Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Aug 05, 2009 12:01 am Hi all I've been hanging around this forum for ages, getting heaps of great tips and seeing all of your wonderful builds going up. Congrats to all of you, you are all such inspirations! And thanks for sharing all of your knowledge. Thought I'd best let you know about our house and if I can work out how to upload photos, I will! I've tried to do a couple of times but can't quite get it to work. Anwyay... our story .... hubby finally convinced me we could OB (after talking to friends who had done it successfully). We found our land in Feb 08 and initially signed with a major builder, but after agreeing to us doing our own site cut still wanted to charge more. So gave them the flick and decided to go down the OB route instead. Took quite some time to design, have drawn up, have plans approved etc so didn't get to 'go' stage until Jan 09. Hubby is having an absolute BLAST! He is a Civil Engineer so pencil pusher by day but is quite a handyman and has enjoyed doing a lot of the work either by himself or with me (I'm quite useless unless directed specifically - split my index finger open with a mallet and had to have 7 stitches, just by trying to hammer in a metal stake during the site cut stage!!). He has also enjoyed helping out the tradies, laboured for the chippy in putting up the frame and doing the fixout). We also designed the house ourselves (based on parts of the millions of display homes we saw in our travels) and had it drawn up by a draftsman. We started the slab process in Jan 09 and all has gone pretty well so far. Apart from the usual delays (due to weather or delays in availability of tradies) everything has gone pretty well - no major stuff ups (phew). We have a fantastic chippy who has been a great source of information and is willing to share his knowledge with us. We did our own site cut, retaining wall (sloping block and house next door with established entertaining area), drilling holes for piers, pouring concrete piers, assisting with frame erection, sisalation, noggins in roof for ceiling battens, I'm sure there is more but have been quite hands on. Oh yes and by 'we' I mean hubby. I help out from time to time but he is definitely steering this project. Of course when you design a house yourself everything gets BIGGER. So a common saying of anyone visiting working on our house is "It's so BIG!". One of my indulgences was that I wanted a really big laundry, but I have a plan so there is reason for my madness (in the end it was actually bigger than the kid's bathroom... hehe) storage storage storage. So it's 43 sq but that includes a verandah around the front and an oversized garage, and WIR's in all the bedrooms and the study. So it's not THAT big! (So I keep telling myself and anyone who will listen). So that's us... we're currently at plaster stage, which is really exciting and we're just waiting for the plasterers to turn up in the next couple of days. Sometimes it seems to have flown and others it seems to have taken AGES. The kids are aged 7 and 4 so if you ask them they'll tell you it has taken a lifetime!! Will keep updating and will put up some pics soon. Thanks for reading my rambling! Melly The secret of success is enthusiasm .... http://romseyherewecome.blogspot.com/ Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 2Aug 05, 2009 1:42 am Hi Melly. Sounds like you guys are having a blast! Cant wait to see some pics...your laundry sounds great...look forward to seeing that! I know what you mean about people saying "wow its big" we have that problem too and to be honest i hate it..i have got to the stage where i dont even like showing people our house plans...its funny i never really thought anything of the size of our house until EVERYONE started commenting on it (and not alway politley either ), then one day it finially hit me that the house we are building is i guess large and it made me feel sick and wonder if we were making the right decision, now i just get embarressed and feel funny when friends ask to see our plans..always a different reaction. Thats why i LOVE this site, i am so exicted about our new house but feel like i cant be openly excited in public...here i can share what we're going through and everyone seems so nice and supportive...i'm sure you will find it the same! Hows your finger going? Hope its healed up nicely for you. Welcome and cant wait to here more! Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 3Aug 05, 2009 10:40 am Marvellous! We too get comments about how big the house is.... we didnt think it was that big until everyone started commenting. One other OB we know who is doing his own extension refers to ours as the Taj Mahal.... But you're right, when you OB everything does get bigger! And that's quite OK. JB Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 4Aug 05, 2009 12:48 pm I can’t wait to see your photos! We are also building a biggish two storey house (42 squares and a detached workshop at the back 8.5 squares). We too have received a lot of negative comments. It’s come to the point that when I meet someone new and they find out I am building a house, if they ask how many bedrooms and what size it is I either change the subject or lie It’s quite sad but I just can’t stand being judged any more. And being in my mid twenties doesn’t help either. Some people are just so bitter However, I try and ignore the negative remarks people make. Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 5Aug 05, 2009 1:25 pm Hi Melly, Looking forwad to following your build, can't wait to see some pics. OMG I know exaclty what you are all talking about when it comes to people commenting on the size of our house, but ours is even smaller that some mentioned here, it drives me crazy, what do they expect we are a large family (6) do they think we would build a small 3bdrm home??? GT: I understand what you mean about people being bitter and jealous especially as I am also in my mid 20's, jealousy is an evil curse. Some people just can't be happy for others! Building Thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=13002 Site start: 8th July 2009 Handover: 11/12/2009! 5 months total build time. 40 sqs of luxuary...Bliss! Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 6Aug 05, 2009 6:34 pm OMG!!! What is it with people... I hope it is not the green monster we actually got to the point that we do not want to take anyone through our house because of the constant : "oh it is so big guys...!!!" we actually decided not to have a house warming party because of this... congrats on your project!!! "The fearless are merely fearless. People who act in spite of their fear are truly brave" - James A. LaFond-Lewis Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 7Aug 05, 2009 7:16 pm Hi guys Ours is a suttle 1200 m2 Owner Build and I know where you are coming from in regards to the Tall Poppy syndrome that is alive and well in our great country. The main problems are when getting quotes and they see the plans and seem to add a little extra due the size of the joint as well as tying up tradies because they will be there too long when they could have done a couple of smaller spec home in the same time. But with the negs there are positives and the guys on site at the moment are great so I am running with the positives this time. Move in at Xmas is the goal. Cheers Brett Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 8Aug 05, 2009 7:57 pm Wow! this thread seems right up our street (so to speak). We're currently chasing up quotes for our very 1st OB home, very exciting as most of you know already. Ours is around the 45sq, but then take into account the granny annex on the side and take out one of the 3 car parks in the garage and it doesn't really look that big after all. Plans were sent to us last night and look great, took 5 attempts to get them right but it'll be worth it. Looking forward to seeing some pics too. Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 9Aug 06, 2009 10:12 pm Just reading all your posts made me feel instantly better about the size of our house! I too explain the house down... especially to the tradies working on my site (for example the plasterer said today ... 'geez my house would fit in 3 times over in here'). So lets all stand up and be proud of our big, beautiful houses!! So obviously it's an OB thing - I guess when you design it and build it yourself you want to get everything just right, and that usually means rooms just that little bit bigger. Inspired - don't be embarrassed, it's a good way to work out who your real friends are - they may think it's big but they'll still be supportive if they are good friends. Finger has healed nicely, although as it was right on the knuckle I have some issues in that I can't bend it right down to my palm any more. JB - Thanks for your comments, I like reading all of your input on the other threads you have some really great suggestions and are very inspiring! gettingthere - We just have to be proud of what we have achieved and as any OBer knows it is really hard work! So why not do exactly what you want. pinkfairymagic - wow 6, you should have a big house! There are only 4 of us so sometimes I feel a bit silly telling people we have a 4 bedroom house with a study but 6 - hey you should be able to build a 70sq house and not have anyone bat an eyelid! Littlemoscow - I can't wait for the housewarming, I don't care if everyone thinks it's overindulgent to have such a big house, I'm going to enjoy one hell of a party! Brett J - I do agree with you, quotes have definitely been higher than we expected (due to the size of the house). Little things like extra cable (the sparky got to 1.4km of cable then stopped counting!) all adds to the overall cost. We are hoping to move in at Xmas too so race you! dirkadirk - how exciting for you to be starting on your project. Try to get as much right on the plans as you can, it's a pain in the butt trying to change things later! Good luck to all, will post photos very soon.... (PS Plasterers started today.... woo hoo!) The secret of success is enthusiasm .... http://romseyherewecome.blogspot.com/ Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 10Aug 06, 2009 11:17 pm Attempt to post photos.... here goes.... Sorry about the quality of some of the photos, they were taken on my ******* mobile phone. And just realised that I don't have many internal shots, they are mostly external! For those who want detail: Roof colour: Monument (new colour) - we are sooooo happy with the colour Fascias, guttering and windows (and garage roller door) - Woodland Grey Bricks: Boral's Potters Gold double height bricks Windows: double glazed to all windows and doors. Insulation in all walls and roof. North facing design. Standing in dining room looking back towards kitchen, family, theatre (on right) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Rumpus room (at front of house) full of insulation batts! