Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 22, 2009 1:27 pm Just interested to hear if anyone has been able to have alterations to their plan made during construction? We are in between framing and lockup stage and have a pointless hallway into bedroom 1. I am considering asking my builder if we could remove about 2 metres of non load bearing frame which will eliminate the pointless hallway and make the bedroom 1 bigger by the width of the hallway. Not sure why we overlooked this option in the planning stages. Re: Alterations during construction 2Nov 22, 2009 1:31 pm If you get along well with your site supervisor and document clearly what you want, you could probably get the required change for nothing. Just remind him again just before that stage. BTW, who designed the house (architect or builder) and made such a big "mistake"? If the builder organised the design, that should give you more fire power to get it changed to the way you like. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Alterations during construction 3Nov 22, 2009 1:32 pm nqdog Just interested to hear if anyone has been able to have alterations to their plan made during construction? We are in between framing and lockup stage and have a pointless hallway into bedroom 1. I am considering asking my builder if we could remove about 2 metres of non load bearing frame which will eliminate the pointless hallway and make the bedroom 1 bigger by the width of the hallway. Not sure why we overlooked this option in the planning stages. It would be highly unlikely your builder would allow a variation at this stage, needless to say the huge change youre wanting to make. Re: Alterations during construction 4Nov 22, 2009 3:57 pm That is just the point, it wouldn't be difficult at all at the stage we are at (just bare frames, 2 cuts with a saw and a move a couple of wires). Probably about 30min work for someone who knows what they are doing. WOn't affect the structural integrity as it is an internal wall. We showed our plans to plenty of people prior to signing and no one picked up on it. I suppose it is just one of those things that didn't really stand out in 2D untill you see it for real. We could live with it or get it altered post completion, but for the sake of 1/2hrs work now it doesn't seem like a big deal to me (but I am not a builder). WIll try my luck in the morning and see what happens. Re: Alterations during construction 5Nov 22, 2009 4:07 pm Are you positive it's not a load bearing wall? If it's not, it shouldn't be a big deal to do it, but that doesn't mean they will. We had a few things "tweaked" on site at frame stage, but nothing as major as changing a wall. Your best bet is to talk to your site supervisor and see what they say. I'm sort of not understanding what you mean by "no-one picked up on it". It's your house, it was really up to you to pick up whether there was something that didn't suit you in the plans. Hopefully they will alter things for you, but you can't really blame the builder if they won't. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Alterations during construction 6Nov 22, 2009 4:18 pm Are you able to put the plans up here so we can have a look at what you want to do? But if you want a change, better mention it asap in case they move on to the next part of the build. Built with New Generation (Summit Homes) We own land!... with a slab on it! Plus a shell of a house with stuff inside ! Re: Alterations during construction 7Nov 22, 2009 4:45 pm joles I'm sort of not understanding what you mean by "no-one picked up on it". It's your house, it was really up to you to pick up whether there was something that didn't suit you in the plans. Hopefully they will alter things for you, but you can't really blame the builder if they won't. Certainly not blaming anyone & its not like we will be unhappy with what we will end up with, quite the opposite. The point I was trying to make was the alternative was something we never considered or anyone suggested when we were reviewing plans. Given it "may" not be to late, I will approach my SS and see what they say. The alternative will save the builder $$$ in tiling, wall plaster & painting so they may be open to it if it involves minimal work to alter. I am sure most people who build a house would do something slightly differently if they had their time over. Can't post plans tonight, will put them up tomorrow. Re: Alterations during construction 8Nov 22, 2009 4:48 pm My builder has made some small changes without any problems. Other changes I've paid $50 per hour to get made the way I like. This is the way it should be. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Alterations during construction 9Nov 22, 2009 4:55 pm What sort of changes are required to go to Council for a s96 certificate? If it's an internal change only then I think it might be ok, but I really don't think your SS will let this one go without letting somebody at your builder's office know. It has major ramifications if something goes amiss. Having said that, if it's just an internal change on a non-loadbearing wall then I would think your builder should be open to discussing it at the very least. Pix Built a (highly) modified Allcastle Maxworth 38.7 in Sydney. Re: Alterations during construction 10Nov 22, 2009 5:06 pm A Section 96 is not required to change any internal walls. It's only required if there is an external change such as windows getting larger or moving. BTW, one trick my architect taught me is if you don't know the exact position or size of a window, put in the Development Application a larger window that covers all possible positions and sizes. Then, you can reduce it at a later stage without getting a DA update. Nifty. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Alterations during construction 11Nov 23, 2009 7:09 am Just spoke with SS onsite and they are more than happy to remove the wall and relocate a few wires which is good news and will make my wife happy. Very lucky my builder is flexible with things like that. Re: Alterations during construction 12Nov 23, 2009 8:12 am I'm at frame stage now, and have noticed that two windows sit very low, espcially the window in the familyroom, as the couch will cover half the window. Going to see if they can raise the windows before the windows get installed. It's something that needs to be done or else once the house is finished it would look wrong (my opion). Do you think this could be done or is it to late?? Builder; Big M Design; Soho 32 Facade; Ascent Blog; http://mickeyb-soho.blogspot.com Trend; viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23990 Re: Alterations during construction 13Nov 23, 2009 8:24 am This kind of change cost me a carton of beer. If you remove a wall there is less plaster to go in which is a saving should offset the removal cost. Depends ont eh relationship you have with the builder. Dan Re: Alterations during construction 14Nov 23, 2009 8:29 am nqdog Just spoke with SS onsite and they are more than happy to remove the wall and relocate a few wires which is good news and will make my wife happy. Very lucky my builder is flexible with things like that. Great news for you! mickeyb I'm at frame stage now, and have noticed that two windows sit very low, espcially the window in the familyroom, as the couch will cover half the window. Going to see if they can raise the windows before the windows get installed. It's something that needs to be done or else once the house is finished it would look wrong (my opion). Do you think this could be done or is it to late?? I wouldn't like your chances with the big M, but you can only ask. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Alterations during construction 15Nov 23, 2009 1:35 pm danc12 This kind of change cost me a carton of beer. If you remove a wall there is less plaster to go in which is a saving should offset the removal cost. Depends ont eh relationship you have with the builder. Dan We still haven't been introduced/met to our SS, we only know his name and our frame is almost complete. Our independant inspector has spoken to him several times. When are people meant to meet or see there SS? Does this sound right that we still haven't meet him at this stage? Builder; Big M Design; Soho 32 Facade; Ascent Blog; http://mickeyb-soho.blogspot.com Trend; viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23990 Re: Alterations during construction 16Nov 24, 2009 10:17 pm We received a call from our Customer Service Rep with the name and mobile number of our SS before our build began. She arranged for us to meet him on-site on the day the piering was done. We stay in regular contact Pix Built a (highly) modified Allcastle Maxworth 38.7 in Sydney. 1 62025 i would suggest nothing is unreasonable for PCI. we did all sorts, including checking the hot water, checking all the GPO's had power, testing that the showers were… 9 98697 Just to makea point about this, an approach that some people have found sucessful in negotiating these rises down, Is to provide some workings to the builder, specifying… 4 81734 |