Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 May 12, 2010 1:03 pm Hi everyone, As mentioned in my previous post, hubby and I bought land on an island in Tasmania... At present, we're living in Victoria. Now, since the shipping costs of materials is quite high, I'm wondering if it might be usefull to organise (buy) a, let's say 20ft shipping container and start collecting all sorts of things for our OB project. I'm sure it would be cheaper if I'd send it all at once rather than having to pay for delivery or better shipping for each item. What are your thoughts? I also wonder if I need a council permit to place this container in front of our rental property on the street I know, neighbours won't like it but what can I do? I know that everything under 7m in lengths is good to stay in front of your house. But I assume a 20fter would be longer. And also, when would you start collecting? We're looking at starting to build towards the end of the next 12 months. I'm looking forward to your input! Regards, Mel Re: Let's get started 2May 13, 2010 12:32 am I dont think you would need to buy a container, just rent one. A freight forwarding company would be the best to speak to. I am going to do it from UK closer to the time. The difficulty is lining all the stuff to be delivered at the same time. In the UK there are special companies that pack the container as well. Dont go through a regular mover, do your research ... it was loads cheaper. I Re: Let's get started 3May 13, 2010 1:24 am best check with the council in the area you are renting 1st no point organizing a container then having no where to put it, tassy has storage facilitys but by the time you pay every mth for them it probably wouldnt work out cheaper anyway. have you considered, seeing your on an island, to buy a kit home as you can buy them at 3 different stages and they worry about the delivery of course you pay for it but given your location a kit home would probably be an option worth a thought. also tassy has lots of building supplies there anyway so may be cheaper just to get what you need in tassy. hope you enjoy your ob journey good luck stay safe happy building Re: Let's get started 4May 13, 2010 8:32 am I really should look into this, getting supplies from Tassie and compare the prices. But then again, Tassie is an island as well and the supplies have to get there too. Kit homes are out of the question. They might be quick and cheap but to me they look all the same and not anything like I want. If I live in my own house for the rest of my life, I want it to be 100% like I want it Re: Let's get started 5May 13, 2010 9:45 am lots of people think kits are cheap and nasty but they have come a long way since the good old a-frame kits.you can take your plans to them and basically they order everything you want and can supplie pretty much whatever your design requires you may save a few dollars buying supplies here but by the time you ship and store them you will find tassy prices compatable they ship in bulk so can keep costs down we are in country vic and we always pay freight but ive also got some bargains up here that i couldnt get in melb so pays to research stay safe happy building Re: Let's get started 6May 13, 2010 10:14 am Bingoshelley: that's pretty interesting about taking your own design to the kit home supplier. Would they be able to use the building materials I want or would I be restricted there? We really want to build with Hebel. kayandandy: we would buy the container as our block of land is fairly big and could use it later for storage. In the end, the cost of buying or renting and removing from the island is probably the same. If I only rent it and have to pay for them to pick it up again later... If you're moving overseas, it certainly makes sense to rent it. We've moved interstate, Melbourne to Cairns and back to Melbourne and in the beginning we were thinking about renting a trailer. Jes, I would have spend a fortune on the rental fee. I'm glad we bought one, a high quality self-made trailer, fully enclosed. Survived behing towed halfway around Australia and is still in greatest condition. And now we can sell it and get our money back. I appreciate your thoughts!!! Re: Let's get started 7May 13, 2010 7:00 pm hey mel there are heaps of kit home companys using more untraditional building items now one which might interest you is the stone houses they look great not sure what its called seen it on tv but google should find it for you. most will use whatever materials you want. we are planning more ob houses in future and if we choose to stay in the bush we will use a kit company solely for saving time and money in the end. i have sourced some bargains just about on everything but if we had the money id really just want no hassles no researching no running around and no headaches lol. stay safe happy building Re: Let's get started 8May 14, 2010 9:08 am Thanks so much for pointing out the kit homes. Is it really true these days that you just tell them how you want it and they'll do it exactly in that way? Anyway, I've already sent Country Kit Homes an enquiry and see what they say. I actually can't wait for their reply. It would save us sooooo much time and probably a little bit of money too and lots of back breaking work. I'm getting too excited here. Gotta wait what they'll tell me... Wow, they are quick... while I was writing here, they got back to me already and they can do it exactly how I want it... I wonder why not everyone does it that way... Does anyone know the comparisson on what you can save if you design your own kit home? Or do you only save time not on money??? Thanks!! Re: Let's get started 9May 16, 2010 3:00 pm hey mel great to hear i knew most do it now i found out that stone homes site for you its www.stonekithomes.com.au as for being cheaper well its always cheaper to do everything yourself but if you make mistakes they can cost you in end. we wanted to do a kit home just for convienience but didnt have the money to do it so we chose the slow way. given your location a kit home should work out cheaper in the long run as the frieght on each stage is going to kill you in the end not to mention the logistics of getting materials with a kit its all there with abc instructions to errect it and support from the company you choose should you encounter a problem. price wise you will definately pay more to use your own design and not one of theirs as they have to get your plans made up and work out a materials list ect.. with their designs they know what their doing so its cheaper but you know what you want so hopefully it will be at a price you can afford good luck stay safe happy building Depends how much direct sun it gets. Is there any shading (eaves or trees)? If the sun hits a window directly it doesn't matter too much if it's double or single… 1 12662 9 24789 Congratulations! Nice to put that to bed before christmas, now you can relax 3 7173 |