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ View from front of house looking back up. House is on a sloping block, sloping from back to front. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Back of house on upper level of block Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Back of house from a different angle Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Alfresco area Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Alfresco area close up - bricks are double height, Boral's Potters Gold. We LOVE them. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ L-R Alfresco, Dining, Kitchen (island bench in middle) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The secret of success is enthusiasm .... http://romseyherewecome.blogspot.com/ Re: The Big House - first OB experience - leaking windows! 11Aug 16, 2009 10:04 pm Well after the wild storms we went to check on the house and found a number of our windows leaking. I'm going to call the window suppliers to come and have a look, but do anyone out there have any suggestions about why this might be happening? I figure I would like to have some idea why this might be happening before they come out to visit. Photos: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Thankyou! Melly The secret of success is enthusiasm .... http://romseyherewecome.blogspot.com/ Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 12Aug 17, 2009 12:54 am wow love it congrats. we are building a tiny baby house but we are selling it i want my mansion and i dont care what anyone says and everyone i tell just say how ridiculous why do you need so much. easy answer i want big big big 800sqm ok so huge huge huge lol my mil says we are showing off too bloody right we are working our butts off to live in luxury mind you i call ourselves poor millionaires atm lol its my dream home and why dream small my kitchen is 15 x10 without the 10x4 pantry lol just the kitchen is bigger then the house we are doing now lol i dont care what anyone says i get claustraphobic so i want space and indulgence everyday in our dream home will be a holiday i cant wait only 7 yrs and we should have the mansion. some people say "big and proud" about their bodies well im going to be "big and proud" about my home stay safe happy building Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 13Aug 18, 2009 10:30 am Hi Bingoshelley Thanks for your post, I've been watching your thread and you are doing an amazing job! I wish I knew all that you know about building. Your house looks great!! Good on you, I'm sure you'll get that big house soon! Yes I should be the same, go big and proud! Happy building Melly The secret of success is enthusiasm .... http://romseyherewecome.blogspot.com/ Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 14Aug 19, 2009 12:07 am Hi Melly - just looked thru ur pics & its a lovely house - hubby & u should feel justly proud, well done on taking such a bold step. 1st is hardest, but as i've said b4, styles change with time, ATM theres no capital gains on family home - enjoy what u build for 7 years then start planning next one if thats what u'd like to do - making everything just the size YOU want & can afford. shares, super whatever, i've never made any investment that comes anywhere near o/bing & upgrading ur house. when these people comment on ur house size, just tell them ur not only having satisfaction of building ur own home but that its a sound & proven investment.......be happy & enjoy the experience & don't be put off by others who don't have ur foresight, courage & sense of adventure! cheers tony Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 15Aug 20, 2009 11:22 pm Thanks Tony, we are enjoying the experience and are immensely proud of what we have achieved so far. It's a real buzz! The secret of success is enthusiasm .... http://romseyherewecome.blogspot.com/ Re: The Big House - first OB experience - painting! 16Sep 27, 2009 12:19 am Well we're up to painting and boy is that a big job! Very rewarding though, is lovely to see the paint going on the walls and is starting to feel like a real house and not just a shell. We're also in the midst of putting up the verandah out the front so that is starting to take shape also. Cabinetry will be in within the next month, closely followed by electrical and plumbing work and then flooring. It seems to be happening all at once! 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 ⋅ The secret of success is enthusiasm .... http://romseyherewecome.blogspot.com/ Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 17Sep 27, 2009 1:01 am Hey Melly House is looking great. Congrats on the build. Ignore the green eyed monsters and enjoy. We get the occasional narky comment too but nothing too bad. Ignore them, and go with what makes you happy. Caz Re: The Big House - first OB experience - at plaster stage! 18Sep 27, 2009 11:41 am Looking good! Nice to see the progress Not much building go on in Croydon given the project has been on hold for years. Not sure how First Avenue Homes has time to build anything when it has four active civil… 12 44004 Hi, Have used the Dulux 1 step, oil base on my walls(white set), out of can it’s already a more thinner product than a final coat paint Also in water base Water or… 3 5234 yeah i couldnt picture it issue either, but i could clearly picture what they were doing wrong haha 2 5408 |