Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Nov 17, 2010 8:45 pm Our builder is in the final stages of preparing our plans for council. We are getting a deck built and a colourbond roof over it instead of extending the roofline for the alfresco. Draftsman tells us this week that it is unlikely that our alfresco will be approved by our estate committee and/or council as this area deems the building space too close to the back boundary. The same draftsman has been running with our plans for a few months now and this builder is very prominent in the estate we have bought in, so pretty cranky that this is raised now, after paying around 10K to start the ball rolling once the initial drafts and quotes looked suitable. Has anyone had this problem with their alfresco and if so, what did you do to resolve it? We've been told that, worst case scenario, we can still have the deck but can only have one of those pergolas that have the bits of wood in the shape of a roof but without a roof, which is pretty useless in the heat of summer or rain. If we'd known this earlier in the piece we may have backed out and gone with another builder but am stuck now. so your ideas/experience would be much appreciated. Land at Chermside At tender stage Re: Alfresco deemed part of the house or separate to it? 3Nov 19, 2010 10:12 pm I dont think that would help, Lunchtime - you need council permission to do a pergola/alfresco roof separate to the house build and surely council would not approve it if it breaks their rules - any more than they would if you do it at the time of building. Re: Alfresco deemed part of the house or separate to it? 4Dec 06, 2010 3:53 pm Not sure of the rules but we had some issue with the council saying that a fully roofed area would count to the allowed surface area of the house .(which would have exceeded us) The solution was a vergola as its not a proper roof but can still function as one just a suggestion to look into, dont know if its relevant to u though and it more expensive than a normal roof Mike 2/3 of the way thru the build Re: Alfresco deemed part of the house or separate to it? 5Dec 06, 2010 4:06 pm It depends on the council requirements and any covenents stated on your land title documents. With us, the alfresco area has the same roof, but it is not counted as living space, just like a garage is not living area. I doubt a dif builder would have any other outcome (except for maybe telling you earlier) as the council is the decision maker. Built with New Generation (Summit Homes) We own land!... with a slab on it! Plus a shell of a house with stuff inside ! Re: Alfresco deemed part of the house or separate to it? 6Dec 07, 2010 10:07 am thanks for your replies. As for going with another builder, I know that council rules wouldn't be any different but I would've chosen a different design that included a covered alfresco. We've seen a few other properties in the same estate with covered pergolas much closer to the fence than ours. On speaking to our builder, they said they got exemptions for a few properties in that estate so will see if we can get an exemption too. Sounds crazy that it's all about the roofline, not the floor line. after handover we'll just have to put up some sort of covering ourselves and when it comes time to sell we'll take it down. A vergola does sound like a great idea but don't really have the funds for that. Land at Chermside At tender stage Re: Alfresco deemed part of the house or separate to it? 9Jan 04, 2011 8:29 pm The estate committee (who approve plans prior to going to council) not only knocked back the roof but the size of the alfresco too. We've had to reduce the width of the alfresco by a metre, so now a full table setting won't fit on it which is most disappointing to say the least. Apparently there's a rule in that estate that no structures can be built within a particular distance from the fence, regardless of the setback rules for the house itself. Still no promises the reduced alfresco will get approved as we are on a sloping block and there may be issues with privacy of the back neighbours. I guess I know now why the land was put back on the market. So once the builder comes back from hols they will redraft the plans and send them off to council when we just wait to hear. I really don't want to have a small landing at the back door and stairs leading to an undercover area on the ground but looks like it's going that way. Land at Chermside At tender stage Re: Alfresco deemed part of the house or separate to it? 10Jan 04, 2011 9:23 pm thats tough luck man. I feel for you. I have the same builder in Greystanes (not the lakewood estate) and also selected the design due to large integrated (as in roof line) alfresco at the rear. fingers crossed Re: Alfresco deemed part of the house or separate to it? 11Jan 15, 2011 8:48 pm Zozo, I feel your pain. Handing $ over to have plans drawn up by someone who doesn't first think to consider the relevant building regulations for your land - been there. Having Council add thousands of dollars to our costs demanding we put up privacy screens to our decking because our planners didn't consider the set back regulations - words can't describe it. But having to also deal with a committee who may overide regulations set by council - that's priceless. If you have the time and patience, firstly ignore anything the committee has to say and let them take it to VCAT if their not happy with what your paying for. Chances are they won't bother. We have plans, sloping block, upstairs alfresco area, planning permits approved. But we are cutting ties with our planners and putting our hard earned lost $ down to valuable knowledge learned. Although it's alot for us, we're still in a position to move on. We're leaning towards a builder who over the time have been able to offer feedback and are prepared to help with some redesign so that we can avoid the privacy screens. Our situation is different because we are under existing roof line but ouch for the costs when quotes come in? If I had known this I would have considered other options. You may contact council yourself, tell them your thinking of buying/building in the area (withough disclosing your current situation) and seek information yourself. It's amazing how much I've learned doing this myself. Ask lots of questions before any changes are made, particularly if going back and forwards between council is going to add costs for you and make sure what they design fits in within the required regulations, not the other way around. Hope this helps some and good luck Thank you so much for your response. I have drawn a pedestrian gate in - for curb appeal, let's see how much costs come in at. I think you're right - if we decide to… 2 6551 Hello! I've alfresco pitch of 3 degrees sitting just below the highlight window. Need advice on below: 1. Will the 3 degree pitch be ok to drain the rain water? The roof… 0 4203 Hi everyone, Newbie renovator here, after some advice for combining our family room in the picture and the alfresco and make a larger family room. 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