I spent at least 2 hours with Harry Sprintz the architect and disability access planner detailing what my “grand plan” for the Merimbula property looked like.

Basically I wanted to renovate the duplex so that it provided an environment that was easy to live in for Desiree and I, now that she is unable to walk and is confined to a wheelchair. In addition I felt that we could renovate the lower unit so that it could be used as a short stay holiday respite venue for people with disabillities and their carers. I knew in Merimbula there were few properties that were suitable for this purpose.

Harry was excited about being offered an opportunity to become involved in such a project. His belief is that this project can be used as an “exemplar” project showcasing the many aspects of Universal Design.

He went away and put together a quotation for completing the job. As the project was going to be managed by myself, he suggested that rather than adopt the typical percentage of job approach, that the job was so unique and appealing that he was prepared to do it at a significantly reduced hourly rate.

He dissected the project into three stages

1. Preliminary consulting and design stage - $2,250
2. Design development stage - $3,750
3. Contract documentation stage - $5,850

A total of $11,850. This compared with a traditional cost method that would approach $18,000.

Desiree and I thought this through over a few days and decided to accept Harry’s offer.

You can download the full quotation document by clicking the link below.

Harry Sprintz Merimbula Access Planning Project Quotation