Any drawback of having Driveway on side of the house

kanchi7880 · Jun 12, 2007 12:14 pm

Hi All,

I have another question... Does anyone can see any drawback of having driveway on side of the house instead of front of the house?

I saw plans from all well known builders. They all have driveway to garage in front of the house. But my friend like a block of land and it has some restriction (because of a block of land situated in a way) that he can have driveway on the right side / left side of the house only.

We discussed this issue with Henley @ Berwick. They told him not to select that block but when I asked a reason they just had an explanation that they don’t have any design to fit in it. I asked them to change in one of their design but they said its not a good home design practice.

I don’t know whether any of you have this sort of issue before. Does any one have any idea which builder I can contact who can have this sort of plan or ready to change their plan in a way that can fit in.

Waiting eagerly for your replies…

Regards,
KanChi

Casa2 · Jun 12, 2007 1:28 pm

Are we talking about a corner block?

3timesbuilda · Jun 12, 2007 1:59 pm

Doesn't sound like it would be too difficult to do. Our builder, (Formula Homes) were pretty agreeable on any changes we wanted or required (completly different fascade), I guess you could give them a try. They have a display at the hunt club estate which is not too far from Berwick.

I am sure most other builders would also consider it. Ask around. I can't think of any technical reason not to do it.

3xb

kanchi7880 · Jun 12, 2007 3:30 pm

Casa2

Are we talking about a corner block?

Ya I am talking about a corner block ...

kanchi7880 · Jun 12, 2007 3:53 pm

3timesbuilda

Doesn't sound like it would be too difficult to do. Our builder, (Formula Homes) were pretty agreeable on any changes we wanted or required (completly different fascade), I guess you could give them a try. They have a display at the hunt club estate which is not too far from Berwick.

I am sure most other builders would also consider it. Ask around. I can't think of any technical reason not to do it.

3xb

Do you reckon that builder doesn’t have any problem to change their plan a bit according lot?

I just asked Henley and then thought other might not interested in that too to change plan according to our requirement.

I think I must ask other builder about it.

Regards,
KanChi

stonecutter1309 · Jun 12, 2007 4:26 pm

Hi KanChi - there are plenty of great corner designs out there. I suppose project builders don't like moving anything around because it increases their costs - so if you want to change internal walls - they don't seem to have a problem - but changing the location of a garage is quite a large structural change.

Check out these corner designs:

http://www.cosmo.com.au/property/proper ... N=48157573

And Jandson Homes - Odyssey (they are in NSW - not sure if they build in other states) - this is one of the best corner lot designs I've seen recently
http://www.jandsonhomes.com.au/flash.html

Or this one (though not as nice)
http://www.mirvac.com.au/forsale/homebu ... p?homeid=4

I quite like the idea of the garage on the side - you could have another roller door at the back of the garage for "drive through" access to your yard.

mudtrilogy · Jun 12, 2007 10:39 pm

Its worth having a look at the Henely Voyager design - (thats what we are building) and its designed for a corner block.

HTHs

kanchi7880 · Jun 13, 2007 8:27 am

mudtrilogy

Its worth having a look at the Henely Voyager design - (thats what we are building) and its designed for a corner block.

HTHs

Voyager is single story and I want to build two stories. Also Voyager has driveway from front side ... and I have a driveway from side of the block (right side) ... But that design is quite interesting and if we change a little bit we can fit it for two stories and side drive way. But I don’t know whether they are interested to do so or not??

kanchi7880 · Jun 13, 2007 8:44 am

stonecutter1309

Hi KanChi - there are plenty of great corner designs out there. I suppose project builders don't like moving anything around because it increases their costs - so if you want to change internal walls - they don't seem to have a problem - but changing the location of a garage is quite a large structural change.

Check out these corner designs:

http://www.cosmo.com.au/property/proper ... N=48157573

And Jandson Homes - Odyssey (they are in NSW - not sure if they build in other states) - this is one of the best corner lot designs I've seen recently
http://www.jandsonhomes.com.au/flash.html

Or this one (though not as nice)
http://www.mirvac.com.au/forsale/homebu ... p?homeid=4

I quite like the idea of the garage on the side - you could have another roller door at the back of the garage for "drive through" access to your yard.

