luxury custom home

I'M A HOMEOWNER, AND NEED A HOUSE PLAN... SO MANY CHOICES, WHICH DIRECTION IS BEST FOR ME?

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How you honestly answer that most important first question relates directly to how you envision your Needs and Expectations.​

1. Ask yourself this, "Do I currently KNOW what is actually required when submitting a house plan "package" for a (BP) building permit?

   • Be completely honest with yourselves at this junction in your decision making process.

   • The term, "package" is the key item in that statement above.

2. Where do we go to find out?​

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STOCK PLANS?.. CUSTOM HOME PLANS?

1. Good first thoughts of which direction to follow that 'ticks the boxes' best.

   • Important to note: Stock plan book resources may not be the 'one stop shop' they used to be.​

2. We have product offerings addressing both these options, one of which may work for you!

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ARCHITECT vs BUILDING DESIGNER vs DRAFTSPERSON

WHO IS THE RIGHT OPTION FOR MY HOME DESIGN NEEDS?

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• When you venture into the world of construction, either for a new building or a remodel, you are going to get a lot of advice from a lot of different people. The first thing people will usually tell you is to hire an architect, a building designer or a draftsperson.

• The problem is on the surface, these three (3) job titles can seem incredibly similar and yet, the level of service and associated costs can vary pretty significantly. So what separates them, and more importantly who do you need to hire?

WHAT DOES A DRAFTSPERSON DO?

• A draftsperson is an individual who undertakes the task of 'drawing' up plans. They focus on putting together the documentation and delivery of plans.

• The other thing that separates 'draftspersons' from architects and building designers is training and licensing. Currently, there are no requirements to become a draftsperson or certifications you need to hold, to operate as one. This is great for those who want to be self-taught, but that also means there is no way of guaranteeing the level of skill or expertise of a given draftsperson.

WHAT DOES AN ARCHITECT DO?

• Architects are the most licensed and therefore, the most expensive of the group offering. To be an architect, you must have at least a university degree and pass a licensing exam. On top of that, architects must continually get re-registered every year. That means they have to build the cost of their own education, licensing, errors & omissions insurance cover, etc. into their rates.

• Architects along with building designers, can offer and undertake all of the functions of a draftsperson. They can 'draw' up plans, give valuable input in the design materials and process, and deliver accurate documentation. However, architects and building designers also have the necessary knowledge and skill to make formal design decisions on the building to improve its form and function.

• Essentially, they can take what a client wants out of a building and ensure that it looks good, serves the purpose it needs to, and stays on budget. Anyone who has dealt with construction projects knows this isn't an easy thing to do!

WHAT DOES A BUILDING DESIGNER DO?​

• Building designers are, in essence, the 'middle ground' between a draftsperson and an architect. They have more training and licensing than a draftsperson, but typically do not carry the same hefty price tag as an architect.

• A building designer can effectively offer and undertake the same tasks (delivery, documentation and design) in a cost-effective way.

• It's worth noting that depending on where you live, building designers, like architects, still have to be certified to offer and do the work on certain types of buildings.

  • Currently in BC, provincial registration of building designers is not required. However under current legislation of the Professional Governance Act, these design services will be defined and deemed as 'restricted work' having 'reserved rights to practice'. Mandatory registration and licensing will be required within the next few years.

  • Those building designers that are registered through a recognized association such as ASTTBC, will be able to hold and use 'rights to title' with granted designations to demonstrate their level of professionalism.

  • Much like architects, those registered building designers are also required to continually get re-registered every year. That also means they have to build the cost of their own education, licensing, errors & omissions insurance cover, etc. into their rates.

  • Those same registered building designers are also required each year to take professional development courses and log them with their association to demonstrate commitment to the general safety of the public through continual education of building technologies.

• Building designers must individually qualify to offer and undertake design work on residential homes, small commercial buildings, multi-residential developments, etc. This gives them an extra layer of accountability and, therefore credibility.

  • Case in point, many building designers start their careers as a draftsperson and then later acquire the necessary education and licenses to operate as a building designer. Another interesting fact is that even after acquiring an architecture degree, a person is legally considered a building designer until they take the architect's licensing exam.

• Building designers are also more qualified to assist in the beginning stages of the construction process. Because of their extra experience and education, they can offer valuable insight into materials, use and even help you find contractors and construction companies.​

• To keep it simple, the biggest difference between a draftsperson, a building designer, and an architect is:

  • knowledge

  • experience

  • cost

SO WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR ME?​

• If your project is relatively small, like a quick remodel, it's usually best to use a draftsperson or a building designer. In these cases they can give you everything you need without the unnecessary cost of an architect.

• For larger projects, most people choose to use either a building designer or an architect. More in-depth and complicated builds need the problem-solving abilities of people with extra training, education and experience.

• This is a good time to talk about budget. Generally speaking, an architect is more expensive to hire than a draftsperson or a building designer. A draftsperson is usually the cheapest of the three (3) thanks to the 'low bar of entry'. Building designers almost always fall somewhere in the middle.

FINAL WORD...​

• Depending on the scale of, and type of construction you are doing, you may actually be required to hire at least a building designer for the construction project.

• It's always smart to check in with your local jurisdiction's planning or building official staff to get their general advice is always a great place to start. They can best advise you on local bylaws, building code and permitting requirements before starting any major project to avoid any potential legal trouble and red tape halfway through.

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DO YOU NEED POTENTIAL GUIDANCE or EDUCATION

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We are Building Designers yes, but we are also here to help guide and educate you on what needs to happen in an organized methodical manner to see your house plan package submission be a successful one!

