Financial Management for Design Professionals

Interesting Blog article from Enoch Sears on

starting your own design business.

www.businessofarchitecture.com
http://businessofarchitecture.com/business/starting-an-architecture-firm-marketing-finding-a-niche-interview-with-architect-oscia-wilson-of-boiled-architecture/

I didn’t want to be an architect. I wanted to be a CEO.

So I am an architect and that helps me run an architecture firm, but the reason I think that most architects struggle when they go out on their own is because they think of themselves as architects and I think you need to absolutely dispel that myth.

When you go out and you’re an entrepreneur, you’re a CEO, period. You’re not an architect any more.

So, you need to spend 90% of your time thinking about how you run an organization, how you structure it, how you get clients, how you’re going to build them, how you’re going to pay people, how you’re going to make an employee manual. That’s what you spend your time on. If you think you can do both, you’re wrong. You’re just wrong.

So if you do any back of envelope math, basic round numbers, how much do you think you can get an hour as an architect? Let’s say you’re in San Francisco let’s say 120. If you’re in any other city, it would be smaller. At 120 an hour, how many hours you really think you can work on billable hours, let’s say maximum you’re 80% utilization? So that doesn’t come out to very much money, right?

So and that assumes you have all the work that you can get, but in reality it’s a fulltime job just to get the work. So how do you really think you’re going to be able to bring in that many clients on that extra 20% of your time, like one day a week doing business development? It literally doesn’t work out, like it’s just not reality.

So I did that back on the envelope math before I started.

What I saw was that it didn’t seem like I can make a living unless I had a team of at least three to four people minimum. So I saw that right away because I knew that it takes a fulltime job to get the work and at least one fulltime job to do the work and then that ratio, one non-billable percent to one billable percent, it just does not work out. You need a few billable people to support 1% who’s not billable.

So I know I just used a lot of like big words and sometimes it’s confusing, but none of those concepts are difficult. I guarantee anybody who’s smart enough to be an architect is smart enough to learn them. So there is one book that I can recommend that covers all of these terms and some basic calculations. Enoch: Please. Oscia: Gosh, I thought I had it on my desk, but it’s called Financial Management for Design Professionals. So I recommend that. Enoch: Okay. Is that by Steve Wintner.

How to treat your designer!

interesting article from "Think|Architecture" advising clients on how to treat their designers:

http://thinkarchitect.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/how-to-treat-your-architect/?goback=%2Egde_2337575_member_193125463

I am boldly going where not too many have dared to go. I’m being honest about how to treat your architect. Be forewarned I’m going to spell it out.

Now I want to go on record that my current clients are wonderful and I treasure our relationships. I have many past clients that I consider dear friends. Furthermore, I’m not crying the blues here due to a fragile ego. I just believe it’s just a matter of education. As in any relationship, if you don’t learn, read or care about enhancing your relationships, they’ll probably fail at worst, or be unhealthy at best. We as the service providers must deliver the best service for our clients; it’s our duty and it’s the right thing to do. However, it’s a two-way street, it takes two to tango, or (insert your own idiomatic relationship analogy).

Allow me to offer a list of things to consider as you hire and work with your architect. Remember, this is a relationship not just buying a product or ‘just buying a service.’ If you want the ‘most for your money’, consider these things carefully.