Hi stonecutter1309,

All those designs are amazing. Thank you very much. I thought I would not find any one. I was really looking for something like this. I have a relief now by looking those designs, that at least some one is building homes like this.

But do you reckon these design some one can build it in Melbourne. Because all builders you mentioned are in NSW. I don’t know whether anyone is building these designs here in Melbourne. If you have any idea please suggest me. This helps a lot to make my decision. And I want to take it ASAP.

Regards,
KanChi

kanchi7880 · Jun 13, 2007 8:52 am

Do you guys think if I take any design to some small builder, do they build? If they do, can I get same sort of professional look and finishing from small builders?? Does any one have this sort of experience??

AdderVenom · Jun 13, 2007 10:17 am

Hi Kanchi,

I'm currently going through finalizing my house design with a small builder in Melbourne. I initially had a discussion with H**ley on one of their Esprit range a couple of months back but decided to pull the plug after realising they won't do any extensive modification on their existing plans. The small builder that I'm with right now is very accomodating to any ideas I put across. In fact, they actually designed my house from scatch. I'm building in the nothern suburbs and it's a corner lot as well.

I guess the extend of how you want your house plan to be will depend on several factors like council guidelines, land developer's covenent, etc. You may bring your current house design over to a small builder but if it's from another builder, there might be copyright issue involved so it's very likely changes will need to be made.

In terms of professional look and finishing, my mortgage broker actually brought me to view a house that his brother is building using the same builder. The walls are not painted yet but I'm happy enough with the workmanship to stick with this builder. Another reason I'm sticking to this builder is they provide a complete home with useful inclusions, i.e, full carpets and tiles throughout, 3 coat paint, locks on doors, rainwater tank, flyscreens, blinds, + more. Basically, inclusions that are normally left out by the bigger builders ARE included here so you'll be aware of the final price without nasty surprises.

You may PM me if interested and I can give you a number to call. No obligations of course, I'm just spreading the joy

kanchi7880 · Jun 13, 2007 10:49 am

To make my lot situation more clear ... I just created a blog on blogger.com

Click on link below. Please have a look and give me your suggestions.

http://kanchi7880.blogspot.com/

Thank for taking time and looking at my Post.

Regards,

KanChi

stonecutter1309 · Jun 13, 2007 11:34 am

The pic lays things out clearly - thanks

What about getting a builder to build a standard house - but instead of a garage - make those areas rooms - just like they do in display villages where the garage is the office.

Then - build a freestanding garage at the back. That should be a fairly simple job - no need to worry about insulation or plasteroard inside - brick shell, roof, roller doors.

kanchi7880 · Jun 13, 2007 1:17 pm

stonecutter1309

The pic lays things out clearly - thanks

What about getting a builder to build a standard house - but instead of a garage - make those areas rooms - just like they do in display villages where the garage is the office.

Then - build a freestanding garage at the back. That should be a fairly simple job - no need to worry about insulation or plasteroard inside - brick shell, roof, roller doors.

Yes, you are right and thats what I suggested. But still they are not interested in it. I think I must contact another builder and ask for it. Lets see what other builder is thinking about it.

mattwalker · Jun 13, 2007 1:27 pm

Stonecutter....

Lateral thinking....I love it!

stonecutter1309 · Jun 13, 2007 1:33 pm

KanChi - sorry I forgot to reply about whether those designs could be built in Melbourne.

It may be that you can purchase a copy of the plan to use - it is copyrighted to those builders - so you pay a fee to use their design and get a Melb builder to build it.

Someone else on the forum has used a design from another state and paid some sort of licence fee (I can't remember who off the top of my head)

mudtrilogy · Jun 13, 2007 1:44 pm

try these melb builders - apparently inc flexible
fernhaven homes

http://www.portplus.com/storage/2217/we ... emID=15714

http://www.premierbuilders.com.au/

just a bit more $$

kanchi7880 · Jun 14, 2007 10:51 am

How can I efficiently use 3meters of easement area?? Any good suggestions??

See a block of land I am interested in ... http://kanchi7880.blogspot.com

Thanks.

vpande · Jun 15, 2007 9:13 pm

Metrikon also has a couple of double storey homes with flexible driveway position. check with their sales person at Berwick. He would also be able to give a ball park figure af site costs.
good luck
vp