Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Oct 15, 2008 12:09 pm Hi all,
I am a young first home builder and am extatic about building my first house. Im considering building through myself (not through a builder) and was wondering if anyone knew of a basic specifications checklist that can guide me. Has anyone developed a checklist to list building aspects, say from things like door types, to floor tiles tiles, to colour schemes etc ? If anyone knows of anything, would be greatley appreciated. Thanks. Re: Building Specification Checklist 3Oct 16, 2008 7:05 pm hi mike
gl on your decision to owner build. 1st id work out what aspects of the build you think your able to do yourself and what you will be getting tradies to do. dont go into this blinded thinking its easy because there is heaps to learn research others posts to learn more and try and make an imformed decision rather then a monetary decision. dont be afraid to ask lots of questions even if they sound silly as for a checklist the way i did it was by looking at houses in a structural sense researching heaps and asking a million and one questions but my biggest tips came from reading others experiences and mistakes the biggest concern with this question is you have mentioned things that happen at the end of a build so it gives the impression your in far too deep but dont let it deter you just readjust your line of thinking start with the basics like plans-foundations-materials-roofing ect.... Re: Building Specification Checklist 4Oct 18, 2008 1:46 am Hi mike, building ur own house is very rewarding, but very time consuming. i'm a bit older than most here in the owner building section - i'm over 60, spend all day on site (6.45am to 7pm on the site) when tradies r working. IMO now working on my 5th & last o/b the big thing is not to take on too bigger & complex build first up - if u like & r successful at o/building start with a small buld, learn the basics of building say starting with a framed building, then become more adventurous - get some books on owner building that lay out the steps - if its ur first time, try & find a retired builder, brickie or chippy who might like to give u a hand with setting up profiles, sequencing activities so u learn the "process" - theres a lot of old chaps about who r retired but would love to teach/help for a few dollars & it would be money well spent. after u've done one by urself u can get some confidence for bigger projects. i buld my project on paper first - i have a file with sections for each stage with list of materials, labour & costings - i'm sure some of the books have this - by getting quotes for each section u can get a good idea on ur budget. i work it all out, add 10% extra on quantities for things i miss & add 15% again on each final cost - this helps cover price rises. i don't o/b with the view of saving much money, but more to make my building better than the minium standards. ie in d/brick i put in double the wall ties required & make sure that these are stainless steel - although AS are now this, i still see project homes with straight wire ties. i put steel rods from footings up the cavity to wall plate - most only use gal strapping in the brick work - this is over building but this is my last home & i want it to last!
hope these views give u encouragement- its the most wonderful feeling to build ur own home. but there r usually a few tears along the way.....but at the end its all worth it! cheers Tony Re: Building Specification Checklist 5Oct 24, 2008 10:19 pm Hi Mike,
My advice would be to research alot into the building side of things (I don't know if you have any industry experiance but it can make things a little easier) get to know te engineer that will be signing off on all the work as well, Main inspections are: Footings (Before they are poured) Slab (again before it's poured and he might want to look at the termite certificate) Frameing (this can be done in parts such as when you finish the first floor walls then when the second floor walls are up and finally when the roof goes on) After that it's just the final inspection when the building is done there is also several inspections for plumbing and electrical but the contractors will look after getting all that done. if this is your very first sort of build/reno then how about looking at getting a builder to do the house to lock up (so all framing, windows, external cladding, roof, gutters etc) then all you have to organise is everything that goes inside. it will let you know if you can do a full OB build with the benifit of if the builder does it to lock up it's not classed as OB just a reno so you don't have the problems of resale. However if after you have researched it all you still are keen on going for it good luck but it's alot more trouble/stress for you then having someone else build it for you. I do enjoy the drama:-D In his latest two videos he has started bringing security guards to site, I am waiting for the punch on to begin lol 6 46180 Hey guys building a new place through a volume builder and just wondering if i should complain to the site supervisor as we just had plasterboard installed. Looks like… 0 11538 |