How Tough It Is To Be A DIY Builder For Home Extensions?

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The inflation in the real estate sector is higher than the usual inflation rate. This motivates homeowners to get home extensions done rather than moving to a new property or going for knocking and rebuilding. Another trend is that most people choose to build themselves rather than hire a registered builder. The reason they cite is that this saves a lot of money, but for this, everything must go precisely to plan, and you must have sufficient experience in building. Another reason is that they will have complete control over the process and the design and build of the property.

But a question worth answering is whether it is a practical solution or not, and we have covered this in this blog post.

WHAT WILL DEFINE YOU AS A BUILDER?

If you are planning to become a DIY builder to build your home extensions or second-story extensions, you must acquire the following three qualities.

Using your own skills to build

Manage a team of tradespeople (sub-contractors) to work on the property

You must be a registered builder or at least applied for owner-builder registration with the building commission

There are some crucial facts to know regarding building construction, and they are essential regardless of whether you attempt DIY or hire a registered builder.

BUILDING WORK OVER $5000

Any construction process seeking investment over $5000 will require some obligations to fulfil. 

First, you must use a registered builder, and secondly, you must also have a written domestic building contract. For any project worth over $12000, you must have a current certificate of domestic building insurance or the registered builder must produce this certificate.

A certificate of consent from the building practitioners’ board is also required for any project costing over $12000.

PLANS AND PERMITS

Regardless of how small or big the project is, some plans and permits will be required, and this is where a registered builder can be handy. He will ensure that all the plans and permits needed for home extensions and second storey extensions are arranged on time. This will include the following – 

Local Laws

Mandatory Energy Rating Requirements

Foundation Data, Including Soil Tests, And Engineering

Excavation Costs, If Required

Site Survey Results From A Licensed Land Surveyor

MANAGING THE BUILDING TEAM

The most stressful thought of being a DIY builder for home extensions is managing the overall process and keeping the team united throughout the project. You will need several service providers, sub-contractors, tradespeople, and others to engage in construction. A registered builder can be beneficial in your home extension process as they are experienced in managing the entire team. Apart from this, the team also has additional expertise and skills to manage the team and keep it united throughout the process.

What Questions To Ask Before Starting Home Extensions Project?

Image source: https://apexalterations.com.au/our-services/house-extensions/

Home additions and extensions are a significant project, and homeowners must have a completely clear view of what is going to come in home extension projects. The services of a reputed construction company are mandatory, followed by the answers to all the questions that homeowners have. There can be questions related to several things associated with the home extensions project, and they must have the answers. These answers come from the chosen home additions company; and some are discussed here.

CAN YOU PROVIDE COMPLETE HOME EXTENSIONS SERVICES?

The chosen home additions company should offer the entire range of home extension services, including loft conversion as well. They should come with the experience and expertise to provide services from initial free consultation and survey to completion of home extensions/home additions projects. These services should also include administration using the most advanced technologies to meet customers’ specific requirements. They should also offer structural calculations, application of building regulations and law development certificates, etc.

DO YOU REQUIRE ANY DEPOSIT BEFORE THE PROJECT?

The ideal answer is that the company should not seek any deposit before beginning the project. In lieu, they will take a financial commitment from the customer that he will pay for the administration upon signing the contract. This will include the cost of drawing and structural calculations and the fees paid to local authorities to obtain necessary permissions and certificates.

DO YOU SEEK SERVICES FROM SUB-CONTRACTORS?

Here also, the best answer is ‘no’, that subcontractors are not used for home extensions and additions. But yes, hiring subcontractors for scaffolding, electrical fittings, AC and heating engineering, and so on is mandatory. Otherwise, they should not use any subcontractors for registered groundwork or bricklaying.

WHAT OFFER DO YOU HAVE IN TERMS OF WARRANTY?

The company should back its work with a minimum of 10 years of structural warranty and ensure long-lasting and cost-effective results. As far as pre-planning and construction is concerned, they should take care of the following – 

• Sourcing Building Materials

• Equipment Hire

• Qualified And Experienced Skilled Trade Workers

• Council Approval And Inspections

• Building Permits And Job Certification

• Site Surveying

• Certificate Of Occupancy

HOW MUCH DIRT OR DUST WILL BE GENERATED?

