We live in the Hunter Valley and have a Federation (1905) weatherboard dwelling which we wish to renovate and extend. The extension will consist of pulling down the bathroom and sunroom to pier level and also demolishing the small veranda. We then intend to renovate the existing kitchen to open up to an open plan living area and also rebuild the bathroom. This will be built on the basically the same footprint as the area demolished.
We basically know what we want and where in regard to the design.
What we are not sure about is whether it is better to go a plan drawer and have plans drawn then taken them through council and then get quotes from several private builders or use and get quotes from builders who provide the complete service which include drawing plans and the use of their private certifier's instead of council.
To a novice who does not want hassles or the run around with council, the builders that offer the complete service sounds like the go "BUT" is there a down side.
Any thoughts would be appreciated
Crankie