1. Be honest – This is a virtue that is most important in any relationship. Most, if not all of the suggestions listed below come back to this one. Our relativistic postmodern world tells us we can alter truth to fit our situations. They’re lying. Your architect does want you to be honest with them. Tell them what you’re thinking, what you like as much as what you don’t like. If they’re worth hiring in the first place, they’ll really appreciate your honesty. Remember, honesty without grace and discretion can also be rude.
2. Call them back – This is primarily true for those searching for an architect. Once you’ve made an inquiry to an architect for their services and they’ve called you back or sent you a proposal, call them to let them know if you’re still interested in working with them or if you’ve decided on some other direction.
3. Tell them why you didn’t hire them – Architects will give up considerable time to meet with you, review your project and discuss how they plan to work with you. They may have even gone as far as to work up a scope of services and a fee proposal. This takes time, thought and money. If you choose not to hire them, so be it. But be “man-enough” or <insert your own idiomatic phrase> to tell them honestly why you didn’t hire them and hired someone else. We cannot grow or alter our interviewing or proposal skills if we don’t know why we “lost the job.” It’s the least you can do in exchange for their time. The Golden Rule always applies to these situations.
4. Tell them why you did hire them – Ok, you’ve signed the proposal and wrote them a check. You’re obviously comfortable with them. Now tell they what they said or did that gave you the confidence to hire them. It’s not just an ego boost, but it will help them understand in more specific terms how they have earned your trust. We already feel accountable to our clients. This only increases when we know why you like us. Try it and see what happens.
5. Tell them your actual schedule and your actual budget – Too often we lie to people about this item thinking it will be abused otherwise. We tell someone to show up earlier than we need them to show up because we believe they’ll be late. We lie and tell people we want to spend less than we are willing to spend because we think they’ll go over our figure. This doesn’t work in a healthy relationship. Tell your architect what your drop-dead-bottom-line budget is and tell them again if it changes. Don’t tell them a number and then spend twice that just to avoid a higher fee. The same goes for your schedule. Trust goes both ways. Wouldn’t you like your architect to trust you as much as you want to trust them?
6. Be patient – Yes time is money and you would like to enjoy your project sooner than later. However, architecture is made by a process. Hiring an architect is like being on a journey. First of all, they probably have other clients other than you ***gasp***. Also, coming up with creative solutions doesn’t always happen by simply sitting down and working on your project. This is a subject all to itself, so I’ll save further discussion for another day.
7. Learn to differentiate between what you want to spend and the concept of ‘expensive’ – This requires research and careful work alongside your architect. The architect’s role is to work within the boundaries of your budget. You may have to make hard decisions about what you can include in the scope of work. Some aspects might have to wait until a later phase or be scrapped altogether. However, just because a design feature does not fit within your budget doesn’t make it expensive. It just means it’s outside of your budget. Saying something is expensive has an implication of spending more for something than it gives value in return. This will frustrate your architect.
8. Be engaged – The best clients are the ones that are engaged in the process. This goes beyond discussing or talking about the fun aspects of design. It means you listen to your architect and are interested in the variety of issues and concerns they’ll share with you. When they ask you for input and a response, schedule time in your busy life and make the necessary decisions. I’m not advocating taking over the role you’ve hired your architect to play. Just pay attention to their work, review the drawings and information they give you carefully and be part of the conversation on all levels. If you’re getting bored at a meeting, end it and schedule another one.
9. Respect – Aretha couldn’t have sung it any better. Besides honesty being “mostly what I need from you”, respect is probably the second most important trait to give to your architect. Yes they are being “paid for their work”, but they really crave and deserve your respect. This goes for their time, their talent, their experience and their efforts. They may not solve your problems on the first go around, but they want to please you and they want to make great architecture. We all believe it will improve your life. Architecture is made by a process and comes out of a creative, but educated mind. Your architect is a professional and deserves to be treated as such. If they’ve acted otherwise, then go back to the first item above – be honest with them. If they’re worth hiring, they’ll deserve the respect.
10. Pay them…promptly – Have you noticed as Americans we’ve developed a habit of looking at bills and invoices as optional. I’m amazed at how many people feel they can use a service or have access to goods or products and not pay for them. Ask around and someone will vent about someone who owes them money. Architecture is a business and when a service is rendered to you, you must pay for it and pay for it immediately. Do you want your architect to be motivated to work on your projects within your schedule? Then write them a check as soon as the invoice arrives. Architects will generally work first on the projects that have no unpaid balances. Why should they work for free? Read item #9 above. Besides the business aspects of it, it shows a lack of respect for them and their work. If there is a reason you’re withholding payment, go back to item #1 and be honest with them. You still owe them the money, but if you need to clear the air, then speak up.

Architects treasure their clients and are painfully aware that without clients, there are no projects. We are driven by a strong sense of ethics and a duty to provide our clients the best service possible. I would venture to say most of us want to far exceed your expectations and in some cases blow your minds. We enjoy pleasing our clients. However in a relationship, both sides must work at making and keeping the relationship healthy.

Has this helped? What would you add to the list? What do you think? It’s ok, be honest.

Will there be a shortage of architects?

