Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Aug 02, 2016 2:51 am Hi - I need some advice specifically in context of an extension, not complete new build. I see plenty of posts re: pros & cons of OB vs project builder for a new build but my ask is purely for an extension (much smaller scope). I am trying to figure out whether its worth pursuing OB to 'save' money, be it at the expense of some additional time (as per other posts here, re: paying potentially higher cost for labor & material as OB - I see it on par as builder getting material and labor cheaper but charging me margin on top, so it appears its all the same cost impact to me either way!). On paper, an approx 18-30% project mgt fee of total build sounds a lot for what might be a 2-3 month project from what I gather. I could deploy this cost elsewhere in my fixtures/finishings for instance. I am not in the building trade but have been exposed to renovations previously so have some appreciation of what the project may look like. I am based in Perth. I am planning to add 2 rooms + car port to our existing house. Estimated additions cover about 40sqm + double car port. I don't have drawings at hand currently but scope is as follows - Room 1 with en-suite added to front of house 4x3.6m (will need to dig and add new waste pipe and attach to existing sewer line that goes into sewer mains, etc). To save on time, I am happy to use PEX tubing vs copper for instance. I've used it before when I renovated my other 2 existing bathrooms last year and happy to do so again. - Room 2 added to side of the house at the back (activity room) 3.5x6.15m. The land slopes away from front to back by 0.5m towards the back (relative to house floor level) so will require a different approach to footings/slab compared to room 1 in front I presume. - Double-car port to be built in front of Room 1. This will have a pitched roof to match the house but will not impact existing roof as such - add skillion roof to porch area proving cover from car port to house and in patio at the back - To save cost, I am not planning on touching existing roof structure (very little impact if any) - Rooms 1 and 2, porch and patio areas will be covered by skillion roof. I have an architecture feature on current house that I will extend to hide aesthetic impact of the skillion roof where applicable. - I have some 'upgraded' items that I'd like to have included in my build e.g. replace existing set of french doors opening onto my patio with wide-span bi-fold doors and understand cost impact of these will be higher re: steel beams/structural support etc. Build sequence post approval & engineering drawings (this is roughly as I understand it - yet to do my OB course if that is the way forward so forgive my ignorance if the below is not quite accurate) - dig up for extending waste pipe from Room 1 + pipework for WC/drain etc - earthwork prep for Footings/slab - I don't know the technical term but spray Termite barrier (or whatever the relevant chemical is) - pour slab (order in advance in and around this date) as per specs in engineering drawings - brick up (order in advance of course) - will be rendered finish so happy with lower cost options (are breeze blocks cheaper and suitable?) - roof - assuming car port coming up in sync with all this - windows/doors (lock up!) - wiring for sockets/lights - plaster board/prep & plastering where applicable - plumb for shower, vanity + WC - screed + water proofing in bathroom - tile & grout - install shower, vanity, WC - flooring as needed - cornice/paint as required At what stages would I need a building inspector on this project if any? I want to know this so I can include payment terms post building inspection being signed off as I've read from other posts here about how best to arrange contracts! (or what BCA standards does my build need to comply with? The BCA reading seems vast so looking for specifics that apply to my extension) Given a smaller scope of extension (vs a complete new build) for attracting tradesmen vs impact of a slow economy in WA, what kind of costs should I be looking at per sqm? And in this regards, is OB a better way forward compared to giving the job out to a builder? As I said, I am not in the building trade so limited in what I can do myself other than lend a labor hand! I am flexi with my job so can be onsite for a lot if not all of the build work. I am not biased either way but want to learn from others opinions on which option might be more favorable & for what reasons plus rough idea of cost per sqm on such an extension (rough estimation). Any pointers welcome! Thanks. Hi, We have a single story MacDonald Jones house, on a waffle pod slab with steel frame. Are we able to build a second story extension? Other info is we are 900mm from… 0 5821 Hello Josh, This is Irving from PRIMA, we are a manufacturer of the staircase, railings, kitchen cabinets, windows, doors from China. If you have requirement to purchase… 0 3546 I would say both styles you have pictured are steel. The lower chord of the first pic would be a massive lump if made using timber considering the size of the rafters. If… 1 3954 |