What do you like most about your job?
I personally love working with those who are building their own homes. Everybody has different requirements and lifestyles, and I like providing new ideas tailored to their project that they hadn’t considered. I love getting positive feedback that we have come up with an aesthetically pleasing & functional new idea which is spot on.
What are the first questions a customer should ask when hiring a building design professional?
How will you give us the best value design for our budget? What is or is not included in your fee proposal? Are you registered and insured to provide these services? We include this information on every fee proposal.
What questions do customers commonly ask and how would you answer them?
How much will it cost? We give estimates of the final cost in the early stages based on the floor area, specific to each job. Do you design sustainable buildings? Yes, our homes minimise energy consumption during construction and during their lifespan. Should we owner-build? We are familiar with the considerations, pros and cons of this & can discuss with each individual situation.
How can a customer save money before you start the work?
Hiring great ‘value’ consultants is important. Make sure your Building Designer, Engineer & Thermal Performance Assessor are all knowledgeable in their field. Selecting the cheapest could actually cost you much more during construction through poor design, but a great team will save on construction (structural beams, efficient methods etc)
Are there any special offers you provide which your competitors may not?
We offer a free onsite (Geelong Region Only) initial consultation in order to discuss your project and provide you with a quotation. We can also schedule meetings at your home which can save you the hassle of having come in to our office for discussions, especially if you have young children.
What makes you the most reliable and trustworthy person for the job?
We are working directly for you, so our advice is always unbiased and our interests are aligned to yours in getting you the best possible final product for the most efficient price.
What are the typical things that you need to know before you can provide a quote to a customer?
We will need to know your property address, A description of what you would like to achieve and to arrange a site visit in many cases. We’d prefer to have your title and any other property documentation (eg. Section 32) already available from as early as possible.
What makes your pricing competitive?
We tailor our quotes to each project and keep costs to a minimum. Our quotes will usually contain pricing for additional optional services which your project may or may not require. This way you are never surprised by any future cost or optional service, and can elect to proceed with a service during the process without committing initially (eg. 3D Visualisations/Walkthroughs).
Why should a customer hire you over another service provider?
At DIMA we create a detailed brief based on our clients wishes. We will always offer additional ideas and input especially in areas which may not be common knowledge such as structure, energy efficiency and bureaucracy, but we help make YOUR ideas and dreams a reality.
Are you an insured business?
We are fully insured. Our professional indemnity insurance covers our work for jobs of all sizes.
Is there a particular aspect of your trade or industry that you specialise in?
We have a strong focus on sustainable design and cost effective construction throughout everything we do. We are predominantly engaged to complete residential work, and have additional special knowledge in a few key areas: -Unit Developments & Resorts, -Acoustic Design, -Heritage Listed Buildings.
How do you normally charge for your service?
We usually charge a fixed price based on the scope of works discussed with the client. We keep all fees very clear and transparent from the beginning.
What experience, skills, qualifications or training do you have to make you the right person for the job?
Registered Architect (ARBV 19711)
Registered Building Practitioner (DP-AD 42629)
Master of Architecture (Deakin University)
Bachelor of Design (Architecture) (Deakin University)
Specialising in Sustainable Design, Heritage Listed Buildings, Acoustic, Joinery, Resorts
This Q & A was initially conducted by Oneflare and answered by Matt on behalf of DIMA Design Studio.
Registered Architect & Registered Building Designer from Geelong, Victoria