Hi all, this is the first time on this or any other forum.
We, that is my wife and I, are going to do a knock down rebuild in Belrose NSW as an owner builder. As I said to my wife "it will be either our greatest adventure or my greatest failure! "I'm the one that wants to do it and it took some convincing to get her approval.
I don't expect to make a huge saving on the total build cost but that will be nice if it happens. I see this as more of an adventure....most see it as my first sign of dementia
I guess the main reason I joined was to be part of a group of like minded people where ideas and knowledge can be exchanged and discussed.
I'm 61, work about 3 days a month plus some time for prep, so I have the time and I hope enough knowledge to bring this build to fruition.
Aim is to build in 12 months or less, build to budget with no or few changes and still be married at the end of it
I designed the house using a program call Chief Architect Home designer, it's the basic form of the program but great for getting your design right. I'm sure there must be many others like it available.You can add furniture and the like to get a good idea of how much room you need, 3Ds, walkthroughs. I then engaged an architectural draftsman to do the plans from it for council. My final changes are ready for the architectural draftsman to do, then to engage the engineer for on-site water detention and construction design where needed.
I've done my BASIX and nearly all my statement of environmental effect plus still to get an accurate costing of what I want to do.
We had a Pre-lodgement meeting with council, cost money but well worth it as you are pretty much told what you can do and need to do to get your DA passed. I think it's a lot easier to work with council rather than fight them. So far they have been very helpful.
What I would like to hear from others who have walked down this path before, is what advice you have for newbees?
General overview of what we are building.
It has been designed with the idea of being able to grow old in it. Low maintenance with face brick, aluminium windows (double glazed) and not too much garden. It's an easy walk to a new shopping center plus handy to the new Northern Beaches hospital.All of our living on the ground floor. B/V and metal roof, 4 bedroom, 2 story dwelling. There will be 2 bedrooms up and 2 down. About 30 squares including the double garage.
My fears are:
* Cost over run
* Getting tradies that are available because they are the ones no one else wants. I've been going to building sites in the area to get contact details of trades that are on the site.
* Getting the trades to turn up when they have promised.
* Trying to do too much of it myself and slowing the progress. I intend to project manage the bulk of it and do things like hang the doors, skirting and architraves, build the staircase, paint and keep the site clean.
* Getting materials at the right price.
I'm looking forward and grateful for any advise
Thanks, Bruce