Hi Nectar,
Congratulations on your achievement and thanks for your recommendation. The real hero here is YOU as you have proved that taking a risk and knowing your limitations and asking…

Hi Strawlizzy,
Just on a tachnical note a post and beam strawbale construction works best by having the structural framing encapsulated by the strawbale and clay render. This provides fire protection…

Hi Strawlizzy,
Being totally committed to an ideology like strawbale is admirable.
I have helped many owner builders achieve their strawbale dream. I now have the hindsight to know to pitfalls, highs…

Hi buildwest
There is no accurate simple answer to your question. The only way to work out the price is to do the actual quantities for labour and materials .
When I…

Hi zeeshanzaki
There is no easy answer to your question. There are so many variables.
As StewieD suggests you are better off going with a project home builder if it is a…

Hi Schultzie,
I have finally got around to writing my blog on getting an owner builder loan. If you check it out you will still find that it is not any…

Hi Guys,
Greenify here. I need to sack the accountant for not paying the ISP account.
The problem is I am also the accountant!
I have been promised my website will be…

Hi spam jam,
You can start by looking at the free 2014 home cost guide on my website.
You can find building costs per square m for all materials and labour costs.
You…

Hi Batey,
As you will find out the cost of labour is more expensive than the materials to build a home.
The simpler the home design the easier it is to build…

Hi Lenny,
You have certainly been given some great advice on this forum.
There is heaps of free stuff on subcontractor cost comparisons, estimates, works schedules and scopes of work on my…

Hi Bebe,
I don't want to throw a wet blanket on your enthusiasm to owner build because I know you can save considerable money by managing the process yourself but it…

Hi Comfyhouse4me,
It sounds like they are taking advantage of you.
Before you make any further decisions or spend any money check out my website at www.greenifyconsulting.com.au and…

Hi square peg
There is no straight forward answer but if you go to my website you can download for free a detailed cost estimator that is based on current industry…

Hi Lucylu,
I have 5 wood fire places in my home. One is double sided (kitchen/Dining room)
I like to keep fit so collecting and splitting fire wood is a great way…

Hi All,
I just wanted to clarify a couple of things just in case you want to be an OB.
You will need at least 40% deposit if you want the bank…

Hi Jewel 740,
Owner building can be very stressful and end up costing you more money than if you got a builder to do it all for you.
In the current market…

Check out my website for checklists and spreadsheets, cost estimates and Gantt charts free to use
Www.greenifyconsulting.com.au

I would recommend you engage a project manager or builder for your first project. Stick close to them and learn. If you think building is for you then get your…

If you are planning doing an owner build then this is good news.
You can sign the contract and not pay anything until settlement. This will give you heaps of time…

Hi Smitho
The precast beams do need a small crane or franna but because they are already cut to size and numbered it is a very quick operation.200m 2 of…

Hi Dave and Kate
Don't rush into your build thinking that OB will save you money. It can if you plan it right.
What I suggest is you download my detailed cost…

Hi Nimisha
It is never safe to assume however I find it highly unusual to have a clay site in an A or S area. Developers aren't usually that naive …

Hi HHCIB
If your structural slab complies with the Aust Standard guidelines then you don't need an engineer to draw structural plans for you. You just use the standard details…

Use goanna oil all over the surface. You will be amazed.

Hi Smitho,
You have a couple of options for your slab
1) you can do strip footings , build the subfloor block work up to required height then do an infill slab.…

Hi howhardcanitbe,
If you want my spreadsheets as a cost guide I can PDF them for you. You won't have the functionality of an excel spreadsheet though.

Hi hopper,
Don't feel disappointed. You fit the profile of an owner builder. This is the main reason banks don't like lending to OBs. The other reason is because it takes…

Just flagging that this was a pretty old thread. If you want an up to date spreadsheet with current 2013 prices you are more than welcome to download my spreadsheet…

Hi Nimisha
I suggest you talk to a project manager before you do too much more.
You can get plenty of good advice for free from here but now that you have…

Hi namweng,
you could try it with silicone. At this point you have got nothing to lose.
It will be difficult to get a good looking finish with silicone.
You would also…