 

By Sun Joo Kim | October 4, 2012, 6:35 PM PDT

3Comments

more +

• Email
• Print
• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• LinkedIn
• Reddit
• Technorati

By 2014, architecture firms in the United States won’t have enough qualified designers to meet their workloads. That’s according to a survey by McGraw-Hill Construction, as reported by William Hanley in Architectural Record.

The survey of 1,007 U.S. designers found that nearly one-quarter of respondents anticipated a shortage of architects resulting from a combination of designers exiting the profession, baby boomers retiring, a lack of skills among architects looking for work, and less talent in the pipeline as job prospects discourage students from entering the field. Firms both large (more than 50 employees) and small (less than 10) anticipated some kind of shortage of designers, but nearly half of respondents from larger firms expect it to be severe.

In light of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) survey that revealed architecture firms lost 40 percent of revenue and more than 28 percent of staff during the recession, the news is not a shock, but it is worrisome. The most recent Architectural Billings Index, however, showed minor positive growth despite a huge drop in construction spending, from $1 trillion in 2008 to just under $800 million in 2012.
What do these ups and downs mean? Taking a break from this leftover recession porn to look around architecture offices, it means less architects are doing more work on lower quality, less profitable projects. Combined with the brain drain, the picture of the profession in coming years is grim.

“Architecture firms need to think strategically,” said Bernstein (vice president of industry insight and alliances for McGraw-Hill Construction). “Not only about how to draw talented professionals to their firms, but also about how they will attract more architects to the profession.”

Survey Predicts Architect Shortage by 2014 [Architectural Record]

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/will-there-be-a-shortage-of-architects/1734?tag=nl.e660&s_cid=e660

Free prelodgment advice services with council

Issue 2012-09

The introduction of free prelodgement advice by Sunshine Coast Council is set to turn development potential into development action. 

Getting expert advice early can save time and money in the development application process. This council initiative encourages people who have a development in mind to get free specialist advice first, before lodging an application.

Key features of the new service include:
• Three options to gain prelodgement advice – phone, counter, meeting
• Expert council planners provide advice for each option
• Multiple prelodgement meetings
• Meeting notes provided at the end of each meeting
• All advice services are free of charge.

For all initial enquiries, use council’s efficient and informative phone service. Call council’s dedicated planning phone number during normal business hours on 5475 PLAN (5475 7526). Development service counters are open at council offices in Maroochydore, Tewantin, Nambour and Caloundra. Visit Maroochy on First or Tewantin to specifically meet with council Duty Planners. 

Prelodgement meetings are available for customers who require detailed advice on complex proposals that are at a significant stage of their project development. Senior council officers attend prelodgement meetings to provide direction and explain the type of information required to reduce assessment processing times. 

At prelodgement meetings advice can be provided about the planning scheme and questions answered about planning, engineering, environmental health, traffic and urban design. Applicants are encouraged to provide substantial information about the development proposal before the prelodgement meeting. Information should include scaled plans that detail lot layout, building location and elevations, setbacks, access, parking, natural or environmental features and other relevant information for discussion at the meeting.

Multiple prelodgement meetings are useful for dealing with complex issues early in the development application process. Well prepared development applications can reduce assessment timeframes.

To request a prelodgement meeting, applicants can email a prelodgement meeting request form with supporting development application information. If the information is provided in hard copy, four copies of plan(s) and supporting reports are required. Prelodgement meetings are arranged by appointment and are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 First Avenue, Maroochydore.  Download the prelodgement advice services information sheet for more information on the benefits of council’s prelodgement advice services.

To find out more about council’s development services, call our dedicated planning phone number or drop into one of the service counters.  During business hours visit council offices at 10 First Avenue in Maroochydore or the Nambour, Tewantin and Caloundra offices.  Council has a phone number specifically for development application enquiries, 5475 7526 or 5475 PLAN.

Scienta Hesse I Personal Assistant to Executive Director Regional Strategy & Planning
Regional Strategy & Planning | Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Phone:    07 5441 8182
Email:     scienta.hesse@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Website: www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Mail:       Locked Bag 72 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Qld 4560

SUNSHINE COAST BDAQ OCTOBER MEETING

Wednesday, 10 October, 2012.

Pacific Paradise Bowls Club.

