Are you a self builder or looking to unlock the value in a piece of land or building? Have you found a potential development site? Do you own or are thinking of purchasing an agricultural building for conversion to residential?

Harvey Norman Architects can help you optimise the profitability of your development project with our Residential Development Appraisal.

Self build land and agricultural building Development Appraisal

Through our 5 step 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 converting 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.

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.