Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 Jul 21, 2015 9:46 pm We are in the process of trying to make a decision about which way to go with our extension which we plan for mid-2016. We want to build up to add two bedrooms, bathroom & study and we want to make some minor changes to the open plan living/dining area to move the kitchen around. We intend to do this in two parts- build up so we have room for us all- and then finalise and update the kitchen down the track. We think this is the best plan because we want to spend under $200K (ie ideally closer to 150 than 200). We are, however, a bit stuck. We've had four building company people come out- two of them we liked and we really nutted out a plan with them, one did some initial drawings. Both estimate it will cost just under $200k. BUT we're not 100% comfortable with either of them- and we're not sure we're paying quite a lot for the convenience of handing everything over to them to do. Can anyone advise: 1. Will we save a lot of money from their quotes by project managing My partner has a job that allows the flexibility for him to manage the project so this is a definite possibility. The second question is: 2. If we go down the design and self-manage route should we get an architect or a building designer and should we get a draftsperson to do the drawings to save money? We are so confused about this. We've had some quotes around 15-20K to get the full working drawings for the builders- this seems reasonable, is this right? Any advice is very, very welcome. Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 2Jul 24, 2015 10:15 am Architect vs Draftsman vs Building Designer viewtopic.php?f=53&t=71101 viewtopic.php?f=1&t=67103 viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73070 What is needed to lodge a DA ( in NSW any way ) viewtopic.php?f=1&t=75671&p=1298206#p1298206 A decent building designer should be able to design what you want and come up with a full set of drawings necessary to lodge a DA with your local council for around $3000 ( depending on the topography of your site, complexity of the design etc ). You have further costs like engineers drawings ( roughly $2,000 ) and a contour survey from a surveyor ( roughly $1800 ) as well. Those plans they draw should also be fully dimensioned and detailed so that once the DA is approved the builder can use them to actually do the reno and addition work. Another thing I recommend is for you to engage a BD separate from a builder so can retain copyright as in my post halfway down this page... viewtopic.php?f=1&t=72345 If you are looking at a rough guide to prices, I give a few in this thread here... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=77705 Work out how many sq m you think upstairs will be and you should be able to come up with a ballpark figure. Stewie Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 4Jul 29, 2015 2:15 am Hello, I will pm you details of the draftsperson I am using for my new house in Melbourne Vic. They can give you some pricing and ideas as a ballpark. Hope it helps. I know how you feel we initially wanted to do a reno but the cost was too high it ended up being more cost effective to start fresh and demolish. But each case is different. I've seen some of the work my Drafty did for extensions and it looked pretty well thought out... Chat soon cheers Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 6Aug 02, 2015 8:48 pm I would definitely advocate the use of a good building designer or architect. Get them to do a set of fully detailed drawings so you can get fixed priced, truly "apples for apples" tenders from a few reputable builders. That way you can be sure that the designer is working in your best interests and giving you a design that is of good quality and integrates well with the appearance of your home. The builders pricing the work may also have ideas on areas where the design mightbe improved, or potential cost savings. I would always get a second opinion from your designer/architect on any of these suggestions just to be sure that it's for your benefit. Drive around any suburb older than 20 years in any city in Australia and it's full of houses that have really awkward looking extensions where it's pretty obvious they've just gone to a builder and said "build me a few rooms here". Nothing against builders, I just think that designers are good at designing, builders are good at building. As for price, I would say about 5-10% of your budget would be design costs, so $10-15k sounds about right assuming that includes all design related costs. Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 7Aug 04, 2015 11:11 am Hi ms1 AFAIK anyone can project manage..but not anyone can project engineer If you decide to go down the path of owner-build I suggest you find a designer/engineer (ask for a complete service) and weigh up all the design construction/engineering options first before getting planning approvals.Reason 1. You will be able to get proper quotes on the engineering details upfront 2. Some contractors will try to offer cheaper alternates, if they are non compliant then they will need to employ an engineer to certify anyway 3. Existing Foundations, wall bearing capacity,building inspections, etc all require qualified engineering designs. