Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Jan 23, 2011 7:14 pm Hi, hope someone can help me. I have prepared drawings for a townplanning application which was successful, although it has taken a number of years and arguments with council. My delema now is weather I continue beign an owner builder or not. Is it possible for me to prepare construction drawings and have the building surveyor approve them or do they have to be prepared by an Architect/Lic Draftsman? I am in the nullimbik council's area in victoria. All help appreciated. Thanks JJ Re: question on bulding permit plans 2Jan 23, 2011 7:42 pm Hi You can prepare the plans yourself if you have the knowledge. A couple of years back I did a verandah extension which required a permit and did the drawings myself. The only problem is going to be the calculations for the star environmental rating which I understand requires use of some special software. There are people around who can do this however. For example: http://sustainabilityhouse.com.au/contact.php The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: question on bulding permit plans 4Jan 25, 2011 2:52 am if i were u, & ur going to o/build, i'd get an experienced draftsman to do the plans, cos unless ur in the building industry & can keep up with standards & regulations, i recon u'll do a lot of good work drawing urself, but probably still need a draftsman. in our last o/b list here in this forum i used draftsman for the 1st time out of 6 o'b's i've done over last 45 years, & i can draw plans, but reason i didn't do it myself, was cos he was on top of all new window, energy, insulation ratings ect. but notice i said "experienced" draftsman - if u get one, look about & see what u get included in ur plans & at what price. i paid $1900 for all plans & working drawings for 440sqm house, which included energy effic certificates ect. i paid a further $600 for structural engineering design for part of roof loading and lintel design. that was my total plan costing. hope that helps - cheers T&V Re: question on bulding permit plans 5Jan 26, 2011 8:04 pm Thnaks T&V I am a draftsman but not in the building trade, had a word to the potential building suveyor and has clarified a few issues regarding self drawn drawings. Looks like i'll have to retrain myself in arch. drafting for this project... any one know of any good books or sample drawings? i am interested in what level of detailing is needed? thanks JJ Re: question on bulding permit plans 6Jan 26, 2011 9:59 pm good question! I was going to say ring council and ask them, but if you had hassles with them you may not want to. Ring another council, and ask your builder too. Each council is different, so I'd ask your council direct. A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: question on bulding permit plans 7Jan 27, 2011 1:34 am JJ i think ur missing my point - i recon u need someone who does it everyday, as they know regs to allow for such things just for example:- width of walls & approp cavity sizes ( which vary with different construction, materials & insulation). good draftie ammends ur plans to material sizes so u don't waste material. good draftie puts electrical p/points in right place (set distance from shower heads to p/pts etc). spanning distances for various roofing materials etc. makes sure ur stove & gas appliances r in correct place etc. and so the list goes on & on. i'm not doubting ur ability to draw, i could draw a cross section of complex gear box years ago, & 20 years ago i got house plans approved with plans that didn't even show wall thickness etc no working drawings, we did as we went along.....but those days are gone i just recon if u get a good experienced draftie it saves lots of dollars, hence my preference for draftie over architechets. if u want to go & read up aust build stanards & regs, electric & plumbing regs etc go for it, but if it were me i'd be doing a good but simple plan, & 2 elevations drawings & taking it to a draftie & let him prepare plans that should fly thru council & i'd be spending that time actually working on my house by chasing up quotes, checking alternative materials etc i find theres enough hastles in o/bing, without starting the build worrying about if ur plans r good enough......but its ur choice, good luck however u go about it. IMO i still recon o/bing a capital gains tax free residence every 7 years while u hold down a regular job is hard, but the best investment u can make cos u control it......o/b 4 homes (1 every 7 years) & 5th one pays for itself. cheers Tony Looking to start the journey of becoming an owner builder in SA. Feeling pretty (overly) confident on the building and construction details, but really struggling to find… 0 8423 You wont need a permit to put in non loading partition but you will need a licensed plumber and a licensed electrician 1 6649 I don’t think so as the floor area over 300 square meters then it is class 3…. 12 17943 |