Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Nov 22, 2010 4:51 pm Hi all, A couple of questions: 1. Was wondering how you go about building a deck yourself, without having a BSA license? The deck I want to build is about 50m², so presumably I'll require building consent. It will be below 1m high as it is a ground level deck. I can draft/design the plans myself but when it comes to build, the cost is going to be over the $3300 threshold whereby it is classified as 'building work' and needs to be completed by someone with a license. Can I engage a licensed builder to inspect my work at pertinent stages and sign-off on the final product? If so, any idea how much this would cost? 2. I've read some of the excellent posts in this forum about deck design/construction which has been very helpful. I do have a specific query regarding the 'non-use' of ledger boards against the house. I wish to deck our alfresco which is rectangular in shape and is enclosed by the house on two perpendicular sides. I plan on having posts 300mm away from the sides of the house and cantilevering the joists over the bearers to butt up against the house (to avoid having ledgers on the house). My problem however, is that by having the joists running in one direction, they can cantilever up to one of the house sides, but will be running parallel to the other house side. For the 'other' house side, do I have any options without having to use a ledger? Re: Building a big deck yourself in QLD (Gold Coast) 2Nov 22, 2010 8:51 pm Hi atagnat, I can't help you with your deck building but I'm sure someone on this forum could help. If not you could try asking the same question on this forum - http://www.*.com/f196/ I found great tips for cleaning and oiling for decking etc. Gold Coast mmmm!!! gotta love Max Brenner - Chocolate Fondue and Cappuccino!!! Re: Building a big deck yourself in QLD (Gold Coast) 3Nov 22, 2010 9:46 pm Im planning on a similar sort of build. DIY is going to be the only way it gets done as it will be a while before we will have any spare cash. I am planning to break up the build in two 3 components, our design will work well with that and tackle one part at a time. I guess this would get around your $3300 limit as neither of the components will exceed that cost. Could you do something similar? From what i can tell ground level decks dont require approval (at least in my area) I have been reading the above forum and got a lot of ideas on how I go about it. I am currently writing up materials lists to work out costs and tools needed. I am a bit concerned as its going to be a huge task - but I am prepared to take my time, plan well and read just about every thread on the subject. I have also ordered what i am told is an exceptional book on the project 'Australian Deck and Pergola Construction Manual Re: Building a big deck yourself in QLD (Gold Coast) 4Nov 23, 2010 10:08 am Cheers for the link Jazzie. Also, have never heard of Max Brenner but after looking at the website it looks dangerous. (For my weight!). I will try though... Lunchtime - I did think about doing the build in two 'stages' to get around the $3300 limit but I really want the whole thing built at once. I would also imagine that you'd have to submit two separate building consents for separate stages of works. To be honest I'm not 100% sure about the requirement for building consent, but with it being 50m² I can't imagine council not requiring one even if it is only on the ground floor. Will have to give the council a phone call I think. The GCCC website is rubbish! There are some excellent pdf guides online - also try the Bunnings website link below - it has a few vids of each stage of deck construction, which cover the basics and actually provide some very good tips. http://www.bunnings.com.au/learn-how-to ... ideos.aspx Select 'Builders and Renovators' from the drop down menu, then scroll down to 'Building a Deck' parts 1 to 4. Re: Building a big deck yourself in QLD (Gold Coast) 5Nov 23, 2010 8:08 pm I can give you the Victorian perspective on the topic. There may be differences however it may help somewhat. I have almost finished a 28 sq meter low level deck. * The deck required a building permit due to its size (anything over 10 sq meters requires one in my council) * I was able to complete the work DIY however obviously needed to pass the inspections from the building surveyor as part of the permit * Provided the cost of the job was under $12, 000 I didn't require a builders license or complete the owner builder course * Also cause it was under $12,000 I wasn't required to take out any form of insurance (included 7 yrs defects liability for any future owner) * I believe if I sell the house from the date of final inspection of the deck I am required to provide a defects statement to the new owner as part of the contract of sale of the house * The building inspector will provide a certificate at the end of the build after the final inspection (think its called a cert. of final inspection) * As an owner builder your in control of the site, safety wise and therefore your liable if anyone is hurt during the build, I believe including tradesman you may get into assist (if required). So some form of building insurance may be wise if your planning that. As far as your design goes, I have done it exactly how you have described with a cantilever joist arrangement. You will also have a cantilever with your bearers. The joists along the side of the house will sit on the edge of the cantilever part of the bearer (you will need to leave approximately 30mm gap between joist and house for future termite inspection). If you want to run a border around the deck as I have, run two joists close to each other... The attached shows that portion of the design. Hope its of some help/ PM if you have any other design type questions but its a good idea to get a copy of AS1684.2 (timber framing standard). Nearly everything you need for your design to comply is contained. You will also need the Building Code of Australia available for viewing at most public libraries. I disregarded anything contained in the bunnings guide after reading their suggested joist size on page 1.. edge2.jpg Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Building a big deck yourself in QLD (Gold Coast) 6Nov 24, 2010 12:25 pm Should have mentioned last night, you should be able to operate as an owner builder and not require BSA licence provided it is your home and your names on the title. If the cost of the job (there is a definition on the links below) is under $11,000 you shouldnt require anything. If over you will need the owner builder permit. Check these two webpages for details and follow up with a phone call to confirm with BSA. Also check if your permitted to design the deck/footings yourself. http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/HomeOwners/Ow ... lding.aspx http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/BuildersContr ... uired.aspx Re: Building a big deck yourself in QLD (Gold Coast) 8Jan 11, 2011 3:55 pm Sierra, Can you please let me know which building surveyor company you went with for your permit, and what the price was? Thanks mate. Idiots are fun, that's why there is one in every village! - Dr. House - The DIY project can be broken into two major steps. Planning and Design and Construction. Both of these steps are as important as one another to ensure you give… 0 5170 Hi, I contracted a Builder to do a Garage to Bedroom + ensuite conversion (Class 1a), the Builder engaged the Certifier and Engineer and received BDA from the Certifier… 0 5006 I want to build a decking to the drawn shape outlined in black. The problem is how close can I build to the gas hot water unit? Will I be able to build around it and be… 0 20224 |