What should you expect to pay before your building on your Second Storey Addition can start?

To finance an addition on your home, you may find yourself applying for a Construction Loan with your lender. This is all well and good; however, you may find that the lender will not formally approve and release funds until plans, Council approval, and a Contract is in place outlining the progress stage payments of the build. So, to get to this point, how much should you expect to outlay? The short answer is that, for most of our clients at Smart Home Additions, it’s around $20-$25K to complete the preliminary stage – this is for the preparation of all the documents required to start building.

Here at Smart Home Additions, we break it down into two manageable costs for our clients, and below is an explanation of the preliminary process to help you as a client understand what happens before we can issue contracts and start your build:

Preliminary Phase 1: Design and Development of Your Architectural Plans

This is the start of your building journey with us. Here we coordinate a survey and engage the draftsperson to come out and meet with you. The draftsperson will talk you through your ideas, then design your initial concept plan to align with the quotation you have received. Usually, a few tweaks may be required, and then you can sign off on your concept plan, and the full architectural drawings can be created, ready for us to lodge for planning approval.

Preliminary Phase 2: Council Lodgement – Development Application & Construction Certificate OR Complying Development Consent

Once your plans are finalised (sitemap, elevations, shadow diagrams, floor plans, etc.), the next step is where we will lodge your plans with the Council or to a Private Certifier either as a Complying Development Consent OR as a Development Application and Construction Certificate.

CDC or DA/CC fees will be advised once plans are developed, and a Council fee quote can be provided. Here we obtain the additional relevant documentation needed for your build to be ready to start, and this includes:

  • Statement of Environmental Effects – Details the potential environmental impacts the proposed build will have.
  • Waste Management Plan – Applies to all homes across Australia and explains how waste generated on-site will be managed, maintained, and disposed of.
  • BASIX – The Building Sustainability Index applies to all residential homes across NSW and confirms the glazing and energy rating minimum required to comply.
  • Engineering plans, and if a first-floor addition, a first-floor certification to confirm your existing home will support the addition.
  • Hydraulic plan and certification – This is to confirm your stormwater connections and how we will connect to the existing or if there are upgrades to the existing needed.
  • Sydney Water check – To confirm that your build will not impact any of Sydney Waters assets.
  • Sewer Service Diagram – We obtain this for the plumber to see where the existing connections to the home are.
  • Long Service Levy – Applies to all residential works over $250K.
  • There may be additional supporting documents required (e.g., Bushfire Report, Flood Report, Acoustic Report, etc.), and any other supporting documents as required.

How long does this process take? Well, this all depends on the Council, the service providers, and you as the client. We find that from planning to Council approval to issuing you with contracts can take around 3/4 months. Once your build cost and inclusions have been finalised, and your HIA fixed-price contract has been issued, you can then provide these to your lender to finalise your finance approval.

If you haven’t built before or have no knowledge of the building and construction industry, preparing all these documents can seem quite daunting. That’s why with Smart Home Additions, you would have us as your main point of contact to do all the hard work for you. We even liaise between yourself and the draftsperson to help you stay within your budget when developing your plans and address any questions you have about the build along the way.

7 Cost-Effective Ways to Save on Your Second Storey Addition

As interest rates have risen, many homeowners face challenges in expanding their living spaces due to reduced lending capacity. A common question arises: “How can we achieve additional space within budget?” Here are seven cost-effective strategies to consider for your second storey addition or extension.

  1. Strategic Planning: Maximise the value of your investment, if considering a second storey addition and a ground floor renovation, focus purely on expanding the size of your home first and the renovation at a later date. This could mean that you can increase value to your home, and you can potentialy renovate later with the additional equity created.
  2. Electrical: Consider the single batten light instead of the 4 downlights in a room, this can reduce wiring, save you electricity costs and build costs and scope of works.
  3. Weatherboard Cladding: Opt for Weatherboard cladding for your home’s exterior. This choice not only saves on material and labour costs but also provides an attractive aesthetic. Explore options like Weathertex cladding for a cost-effective and visually appealing solution.
  4. Ensuite Evaluation: Assess the necessity of an ensuite for the guest bedroom. If it’s rarely used, eliminating this space can result in significant savings on tiling, electrical, plumbing, and fit-out costs, as well as maintenance.
  5. Tile Choices for Bathrooms: Bathroom tiles can impact build costs significantly. Explore various tile options to find a balance between quality and affordability. Choosing a more budget-friendly tile can result in substantial savings without compromising aesthetics.
  6. Door Selection: Decide between solid doors and cost-effective hollowcore doors. Consider whether all doors need an immediate upgrade or if you can choose the more affordable option now, planning for future upgrades.
  7. DIY Internal Painting: If you have the time and skills, consider tackling the internal painting yourself. Hosting a painting day with friends and family can not only be a cost-saving measure but also a fun and collaborative experience.

When deciding on a home addition or extension, finding the balance between needs and budget is crucial. Every family has a unique approach to their requirements, and compromises may be necessary. Clients who focus on increasing home value within a manageable budget often express greater satisfaction and go on to address additional upgrades later. For personalised advice on your addition and associated costs, consult with us—the addition specialists. Contact us today for guidance on your future second storey addition project.

What you can do to prepare your home for a severe weather event?

In recent times, Australia has faced severe weather conditions, marked by high winds and heavy rainfall. These events, along with similar occurrences in recent years, can sometimes surpass the design benchmarks set by the Building Code of Australia (BCA) for homes constructed within the country.

During extreme weather conditions, rainwater can forcefully breach closed windows and be propelled onto roofs in ways homes aren’t designed for, leading to potential water ingress. While the resulting damage may often be minor, it can still cause significant stress for homeowners.

Preparing Your Home for Severe Weather

To safeguard your home against water ingress during severe weather events, incorporate the following checks into your ongoing home maintenance routine:

  1. Clear Gutters and Downpipes: Regularly ensure that gutters and downpipes are free of debris, leaves, and any obstructions.
  2. Roof Inspection: Check your roof routinely for signs of slipped roof tiles, cracks, and potential entry points for water ingress, especially after recent contractor visits (e.g., Foxtel or solar panel installation).
  3. Stormwater Drains: Examine stormwater drains for any blockages that may impede proper drainage.
  4. Window and Door Seals: Inspect window and door seals for signs of cracks or aging, as these can be potential entry points for water.
  5. Identify and Seal Entry Points: Look for other possible entry points and promptly seal them if necessary.

Dealing with Water Ingress During a Severe Weather Event

If you experience water ingress during a severe weather event, follow these steps:

  1. Emergency Assistance: In case of an emergency, contact the SES (State Emergency Service) for immediate assistance.
  2. Mitigate Incoming Water: Take necessary actions to stop or reduce the incoming water as much as possible.
  3. Contact Home Insurer: Reach out to your home insurer as the first step to understanding the options available to you.

Post-Severe Weather Event Actions

When severe weather events occur, homeowners typically contact their home builder for inspections or rectification of damage. However, if the issues arise due to the severe weather event, it is advisable to consider the following:

  1. Emergency Situations: For immediate assistance, contact the SES.
  2. Non-Emergency Situations: Take actions to mitigate water ingress and then contact your home insurer to explore available options.
  3. Claimable Under Insurance: Damages caused by severe weather events are likely claimable under your owner’s home insurance.
  4. Maintenance Responsibilities: If the issues are a result of the severe weather event, they may fall under your owner’s home insurance or be considered maintenance issues for you to address.

In conclusion, proactively addressing potential vulnerabilities and promptly seeking assistance or taking preventive measures during severe weather events can minimize the impact on your home and provide peace of mind for homeowners.