Thread: Builders advice required - extension.

The other option is to speak to a private certifier. Rarely these days do we deal directly with council. Yes things still need to meet their regs and be put through them. The certifiers are basicly pros that do that for a living. They are clued up on all the basic, latest rules etc. You could go owner builder also with one of these.

Things either council or certifiers will be looking at in your situation:

Site coverage ( amount of under roof area vs land area)
Proximity to boundry (how close)
Height of new addition( both max and gutter line)
Termite mitigation (mechanical barriers, visual, treated timber etc)
Structural requirements (footings, loadbearing, bracing, tie down)
Electrical
Plumbing

Thanks - so to clarify that, if I was an owner builder, and I employed the services of a private certifier, then they could guide me, and when the time came issue the certificate if occupancy?

They would deal with the council guff and I just have to worry about keeping the one person happy?

Originally Posted by uninformed

Things either council or certifiers will be looking at in your situation:

Site coverage ( amount of under roof area vs land area) Not an issue - the house was barely big enough to meet minimum requirements when I built it.
Proximity to boundry (how close)Plenty of room there too - my back yard is big and I wouldn't get within 3 metres to the back fence, and miles from either side - the houses both sides of me go further back than I'm planning
Height of new addition( both max and gutter line) One of the first things I need to know.
Termite mitigation (mechanical barriers, visual, treated timber etc)I have the original document about this when we built, so know the minimum requirements here - unless they change over time???
Structural requirements (footings, loadbearing, bracing, tie down) These are my biggest concerns - and what I need to know about the most.
Electrical Me - Easy
Plumbing My mate - Easy

...

Originally Posted by bacicat

Thanks - so to clarify that, if I was an owner builder, and I employed the services of a private certifier, then they could guide me, and when the time came issue the certificate if occupancy?

They would deal with the council guff and I just have to worry about keeping the one person happy?

Id say so, but remember im in QLD and you are in Vic. Could be some differences knowing this silly bloody country . As owner builder you would still have to apply for that licence. Not sure what that entails? You will still need building insurance, as a builder would have to have on the job, which you would be paying for anyway.

I would google or yellow pages some local certifiers in your area and give a call. get the whats what from the horses mouth.

Regarding timber, generally the timber yard should be able to run the numbers on what sizing you need for each memeber.

Bearers for example: Single span or continous? span? floor joist spacing, floor type, floor size (length x width) wall constrcution? cladding (internal and external) roof design? roof construction? roof covering? ceiling lining? They will ask most of those and punch the numbers into the computer. They should be able to give you options from HWD, treated pine and engineered timbers. Or you could go steel ( that would be a structural engineer and you would pay for that)

Here is a quick example: I built a big outdoor entertaining area for a mate, attached to his existing house. I asked if he wanted it certified/through council? he said nope, he would do it down the track. I made sure all my work was up to the current code. Not long into it (framing roof) the neighbours dobbed him in and the council sent him a letter saying "err, what you doing then son" He hired a private certifier. Things he required to meet needs:

Site survey: this to provide a true block size and location of boundaries, along with the size and location of existing house and new entertaining/roof area.

Draftsman: to draw up basic plans of site, house and new entertaining/roof area, in plan and elevation.

Engineer: to go through all new work done (lucky I had taken photos of all my work and could prove things like reo in piers, tie down, bracing etc).

The only issue he has was his site coverage. All work was approved and up to scratch, he ended up having to get the "town planner to look over and approve because of his site coverage (he was on a small block)

I am a member here:
Renovate Forums - Home

Same as us LR nutters but they be builder/renovator nutters!
Helpful bunch of chappies too.

Ralph

Originally Posted by Ralph1Malph

I am a member here:
Renovate Forums - Home

Same as us LR nutters but they be builder/renovator nutters!
Helpful bunch of chappies too.

Ralph

Great site - thanks, I've signed up, and there is plenty of reading to be done.