the Building Code of Australia. This ensures your interests are protected during construction.

32
EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS :

The exterior Elevation

drawings demonstrate the
type and extent of the
external claddings and
finishes.

They are fully dimensioned

and notated to ensure
compliance.

They also demonstrate

boundary clearances at
various heights of the
structure.

33
SECTIONS :

These drawings are important to the tradesmen.

They demonstrate the type and method of
construction and are used to show items of
construction that may not be apparent on other
drawings. For example, a note on the floor plans may
state “raked ceilings over” and the extent, but it is the
Sections that show the angle and position of the
ceiling.

The sections also serve as a point to ‘call-out’ details

shown elsewhere at a greater scale.

34
WINDOW AND DOOR
SCHEDULES :

These Schedules itemise

the windows and doors and
serve to list further
information about joinery
items such as type, fly
screens, security screens,
locks, hardware, etc.

It also provides an
opportunity to specify
glazing requirements.

35
 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS :

All the details that the various

trades may need will be shown
in the plans. Where possible,
details that relate to a certain
trade, or stage of construction,
will be shown on the same page
as the Plan view for that
construction (Footing details are
shown on the Footing Plan,
Rainwater tank and pit details
are shown on the Stormwater
Plan, etc).

However there are some details

that may be specific to your
project or which simply do not
have a corresponding plan.
These orphan details are shown
here. The details demonstrate
best industry practice or
manufacturers requirements for
warrantee.

Most tradesmen will be familiar

with them. Intext Design shows
them regardless, so there can be no
argument over what was required.

36
STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS :

Many Design firms do not produce the extent and or quality of

drawings that you have just read about under
“ARCHITECTURALS”.

Some firms prefer to farm this work out to other Associated

Consultants. You must ask whether the fees for any ‘out-sourced
work’ are included in any fee proposal you are offered. You may
also care to ask if you can see an example of their work.

Intext Design does have the skills and knowledge to produce all of
the drawings described above and shows the fees in your
proposal.

Intext Design goes further for you than the average design firm by
also producing the following Structural Drawings. Read on to see
examples of these.

37
BRACING PROVISIONS :

The builder needs to know where to

build in walls or panels that will
resist wind forces and prevent the
collapse of the structure. These are
important structural elements that
should not be left to chance,
particularly in high wind areas.

Intext Design has allowed to

prepare bracing plans and
calculations. This is done for each
level if two storey or hi-set
construction is required.

BRACING DETAILS :

Both Bracing Details and

a compliance schedule
are included with all
Bracing plans.

38
TIMBER FLOOR FRAMING :

Timber floor framing plans

have individual member sizes
calculated and a written report
prepared, showing alternative
species and sizes for each
member is included.

A separate plan is produced

for each level.

A Timber Floor Framing

schedule is included in the
drawings.

FLOOR DETAILS :

All Timber Floor Framing

details will be shown on the
drawings.

39
 MASONRY PLANS :

If you project has a structural masonry

component a separate plan showing
masonry dimensions, reinforcement size
and first course layout will be included in the
fee proposal.

MASONRY DETAILS :

Of course if your project has a masonry element all

details for its correct construction will be shown as
separate details.

40
 STRUCTURAL FRAMING :
Structural framing plans
showing beam placements,
sizes, lintels, wall framing
and all items necessary for
construction.

A job specific framing

schedule is included with the
plans.

A Timber framing report accompanies all plans

showing alternative timber species and sizes that
the builder may use. This enables him to shop for
the lowest timber market prices very early in the
tender, and therefore saves you money.

CHECK TO MAKE SURE OTHER

DESIGN FIRMS INTEND TO PROVIDE FULL
ENGINEERING IN-HOUSE, Or

WILL YOU HAVE TO RUN AROUND

WASTING PRECIOUS TIME AND MONEY TO
ENGAGE A SEPARATE ENGINEER AND
INCUR EXTRA FEES ?

IF THE FIRM ENGAGES AN ENGINEER

ON YOUR BEHALF, ASK IF HIS FEES ARE
INCLUDED IN THE DESIGNERS QUOTE.

41
 ROOF FRAMING :

Many design firms do not

produce Roof (or Truss)
Framing Plans, instead they
leave this up to the builder and
the truss manufacturer. This
can be a dangerous practice.
The loads from these
components, in particular large
girder trusses, needs to be
known in order to correctly
determine other structural
components such as wall
framing, lintels, tie-down and
footing point loads.

Intext Design does not take such risks for obvious

reasons, but also because Workplace Health &
Safety laws may impact on an owner in the event
of an accident.

DETAIL DRAWINGS :

All specific detail drawings allowing safe and

correct construction of the roof will be included to
ensure water-tightness and durability.

