Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum Re: Am I crazy? OB near Port Macquarie 114Nov 29, 2020 12:55 pm Have been going a bit crazy here with a few challenges so building stopped since about February. As readers will know, I broke my wrist (though didn't know it at the time) last September. I kept working wanting to get the flat finished and move into it, but the pain got worse so Steve convinced me to get it x-rayed. That showed the break in the scaphoid bone, a bad one to break as it has a poor blood supply and heals slowly. So, plaster on for 3 mths, but at least I got into the flat. I took the plaster off myself - I knew the AEG multi-tool saw was a great tool - which revealed a swollen and motey arm with little strength. It took another three months for wrist and hand to come good, well as good as it could. Then COVID struck so more delays. Then I got sick, a small blokes issues that turned out to be more painful and limiting than I expected. For another 7 weeks I had very limited movement and lots of discomfort. By then I was weak and out of condition and feeling every one of my years and more. Oh well. Meantime, I was trying to sort out the DA for the boundary adjustment at the rear and then the DA for the front two block subdivisions. The boundary adjustment should have been really simple but it hasn't been. Things have got lost or fallen between the cracks, various contractors have had to be chased to do stuff etc. But all through this build process from the start I have found the PMHC Council Planning people to and other staff to be extremely helpful and, within the limits of the huge increase in planning work in recent years, they are reliable and efficient. Some years have seen an increases in DAs lodged of 50%! which have led to delays. I am also using them as my Certifier as they are more consistent, cheaper, can be booked the day before and turn up on time. They have shown a real interest in helping me to get my house built with lots of advice and help in understanding requirments. But the recent problems have been beyond their control. But the rear boundary adjustment is nearing completion and hopefully will b esettled int he new year. I have decided to put aside the front subdivision and focus on completing the house. To that end and now I am starting to get my movement and energy back, I have been working on completing the sarking. Because the wind bracing stranded fibre boards where fitted are placed on the inside of the frames, the electrical wires, plumbing, comms and insulation have to be installed before the sarking can be applied (in those areas at least). In the relevant areas, only electrical and insulation were required, the others are not in those parts and can be done before gyprocking as usual. So, I worked with the sparky for a day to get those sections done and I put in the insulation as required. Next was checking the windows with the laser for plumb and square and making many adjustments. We are pretty fussy so it was annoying to find that the metal internal frames themselves are not precisely parrallel. Ah well. So sarking is nearly completed, just a small area to do tomorrow and then onto window cleaning etc. The screens and living area sliding doors are finally being fitted on Monday. Now I am back working, I will update the blog more regularly. Here are some pics, more to follow. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Am I crazy? OB near Port Macquarie 115Nov 30, 2020 10:27 am I just discovered that it is two years since I started standing up the frames for the flat and then the house. Where has the time gone? Sarking almost finished, hopefully completed today, Monday. Screens etc not happening until Wednesday now. Tomorrow we start putting on the Cemintel bottom rails, corners and top rails after they were delivered Friday. I think this will take about a week, but hard to tell as it is a fairly critical part to get just right as it sets up the process to get all the panels straight and level. Tight tolerances are required and we go beyond the manufacturer's recommendations. I am fussy! Re: Am I crazy? OB near Port Macquarie 117Dec 01, 2020 5:10 pm Hi aussieta As far as I am aware, there is no limit on your owner builder permit in NSW. We tend to take our time, us owner builder! There is a limit in that you can't apply for another owner builder permit for a different property (or anything other than what was approved in the original approved plan) within five year - and I think that is after 5 years since completion of the previous one. I just searched on the the NSW Fairtrading site and couldn't find anything about expiry on permits. Re: Am I crazy? OB near Port Macquarie 118Dec 01, 2020 5:40 pm in vic 2 years to complete https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/asset ... ermits.pdf Re: Am I crazy? OB near Port Macquarie 119Jan 08, 2021 11:15 am Well, the sarking got finished and the sliding doors/screens went on. It took longer than expected because of the rain that started in December - it has been really wet up here on the Mid-north Coast. I am really pleased with the slidingdoors to the outdoor area fromt the living area - as was the chap from teh window supplier who fitted them, commenting on the how absolute square and parrellel the frame was. It took a bit of work but over 6m we achieved no more than 2mm variation. Here are some photos. Re: Am I crazy? OB near Port Macquarie 120Jan 08, 2021 11:35 am And the photos........ Sarking on and sliding doors in to the outdoor area. Also the screens on the louvred windows to the main bedroom on the right, but louvres not in yet. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The doors and screen to the outdoor area. Sarking around the high windows above the sliding doors still to be cut out and taped down. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ View from the inside. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Can't wait for the house to be finished and to be able to sit outside and admire the view, a nice glass of beer or vino in hand. That is still about 5-6mths away, but don't hold me to that! Well these guys are not looking good... I sent them a written enquiry last week and they have not yet replied. If they cannot respond to a simple… 4 10629 It is in lake macquarie area and dimensions are width 14 m and depth 8 m and the slope is 1/5 going down from the road. 1 7088 I looked into it a few years ago and my conclusion was to just build a carport that will support panels and get a system installed separately. The company I looked at had… 1 6481 |