13 Menzies Drive, Pacific Paradise

• Meeting Commences 6.00pm
• No charge to attend meeting.
• (Tax deductible 2 course meal available for $20)

RSVP by 8 October to allow notice to club & advise of any special dietary advice.

SPONSOR:

SOLATUBE AUSTRALIA –

Matt from Coastal Skylights will update members about the products & services offered by Solatube.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

BDAQ marketing strategy, and other general business.

Rsvp to Brad Read at brad@brdg.com.au

Profile of Sunshine Coast community

Profile of Sunshine Coast community 

Issue 2012-08

 

Sunshine Coast Council has made it easy to find and understand census data specific to the Sunshine Coast using Community Profile. It’s a free online tool available on council’s website that provides data about Sunshine Coast activity centres and 44 localities.

 

The data provides valuable facts and figures about the Coast population such as age, family, education, income, housing, transport and religion. You’ll pick up interesting facts and figures about the Coast community like 65% of households have a mortgage or fully own their home, and 1 in 5 residents were born overseas.

 

Community groups, investors, business and students can use Community Profile to assist in decision making, funding applications, research projects, investment decisions and business growth planning.

 

Community Profile presents the data in simple, clear tables and charts and provides supporting factual interpretive information. Users can download figures and reports about specific geographic areas of interest.

Community Profile can also be used to compare the characteristics of different areas including locations within the Sunshine Coast, neighbouring councils, South East Queensland, Queensland and Australia.

To find Community Profile data on council’s website, click on the About Sunshine Coast tab, and look under Statistics and Maps.

 

Council is hosting a free information and training session about Community Profile at the Lake Kawana Community Centre on 22 October from 4pm to 6pm. Spaces are limited and registration of attendance is necessary, check council’s website for information and registration, email communityprofile@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or call 5475 7272.

Council Development incentives for the Sunshine Coast

08 Aug 12

Sunshine Coast Council has introduced a range of incentives to build a sustainable economy on the Coast.
Strategy and Planning Portfolio Councillor Russell Green said the incentives being offered are to get employment generating projects happening sooner.
"Council has targeted the incentives to support local business and attract new investment," Councillor Green said.
"We have removed any perceived or actual hindrances to worthwhile commercial development.
"It’s a balanced approach that will ensure the Sunshine Coast remains a great place to live."
The changes commenced on 1 July and are in place for the 2012/13 financial year.

• Pre-lodgement meetings are now held free of charge. This is a valuable opportunity for potential applicants to meet with council staff prior to lodging a development application. Make a pre-lodgement booking on 5475 7526 or 5475 PLAN.
• Development application fees have been reduced by 5% for all commercial, business and industrial land uses. All of the uses listed under the headings of Business and Commercial Use and Industrial Use are included in the 5% reduction.
• Development application fees have been reduced by 25% for seven selected land use types. The reduction is a fee rebate issued when use starts within two years. The rebate applies to approvals issued after 1 July 2012. The seven applicable land uses are:
• Office
• Shop
• Medical Centre
• Showroom
• Warehouse
• General Industry

For more information about changes to the 2012/13 fee structure visit council’s website.
To find out more about council’s development services call our dedicated planning phone number or drop into one of the service counters. During business hours visit council offices at 10 First Avenue in Maroochydore or the Nambour, Tewantin and Caloundra offices. Council has a telephone number specifically for development application enquiries, 5475 7526 or 5475 PLAN.
Media enquiries: communication@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
All other enquiries: mail@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

SUNSHINE COAST BDAQ MEETING

Wednesday, 12 September, 2012.

Pacific Paradise Bowls Club.

13 Menzies Drive, Pacific Paradise

 

Meeting Commences 6.00pm

No charge to attend meeting.

(Tax deductible 2 course meal available for $20)

RSVP by 10 September to allow notice to club &

advise of any special dietary advice.

SPONSOR:

CSR Lightweight Systems –

Clark Montagu will update members about the products

offered by CSR & Cemintel

GUEST SPEAKER

Trevor Reitsma will provide members with an informative presentation on their recent

Regional & State Award winning projects.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

BDAQ marketing strategy, BDAQ State update from Beverley, and other general business.

Rsvp to Brad Read at brad@brdg.com.au

BDAQ Technical, Legislation & Planning:

E-NEWS INFORMATION
September 10, 2012.