COMPARE THIS TO OTHER DESIGN FIRMS

42
TIE-DOWN PROVISIONS :

These drawings demonstrate how the various

components are tied down through its
structure from the roof to the footings.

Calculations are based on the individual wind

assessment for your particular site. These
calculations ensure the builder knows the
correct method, number and strength of each
connection to ensure your roof and other
important parts stay intact, even during the
most severe storm or cyclone.

TIE-DOWN DETAILS & SCHEDULE :

All details and a job specific schedule form

part of the Tie-down drawings.

43
HYDRAULIC RETICULATION PLANS
Where required, Hydraulic Reticulation
(Water Distribution) plans will be
provided. These can be completed by
Intext Design or by the builders plumbing
subcontractor and annexed to the
contract drawings. This saves any
possible future argument about pipe
hammer or water pressure and such.

It can also serve to ‘future proof’ your

project against changing water usage
and just as important… conserve / re-
cycle water wisely.

HYDRAULIC DETAILS :
Regardless of whether you intend to
recycle water immediately or perhaps in
the future, it is always an economical
option to have your home plumbed to
ensure easy change-over if there are
future changes in plumbing legislation.

For almost no extra cost you can

‘drought proof’ your project by
nominating how pipes are to be run.
Without these details the tradesmen will
just take the quickest and easiest route
which may make future changes
expensive or impossible.

44
OTHER DOCUMENTATION :

As noted previously Landscaping plans, Electrical Power and

Electrical Lighting are provided with a schedule to follow, to the
client in a ‘blank’ format. These plans can be completed by the
client and annexed to the contract to save on fees, or for a
truly professional look they can be returned for further work
by the designer.

SPECIFICATIONS :

The Drawings and particularly the notes therein, discuss

the building work shown on the plans. They do not discuss
higher issues of acceptable tolerances, minor defects,
contractual issues, methods of payment, determining costs,
or other such matters. This is traditionally done in a Written
Specification.

The Specification add clarity to the drawings by describing

greater technical requirements of the work, standard of
materials, tolerance and workmanship required.

This document can be produced by the builder however if

going to tender it is better produced by the designer so that
all quotes are on an equal footing.

45
SHEDULE OF FIXTURES FITTINGS & FINISHES :

The drawings show generic items of fixtures, fittings and finishes.

Often these will be nominated by the designer. The drawing notes
do not nominate information such as brand, colour, model no, type,
etc.

When allowed for in your fee proposal, the nominated items will be
reproduced in a booklet called the Schedule of Fixtures, Fittings &
Finishes. This is supplied to the client initially as a draft electronic
document for further refinement. It contains hyperlinks to
manufacturers’ web sites for ease of editing.

An edited copy of the schedule should be returned to the designer if

it is intended to form part of tender documents. It can be annexed to
a building contract.

The items of FFF nominated in the drawing notes will be preceded

by the term “Unless Noted Otherwise”, (often abbreviated to UNO).
This advises the builder that during construction he must refer to the
schedule of FFF to confirm the item to be used.

46
PROJECT SCHEDULE :

The last part of your fee

proposal is the Anticipated
Project Schedule. It not only
addresses the work to be
done by Intext Design, but
includes an estimate of time
for others involved in the
project. It allows you to
estimate the time between
when you engage us, …. to
the time the builder starts
work on site.

47
OUR GUARANTEE :

When comparing the quality of service from any 2 design firms, ask for examples of previous, similar work. Study the plans
closely,.. Are the plans cluttered showing many aspects of construction on a single sheet or are they laid out in a logical
progressive order of construction, … do they show a single generic section or multiple specific sections,.. are they well detailed with
specific details on the relevant sheet, or are the details generic and heaped together where the trades that need them most may
overlook them, pay particular attention to the drawing notes, are they precise and un-ambiguous by stating the exact materials and
codes required,….or are they simplified notes that could apply to one of many buildings.

Imprecise, or short notes lead to arguments, worse still is the absence or neglect of a note defining a material, standard of work, or
method. This can usually be quickly judged by the amount of text on a plan. This leaves the clients requirements to be either
confirmed by the builder or by guesswork. Remember once a contract has been signed it is only by written variation that it can be
altered. This puts you somewhat at the mercy of the builder. Historically variations increase the cost of construction significantly.
Perhaps that is why they are commonly referred to as Budget Blow-outs.

Ask yourself, “How much will I save on Design fees from firm ‘X’ when compared to the risk and cost of a Budget Blow-out caused
by a single variation?” $200 saved on paper and ink can soon become $20,000 in construction costs. Multiply this scenario by
several variations and you will see why Intext Design does not produce CHEAP or QUICK plans, but GOOD DOCUMENTATION.
That is why we guarantee our work.

Please phone if you have any other queries about your fee proposal.

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