Having a previous layout to base your new design from definitely has advantages as to what works & what doesn't for your requirements. That's possibly where first home builders have a disadvantage. Glad the OB path worked - it can be fraught with problems for those who aren't prepared. One of th...

That's a great outcome. The waffle pod gives around an extra R1.0 over a conventional slab & the 100mm poly gives about an R2.7 insulation value. I would guess that you had a good liason with your energy rater & designer looking at the configuration you have. Did you look at any benefit of i...

I'd be interested to hear from people who have built a new home to the '6 star energy requirements' that were documented and whether their expectations were met as to the 'comfort' of the home. Maybe list the construction type & the star rating together with comments.

A pergola is an 'unroofed' structure. For the purpose of the regs in your situation it is classified as a carport (or the like). Within 1.0 met of the boundary the max. height allowed is 3.6 met with an average height of 3.0 met (vic. building regs 2006) Within 900, a 60 minute fire rating is requir...

'Welcome to the incompetence and bad manners of your average Australian small business in the building industry. Enjoy.' I'm glad I'm not an average small business in the building industry. I realise that it was probably an off the cuff remark but you need to be really careful 'qebtel' in case some...

The energy rating report details overall heating & cooling rates. It is a case of inputting the different insulation scenarios, getting a report and then comparing the cost of 'upgrading' against the $ savings in electricity usage.

Under no circumstances try and copy the existing stump spacing without getting expert advice on bearer spans, joist spans & the like. The founding depth of the current stumps can be used if the soil profile in the new area is the same & there has been no structural issues as 'building expert...

As Matt says, there are several steps that need to be taken to progress through to documentation for a Building Application. You're local Council may be able to assist with names of building designers or failing that the Building Designers website may be of assistance.

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As 'builderforlife' says this type of inclusive slab design from memory is not specifically covered in the BCA. Having said that, most reputable Builders & Designers would know the probable consequences of not including a fall away from the main building perimeter. The alternatives are probably ...

Just to clarify some points in case there is a confusion or misinterpretation of 'damp proof course'. With a slab on ground construction there is no 'damp proof course' as such. There is a plastic membrane under the slab to prevent moisture rising. In a brick veneer type construction on a slab there...

The clearance requirement is the same for all forms of construction types. A brick veneer wall, with the required flashing, (damp proof course) which goes from a brick course within the rebate up & across to the stud wall may help slow down water ingress but at the end of the day if there is not...

OK, so is there a minimum of 150mm from the floor level to the finished ground level & does the ground slope away from the slab for a minimum of 1 meter. If you answer no to either or both then the construction does not meet building requirements.

The short answer is no rain. Maybe you could supply more info as to the problem with a detail of the construction.

Appreciate that but if you, for example, had a neighbouring 2 storey dwelling that was visible from the windows that may be classified as overlooking. There may also be an issue in regards to 'energy requirements'. What State are you in.

If the windows allow overlooking to neighbours windows or 'private open space' then I would say yes.

A weatherboard wall does not (in normal construction) have a damp proof course.

In situations where water penetration is not a major issue such as in a garage a 230 wall is often used. An exterior wall to a habitable must have a cavity or as in the case of single skin concrete blocks a suitable waterproof membrane to the outer surface. On the face of it your Architect has a pro...

Definitely. Soil test after demolition. As previously mentioned the soil report should come back as a class P due to the variation in soil moisture content between the the exposed soil & the currently covered soil. Generally if the site is allowed to 'sit' for a period of time after demolition t...