Making Changes to Your Project

The key thing to remember about a project is that architects and designers go to great lengths to make sure that the design is properly balanced from the roof all the way down to the foundation. This means that any major structural changes should be made during the design phase, not during the construction phase. Theoretically, you could add space or move rooms around once construction has started, but you’ll run into some major problems.

You’ll need new drawings and possibly new planning applications for the changes, which means you’ll spend time and money as your architect and structural engineer go over the changes and approve everything. Changing the layout of a home changes the structure of the home. You’ll face major delays as your builder deconstructs most or all of the things that are already in place to start over with new foundations, new roof structure and more. The cost of your new home will skyrocket. Not only will your builder need more labour and materials to make the changes, but you’ll also be responsible for paying for the time and materials that have already been used but can’t be reused.

This isn’t to say that you can’t make changes at all. Changes that involve the home’s structure may be a bad idea, but there are many other, smaller changes that you can make. Before the plumbers and electricians arrive, you can tweak the layout of your fixtures, but you’ll need to consult with your architect or designer and your builder to see where they can be moved to. You can go with different kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and you can even change up the layout of those cabinets if desired. You can also make changes to paint and flooring choices, wallboards, window styles and more.

However, all of these changes need to be made sooner rather than later. Don’t expect to change the shape and size of your windows if your builder has already installed the framework for them. You should also make every effort to specify a change before your builder orders the materials, otherwise you could end up paying for the materials you originally specified as well as your new choice.

Overall - it's truly most cost effective to make changes during the architectural design phase of your home - before construction starts.