Are you a self builder or looking to unlock the value in a piece of land? Do you have a project brief? Have you found a potential development site? If you can answer, ‘Yes,’ to these questions then we can help you optimise the profitability of your development project with the Harvey Norman Architects Development Appraisal.

Through our 5 step Kick Start development appraisal, Harvey Norman Architects offers professional assessments, impartial and creative thinking and knowledge that helps you maximise your investment. Whether you are tackling a new build or adapting an existing property, having Harvey Norman Architects on your team will give you invaluable access to solutions, efficiencies and problem solving throughout your project.

Kick Start development appraisal — 5 steps to securing value

1. Listening

The first step is to ask guiding questions and to listen to you. In this early stage we need to ask difficult to answer questions which we may not yet know the answers to. Does the site offer a realistic outcome? What is the level of risk being undertaken? Are you paying the right price for the land or property and how much is it really worth? What can you build on this type of plot? Are services available? What are the chances of getting planning consent? These discussions and assessments will form the foundation of the next phases of the Development Appraisal. We aim to get clear on your brief, vision and feasibility options so we can support your strategic decision making.

2. site appraisal & Analysis

Building on the information we have gathered in step one, the Development Appraisal moves on to a more detailed site appraisal that requires a site visit. This includes Scoping and Site Surveys that explore any existing buildings as well as topographical, environmental and contextual assessments that could impact your goals and bottom line. We carry out a detailed Planning Survey that gives strong indicators of any potential planning issues. We also carry out a Legal Survey to ensure you are aware of any potential legal issues.

Making sure your plot of land or property is suitable for your development goals is essential. From an early stage, we can assess the development site, set out the options, and help you answer questions like what might be possible, how financially viable the property is, what planning you will need and whether you will be able to secure it and potential complications you would want to for sea and plan for.

3. Design FEASIBILITY study

We can develop an initial design response that accommodates your initial brief and the outcomes of the Site Appraisal & Analysis. During the Feasibility Study we can identify the design opportunities and constraints that are specific to the realities of your brief and plot. We will assess the different ways you can achieve your aspirations and present options to you and your stakeholders so you can decide on the best and most viable route forward. By developing the design and sketching out options we can present a concept design. We can create and add value in all kinds of creative ways such as designing a product that is attractive to the market, changing the use of the building, improving functionality, increasing capacity or making a scheme more buildable.

4. Cost & Time

Armed with the information we have gathered we can now offer a better understanding of the cost and time associated with the opportunities and constraints of the brief and plot. We will be able to advise not just on how to optimise the capital construction cost, but also on minimising cost in use. Throughout the project we will develop solutions and propose ways to reduce costs. This is highly important because the cost of maintaining and operating buildings through their life can stem from their construction cost. As your Architect, we will work to understand your business and ensure you are maximising your investment.

5. Way forward

Finally, we can help you develop the strategic brief into the project brief, set up the lead design team, manage a consultation process and help select the most appropriate procurement process and contractor. We can also perform a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) when required.

Building projects are complicated and as a consequence carry risk, and managing risk is a value-adding exercise.

Services:

•          Investigating the feasibility of the requirements

•        Developing design proposals

•         Applying for statutory approvals

•        Preparing construction information

•         Obtaining tenders for building work

•         Administering the building contract

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Getting value out of the development process is a challenge, particularly if you are an owner-occupier, or a first time or fairly new developer.

Appointing an architect from an early stage is central to optimising your properties assets and creating value.

At Harvey Norman we can apply impartial and creative thinking whether you are planning a new building, adapting or expanding an existing property. As architects we are problem solvers and can develop solutions and efficiencies before and during construction.

1 Listen

2 Analysis

3 Design

4. Cost & Time

5. Way forward

We will work to understand your needs and support your strategic decision making. From an early stage, we can:

• Assess the site,

•         Set out the options,

•         Carry out feasibility studies

• ·         Help you develop the strategic brief into the project brief

We will assess the best ways to achieve your aspirations and will present options to you and your stakeholders, enabling you to decide on the best route forward. An architect will work to understand your business and ensure that you maximise your investment.

We will add value, whether it comes from designing a product that is attractive to the market, changing use, improving functionality, increasing capacity or making a scheme more buildable. We will develop solutions and propose ways to reduce costs.

We can set up the lead the design team, managed a consultation process and help to select the most appropriate procurement process and the contractor. We can perform post-occupancy evaluation (POE) should this be required.

We will be able to advise not just on how to optimise the capital construction cost, but also on minimising cost in use. This is important because the cost of maintaining and operating buildings through their life can be more for the construction cost.

Building projects are complicated and as a consequence carry risk, and managing risk is a value-adding exercise.

Services:

•          Investigating the feasibility of the requirements

•        Developing design proposals

•         Applying for statutory approvals

•        Preparing construction information

•         Obtaining tenders for building work

•         Administering the building contract