Cyclone Testing Station Report TR58


Recommendations for the Townsville Tornado in March for cyclonic and non-cyclonic areas:
 Reconstruction & repairs to be in accordance with relevant Standards
 Upgrade older houses at least to consider top plates of walls to roofing connectivity and to Standards Australia handbook for the upgrading of older housing HB132.2
1999  Domestic & commercial roller doors to have mullions for support for wind loads
 Regular inspections of structural elements for rot and corrosion and use of the CTS
brochure, Is your house prepared for a cyclone?
See: https://www.jcu.edu.au/cts/community-education/is-your-house-prepared-for-a-cyclone/view

New Standards
 AS/NZS1680.5:2012 Interior & Workplace Lighting – Outdoor Workplace Lighting.
Not in NCC BCA.
 AS1684 series amendments and changes in the span tables for MGP10, MGP12 & MGP15 seasoned softwood.
 AS1884:2012 Floor Coverings – Resilient Sheet and Tiles – Installation Practices.
Not in NCC BCA.  AS2149.3:2012 Fire Hydrant Installations – Fire Brigade Booster Connections
 AS/NZS3500.3:2003/Amdt 3:2012 Plumbing and Drainage – Stormwater Drainage The changes are in relation to the materials used for rain water tanks and the fasteners for rainwater components Table 4.3 has been replaced. Not called up under NCC BCA 2012.
 AS4254.1-2012 Ductwork for Air-Handling Systems in Buildings – Flexible Duct.
Not yet replaced current version on NCC BCA.  AS/NZS4666:2012 Insulating Glass Units Not in NCC BCA.
 AS/NZS5033:2012 Installation and Safety Requirements for Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays. Not in NCC BCA 2012.
 HB 90.1 Set-2012 Quality for Small Business

Building & Plumbing Newsflash 500


Amendments to the QDC for sustainable buildings, child care centres, and commissioning and maintenance of fire safety installations were adopted August 6 affecting QDC MP4.1, MP5.4 & MP6.1. Air conditioning Minimum Energy Performance has been removed from QDC MP4.1 as it is now called up at a higher standard in NCC.

(Source: http://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/newsflash500.pdf)

Joanne Galea

BDAQ Management Committee Member

Director of Technical, Legislation & Planning

Action to end housing crisis

Joint Statement:
Premier
The Honourable Campbell NewmanDeputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

Monday, August 06, 2012
Action to end housing crisis
The Newman Government today announced decisive action to end the housing crisis in the state’s mining towns.

It will fast track land releases for housing development freeing up land held by the Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA).

Premier Campbell Newman said today there would be no more fiddling around the edges of the problem as Labor had done.

“We want real impact and we want it fast,” Mr Newman said.

Initial action will accelerate delivery of more than a thousand land allotments in Moranbah and Blackwater.

But the process will quickly expand to other central Queensland towns, Mackay, the Darling Downs, Burnett and Central Queensland coasts, Cairns and Mt Isa.

The Premier said the Government had set a new direction for the ULDA, which was being merged into Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney’s Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.

“Under the previous government, the ULDA’s activity was focussed on delivering housing at the low end of the market and was limited to small releases at a time,” Mr Newman said.

“This will be totally turned around, where appropriate. Land held in Urban Development Areas by the ULDA will be released to the market for housing development.

“There has been obvious market failure in towns like Moranbah and Blackwater where there is an inadequate supply of land and therefore of affordable housing.

“Our action now will change that in the shortest possible time.

“The greatest impact on the affordability of housing the Government can have is to increase land supply to the general market and deliver more lots, more quickly.”

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said his department would spend $15 million over the next nine months to deliver 185 housing allotments in Moranbah and Blackwater.

“That land will be available by next March,” Mr Seeney said.

“I have also tasked the ULDA transition team to work closely with Isaac Regional Council to assist it in the early delivery of its Belyando Estate which will deliver 1000 lots to the market.

“Secondly, I have tasked my department and ULDA team to collaborate with Western Downs and Maranoa Regional Councils and the Gladstone Regional Council to identify projects that they can accelerate to deliver housing more quickly in the Surat Basin and Gladstone respectively.

