Building New House (Possible Owner Build) - Any Tips etc

[Wrexter]

Hey Folks

Currently in the process of getting plans drawing up to build a new place (Narrow Lot style). Getting it drawn by an independant designer and then going out for quotes. Depending on prices, looking at possibly owner building.

Anyone here have experience owner building? Have built a few homes in the past through project builders so quite familiar with the process, only difference is this time its going to be double storey which complicates things abit.

Anyone build a house and want to share any things they wish they did but didn't or glad they did/included.


PS. If anyone is considering building / large Reno, Government is about to announce a ~25K Stimulus in the next couple of days aimed at helping the construction sector. Wont be aimed at just new home builders too.



Thanks

[summoner]

Hmm.. wonder how this is going to pan out.. could be tempting to do some more work around the house.. if I can get the government to pay for a new garage or pool that would be amusing.

[mr_rotary]

Check with the banks first as you will probably need most of the cash to do the build as a lot of banks won't loan the full amount (can't recoup costs on an unfinished house).
You will need a LOT of time on your hands to supervise the build and organise trades.
An owner built 2-storey on a small 300m2 close to me lot took the owner about 3 years to complete and he was there most days/nights.
Single storey owner builds are a lot easier but 2-storey are another level, excuse the pun!

I suggest either have a builder complete to lock-up and you complete the rest or have a builder build at cost plus (they add a % onto invoices).
Plenty of small builders out there who can do this.

Now is a very good time to wheel and deal with builders as they ALL want your business right now.

I'm in the building industry so hope this helps.

[Wrexter]

Check with the banks first as you will probably need most of the cash to do the build as a lot of banks won't loan the full amount (can't recoup costs on an unfinished house).
You will need a LOT of time on your hands to supervise the build and organise trades.
An owner built 2-storey on a small 300m2 close to me lot took the owner about 3 years to complete and he was there most days/nights.
Single storey owner builds are a lot easier but 2-storey are another level, excuse the pun!

I suggest either have a builder complete to lock-up and you complete the rest or have a builder build at cost plus (they add a % onto invoices).
Plenty of small builders out there who can do this.

Now is a very good time to wheel and deal with builders as they ALL want your business right now.

I'm in the building industry so hope this helps.

Thanks for the tips. 3 Years seems very long, even by owner build standards. Is there a particular reason it took this long?

Scheduling issues?
Poor Trade selection?
Build Issues?
Lack of Trade Resources?

[Sensible]

You seemed pretty organised when I did those other jobs for you so you should be ok with the owner builder process, scheduling and getting trade in the correct order is usually the biggest killer and creates holdups when trades have to come back to change things that you didn’t foresee

Getting as much detail into the plans is vital for trades to understand what is required, while I was supervising for a small apartment builder most of my day was spent taking to the drafty’s to get extra detail, measurements, elevation it now I’m back on the tools working for a project builder everything is right I front of me on the plans and far less redo’s happen

[mr_rotary]

Thanks for the tips. 3 Years seems very long, even by owner build standards. Is there a particular reason it took this long?

Scheduling issues?
Poor Trade selection?
Build Issues?
Lack of Trade Resources?

Did a lot of it himself plus the quality of the level of the fit-out.
Had hand-made feature bricks, polished concrete etc etc.

Then again builders can take their time too with poor supervisors.
Dale Alcock triplex build also nearby was 2 years which should of taken half the time.

As above, organisation of trades is key to shorter build times.
And also agree with having a quality set of plans.

[Wrexter]

You seemed pretty organised when I did those other jobs for you so you should be ok with the owner builder process, scheduling and getting trade in the correct order is usually the biggest killer and creates holdups when trades have to come back to change things that you didn’t foresee

Getting as much detail into the plans is vital for trades to understand what is required, while I was supervising for a small apartment builder most of my day was spent taking to the drafty’s to get extra detail, measurements, elevation it now I’m back on the tools working for a project builder everything is right I front of me on the plans and far less redo’s happen

Haha glad you noticed! Having borderline OCD with a background in drafting and engineering will do that.

My day job involved project managing offshore engineering design, fabrication & installation so hoping that will help. Excel & MS Project are my best friends:)




Did a lot of it himself plus the quality of the level of the fit-out.
Had hand-made feature bricks, polished concrete etc etc.

Then again builders can take their time too with poor supervisors.
Dale Alcock triplex build also nearby was 2 years which should of taken half the time.

As above, organisation of trades is key to shorter build times.
And also agree with having a quality set of plans.

I'm not planning on doing anything myself. I dont have the time or the will power to be honest unless its a small task / day job. Purely cost & schedule management. Hoping to also lean on my designer for site queries too which he has said he will support me in that sense.

Key for me is finding the right trades & understanding the correct order for trades.

Aim is to get it done in 12-15 months.

I'm getting finance for the land only. The build wont need to be financed so should be ok on that front.

[summoner]

Key for me is finding the right trades & understanding the correct order for trades.

.

That I found the hardest when I was managing our home renovations. It all came together but in hindsight I'd have done some trades other way around etc or organised at similar time so they could work together better rather than around eachother.

[Wrexter]

That I found the hardest when I was managing our home renovations. It all came together but in hindsight I'd have done some trades other way around etc or organised at similar time so they could work together better rather than around eachother.

The designer/drafter i have signed up has a lot of experience (designed a friends house, designed my sisters). He has a network of alot of trades too so will come in handy.

I'm also going to do the owner builder one day course at the HomeBase Expo.

But by all means, if anyone has suggestions for trades / contacts please pass detials, i am putting together a list.

@Sensible, do you work exclusively for a project builder? what services do you guys provide.

[Sensible]

Happy to help with setting correct order for trades and also have a good trade bank
Plus I know a half decent plasterer

[mr_rotary]

The handout grant has been confirmed:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-03/government-coronavirus-construction-stimulus-renovations-25k/12317786

[Sensible]

@Sensible, do you work exclusively for a project builder? what services do you guys provide.

Project builders pay the bills but we do do private work just not actively chasing it as usually the amount of time quoting jobs and not getting them outweigh the extra $$$ you can earn so really just do jobs when we get recommended from previous clients

We do all aspects of internal and external plastering from normal float and set through to decorative plaster

[crabman]

The handout grant has been confirmed:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-03/government-coronavirus-construction-stimulus-renovations-25k/12317786

Devo.... 'means' testing. Was keen to slap on a second story and hand the second half of my reno (5 years counting) to someone else hahaha

[Alt_F4]

There's apparently WA State level grants in the works, announcements in the next week.
Personally keen for a smaller grant I could throw at a kitchen reno

[mr_rotary]

There's apparently WA State level grants in the works, announcements in the next week.
I've been advised it will be announced this Sunday.

[summoner]

Devo.... 'means' testing. Was keen to slap on a second story and hand the second half of my reno (5 years counting) to someone else hahaha

the criteria are so rubbish.. but I still laugh as twitter folks claim it's aimed to help the rich.

Guess they miss the cut off for income.. that's a FIFO family with the wife working a normal job.. or 2 professionals working etc..

Hardly rich people

[Evman]

But also, hardly accessible to the majority regardless. Very few people would a) have 150k or more lying around for renovations; b) be willing to borrow significant amounts during a recession; or c) be willing to invest heavily into their house with very uncertain and likely negative property market projections

[Wrexter]

I find it odd that when building a new house on vacant land, you are only eligable for House and Land value up to $750K.

But if you knock down your house and build a new house, total value can be $1.5M.