Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Jun 23, 2010 9:05 am I seem to be going around in circles, and just don't know what to do next.... I have decided my floorplan and I have a list of materials I am considering using for each part of the house, but as cost is high on my list I have started with the materials I really want, and have ranked other materials as well. I know I need a draftsperson to draw up the plans, someone to do the slope plan, someone to tell me how much the materials are going to cost so I can make a final decision which one to use and I need to submit to council. What should I do first (obviously not council!) Should I have decided materials before going to draftsperson (wall thickness will be affected by material), or do I need to organise slope plan first? etc etc Also, am I better to use a very traditional country draftsperson who knows the local council (we are building in the country), or a more inventive one who doesn't know the extremely conservative council? Any advice appreciated. Re: What do I do first? 2Jun 23, 2010 9:43 am Hi Karen. I think the planning process seems to work slightly different in some states and councils but I'll give you my experience from Perth. Here we submit for a planning approval first. This requires floorplans showing all windows and openings, elevations, and site plans. The site plan needs to include levels of your property and existing properties as well as locations of trees and other features of the properties. This is so you can show FFL and how your proposed residence may impact surrounding houses and the environment. So you will need a surveyor to do a site survey and contour survey to provide this information. After you have gained planning approval, you then need to get your building licence. These building drawings include all engineering and details. You need to have nailed down the specifications for your building products by then. A good Draftie (building designer) should be used to working with councils and be prepared to go and see them and ask questions so you can get as close to what you want within council reg's. A good Draftie should also sit down with you and discuss your requirements. As I said it works differently in different States and councils but I'd look to get your Draftie (designer) first have a chat with them so you are both happy you can work together and use what ever building principles you like. Then get your site survey done so when you have your plans done your draftie can place your new house on the site plan. This was the basic principle we followed and it worked well for us. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: What do I do first? 3Jun 23, 2010 10:22 am Karen, In NSW you need to submit a development application to council which will include your plans and a BASIX (energy efficiency) certificate. Most Building designers/Draftspersons can work outside their own councuil area, but depending on how involved you want to be, maybe someone local would be best. The Building Designer can also help with the selection of materials and give advice as to what might be best for your situation. Where is your land? m.h. Re: What do I do first? 4Jun 23, 2010 3:08 pm Hi - land is in Tarago which is Goulburn Mulwaree council area. I've spoken to a local draftperson who was pretty interested in designing a brick veneer box which is not quite what I had in mind, but he does know the limitations of the local council. Re: What do I do first? 5Jun 23, 2010 4:53 pm My first step was to have a play around and come up with my own plan first. That way, I had gone through all the changes on my own, without having to pay a draftie to make those each time. I then took my little plan to the draftsman and talked through it with him. He came up with a layout, which I approved, then he did the full drawings, and also organised all the engineers drawings and energy efficiency rating. If you find a good draftie, he may even submit the plans to the council for you - that way he will know what the councils needs and provide all of it without you having to run around. Once you have the final drawings and while you wait for the council, that's when I would start to get quotes. It's very hard to get quotes without the plans and knowing exact sizes and measurements. Good Luck... the paperwork can be a bit of pain, but you'll get through it. 11 41635 Thank you. Do I use timber floorboards for stairs or do people use timber treads? Or is both the same? 6 7272 Can anyone give me any onfo on New Homes WA? Good or bad, hopefully good just need to know if my choice was good or not? Thanks ❤️ 0 8936 |