The use of technology in the building industry has really taken off in the last few years, and although it may seem otherworldly, you can now visit your new home or space before it is built. At Nest, we use advanced 3D modelling software throughout the design process, allowing you to experience the proposals at various stages, before any building works start. This is an extremely valuble tool, as it means you have the opportunity to fully completely understand how new spaces work, what it feels like to move between them and visualise the building
from the outside. As the design progresses, new ideas that emerge can be fully tested in real time using our 3D package.
Whilst the upfront investment in both time and fees may feel unnecessary, getting things right on paper, and experiencing the ideas and options through VR is much more cost effective than making last minute changes to the design after the building work has started. As trained architects and designers, although we can read 2D drawings with confidence, we appreciate this isnt something that everyone can do. So its about bringing our ideas to life in a way that you are able to understand them, giving you full confidence in the design and
ultimately, the finished result.
You will need to decide if you’d like the 2D or the 2D+3D package before we start drawing up your project in CAD. It’s good to know this ahead of time if possible, as we set the projects up slightly different depending on what is required. If you decide to go with the 2D package, and later decide you’d like to see your project in 3D, we will esentially have to redraw everything which will incur an additional fee. We’re happy to do the 2D package, however in regards to cost savings vs design, we always advise that clients err on the side of caution here. It’s
important to mention that the design process is arguably the most important part of the project. It lays the foundations and set of instructions for the whole project and is an investment against all other money being spent across the job. The 3D package is a big part of this, providing you with a far greater understanding of what the final product will look and feel like, thus reducing the risk of things not being right when completed. The 3D’s also allow us to price the job more accurately, so a greater level of cost certainty, and improves your chances of having designs approved at planning. Put simply, they increase the likelihood of your project being successful, and reduce the risk of unknown costs.
Theres no doubt that this immersive approach offers significant benefits. It dramatically improves the whole collaborative design process as well as the final result. So, how much will it cost we hear you ask? Well, without sounding too vague, it really depends on the scale of your project, what is included in the scope of your design works, and the complexity of the property. But as a percentage, its usually around 50% of the cost of the 2D package. So as an example, if your 2D package is £6k, the 3D package would be an additional £3k. If you’re spending £200k+ on your project, this works out at just 5% of the overall cost.
