Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 12, 2012 6:13 pm Have lived in my existing house for a while and really want to have a bigger house and more modern design. We have decided to go down the path of knockdown and rebuild as we like the location where we are. We started builders search in Jan and decided to go for Zen Home in March as the designer is really nice and the owners are very friendly. All went well and we paid 5% deposit in May. We were told they can start building in July back then. Unfortunately, things are progressed slower than we thought. There are a few issues that caused some delay such as surveyor and soil test, some minor plan changes required under CDC requirements. The big hold up is however to do with a council Opening Road permit requirement. Initially (3 weeks ago) I was asked to obtain this so I went to council but was advised builder to apply not the owner as a public liability insurance for millions is required. Told Zen about this, then follow up, and follow up and follow up. Finally yesterday I have an update from Zen that because council has changed insured sum level from 10millions to 20 millions all of a sudden and Zen don't have that insured sum . But they said are going to sort this out tomorrow. https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59473 Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 2Sep 12, 2012 6:36 pm welcome and all the best. I guess you are on the zen homes thread?? Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 3Sep 14, 2012 4:36 pm Our builder didn't get to meet the council guy yesterday because that person was off sick ! The builder said will meet up Monday instead! Another week had gone! Hope there will be good progression next Monday. I hope things can sort out quickly. As there are only 3 weeks left before we move to a rental property and demolish this house. Looking at the current builder progression, I do need a lot of luck! Its not a very smooth start for us . https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59473 Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 6Sep 14, 2012 6:31 pm Just got a message from Andrew, one of the owner of Zen, mentioned about my thread. I am very happy that he message me that shows he cares. Even so far that things has gone quite slow, but knowing the owner of Zen do care is very comforting. https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59473 Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 8Sep 14, 2012 11:29 pm Here is our plan, hope the attachment works. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59473 Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 9Sep 14, 2012 11:32 pm Another go. http://www.flickr.com/photos/87198993@N07/7985393611/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/87198993@N07/7985402658/ https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59473 Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 10Sep 15, 2012 7:03 am we have to sign in to yahoo just upload them to www.tinypic.com (you dont have to be a member) and copy and paste the 'forum' link directly here. they will appear. upload them at the 17 in monitor size, not the default size. Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 14Sep 15, 2012 9:40 am It looks like it is a normal door, which means they need to know before they put the frame up. Best to send him an email, he will be ale to do it in a few minutes! I know cause I did it enough Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 15Sep 15, 2012 9:55 am big house, lots of areas, like rumpus, lounge, study etc..whoaoao doesnt look big as not wide, but actually has a LOT in it, like a zillion bedrooms. well done. Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 16Sep 15, 2012 10:11 am Swing2012 Our builder didn't get to meet the council guy yesterday because that person was off sick ! The builder said will meet up Monday instead! Another week had gone! Hope there will be good progression next Monday. I hope things can sort out quickly. As there are only 3 weeks left before we move to a rental property and demolish this house. Looking at the current builder progression, I do need a lot of luck! Its not a very smooth start for us . You have a nice plan I like the layouts. My honest opinion is you need to prepare even wilder tides when you build a house. Anyone can be sick. The supplier problems can happen any days. Or weather can stop from building for weeks. Did you know sunshineT spent 22k for the plan and stormwater thing not to mention many months to sort the things out? Did you know I demolished first and wait for 2 months for the approval? My Eastwood Neighbour has spent 5 years to complete the house due to lawsuits. In my opinion you are on good track. The good thing about Andrew is Zen reacts a lot quicker than average builders. My home building https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=55844 Demolished: 11/May/12 Approval: 3/Jul/12 Concrete Slab: 20/Jul/12 Frame: 14/Aug/12 Handover: 21/DEC/12 Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 18Sep 15, 2012 3:58 pm Is it possible to move the door to the master wir? At the moment if you get out of the shower and walk naked to the wir, you are there for all to see Also, is it possible to move the front left hand side wall to the side a bit to make a wardrobe in bedroom 4? Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 19Sep 16, 2012 5:37 am gogo65 It looks like it is a normal door, which means they need to know before they put the frame up. Best to send him an email, he will be ale to do it in a few minutes! I know cause I did it enough Thanks Gogo, will do and lucky I had asked you. catjim Is it possible to move the door to the master wir? At the moment if you get out of the shower and walk naked to the wir, you are there for all to see Also, is it possible to move the front left hand side wall to the side a bit to make a wardrobe in bedroom 4? I see what you mean. My DH wants to use bed 4 as study and specifically asked The designer to remove the build in. Apue My honest opinion is you need to prepare even wilder tides when you build a house. Anyone can be sick. The supplier problems can happen any days. Or weather can stop from building for weeks. Did you know sunshineT spent 22k for the plan and stormwater thing not to mention many months to sort the things out? Did you know I demolished first and wait for 2 months for the approval? My Eastwood Neighbour has spent 5 years to complete the house due to lawsuits. In my opinion you are on good track. The good thing about Andrew is Zen reacts a lot quicker than average builders. Thank you apue. I am more prepared for the tides now than before. I think managing expectation and talking to everyone here will make this experience more joyful. kiwi big house, lots of areas, like rumpus, lounge, study etc..whoaoao doesnt look big as not wide, but actually has a LOT in it, like a zillion bedrooms. well done. I like the design as everything i want is there on our small 445 sqm land. https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59473 Re: Knock down rebuild - St George area 20Sep 18, 2012 12:58 pm Our builder sorted things out with council yesterday and today I received a letter from the private certifier confirming our CDC has been approved! Now I have my ticket to enter this building journey! https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59473 We've had the offer of a short term tenant whilst waiting for CDC/DA home approval and demolition for our knock down rebuild. It would achieve a pretty low rent as it's… 0 13759 Hi I live in a 100yr old semi and my neighbour added an additional floor last yr and our architect has advised that we can knock down our semi and build a free-standing… 0 37723 CDC Housing Code 3 When to apply Floor Area external face of wall vs Gross Floor Area internal face of wall. Reading thru CDC Housing Code 3, lets take a lot 915sqm.… 0 16567 |