Some disruption and disturbance is inevitable, and so are the dirt and dust. The home renovation company is responsible for minimizing it as much as possible. They should ensure that invasive works like ‘breaking through’ and ‘installing beams’ are carried out late in the project. Apart from this, they should also apply all reasonable measures to minimise dust generation and use a dust sheet, tapes, polythene, etc., to cover up dirt and dust. Some home renovation companies also use a vacuum cleaner to ensure that the property is left as clean as possible every day.

Genius Home Extensions Ideas to Extend Space in Your Home

 The first thought that rushes into the mind of homeowners is of building or buying a new house when they start feeling the shortage of space in their existing properties. But another option is to save hundreds and thousands of dollars while improving the quality of life significantly. This option is potent enough to add more space and value to your current property and ensure that you stay in the area that you are living in now. 

Home extensions Sydney is the right approach that ensures flexibility, comfort, and value. However, to make all these claims a reality, you must keep your approach positive and consider this option. You should not panic at all and immediately decide about getting a new home in some other locality.

With the help of a high-quality home additions builder, you will get multiple ideas on how to extend your home. Let us explore some amazing ones in this write-up.

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ADDING ANOTHER FLOOR

Most properties in Sydney had large block sizes in the past, and there was no reason to build upwards. But now, the situation has changed completely, and the average block size is somewhere around 383 square metres. This means that adding another floor is a great idea and a perfect way to add more space to your current property. As a part of the home extensions Sydney project, you can move all your bedrooms above, and the ground floor can be dedicated to an extended kitchen, a lounge, a dining area and a living area.

GARAGE CONVERSION

Most properties have a garage, but it remains unused all the time. Home additions builders have solutions for this, and with quick and easy conversion; this can become a whole extra room for your property. It can be used as a luxurious main bedroom or just a place for kids to enjoy home cinema.

EXTENDING ABOVE THE GARAGE

If you use your garage to park your vehicle, you need not worry, as home additions builders also have a solution to this. You can consider extending above the garage, and it can be an ideal solution if you already have two storeys. A new room or a couple of rooms can be built above your garage and linked with the rest of the floor. They can also work well as standalone rooms that can be used as guest rooms, a home office, gym or a studio space for content creators.

SIDE EXTENSION

The unused exterior side part of your house can also be used in house extensions Sydney projects by the home additions builders. While staying in compliance with the building codes, you can extend several rooms by the side of your home and make a massive difference while ensuring that you don't have to invest in purchasing a new property for another five decades.

Reasons Why Home Additions Are Better and Why Relocation Is Risky

Someone who has decided to relocate from the existing property and location to a better one is always confused about one thing. He has to decide whether to go for additions, or relocation is the only solution. Both options have their share of advantages and disadvantages, but overall, first floor additions are always better than your location. In this write-up, we have explored the drawbacks of moving, and then we will also go through the top reasons why home additions should be preferred over moving.

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NOTABLE DRAWBACKS OF MOVING

ADAPTING TAKES TIME 

The family will take a lot of time to adapt to a new environment. The family owner will have to make adjustments regarding how to travel to their job, and he will also have to determine school transportation or search for new schools.

UNFAMILIAR NEIGHBOURS

Relocation comes with the fact that you will move to an entirely new location where no one would know you, and you will know no one. Your neighbours will be unfamiliar with you and vice versa, and again you will have to invest a lot of time in making a solid bond with your neighbours.

RELOCATION IS ALWAYS RISKY

Yes, relocation is exciting compared to getting home additions done, but it is also risky. The family owner has to plan finances and pay attention towards every smallest detail of the location process. There are also chances of getting scammed if the contract is not read carefully. Also, expenses related to packing and moving furniture and then unpacking and placing them are significant.

REASONS WHY HOME ADDITIONS SYDNEY IS A BETTER OPTION

THERE IS NO RESEARCH WORK INVOLVED

To get first floor additions done, a family owner will simply need the services of a construction contractor and leave the project on the team. They will assess the situation, research a bit and then deliver a home addition that makes your property more spacious, grander and more valuable.

HOME ADDITIONS ARE ECONOMICAL

As compared to relocation, getting home additions done will cut your research time and expenses in half. A building permit would be required, and your construction contractor will be responsible for arranging this permit. He will also hire an architect or an interior designer for design inspirations, and as a result, you will get a property that has more space to accommodate your family members and is better in terms of resale value.