Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 02, 2020 9:44 pm Good day all, For months, I have been looking in this forum for ideas/insights and now decided to join in. me and my wife have been planning to downsize for years. There are now 2 of us and we are planning to build our future (retirement) home in a property in Melbourne west. We will knockdown and build. We plan to build a 3 bedroom with a 2 car garage with a floor area of 144 sqm. (15.5 squares) on a 588 sqm lot. We both are still brainstorming on the final layout. We already decided on the floor area and the configuration is somewhat all the same but just playing around where rooms go to and adjust whatever is connected. 1. Would appreciate for any feedback on this floor plan. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ or Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ 2. as part of the process/steps, do we go first to an architect or a builder? 3. for Melbourne, what is the average cost per square meter? 4. should we go to a volume builder or just the small builder? 5. can anyone recommend a good builder around Melbourne west? 6. with the land area, we are planning to use the backyard for growing our own veggies and the like but we were advice/suggested upon to subdivide the land (for future financial purposes). We would be grateful for your thoughts about this. stay safe everybody. we are all in these together. Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 2Aug 03, 2020 9:26 am i would first suggest that you understand what works and doesn't work in the existing home and block of land and why you need/want to rebuild..eg where is north, the street frontage, the size and shape of the block, what do you need in your new home (eg overnight accommodation for friends and family, aged disabled access, garden storage, hobby room..etc which rooms in the house are the most pleasant to be in at different times of the year and what's unpleasant and why does the existing house need to be removed?... it would be easy enough to have a builder use your proposed plans but they're unlikely to suggest options that will make the new house more comfortable to live in ..having retired and downsized in a similar climate i would be pleased to share some of our experience and, with the length and width of the block, an old house plan ( to better understand the good and bad aspects that you want to improve in the new build) location of north, driveway access, location of neighbours house (new, old, distance from front fence etc) and answers to my other questions i can review your plan that will include some ideas that would be useful for the next step Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 4Aug 04, 2020 5:52 pm I just updated one of the pictures that I uploaded. On the lower right hand shows the (approximate) location of the existing and neighbour’s house. The house is located in an old neighbourhood and unfortunately one of the houses that was made of asbestos (had it inspected) was the one that I purchased. I believed the house was constructed prior to 1980. When I bought it, I was aware of the work that will be involved. That’s why “knockdown”. The design of the existing house is the time when the water heater is positioned inside the house. The main bedroom is located at the back of the house where the sun sets. the family room and dining room which is side by side is located in the front of the house where the sun rise. We already started with a small house, then a big house, when the family was growing and presently a bigger house. With aching joints, it’s now time to go back to a smaller cosy/quiet house where it is much easier to clean and maintain. I still feel that I should maintain the orientation of the house. The kitchen and family room would have ample light. Best to entertain visiting family/friends (overseas or local) since it will be connected to the outside patio (backyard/vegetable garden). We are not after a well-appointed design, just basic and simple house. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 5Aug 04, 2020 9:45 pm i'm wondering why you've restricted the house to a square as there's much more flexibility (and it's cheaper to build) a rectangular shape that could also take better advantage of the north aspect by pushing the house to the south of the block (and maybe allow for a driveway to a rear subdivision or consider a duplex plan? attempting to reproduce your plans i realise there's no allowance made for thickness of walls and resulting rooms will be smaller than expected and standard building practice usually has the garage set back behind the front of the building and a porch is essential for shelter at the front door..before committing to an untested design check out knock down rebuild companies that have a variety of small home designs and can also save with demolition costs (especially very expensive asbestos removal) and also consider the yourhome.gov website that has some free plans for a simple passive solar designed home that could be ideal for your block but i don't think this square plan makes best use of the available space and the enviable opportunity to have northern sunshine all day in winter Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 6Aug 05, 2020 12:17 am We moved into our ‘retirement’ house a few months ago, and like you felt the need to downsize and simplify how we live. However we still wanted to retain well proportioned rooms, so we could have space for when all the family come over. The 4th bedroom we use as a second TV room/study. I’ll PM you the original design of the house we built (ours had a few modifications). You may get some ideas for your own house looking at this floorplan. 😊 Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 7Aug 05, 2020 12:17 am We moved into our ‘retirement’ house a few months ago, and like you felt the need to downsize and simplify how we live. However we still wanted to retain well proportioned rooms, so we could have space for when all the family come over. The 4th bedroom we use as a second TV room/study. I’ll PM you the original design of the house we built (ours had a few modifications). You may get some ideas for your own house looking at this floorplan. 😊 Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 8Aug 05, 2020 12:17 am We moved into our ‘retirement’ house a few months ago, and like you felt the need to downsize and simplify how we live. However we still wanted to retain well proportioned rooms, so we could have space for when all the family come over. The 4th bedroom we use as a second TV room/study. I’ll PM you the original design of the house we built (ours had a few modifications). You may get some ideas for your own house looking at this floorplan. 😊 Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 9Aug 05, 2020 10:52 am my copy of your original plan (including wall thickness) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ and a variation using the same external dimensions Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ but without a generous enclosed/screened rear alfresco and front porch there will be overheating from east and west sun Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 10Aug 05, 2020 2:28 pm but, almost size floor area, but rotated to make better use of northerly aspect with an enclosed front small front porch make enough space for an extra bedroom but you will see there is less wardrobe within the master bedroom but more storage elsewhere but best arrangement would depend on how you want to use the rooms Like ⋅ 1 comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 12Aug 05, 2020 5:36 pm It seems OKL and SR have come to play on Homeone, so nice to see you both here, your expertise in helping others design their homes will be well received. Cheers Gogo (or mummagabz from Houzz) Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 13Aug 05, 2020 6:05 pm love the name Mumma, I had trouble with Houzz which they have been unable to fix, I re registered under another name " differentways" but it's not the same so here goes. I find homeone a bit harder to navigate though. cheers Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 14Aug 05, 2020 6:15 pm Ive been around here for a while, built in 2011/12 with a build thread here, so I guess i know how things work! This build I’m mostly on instagram, as Homeone isn’t as active, I believe lots have moved onto facebook and insta, in saying that there are always people asking for advice on plans so your expertise will be valued. Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 15Aug 05, 2020 7:15 pm not into either of those forums so we will see how things go. Houzz has been a big let down, everything that I have been involved with, that includes you cannot be accessed. Luke Buckle is sorely missed on Houzz, he included and encouraged everyone cheers Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 16Aug 05, 2020 8:50 pm Bebbsy We moved into our ‘retirement’ house a few months ago, and like you felt the need to downsize and simplify how we live. However we still wanted to retain well proportioned rooms, so we could have space for when all the family come over. The 4th bedroom we use as a second TV room/study. I’ll PM you the original design of the house we built (ours had a few modifications). You may get some ideas for your own house looking at this floorplan. 😊 thank you very much for the drawing. it is something to tinker with during this lockdown. Re: Planning and be Building for Retirement 17Aug 06, 2020 8:21 pm If you are building a house for retirement you should consider the Livable Housing Design Guidelines Give Jonathan a call. Tell him you know me. He is in my opinion the best surveyor I have ever worked with. His number is 0425 285 622 All the best Simeon 3 12406 I am not based in Victoria however i had a quick look into your question to understand what you were asking. The way I read the regulations, overshadowing relates to the… 1 2233 "is it exempt or do I need to get permission from council" Call your Council and ask them 1 1568 |