Process
This is the design and approval process. There are five stages which we take one after the other with fees payable at each stage. This spreads the fees out and aligns them to key milestones/outcomes.
Plus there are three additional, optional, construction process stages. Your construction process will be determined by your decision to either become an owner builder, or to sign a contract with a licensed builder. In either case, Earthship Eco Homes can be involved with the construction stages, assisting you or your builder to successfully complete the project.
You will receive a fee proposal with costs for each stage after you have done the Design Questionnaire and had a quick chat with Marty on the phone.
Plus there are three additional, optional, construction process stages. Your construction process will be determined by your decision to either become an owner builder, or to sign a contract with a licensed builder. In either case, Earthship Eco Homes can be involved with the construction stages, assisting you or your builder to successfully complete the project.
You will receive a fee proposal with costs for each stage after you have done the Design Questionnaire and had a quick chat with Marty on the phone.
Stage 0 - Design Questionnaire
The Design Questionnaire is designed to get you thinking about what type of design is appropriate for you and your land and to explain some of the options for the off-grid systems, roof tyre etc. It also captures some key info for to smooth out the design and approval process - your contact details, address of your site etc. Click the button below to start the Design Questionnaire. DO THIS FIRST!
Stage 1 - Consultation
Goal: Determine if your desired Earthship can be designed and built on your land within your budget.
- Online or face to face meeting: Discuss your answers to the Design Questionnaire to refine the Design Brief. Review site information (maps, drawings, local planning codes etc.) for advantages and disadvantages.
Stage 2 - Site Visit
Goal: Understand you and your site better, finalize the Design Brief for an efficient Concept Design stage.
- On-Site Meeting: Martin will discuss building orientation, location options, and assess site issues (bushfire risk, vehicle access, micro-climate, topography, solar access, wastewater disposal).
- Alternative to Site Visit: Detailed site information from you and your contractors/consultants (videos, photos, maps, reports, drawings) can be used, though an on-site visit is recommended.
- Finalise Design Brief: Including design features, constraints, budget, room types and number, occupants, timeframe, preferred materials, building style, and site location.
Stage 3 - Concept Design
Goal: Explore ideas addressing the Design Brief, providing options for your Earthship.
- Design Exploration: Floor plan, roof design, room size and arrangement, building orientation and location.
- Review Meetings: PDF plans sent for review before online meetings to discuss and improve the concept. Meeting Notes document design changes.
- Concept Development: Three rounds of concept generation and review are included, the third (final) concept guiding Stage 4. Additional concepts beyond three incur an hourly charge.
- Plan Details: Each set includes site plan, floor plan (with area), elevations, sections, and 3D views.
Stage 4 - Development Approval/Planning Approval
Goal: Develop architectural plans for Council submission for Development or Planning Approval.
- Consultant Coordination: Liaise with wastewater engineers, bushfire assessors, and others for necessary reports.
- Plan Refinement: Final Concept refined in consultation with you for required architectural drawings (site plan, floor plan, roof plan, elevations, exterior finishes).
- Material Details: Specific materials and construction methods are not required at this stage.
- Consultant Quotes: Earthship Eco Homes coordinates quotes; you are invoiced directly by consultants (site surveyor, soil bore log contractor, civil engineer, bushfire consultant, ecologist).
- Significant Changes: Client-requested changes beyond agreed concepts incur additional hourly fees.
Stage 5 - Building/Construction Permit
Goal: Develop plans and specifications for building certification, Council approval, and construction.
- Construction Details: Added to previous architectural drawings, developed with a structural engineer to ensure National Construction Code (NCC) compliance.
- Performance Solution Report: If required by certifier/surveyor, incurs additional consultant costs.
- Consultant Coordination: Quotes for authorization; direct invoicing by consultants (structural engineer, energy assessor, private building certifier/surveyor, performance solution consultants).
- Significant Changes: Client-requested changes beyond agreed concepts incur additional hourly fees.
Stage 6 - Construction Drawings
Goal: Provide additional information to the builder if required.
- Additional Drawings: Supplement Stage 5 approval drawings with more construction details, as requested, in PDF format.
- Recommendation: Optional but highly recommended for clarity during construction and quoting.
Stage 7 - Construction Consultant
Goal: Provide project management, advice, and support during construction.
- Services: Consult with builder, trades, engineer, conduct site inspections, update drawings as required.
- Recommendation: Optional but highly recommended for smoother project execution.
Stage 8 - Construction Workshops
Goal: Turn your project into an educational event to teach sustainable design and construction to volunteers.
- Workshop Management: Organised by Earthship Eco Homes, including advertising and orchestrating the event with the owner-builder or licensed builder.
- Labour Solution: Students help with labour-intensive tasks (tyre walls, earth renders, bottle bricks).
- Cost Offset: Student fees cover workshop costs (food, catering, camping infrastructure).
- Outcome: Win-win for you and the students, providing valuable learning and support.
- Recommendation: Optional but highly recommended for cost efficiency and educational value.