Hi All
Signed my contract a few weeks ago to build a Newport 361 and things are starting to get traction, so thought I'd start a post.
Progress so far
1. Bought a bit of a fixer-upper at the end of June, which is good enough to live in until we get council approval.
2. Signed my contract at the end of July for a modded 275 (same ground floor as 361). Subsequently had my mind changed for me by my better half so we upgraded to the full 361, rejigged to fit a bath in the ensuite.
3. Had the colours selection 3 weeks ago (pics to follow in a day or so) and we're waiting for our tender appointment.
4. Received the siting diagram Friday and tender appointment delayed until we get preliminary signoff from neighbours due to side offset issues.
Some of the challenges we face are
1. Bayside council rules! My lot is 15.2m wide and runs east/west. As a result of our footprint on a double-storey we are required to get report & consent from both neighbours due to side offsets. Neighbours are co-operative, but Fairhaven have requested signoff on the preliminary siting diagram as well as engineering diagrams, which has taken some time.
2. Demolition. Our house has asbestos eaves. This has cranked up the demolition costs
The process so far has been relatively smooth and quick right up until the contract was signed - big-up to Lorraine at FH who is very knowledgeable and has infinite patience. Now, things are progressing at a much-slower pace and emails need to be followed up with phone-calls to get a response within 48 hours. Hopefully not a sign of things to come!
If all goes well, we should have our tender appointment in the next week or 2.
My question to anyone following my thread is: are some of my quotes reasonable? Demolition quotes are in the 19k - $22k range, and the electrical pit is $4k (including $600 for 13m of cabling, but excluding $500 connection fee and +-$500 to remove the existing overhead cables.