1 Prepare a Brief

A brief will help you to narrow down what it is that you want from your design. Before you decide on Wimmer Design, you need to work out what it is you want in a design team and what is most important to you.

A good place to start is to ask:

What is your maximum budget?

Where are you willing to compromise and where do you need perfection?

How many bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces do you need?

What size home do you need – tiny/compact or medium sized?

What green building principles important to you?

Are you willing to stretch your budget to incorporate the latest technology for sustainable living?

Do you spend most of your time in your lounge, kitchen or bedroom?

What is in your near future – retirement, a big family or visitors to accommodate?

Do you need a garage? Or room in your garage for a work space or are you a one car family?

Do you need an ensuite, a scullery, a study, a cellar for harvest storage or wine/beer, covered outdoor entertaining – or a tiny house?

Do you want a local design team?

Do you want a design, design and build team or do you already have a preferred building contractor?

2 As a Designer

Every designer has a certain style.

Wimmer Design is focused on exploring sustainable practices, materials and systems with our clients and will work with you to fulfill your design brief. For a start you will want to read our design philosophy, view the gallery of our work, the website and look at the skill-set of our team. If you feel that we are in alignment with your philosophy, then make contact.  We will work outside of our local area, especially with the tiny homes concepts or may be able to recommend a local designer who has a similar aesthetic who is near you.

3 Meet the Designers

Fnding the right designer for your project will pay off.

When you meet with a designer, it is best to ask questions that are going to help reassure you that you have met your match. The basics begin with – What are the qualifications the designer holds? Is the designer a member of ADNZ and what levels of competency does the designer hold under the Licensed Building Practitioner registration? What is the designer's experience? 

Then move on to questions that will help you discover if the designer will deliver on your expectations. Ask – What do you think is good design? What is your design philosophy? Can you deliver on our proposed budget? What do you like about our building site and where do you see setbacks? Will there be a Project Manager or do you do the work yourself? What are your payment options? Do you have any testimonials or past clients I can call? What is your favorite project you have worked on and why? Do you do all the design work yourself? Do you have preferred builders? What is your area of specialty- alterations, hill design, green/passive design, compact homes etc.

4 Clarify the Details

Like any agreement you need a contract to protect yourself and the designer. Ask us for a copy of our terms and conditions. We will make sure we provide you with a legal written contract that clarifies price, timelines and what happens with certain eventualities. If you do not understand anything in the contract or want clarification – ask your lawyer. We use the ADNZ terms of engagement.

Read it thoroughly