BUILD Q4 2019

57 Q4 2019 BUILD Jun19117 The Importance of Budget in Design Founded in 2004 by Property Developer Felix Milns, Zulufish is an award-winning architectural design/build practice and interior design consultancy based in London. Following Zulufish’s recognition in BUILD’s 2019 Home & Garden Awards, where it was named ‘Best Renovation Service for Budget Efficiency’, the firm offer some important insight into one of the most important considerations in any project: budget . ur philosophy is simple. Maximise the potential of the property within the client’s budget, whether that be a simple refurbishment, structural renovation or high-end fit out. We build strong, trusted relation- ships with our clients through honest, professional and creative advice, cutting-edge design and craftsmanship and budget-conscious intelligent build solutions.”- Felix Milns For some designers, budget considerations represent a creative anchor. A challenge. A limitation. For others, perhaps paradox- ically, a budget represents opportunity, a challenge to excel beyond expectations to create something extraordinary. In the luxury sphere, budget can seem to be a rather intangible thing but, throughout the design space, it remains utterly crucial – a vital element of the greater process. Where Zulufish have seen considerable success is in maximising budget potential– after all, it needn’t be an obstacle for designers to overcome. In this arena, they have thrived where countless others have floundered, especially those that operate in the lux- ury market. This is made more impressive when considering the firm’s portfolio, which delights in exploring contemporary, rustic and modern styles seemingly without restraint or struggle. As Felix explains, the most important things to consider during the initial consultation processes is to explore budget expecta- tions and establish realistic pricing from the outset. “It’s crucial as a designer to make clients aware of the costs up front and setting an expectation for potential unknown costs – such as problems uncovered during a strip out. Moreover, it is impor- tant to keep the client informed as the build develops and as it moves through the various stages. “Our design fees are extremely competitive and the fee structure very simple. We charge a fixed cost for concepts and planning, then a further fixed cost for the construction pack- age. Once the build goes live, all project management fees are covered within the build price, making the Design & Build route a very cost-effective choice against a traditional Architect / Contractor model.” By combining peerless expertise with this ability to design to specific budgets, Zulufish have distinguished themselves in a highly competitive space. No small achievement. Address: 26 Arlington Gardens, Chiswick, London W4 4EY, United Kingdom Website: https://zulufish.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8747 3743 “O