“The Government will work with the private sector to meet land supply demand in some communities to ease the rental pressures currently being faced.”

The Premier said the Government was also conscious that there were other issues being experienced in regional and resource centres which were impacting on the delivery of housing.

“We will work with local councils to identify roadblocks which are preventing housing outcomes as well as opportunities or actions that can deliver early ‘on the ground outcomes’ in key specific towns,” Mr Newman said.

This may involve identifying ‘lazy’ government land which could be utilised to increase housing supply.

The initiative will include a series of workshops in 11 regional centres across Queensland which will provide the team with the chance to talk to people on the ground that are involved in the delivery of housing who know the issues and also the potential opportunities.

These workshops, to be held in the coming weeks, will inform the preparation of a Resource and Regional Town Action Plan for government consideration by December 2012.

Workshops are being held mostly throughout September with the first workshop in Dalby on 29 August. They will be held in the following locations:

• Dalby (including Chinchilla, Wandoan, Miles)
• Roma (including Injune)
• Toowoomba
• Bundaberg
• Gladstone
• Emerald (including Blackwater)
• Rockhampton
• Moranbah (including Clermont, Middlemount and Dysart)
• Mackay
• Mt Isa
• Cairns

[ENDS] 6 August 2012

Media Contact:

Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Deputy Premier’s Office – 3224 4600

Red tape cuts for development applicants

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastrcture and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

Thursday, August 09, 2012
Red tape cuts for development applicants
New amendments that will cut red tape and result in substantial time and cost savings for applicants for development approvals have come into effect.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said amendments to the Sustainable Planning Regulation would remove a range of triggers requiring referral of development applications to State agencies.

“Removing these triggers will mean 1500 fewer referrals per year in the Integrated Development Assessment System,” he said.

“These referrals were mostly for State agencies to provide advice only, and were adding to the regulatory and cost burden for applicants, councils and State agencies.

“Add to that, many of the referrals applied to applications that would not otherwise have needed referral, so the potential time and cost savings from removing them are even greater.”

Referral triggers to be removed include:
• Advice referrals for conservation estate areas, cultural heritage premises, and wetlands - Department of Environment and Heritage Protection;
• Advice referral for premises affected by acid sulfate soils - Department of Natural Resources and Mines;
• Concurrence referral for particular applications for preliminary approval -Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning; and
• Concurrence referrals for purposes of community uses, places of worship, and education-care service premises-child care centres - Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Mr Seeney said the regulation also included an important reform that would streamline the way leases were given for housing in Indigenous communities.

“Under the new amendments, social housing tenants will be able to convert their tenancy to a long term lease without triggering the need for a development application,” he said.

“This will put them on par with people purchasing dwellings on freehold land where development approvals are not triggered by sales.”

“It is an important step so Indigenous residents are not caught up in red tape.”

Mr Seeney said the focus would now shift to expressing the State’s interest in the matters previously covered through the referrals in a more up front way.
[ENDS] 9 August 2012
Media Contact: Kate Haddan – 3224 4600

Draftsman, Building Designer, Architect: What’s the difference

If you are looking at getting some plans drawn for your next building project it may be useful to know the difference between a Draftsman, Building Designer and Architect. They all prepare plans for building projects, and here are the key differences between them:

• Draftsmen

are generally TAFE qualified, and would normally work under the supervision of an architect or building designer. Some will also produce drawings for builders. A draftsman is not licensed and therefore in Queensland is not permitted to produce plans directly for a consumer.

• Building Designers

are either TAFE or Tertiary qualified. They must be licensed in Queensland by the Building Services Authority (BSA) under the name “Building Designer”. This means that in Queensland building designers are registered under the same licensing system as all builders and building contractors. A condition of the BSA license is that a Building Designer must hold professional indemnity insurance. In Queensland there are three tiers of builing design licenses, depending on qualifications and experience. With the highest tier there is no difference in the work that can be done by a building designer as opposed to an architect. A Building Designer must be registered in Queensland to prepare plans directly for a consumer. For more information on Building Designers go to www.bdaq.com.au or www.findabuildingdesigner.com.au

