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Owner Builder Diary – Year 2, December

admin — Tue, 12 Dec 2000 07:45:31 +0000

Get surveyor to peg out house on block – must be pegged out exactly where it is on the approved plans. Also put pegs for driveway entrance and peg levels. Surveyor gives me a few names of builders and tradesmen in the area.

Owner Builder Diary – Year 2, November

admin — Fri, 24 Nov 2000 07:26:19 +0000

Plans approved – view plans below.

Ground Floor

Loft Plan

North-East Elevation

South-East Elevation

North-West Elevation

South-West Elevation

Fantastic – Not as difficult as one might have expected owing to good architect and dealing with problems early and discussions with Tyrrells. Council sends other information Construction and Development Certificates which should be read carefully. They contain important info that must be adhered to when building, ie details of when you need to have a council inspection, what parts of the building require engineers drawings, etc. Building approval lasts for two years…so I have to get started soon.

Owner Builder Diary – Year 2, September

admin — Fri, 29 Sep 2000 07:25:31 +0000

Architect submits plans and specifications to Council. Plans expected to take 4 to 6 weeks. Received letter from Council acknowledging receipt of plans. Sent a copy of plans (with covering note) to neighbour on South boundary (the only one I know) – although Council will notify neighbours and send them a copy of the plans – so that any objections they may have can be dealt with. Architect handles one or two comments from neighbour on west boundary to do with a window on the west and a slight error on the plan which said that the fence/hedge would be replaced – agree not to replace hedge (this gives west neighbour privacy).

Owner Builder Diary – Year 2, August

admin — Sat, 26 Aug 2000 07:24:56 +0000

Get Tyrrells Property Inspections to do a PlanCheck on the plans. Tyrrells suggest a few revisions and point out some things to consider – change the entry slightly – good idea. Architect does final revisions. Check the plans again. Give architect a cheque for Council fees (roughly in the $2000 range) which includes approval and development and construction certificate costs.

Owner Builder Diary – Year 2, June/July

admin — Mon, 17 Jul 2000 07:23:45 +0000

Architect revises plans and adjusts. Outcome is probably better, not so much like telephone box (ie tall and thin) – house now stretched out. Have reduced size of garage from double to single. Also it is better to discuss any issues with Council prior to submitting plans because resubmitting can be costly – both from the architect’s fees and Council fees – plus of course the hassle.

House area is approximately 185 square metres; garage is about 28 square metres and verandah area is 60 square metres. Making a total of about 270 square metres.

Owner Builder Diary – Year 2, May

admin — Mon, 29 May 2000 07:23:10 +0000

Meet architect to look at first draft of plans – make revisions. Decide to have ensuite – this makes 3 bathrooms. Architect thinks this will be expensive – but I prefer not to share bathroom with guests on a cold night. Take trip to mountains with architect to see Council – discover that council will not allow three levels even if house is within 8 metre high building envelope. Back to the drawing board to unstack house to two levels.

Owner Builder Diary – Year 2, April

admin — Wed, 26 Apr 2000 07:22:04 +0000

Confirm arrangements with architect in writing and document all the details required in the house, eg fireplace, underfloor heating, water tank, double-glazing, timber etc. And of course the building budget. Decide to only use the architect to design the house – not for supervision during the process. Shall use Tyrrells for the supervision.

Owner Builder Diary – Year 2, March

admin — Tue, 28 Mar 2000 07:21:23 +0000

Meet with architect and look at some of the houses he has designed (mainly around Pittwater in Sydney’s north) Take a trip on boat to look at same – quite fun and Pittwater is lovely in the early morning – but definitely not as nice as the blue mountains in the morning mist – well to me anyway. Discuss a flat fee for drawing up the plans – 3% which in this case is $6,000 + GST. Ensure that this includes submitting the plans to Council (but not the council fees) and negotiating with council prior to submission. Take a trip to Leura and meet the architect on the block. Discuss position of the house on the block – must capture filtered view to the south – relay conversations with Council and provide architect with details of who to contact at Council. Mention that driveway position must avoid bowerbird nest in northwest corner – the nest has marvellous collection of blue lids, bottle tops, pegs and straws. And, of course, a bower bird.

Find a place to have a cup of coffee – the first of many.

Owner Builder Diary – Year 2, February

admin — Thu, 24 Feb 2000 07:18:33 +0000

Search for suitable/recommended architect and decide to use the architect recommended by the second project builder. Like the architect and he is local to me in Sydney – he’s experienced in domestic architecture.