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 9Aug 08, 2015 10:01 am Hi ms1 Unfortunately not over east, but I can recommend several in Perth. and to be honest I use to take on different design/contracting projects from all around the place.. too comfortable and old for that now , and even though the technology is available today which makes it easier to design,inspect & calculated I believe projects should be less than 30 mins ute travel time. Forums/facebook/g+ are great places to seek Q&As, Services,Quotes,etc.. start unique threads and you will find what you are looking for.HTH Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 10Jan 19, 2016 8:31 am Channel9 At this point we are looking for a family who have a long standing renovation or a couple who have been wanting to renovate for the last 5, 10+ YEARS! Ideally we’d love someone to make the pledge “this time next year I will have renovated my house” (We are definitely open to suggestions however) Interesting..The biggest problem I see (for the average punter->risk) is overcoming the fear of the unknown, trust, guidance, making informed decisions,etc,etc This has been illustrated in the Grand design series, where home owners put blind faith in Architects artistic designs with little or no regards to realistic cost,engineering and mathematical ROI modelling. All this resulting in there being marriage bust ups, incomplete projects and failed investments, IMO, GD is getting a bit sad & boring. Social media & Forums give support, data presentations & simulations/apps are helping people choose wisely, motivation is yet another issue.. I could rant for hours..my2c.goodluck Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 11Jan 19, 2016 2:20 pm My wife and I were approached by people recruiting for House Rules a number of years ago, before it had been put on air. We made it to the second round of qualification and then they explained the format of the show - the other contestants would renovate our house while we were not there. HELL NO! We are perfectionists and would not let anyone else near our house without supervision. Especially not unskilled novices. Not even if it was free. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 12Jan 20, 2016 12:14 pm I'm an engineer in the construction industry and my wife studied architecture, we probably would have been great for the show, but unfortunately we have just about finished our renovation (the inside of the house at least), it took us a bit over 2 years to get this far, which is not as bad as some... Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 13Jan 20, 2016 12:21 pm Channel9 Hi there, just to elaborate this is an doco series. We would be observing people themselves renovating. The nature is to isnpire other people. So we are looking for builders or people who work in construction who often live in half renovated houses for years before working on their own as they so often are out doing work for other people. Cheers! If you are looking for people living in half finished houses because their builders never finished I have some good examples. On another note, for some time now I have been interested in doing reality TV show "Whats wrong with my house" After over 10,000 inspections and hundreds of building disputes I have plenty of drama to work with. If they can make cooking interesting to watch on TV this will trump it. Cheers 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: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 14Jan 20, 2016 12:51 pm Channel 9 have an offshoot now on channel 94, which has a show called "Rescue My Renovation" which is a similar thing, but set in America. I also used to watch one on Foxtel called " Holmes Inspection", a similar type of show. They went through and explained all of the issues and then went ahead and fixed them. I personally would love to see such a show in Australia. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 15Jan 21, 2016 9:43 am LOL, they want Builders and renovators to put up their own homes? Showing off their own incomplete homes...would be a turn off and social media would destroy their businesses..goodluck with the show LOL...you will be competing against ACA Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Extension: building company, building designer, architec 17Feb 28, 2016 9:52 pm haha I did think maybe this would be a good idea to put our house renovation out there. Or maybe give us the pressure to actually complete it. I'm and interior Designer and my husbands a carpenter/ Site Supervisor, plus we have a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old. There seems to be no time for the reno cos were too busy working... umm I think he would slightly lose his mind, so I decided against it. LOL I can certainly see your point StructuralBIMGuy ! Your build is relatively simple, I believe your job can be easily done by a good building designer, you really do not need to pay for the architect. Remember, architect's… 3 10919 I've just had a look at the website. The company are just building broker's. There are plenty of similar companies that basically draw your plans (they own them so you… 8 10791 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 8373 |