• Architects

are tertiary qualified, must pass an architectural practice exam, and be registered by the Board of Architects of Queensland (BOAQ). The BOAQ is a statutory authority established under the Architects Act 2002, which also protects the title “architect” and “registered architect”. The Act makes it an offence for someone who is not a registered architect in Queensland to call themselves an architect. Architects have the training to design a wide range of building types from small dwellings to city high-rise. An architect must be registered in Queensland to prepare drawings directly for a consumer. For more information on Architects go to www.boaq.qld.gov.au or www.raia.com.au

Registered Engineers are also permitted to prepare plans for consumers in Queensland. In summary it is illegal in Queensland for someone to produce plans for a consumer and not be a registered architect, a registered engineer or a BSA licensed building designer.
To protect your rights as a consumer, make sure the person preparing your plans is a correctly licensed or registered professional.

Written by Paul Hindes, www.soulspace.com.au

Published in Sunshine Coast Daily "Homestyle" magazine May 2012

 

SUNSHINE COAST BDAQ MEETING

Wednesday, 8 August, 2012.

Location
Amber Tiles Showroom,
Cnr Third Avenue & Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore

Meeting Commences 6.00pm.

Finger Food & Beverages will be provided by Amber Tiles.

SPONSOR:

AMBER TILES –

Debbie will inform us of new and exciting products that we can possible

incorporate on our projects.

BREEZEWAY –

Tony will provide an update on the latest from Breezeway

Please remember to

RSVP by Monday 6 August and advise of any special dietary

requirements

Brad Read at brad@brdg.com.au

State BDAQ Elections

The BDAQ Management Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting in Brisbane on Friday the 27th July are:

Greg Pershouse President
Steve Claridge Vice President
Colin Roe Secretary Board
... Ian Darnell Treasurer
Greg Van Dinter Northern Region VP
Michael Russell Central Region VP
Peter Nelson Southern Region VP
Glen Place Director: Training & Education
Joanne Galea Director: Technical, Legislation & Planning
Owen Kleidon: Director: Membership & Promotion

BDAQ State Award Winners 2012

BDAQ State Awards Night was an excellent evening

26 Categories in all

10 awards taken out by Sunny Coast Designers

Trevor Reitsma received the Premier Award.

• Premier Award Winner

Reitsma & Associates for his Oshea Residence

• New Homes 251m² to 350m²

Reitsma & Associates – Curras Annex

• New Homes 351m² to 450m²

Reitsma & Associates – Oshea Residence

• New Homes over 450m²

Brad Read Design Group

• Residential Alterations & Additions $150,000 to $300,000

Norman Richards Building Design & Interiors – North Maleny Residence

• Residential Alterations & Additions $300,000 to $600,000

Chris Clout Design – Lagoona House

• Residential Alterations & Additions more than $600,000

Chris Clout Design – Queenslander House

• Peter Modini Memorial Award for Commercial Buildings

Brad Read Design Group – La Balsa Business Centre

• Residential Interiors

Reitsma & Associates – Scanlan Unit

• Best Use of Colorbond Steel

Grant Williams Design – Boreen Point Residence

Congratulations to all the design award winners for 2012
and thanks to Bev Jorgensen for providing this information

Make My Sunshine Coast Work

Make My Sunshine Coast Work will be launched by the Property Council today backed by major players including the council and the Daily.

http://makemycitywork.com.au/sunshinecoast/

http://makemycitywork.com.au/sunshinecoast/

Think you have a complicated site?

How about this site in Peru?

See more at

http://www.architizer.com/en_us/projects/view/viewpoint-house/41958/

BDAQ Technical, Legislation & Planning

E-NEWS INFORMATION

July 15, 2012.

WHS Compliance at a glance: how do you rate?

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland have provided a checklist to measure your business

WHS performance.

