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How to avoid costly mistakes when building a new home or investment

Correys

How to avoid costly mistakes when building a new home

Building a new home is an expensive and complicated endeavour. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, and even a small mistake can end up costing you a lot of money. ES Design goes over some of the most common mistakes people make when building a new home and how you can avoid them.

Set a budget

One of the most important things you must do is to work out how much building or designing a new home will realistically cost you – plus extra for any problems that may arise.  

Leave it to the professionals 

Whatever you do, unless you are a professional builder by trade, don’t be an owner-builder. Sometimes people think of building their home as a DIY project. However, this can be fraught with danger. It could cost you a large amount of money while also putting your health at risk.

Hire the right people

Hire the right building designer or architect. This is crucial if you want your home build to be a success, starting from the ground up. When looking at finding the right tradespeople, this is one of the most important steps you need to take.

Not doing your research 

One of the most common mistakes people make when building a new home is not doing their research. There are many moving parts to building a new home, and it’s essential to understand them before you start. Otherwise, you could end up making a costly mistake. Do your research before you start building, and share your preferences with the professionals you have selected so that the project has a solid foot forward before construction begins. 

Ask the question: Do I need Development Approval? 

In NSW, most minor developments won’t need approval. For example, if you are adding a deck or a carport to your home that is no greater than 25 square metres, there is no need to get council approval.

If you are building a new home or undertaking a significant renovation, you need a DA. This process involves getting a range of documents and certifications signed before any building starts. Development approval in NSW can be a challenging process that requires time and a lot of patience. When you start on the development path, there are many things to look out for, and it’s easy to miss something without expert guidance. 

The Environment Planning & Assessment Act 1979, sets penalties of up to $1.1 million for unauthorised or non-complying developments. Depending on the council and the extent of the development work, you can be issued an on-the-spot infringement notice for each breach that you commit up to $1,500 (for individuals) and $3,000 (for companies).

Factor in the time it takes for Development Approval.

So how long does Development Approval take? Submitting a Development Application can be long and arduous unless you have expert help. The DA approval process can be one of the most frustrating things about building a home. The average time for a development approval also depends on the size and scope of the development. Once the DA is lodged with council, it can take 21 to 90 days before a decision is made. At ES Design, we can help by consulting with our extensive network of suppliers to produce a package for submission to the certifying authority. We then act as a liaison between the council, giving you updates from approval through to construction. 

Don’t sign contracts without knowing exactly what you’re signing

It’s easy to think that a contract is a legal document that no one understands, so signing it is just part of the process. However, when building a home, the documents you sign can have serious consequences further down the road if not fully understood. If in doubt, ask a legal professional to look over it.

You can trust ES Design for your dream building project

Regarding building design, ES Design is at the forefront of the industry. We focus on you to find out what your exact needs are. It’s only then that we can determine exactly what the brief is to create your vision. Our town planners will maximise the potential of your land, while our building designers will use these recommendations to align with your brief to create your dream home. We also specialise in streamlining DAs for our clients, armed with a clear understanding of local and state legislation and decades of experience.

At ES Design, we capture all necessary information to do with your development, taking the time to understand your requirements and the compliance surrounding them. If you’d like to find out more or to book an appointment, call us today on 0460 000 000.

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Why dual occupancy homes are today’s popular trend

South Coogee

Dual occupancy homes are a trend in NSW that keeps on growing, and when you look at the cost of homes and the fact that renters are competing for a limited number of available properties, it’s easy to see why. As cities across Australia become denser, the appeal of these types of homes keeps rising. Some homeowners want to live in one home and use the other as passive income. Others wish to have their extended family or ageing parents living with them while still having their own space.

Two is better than one

So what does dual occupancy mean? The NSW Building Code defines a dual occupancy home as simply two dwellings on one block of land that can come in various forms. Attached dual occupancy designs are homes that share a common or dividing wall. In contrast, detached dual occupancy refers to two freestanding homes positioned on a single block of land and is the ideal solution for land that cannot be subdivided. You can use one as your residence and have the other as your passive income. Alternatively, you can use one for your extended family, such as elderly parents.

You can use the equity in your home

Many people want to use the equity that they have in their home to help them pay it off sooner. By converting their home into a dual occupancy residence, they can start producing an income stream that can allow them to quickly pay down their mortgage. Then, if they decide further down the track that they no longer need the additional income, they can sell the property to a buyer. 

Higher rental yield for investors

For investors, the benefit of transforming properties into dual occupancy homes is a great way to increase their rental yields. Dual occupancy can turn an average investment into a significant increase in long-term gains. Not only in terms of additional rental return but also in the resale value of their dual income-producing property.

Types of dual occupancy designs

One of the most common styles in NSW is a side-by-side dual occupancy (attached), which means the original home has probably been demolished to achieve this. Another style is a detached dual occupancy, which creates two free standing homes that can be rented or sold separately. If your site is sitting on a corner block, the dual occupancy can be designed so that each dwelling house will face a different road.

The best dual occupancy designs are the ones that suit your needs

Design is the key to the success of your dual occupancy home. Successfully transforming a property into a dual occupancy home relies heavily on engaging an architect with real design skills (or a building design company such as ES Design).

A great design provides a high quality dual occupancy design that provides privacy for residents of both dwellings. An attractive dual occupancy design gives the home buyers great indoor and outdoor amenities. That’s why it makes sense to engage an architect or building designer to help you create the right dual occupancy design to suit your current and future needs.

A streamlined process with ES Design

Our team of experienced professionals are proactive in their approach to remain informed and up to date with changes in legislation and certifier requirements. We are across it all so that you don’t have to be, resulting in a smoother, more simplified approval process.

We can also help you design a spacious, self-contained home, and perfect for ageing parents or to create another income stream. So before making any decisions, let ES Design take you through the design process step-by-step. With a wealth of experience and knowledge about what makes a great dual occupancy design, we’ll provide you with the best advice and guidance to maximise your property’s potential. To find out more about our services, call us on 0460 000 000.