My name is Don Fini and I have been involved in the building industry for about 35 years. From 1982 to 2000 I worked at Fini Group as an estimator, construction manager, project manager and design/documentation manager.

In 1992 I received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Quantity Surveying and became a registered builder in 1997.

At Fini Group, I was involved in many different projects ranging from single residential homes, villas and townhouses, retirement villages and low and medium rise apartments to service stations, offices, warehouses, showrooms, and land subdivision.

From 2000 my partner (an architect) and I started designing and building one-off homes. Cost planning was an integral part of the design process.

In 2010, I became an accredited NatHERS assessor in FirstRate and in 2012 in AccuRate.

By applying thermal modelling during the design phase we could optimise the building’s thermal performance and examine the impact of our decisions on our cost plan.

As a consequence of this, I developed a strong interest in sustainability within the built form, especially the relationship between cost, thermal performance and environmental impact.

I am a member of the following associations:
Australian Institute of Architects (AIA)
Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)
Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA)
Housing Industry Association (HIA)
Alternative Technology Association (ATA)
Building Designers Association of Victoria (BDAV)
Australian Passive House Association

    We are able to offer the following services:

• Energy efficiency consultancy for residential and Class 2 buildings
   
• Energy ratings in AccuRate or FirstRate
   
• Lighting compliance reports
   
• Compliance reports for alterations and additions
   
• Cost planning
   
• Life cycle analysis
   
• Comparative analysis of building systems

ENERGY ASSESSMENTS

single residential homes: $5-00 per m2 

apartments: $400 per unit up to 100m2,
thereafter $5-00 per m2

alterations and additions: minimum fee $350, thereafter $5-00 per m2 

hourly rate: $180 per hour

COST PLANNING

negotiated on a job by job basis
hourly rate $190 per hour

PASSIVE HOUSE

negotiated on a job by job basis
hourly rate $190 per hour