It is the first step of the “Serious about Safe Business” pack. Download

all from this web link:

http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/business/smallbusiness/businesspack/index.htm

Why Check for Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which can be caught in buildings and create

accumulative risk of lung cancer and death. Although Australian Government tests

demonstrate an overall national low level of Radon, there is still a potential risk. Well sealed

buildings with poor subfloor ventilation or slab on ground are more susceptible to increased

Radon levels. Households with indoor smoking also suffer heightened Radon exposure. The

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) have plenty of

information in relation to the risks of Radon and what you can do about it. Check out these

resources at:

http://www.arpansa.gov.au/radiationprotection/factsheets/is_radon.cfm

PVC – Free Resources

When trying to specify PVC

– free products, start your research at these useful websites:



Greenpeace International website:

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/polyvinyl-chloride/pvcfree-solutions

(Although some links do not work, worthwhile to read.)



http://archive.greenpeace.org/toxics/reports/cfap/cfapm3.html



Bostik website: bostik_ecolag-m-0-g-383.htmlhttp://bostik.com.au/industry-products-catalogue-sheet-28810-bostik_ecolag-m-0-g-383.html

LED Lighting Savings Calculator

You can download a readymade spreadsheet that calculates an estimate of reduced energy use

and payback period for LED lighting specifications. There are many of these calculators

online. Look at the Green Lighting website for this useful tool:

http://www.greenlightingled.com/led-energy-calculator

Joanne Galea

BDAQ Management Committee Member

Director of Technical, Legislation & Planning

ATO changes - company directors held personally responsible

Legal Update - Urgent Warning for Company Directors - Directors Penalty Notice

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

The Commonwealth Government has made amendments to the Directors Penalty Notice provisions. These amendments have far reaching consequences upon any directors of companies that owe the Australian Taxation Office (“ATO”) outstanding:-

• pay as you go (“PAYG”) withholding deductions; and
• extends to superannuation guarantee amounts.

If a company has a tax debt payable to the ATO (often in relation to PAYG withholding amounts), the director may be served with a Director Penalty Notice (“DPN”), which will clearly state the dollar amount of the company’s tax debt.

A DPN is intended to make directors liable for their company’s unpaid tax debt

to read more see:

http://www.tml.com.au/_blog/Blog/post/Legal_Update_-_PAYG/

2012 Regional Design Award Winners

BDAQ Sunshine Coast 2012 Regional Design Awards Winners

Announced Wednesday 13^th June 2012

1.       New Homes up to 250sqm: Norm Richards Building Design & Interiors - Ocean View House

Ocean View House - Norm Richards

2.       New Homes up to 350sqm: Trevor Reitsma & Associates - Curras Annex

Curras Annex - Trevor Reitsma

3.       New Homes up to 450sqm: Trevor Reitsma & Associates  - Oshea Residence

Oshea Residence - Trevor Reitsma

4.       New Homes over 450sqm: Brad Read Design Group - New Residence

New Residence - Brad Read

5.       Alterations & Additions less than $150,000: JOINT WINNERS

Trevor Reitsma & Associates - Scanlan Unit

Scanlan Unit - Trevor Reitsma

Simon Scott Building Designer - Private Residence

Private Residence - Simon Scott

6.       Alterations & Additions to $300,000: Norm Richards Building Design &  Interiors - North Maleny Renovations

North Maleny Renovations - Norm Richards

7.       Alterations & Additions to $600,000: Chris Clout Design  - Lagoona House

Lagoona House - Chris Clout

8.       Alterations & Additions more than $600k: Chris Clout Design - Queenslander House

Queenslander House - Chris Clout

9.       Peter Modini Memorial Award for Commercial Bldg: Brad Read Design Group - La Balsa Business Centre

La Balsa Business Centre - Brad Read

10.   Public Buildings & Special Structures: Norm Richards Building Design & Interiors- Maleny Indoor Activity Centre

Maleny Indoor Activity Centre - Norm Richards

11.   Commercial interiors: Brad Read Design Group - Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club

Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club - Brad Read

12.   Residential Interiors: Trevor Reitsma & Associates - Scanlan Unit

Scanlan Unit - Trevor Reitsma

13.   Residential Sustainable Building Design: Norm Richards Building Design & Interiors - North Maleny Renovations

North Maleny Renovations - Norm Richards

14.   Commercial Sustainable Building Design: Norm Richards Building Design & Interiors - Maleny Credit Union Alterations

Maleny Credit Union Alterations - Norm Richards

15.   Best Use of Colorbond Steel: Grant Williams Design - Boreen Point Residence

Boreen Point Residence - Grant Williams

16.   Best Use of Engineered Timber: Chris Clout Design - Queenslander House

Queenslander House - Chris Clout

For futher information contact: Paul Hindes – President Sunshine Coast Branch of the Building Designers Association of Queensland – paul@soulspace.com.au