Building or renovating a home entails many exciting prospects and visions of your ideal spaces, catered specifically for your family lifestyle and taste. However, if you are not prepared and well informed, it could become a lengthy and costly process. There are many pitfalls and unexpected obstacles in the building matrix. The process involves various permits, dispensations, budget management, finding and negotiating with a builder and the bittersweet process of construction where cost blowouts and unforeseeable issues occur.
Luckily, some initial observation, research, and planning can eliminate problems and anticipate future events. In addition to knowing what you would like to have, how much you want to spend and the time frame for completion, we have summarised eight tips to help plan for a successful renovation and building project.
Seeking and collating sources of inspiration is valuable in developing, processing and communicating your envisaged project. In addition to magazine segments or photographs, this could take a range of forms. Websites and apps such as Houzz and Pinterest are useful tools to create boards of materials, design qualities or interior designs. These can give your architect insight into your personal preferences which can then be synthesized and elaborated on through the design process. However, it is important to deeply question the essence of why you like something and to begin to understand the larger, more personal atmospheres or concepts this might inform.
Budget forecasting is not an easy job and there is no guarantee if the construction quote and the actual construction cost will be to plan. Therefore, developing an initial budget for your project is another important step. This issue is explored in our blog post ‘3 tips to effectively manage your budget’.
There are two primary permits you may require for your project, and it is important to know which are applicable to you.
Planning Permit: It is essential to know in which planning zone your property is in. This will affect what you can and cannot build, up to what height, and the appearance of the facades. The first step to know your property beyond its physical form is obtaining a property report from www.land.gov.vic. These reports will tell you what zones your property is in. They also have direct links to the Melbourne Planning Scheme where you can find information on whether you will need a Planning Permit, maximum building height, and residential building codes. In most metropolitan area in Victoria, a planning permit is required for land size less than 300 sqm or 500sqm for 1 dwelling on a lot. If you build more than 2 dwellings on a lot, you will definitely need a permit. If unsure, the best bet is to ring up your local council’s Planning and Building department.
Building Permit: If there are any structural alterations or additions such as new walls, roofs, footings, deck, alternating existing load-bearing structure, a building permit will be required. The documents required for a Building Permit Application will most likely involve a building practitioner (such as architect, drafter, or owner-builder), structural engineer, and energy rater. If you are an owner builder, you can build 1 house every 3 years.
Mature trees are beautiful but can be a key deciding factor on the architectural and structural design and greatly impact construction costs. Removing a significant tree will require a permit from council. In Victoria, you are not allowed to remove any significant tree within 12 months of a Planning Permit Application. Pay attention to any significant trees in your neighbours’ properties. Dependant on their proximity to your title boundary, they may affect your built project. If you are concerned about any vegetation, you should request an arborist report and advice prior to removing any significant tree.
Apart from obtaining council approval for your Planning Permit Application, objections from neighbours are a high risk leading to expensive design alterations, or sometimes VCAT disputes. Therefore, it is worthwhile maintaining a good relationship with your neighbour and communicating your plans from an early stage. The planning scheme is set out to protect the amenities of the adjacent properties and the proposed work. Understanding what may affect your neighbours’ amenities, their interests and concern will help your project proceed smoothly.
In addition to what can be observed, every architectural project is subject to the influences of invisible existing site conditions. These may include sewerage features, easements, stormwater drainage, submerged rocks and anything else lying below the ground. Furthermore, underground services require clearances. Dial Before You Dig is a great website to obtain information regarding critical assets in and around your site. A geotechnical or soil report is an essential document to support your Building Permit Application and for the engineer to design the footings. It will also unveil any significant rocks underground. If found, will escalate the construction cost.
Planning and design for a renovation or a new home can be a lengthy process. The good news is that you don’t have to do that alone. There are consultants and local council where you can turn on for information. An initial consultation with an architect will answer many of your questions and inform you of the process. If you are thinking about a renovation or building a new home, book in a 15-minute phone consultation, and it’s on us!
