Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 14, 2010 12:09 pm OK, so I'm a n00by here... so here goes. A few weeks ago we purchased our first home. -Its not a normal home... Its a shop, flat/unit on top of the shop and a house out the back. Our plan is to make the shop prettier and rent it out- but make the flat and house one big home for the two of us to make it a good modern family house. The house hasn't been touched since the 1930s when it was built. Its absolutely gorgeous on the outside- but inside we'll be gutting and starting over. We're meeting with a builder and his preferred architect this Tuesday... we like him, but will also be talking to 2 other builders. We don't have a copy of the floorplans... there was none. and coucil says they don't have copies of floorplans for houses older than 30 years... so I guess we just get these drawn up by a draftsman? Don't know. Settlement is in November... so hopefully everything will all be sorted, plans, permits, builders etc etc for the day we take the keys. Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: Nonna's nest 2Aug 14, 2010 4:04 pm Oh wow - this sounds exciting!! Can't wait to watch your journey as it progresses - esp given what I have read about your black/white/red kitchen ideas!! Building on the Sunshine Coast - Land settled 22nd July 2009 Building contract finally signed (after much deliberation on our part) 11th November 2009 Building commences 25th January 2010 - small local builder End of June - almost completed fit out 26th July - MOVE IN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Re: Nonna's nest 3Aug 14, 2010 4:31 pm Its a very gorgeous house- its art deco style.. so we kind of want to run a bit with that theme- but then not. Just some bits and bobs to be art deco. Thanks. I'm very excited about our plans... looking forward to what the builder/s have to say. We're hoping what we want will cost under $200k... but who knows!! Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: Nonna's nest 4Aug 14, 2010 4:40 pm congrats on your new home. You must be soooo excited!! look forward to hearing about your adventure. Re: Nonna's nest 7Aug 15, 2010 7:48 pm Thanks guys. Looking forward to speaking to the builders. Today we've spent a fair few hours playing around with floor plans (on the iPad- so easy to erase and/or keep designs- drawing with fingers) and have decided on one that suits all our needs.... Hopefully the builders/architects think its do-able... or if not suggest alternatives. ahhh. I'm in love with my home thats in my mind. Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: Nonna's nest 8Aug 21, 2010 12:43 pm So, met with our architecty guy. Went with our ipad with our rough plans/drawings and all our ideas. He was blown away by how much we had done and couldn't think of anything to add at this point- because everything had been so well done (my husband's a designer- so I ahve to thank him so all his good work). So, because our place is very old- there are no floorplans. So, architecty is going next week to measure and draw it all up and then will get our plans happening and then we can get going and submit to the council.... all before settlement. The architecty is very very excited by our plans and thoughts and working with us- which really makes me happy. I like excited people! He asked realistically when do we think we see ourselves being in- and I said this time next year. He agreed thats very realistic and that building would probably start at the start of 2011 and finish by about June... THIS EXCITES ME SO MUCH! In the mean time, we have tenants in 3 parts of the property that can help pay our mortgage until we're ready to start. He really loved our place and the potential it has. I have so much confidence in him... although, I'm trying not to... just in case... you know.. I get my heart broken. Yay! all happening! Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: Nonna's nest 9Aug 21, 2010 1:20 pm Even if you strip most of the art deco features from inside, you can still tie your home to that era with furnishings, light fittings, even appliances - think Mixmasters, those big rounded-off toasters etc. Can't wait to see some pics. Geoff - Decophile. Re: Nonna's nest 10Aug 21, 2010 1:32 pm Eager :D Even if you strip most of the art deco features from inside, you can still tie your home to that era with furnishings, light fittings, even appliances - think Mixmasters, those big rounded-off toasters etc. Can't wait to see some pics. yes- thats what we intend to do. Not all art deco- but definitely some stand out features. Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: Nonna's nest 12Aug 25, 2010 3:29 pm Architecty man going to measure and draw up our place this arvo! Yay... I'm looking forward to getting actual floorplans and drooling over what's there and then what we can do. I guess we should really get a home loan now.... Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: Nonna's nest 13Sep 09, 2010 5:59 pm OK, so met with architecty guy last night. Its going to cost heaps more to keep existing walls, than it is to rip them all down and start fresh. My heart absolutely sank, because I LOVE MY HOUSE. But mainly for the art deco facade.... so, I was then relieved when he said "you'd keep the facade and then we'd build it around". yes yes yes! Basically, the foundations will not be able to take on a 2nd story as is. So, we'll need a concrete slab then build on that. I'm a bit sad, because I don't like getting rid of old stuff... and it makes me sad when I see old houses with so much character get knocked down to rebuild.... but, we're doing it. -But keeping the character. Also, due to current living constraints (with inlaws) we're looking at living in the attached 1 bedroom flat while our house is being built . Being able to over see the build. Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: Nonna's nest 14Sep 09, 2010 7:42 pm Keeping the facade only, sounds like a good compromise, Nonna! Geoff - Decophile. Re: Nonna's nest 15Sep 09, 2010 9:07 pm Yup! thanks. I'm upset about us just getting rid of the rest... but the builder literally said he won't touch it if we keep existing walls. Thanks again. Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: Nonna's nest 16Sep 09, 2010 9:13 pm Oh.. and we'll be having a big demolition party. Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: Nonna's nest 17Jan 10, 2011 8:08 pm Ok... so not really that much has happened.... except that we've got the architect on it.. and he's had a few personal issues which has delayed us about 1 month in total. I was being very patient while husband not so much.... we're very much the opposite way round. Anyhow, we've since learnt that we do indeed have a heritage overlay-so we're only allowed to remove minimal walls. We're hoping to talk council around to just letting us have the facade- as the rest is cracked and won't support 2nd story. We've had a few designs mocked up and getting more next week. I guess I'm starting to feel like things are moving because we've asked one of our tenants to move out. This will mean we will physically get keys and have a little space to occupy if we want to live there or just store things etc. (this part is seperate to the actual house). Over the weekend we went to do exciting things like check out what we want in our kitchen, bathroom etc etc. Its nice to start visualising. Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Re: Nonna's nest 19Jan 11, 2011 8:25 pm Thanks Eager Beaver! Nonna's Nest House set for completion November 2013 Hello! I'm new to this forum and in need of some advice. Should I put an art piece on the blank wall and if so what should I put? Appreciate your help! 😃 0 2829 Building Standards; Getting It Right! Hi all, My neighbour has built his 15m long garage on our boundary. It was agreed as part of the planning permit that the wall must be in exposed recycled brick. For some… 0 22302 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 15261 |