Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 May 06, 2009 10:44 pm My builder came back and said we might need concrete piers for our alfresco as we are building close to easement. It is hard for them to predict how much it would cost at this stage. Other option my SC suggested to add a pergola with a roof after handover. We are considering this option now. But, would like to know few more details: 1. Do we need council approval for this as it will have a roof? The size would be 3.3 X 4.9 m. 2. How much does council approval cost? 3. Can we build a pergola close to easement as it won't have a slab like alfresco 4. How much would it cost approx.?. Our alfresco would cost $8000(without the concrete pier cost) Any insight would be helpful... Thanks Re: Pergola Vs Alfresco 2May 07, 2009 12:01 am 1) you don't need council approval for a pergola - even to the fence line - even over an easement. However, you will need to consider the cost of taking it down if someone (eg water company) needs access to that easement - best to avoid building over an easement (even a little old pergola). As for cost, many people ask this question on the forum and the replies are usually that it is cheaper to build one when you build. However, that will be cost effective if compared to a "good quality" pergola you did yourself later. If you did an economic one (or built it yourself for example) then you may be able to save quite a bit of money. If you can afford your builder's quote - it will be worth it, short term and eventually when you go to sell. hope this helps, Annie A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Pergola Vs Alfresco 3May 07, 2009 10:03 am Thanks. My builder is not suggesting to go through him for pergolas. He is saying the markup is marginally higher if done through builder. My SC suggested to get quote from someone outside. Also, the for size I mentioned 3.3 X 4.9 m, he is saying the cost outside would be around $3k approx. Re: Pergola Vs Alfresco 4May 07, 2009 10:36 am I'm pretty sure that if you build a pergola with a roof, you WILL need council approval. With regards to pricing, I'm not sure, but there are many threads on here about the cost of posthandover pergolas. I guess it depends on what material you want to use, eg. timber v steel, and what type of roofing you want. I would wait to see how much the piers would cost (I am assuming it could be costly) before you make a decision. I would def prefer to have an alfresco with the roof incorporated into the house lines, then to get a pergola later on. But that's just me, and I know many who prefer to other option. good luck. Idiots are fun, that's why there is one in every village! - Dr. House - Re: Pergola Vs Alfresco 5May 07, 2009 11:23 am 1) I am 100% sure if you build a pergola you will need council approval !!! Well, certainly in our council - I built 2 pergolas at my old house, one only had a shadecloth roof and that still needed council approval, the other one had a colourbond roof as will the one we are getting built here. The council is also entitled to not only halt work but actually enforce removal of anything not approved - we did hear of someone who built a shed without approval and had to take it down before approval could be granted - then put it up again afterwards. Costly exercise 2) this probably varies from council to council - from memory, ours was $160 application fee. 3) Again, might depend on your council - in our case we are building right to the boundary but we had to get signed declaration from owners of neighbouring house to say it had their OK. I dont know about easements 4) depends on size, materials etc etc. Ours will be aprox 6m x 11m and will cost $12,000 - that's not counting flooring, we will have to pay for pavers afterwards too. Colourbond gabled roof with 3 laser lite sections. Re: Pergola Vs Alfresco 7May 23, 2009 11:17 am Hi Mishti, we had the same dilemma a few months ago when deciding whether to go for alfreco with piers 6.3 X 3.6 with builder (for nearly $11,000) or doing it later. So as funds are the main consideration, we decided to compromise and get the builder to do slab only (together with main house slab) and that came to approx $2700. We are hoping to get someone to put up a patio roof on later - we are looking at these prices and they seem very good: http://www.nowbuildings.com.au/specials.html but would love to have brick piers too - so will speak to patio companies to see how we can incorporate brick piers in design.. We just wished we could have gone with underoof alfresco as they look great! Building the 22sq Ashton Is there a building permit? RU in Victoria? What is the value of the building contract? 1 6831 About a year ago, I embarked on a DIY project to construct an outdoor Pergola, which measures approximately 5.2 meters by 4.0… 0 29619 i think option 2 is much better with easy access to the garden without having to walk through the new sunroom which makes it a better room for guests and TV .a simple… 2 8233 |