 

Not all home plan providers are the same, so it's incumbent of yourself to ask lots of questions...

• Be informed FIRST

• Then decide which level of service and provider is the BEST FIT for you and your new home project!

• Know what is required for submission... Then ask potential "designers":

  • What they include in their services, and more importantly what they do not include!

    • The answers that come back could directly impact and influence your anticipated overall project direct costs. You may need to engage (hire) additional technical design consultants as a result.​

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HOW DOES DATUM POINT STUDIOS DETERMINE WHAT DESIGN SERVICE LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?

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That's actually easy to answer... With every potential client we ask lots of questions upfront to best understand a few key things first. Commonly known as 'the client brief'. We have developed a series of PDF pages that can be emailed to you to review and answer in your leisure, and returned to us. Once we get that 'snapshot' of what you envision in your new home, our conversations can be focused, rather than in general terms.

 

The answers you provide to us guides our process in providing accurate, informed follow up to those 'age-old' questions of:

• How much?

• How long?

Much like a doctor, they would not prescribe any treatment if they do not know what the issue is... so they set an appointment to have a chat about aches and pains you may have. Then they provide a specific, targeted approach to wellness and a return to good health... 

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The conversations we have regarding your new home is similar in a way. It's a major investment, yes. More importantly, this new home is an extension of yourselves, and requires the respect it deserves to arrive into this world looking smart, healthy and strong.

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Single-family residential building design should have a much higher value proposition in the built environment. Today, this profession is way more complex than simply 'drawing' house plans.

Quite simply... without an informed, quality building design process, there is no accurate build process. Full stop!

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WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DOES DATUM POINT STUDIOS BUILDING DESIGNERS HAVE?

 

Through ASTTBC (Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC) there are two (2) technical specialist designation 'Rights to Title' which have their own limits to practice:

• CRD (Certified Residential Designer) - Permitted to undertake limited scope projects of single family detached and duplex multi-family dwelling units within BC Building Code: Division B, Part 9 - Housing and Small Buildings.

• RBD (Registered Building Designer) - Permitted to undertake full scope of building design within BC Building Code: Division B, Part 9 - Housing and Small Buildings.

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Austin Werner CTech, RBD (founder, principal) is registered and in good standing with the following certifications:

• Designation title 'CTech' (Certified Technician - Building Engineering)

• Designation title "RBD" (Registered Building Designer - Building Design, Technical Specialist)

 

Professional & Executive Board Member - (BCABD) Building Designers

Board Member - ASTTBC Building Designers Working Group

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WHAT AREAS DOES DATUM POINT STUDIOS WORK IN?

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As per our registration and certifications, our permitted range in providing professional building design services falls within the  BC Building Code (current edition): Division B, Part 9 - Housing and Small Buildings.

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Division A - Part 1, Article 1.3.3.3. Application of Part 9:

Part 9 of Division B applies to all buildings described in Article 1.1.1.1. of 3-storey or less in building height, having a building area not exceeding 600m² [6458.3 sf], and used for major occupancies classified as:

• Group C - residential occupancies (single family detached dwelling, up to four (4) multi-family dwelling units.

• Group D - business and personal services occupancies (commercial), not exceeding 470m² [5059.0 sf].

• Group E - mercantile occupancies (commercial), not exceeding 470m² [5059.0 sf], or

• Group F - Division 2 and 3, medium and low-hazard occupancies (industrial), not exceeding 470m² [5059.0 sf].

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WHEN YOU NEED AN ARCHITECT, AND NOT?

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Short answer, any building intended to be designed within BC which falls outside the descriptions above typically require the services of a provincially registered Architect AIBC as mandated under the provincial (PGA) Professional Governance Act.

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Certified and Registered Building Designers who have the required education, training and experience would be able to undertake most residential, small commercial and small industrial project opportunities, provided they carry the appropriate certification, and insurance cover. Fee considerations are typically less than what an Architect might charge for the same level of required work.​

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ARE DATUM POINT STUDIOS BUILDING DESIGNERS, ARCHITECTS?

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No. Datum Point Studios, it's employees and contracted technical design resources are not in any way affiliated with the (AIBC) Architectural Institute of British Columbia.

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We respect their association and it's members, by upholding an ethical mandate in not designating ourselves by using the 'reserved titles' or referencing of the terms: Architectural Technologist, or Architectural Designer.

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IF YOUR PROJECT NEEDS AN ENGINEER (or engineers).. WHAT HAPPENS?

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No worries there. We have you covered by referring you to a full range of professional design consultants which 'may' be required to be involved on your specific project. These qualified, registered professionals would typically be engaged (hired) by you directly, and we would then provide the coordination services making sure everyone is on the same page (so to speak)...

 

Through our collaborative client process, potential requirements for these specialized consultants can be quickly assessed, and we can then best advise you of available options.

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MOST IMPORTANTLY

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• Allow yourselves TIME to distill what is before you in this journey to enjoying this new home of yours. It need not be an experience full of stress and dread. With some guidance and education, this can be one of discovery. Collaborating in designing the spaces, the relationship they each have with one another... the flow from one room to another, from one floor level to the next, from inside to outside. Its purpose driven, and special to you and your needs alone.

  • These conversations/decisions during the design phases are so important.

  • Take ownership. Do not let others drive this initial process.​

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• It is incumbent of anyone seeking building design services to ask informed questions of individuals or companies offering, and undertaking such services. If you are unsure as to who may be required to provide such services to your project, you can reach out to our technical staff at your convenience for answers to any questions.

 

Our experienced staff are here to help at no obligation and hopefully answer any 'general questions' or concerns you may have.

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