Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 Sep 21, 2014 10:12 am First time poster here, first time renovator so please be kind.
I am looking to lift and raise my house and for the life of me not sure if it is even worth my time. Have had friends tell me its likely to be 300k then others say about 200k using a builder. Some what of a margin obviously and if its at one end of the scale its a goer, and if at the other I would rather put it to rest now for the time being. Has anyone had experience with estimating services who work from preliminary plans or know of anyone who can do this? Any input much appreciated.. Re: Estimating Projects 2Sep 21, 2014 10:50 am anyone heard of this croud>>> www.impactestimating.com.au I am based in sydney but could still be a goer.. or should I get someone who can come and do a site visit? Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 3Sep 22, 2014 12:05 am Like your fast name RenoV8er, A few more details would be handy to comment on this. For instance a re-blocker charges about $15 000 to raise a weatherboard house 150mm complete with new stumps. If you are raising it a whole storey, it may well be cheaper to sell the home to a house remover and build from scratch. The term sky-hook is a fantasy. It takes a lot of stabilising to keep a house up on stilts temporarily. Also footings with extra load have to b increased. Tell us more... Leonardo_23 Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 4Sep 22, 2014 7:19 am My only tip would be double what you think it will cost ... Seriously - its a hard one - I'd get some quotes and then do a bit of research ... It would surely depend on the house, land and location ? Re: Estimating Projects 5Sep 22, 2014 8:42 am RenoV8er anyone heard of this croud>>> http://www.impactestimating.com.au I am based in sydney but could still be a goer.. or should I get someone who can come and do a site visit? If you're a total noob to building and you are tossing up raising vs demo+new build, spending $1000+ on an building estimator for a detailed report is well worth it. Site photos and soil class, also your level of involvement, skills, intended outcomes, etc. are minimum basics needed for us to give any meaningful comment. Finally do not believe all the anecdotal stories you hear on costs. A smart operator can do it cheaply. Raising a house gives you double the floor space, and cannot be compared to building a new single level house. Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 6Sep 22, 2014 10:07 am Project is a existing 150sqm weatherboard post war to be lifted and built in under, slight grade on the block. Total sqm at completion including alfresco looking to be around 340sqm. Thinking I will go this preliminary estimation business, the quote for them to do my estimate came back at 950 which is well worth my time i think. Don't really have the time to get 3 quotes from raisers, corrector's ect. Given the fact I am a noob im more than likely to hurt my chances talking when I don't know to much about it all. Im not really looking to do DIY if I can avoid it....more or a time thing than anything, all the same I have got them to price out the cost of the painting in my estimation so I can see if its something I can be bothered with. To be honest I am the kind of person who starts painting and after the first room gets a little impatient. Was just wondering how people go about figuring out if they are getting ripped off. By the sounds of it one of my friends has been given their drastically different ideas for similar projects with builders. Will let you know how I go with it all. oh and is 950 alot for a prelim estimate haha, now im trying to see if im getting ripped off by the people who are helping me figure out if i am getting ripped off.....never ending circle isnt it. Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 7Sep 22, 2014 10:19 am RenoV8er Project is a existing 150sqm weatherboard post war to be lifted and built in under, slight grade on the block. Total sqm at completion including alfresco looking to be around 340sqm. Thinking I will go this preliminary estimation business, the quote for them to do my estimate came back at 950 which is well worth my time i think. Don't really have the time to get 3 quotes from raisers, corrector's ect. Given the fact I am a noob im more than likely to hurt my chances talking when I don't know to much about it all. Im not really looking to do DIY if I can avoid it....more or a time thing than anything, all the same I have got them to price out the cost of the painting in my estimation so I can see if its something I can be bothered with. To be honest I am the kind of person who starts painting and after the first room gets a little impatient. Was just wondering how people go about figuring out if they are getting ripped off. By the sounds of it one of my friends has been given their drastically different ideas for similar projects with builders. Will let you know how I go with it all. oh and is 950 alot for a prelim estimate haha, now im trying to see if im getting ripped off by the people who are helping me figure out if i am getting ripped off.....never ending circle isnt it. You will know you have been ripped off after it happens. Raising a house is not a job for the faint hearted, it's a piece of engineering. How will you stabilise it whilst you build under? This is going to be a sea voyage with a blind captain and your ticket will cost you plenty, I wish you good luck. As for expert opinion? expect to pay around $400/hr Why don't you pick something easier to do? Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 9Sep 22, 2014 3:52 pm You might be VERY surprised at how cheap it is to simply lift a house. (I was...) Of course, the extra expense will come when you decide HOW to utilise the newly generated "downstairs" area. But just lifting (without actually moving) is "way cheap" !!! Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 10Sep 22, 2014 4:41 pm I'm about to have a house slid a few meters and raised. Cost is just under 35k for house raise and slide and builder is around 50k to complete the work, plus adding a gravel driveway. I'm not building the ground floor, just adding a double garage and laundry and having timber battens to enclose the lot. Land at Chermside At tender stage Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 11Sep 22, 2014 6:22 pm Hi RenoV8ter Sounds like a great project and certainly worthy of preliminary design,Engineering & Construction feasibility (BIM)... beyond that it's too early to say if it's optimal...I do basements as there are restrictions in going up not so in going down and most of the construction problems can be engineered out at a cost. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 12Sep 24, 2014 10:23 am building-expert Raising a house is not a job for the faint hearted, it's a piece of engineering. How will you stabilise it whilst you build under? Well its not a job for Superman either, it aint rocket science. Not much engineering if you're going to restump it in the same places, or if building underneath a few engineers calculations as to the spans of RSJ to be used, and of course the footing design as usual. IS it you , or someone else, that has repeatedly mentioned this stabilisation thingy? Have you seen how they raise a house? They build towers of blocks underneath to support the whole structure. Theres no issue of stabilisation at all - its a piece of cake. building-expert This is going to be a sea voyage with a blind captain and your ticket will cost you plenty, I wish you good luck. building-expert Why don't you pick something easier to do? Why be a poosy? Man up and get in there! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 13Sep 24, 2014 1:02 pm qebtel building-expert Raising a house is not a job for the faint hearted, it's a piece of engineering. How will you stabilise it whilst you build under? Well its not a job for Superman either, it aint rocket science. Not much engineering if you're going to restump it in the same places, or if building underneath a few engineers calculations as to the spans of RSJ to be used, and of course the footing design as usual. IS it you , or someone else, that has repeatedly mentioned this stabilisation thingy? Have you seen how they raise a house? They build towers of blocks underneath to support the whole structure. Theres no issue of stabilisation at all - its a piece of cake. building-expert This is going to be a sea voyage with a blind captain and your ticket will cost you plenty, I wish you good luck. building-expert Why don't you pick something easier to do? Why be a poosy? Man up and get in there! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ It's great to have differences of opinion, well done! Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 14Sep 24, 2014 11:33 pm qebtel Why be a poosy? A "poosy" ??? Owner Building at Jimboomba Woods in Logan City Qld. Blog : http://bandlnewhomebuild.blogspot.com H1 thread : viewtopic.php?f=38&t=68283 . Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 16Sep 26, 2014 3:04 pm I'm surprised that nobody has asked this yet, but is there any particular you want to raise the whole house? Is it structural integrity or just creating some storage space under the house? A little more detail would help us to understand the exact circumstances for why you would want to take on such a big project for your house. If it were me, I'd save the money (and it's a lot of money) and maybe do something do improve the existing interior spaces instead. What seems to be the officer's problem? Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 17Sep 27, 2014 10:24 am Im not looking to use it as an exercise to build and sell in a few years. To put it bluntly I will die in this house I build. Just after more living space and bedrooms and bathrooms. The area is great so there isnt much point in moving. Even to buy something that has alrady been renovated in my area would see me look in the financial hole after moving costs and all the fun taxes that come along with that. Should get my report back in a week so will see what the pain is likely to be. liking that this is getting a bit heated hahaha Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 18Sep 28, 2014 6:52 am [/quote] Im surprised to hear you say this. He could engage a consultant of sorts, not unlike yourself, to steer him through the process. [quote="building-expert"] It's OK to engage consultants, I have done it myself many times, but the difference here is that you have someone totally inexperienced taking on a difficult job and being entirely in the hands of consultants. There is a lot of risk between the cracks and I am not saying it can't be done and there is equal measure of good luck and bad luck out there. How is yours lately? What's the difference between manning up and being reckless? I am not usually the one that will discourage anyone, I love building and it's great but your head has to rule. To all those who think this is not hard to do: how will you suspend entire house in the air and keep it there safely (allowing for high winds) whilst you build a storey under? Perhaps it will be easier to add a storey on top. I did that once in four days (frame and roof). Perhaps OP will get to port "project safely completed" but it looks more likely he will be shipwrecked on "blown budget" That's why I recommended some experience on something easier first. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 19Sep 28, 2014 2:57 pm completely agree with you building expert. Thats why im looking to get a builder to take on my project. Only engaging the preliminary estimate to make sure it feasible. Much the same principal as with if you are sick you go to a doctor, not google. If you are undertaking a major renovations such as i am planning i wouldn't undertake the whole thing myself....i would get a professional. There does seem to be alot of assumption around the idea of renovating that to get the best and cheapest job you have to manage it yourself. In my experience using professionals in 90% of cases saves you time which in building I can see to be just as valuable as money. I dont want a project that sits on stilts for 4 months. Re: Best way to estimate major renovation. 20Sep 29, 2014 12:55 pm building-expert It's OK to engage consultants, I have done it myself many times, but the difference here is that you have someone totally inexperienced taking on a difficult job and being entirely in the hands of consultants. building-expert there is equal measure of good luck and bad luck out there. How is yours lately? building-expert What's the difference between manning up and being reckless? building-expert how will you suspend entire house in the air and keep it there safely (allowing for high winds) whilst you build a storey under? building-expert Perhaps it will be easier to add a storey on top. I did that once in four days (frame and roof). lol yeah right. ITs not ICF or some other prefab , its a weatherboard post war. ThomasMaloney I'm surprised that nobody has asked this yet, but is there any particular you want to raise the whole house? You clearly didnt read the thread, its already been given viewtopic.php?p=1239192#p1239192 RenoV8er There does seem to be alot of assumption around the idea of renovating that to get the best and cheapest job you have to manage it yourself. Its not an assumption its a fact. Of course you need to have experience and knowledge behind you as to how the whole process flows, some DIY people have this, many dont. Of those who do have the knowledge, some still fail because of poor managerial practices. If you are tenacious and a little bit cluey, you could do it, but if you're busy working full time, and want the project over and done with ASAP, get a builder to manage it. Getting back to your first post, quote "300k then others say about 200k using a builder. " 20 - 30K for the lift and restump, and it sounds like you are comfortable to spend $170K for a builder, so go for it. More than $200K for the whole lot, you're being ripped off. Builders will charge you a premium if you live in a snooty area and they think you have money. Hi, I'd like some advice on the best option please on the estimate options we've been provided from our builder. This is for the… 0 4064 4 9048 Yeah mine about 9 metres long and 8 wide with slope of 25% at one point but the end point of the outlet is past the side of garage and if he concretes allowing for… 4 4517 |