Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Jun 08, 2009 11:34 pm Hi guys, I'm sure this question has been asked many times before and I have been doing some searching but as I am unfamilar with some of the terms used it is making it hard for me to find the right information. I was hoping some guys here could point me in the right direction. I am a first home buyer and have been living in my house in Queanbeyan, NSW for the past few years. I would really like to do some renovations and add-ons and I have no idea where to start. I would like to build a double garage that is detached from my house, I would also like to enclose my current carport (that is attached to the house) and make it into another bedroom, the back deck is getting old and I would like to extend it and put a roof over it with security shades that can be closed in winter and open in summer and last but not least i would like to remove an interior wall to extend my loungeroom. There is a lot of work to be done, but hopefully it shouldn't cost too much, but I have no idea where to start. Obviously I'll need to get the existing plans for my house and get them modified to show the changes, i'll need to get coucil approval and i'll need to get certified as an Owner builder. There are a couple of issues. I really need to find out how close I can build to the boundary? The house is brick and the carport is attached to the front of the house, I really need a double garage and for obvious reasons I can't extend the front carport any further. The carport already has 3 brick walls and all that is required is for a 4th wall to be built and a doorway into the house and it will become a 4th bedroom. My main concern is building the double garage on the side of the house, there is plenty of room for a single garage but depending on how close I can build to my side boundary there may or may not be enough room for a double garage, so it is really important that I find out how close I can build to the boundary before I start any planning. Any assisstance would be appreceiated. I can image that questions like this have been asked many times before, but who can I talk to regarding my plans and find out if they are feasible and how to get everything approved to start building. Thanks Tai Re: Request help for a first time owner builder. Where to start? 2Jun 09, 2009 12:07 am I've attached a very old picture of my house (courtesy of google street view), other than the car, it hasn't changed. You can see the carport on the front of the house and also have a good idea of how much room I have on the side of my house for a nice double garage. Basically I would want to continue the cement driveway up to the left and into the garage. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Request help for a first time owner builder. Where to start? 3Jun 09, 2009 12:25 am Hi t'cliff, i'm on other side of Oz, but i'd recon ur best bet would be to go & have a talk to ur local council - thats who will issue a building permit - no good u getting all fired up with plans etc only to find u can't build too close to boundry or whatever!! also recon it would be a good idea to do o/ber course asap- it would certainly help u get on track right from the start. cheers tony Re: Request help for a first time owner builder. Where to start? 4Jun 09, 2009 1:54 pm how do I talk to someone at the coucil? do I have to make an appointment and who do I ask for? The owner builder course? is that just like those online courses that tell you what you can and can't do, or is there a TAFE course that you can do? Re: Request help for a first time owner builder. Where to start? 5Jun 09, 2009 9:35 pm Hi t/cliff - yep just ring the council building dept & ask can u come in to discuss ur project, some councils have actual o/b packs to help. yep O/b course just get u thinking about right way to get going, i also did a Blue Card course at an actual face to face course which again i found helpful cos there we other building people there who gave me a few good tips. blue card is compulsory in some states. what u have to decide is if u want to do it urself or get a builder. u must understand that if u o/b u r the "registered builder" & as such take on a lot of structural & legal responsibility. as an o/b the buck stops with u - if a tradie stuffs up, u wear the problem....not trying to frighten u just trying to warn whats ahead. i would also encourage u to go to local library & get a few books on o/bing - get u used to building terms ao when u talk to tradies u know what their talking about. there r a number of threads here on starting o/bs - read thru them - while its important f u to understand whats ahead, its no good reinventing the wheel! i strongly suggest u read thru a few threads in o/b forum where people show u there progress so u learn from their experiences both good & bad. cheers tony 1) I had requested R6 ceiling insualtion batts, however I noticed that on some areas there are huge gaps which will allow hot air to sweep in, and also noticed black/grey… 0 3597 Hi VK, I am now retired however I have stood beside over 300 owner builders in the past 18 years that have successfully built their own homes. First of all a building… 10 22663 |