Sadly, I know the feeling. It's been almost two years since we settled on our land. DA took almost 18mths of back and forth between Council and the builder (via…

I'm back at the specification stage again. I'm wondering if it's worth considering alternative materials to try and reduce the impact of cost rises and delays (e.g. cladding instead of…

I have to agree with this. For me, if I do this with anything it will not be about saving money, it will be because I want a particular product…

Tell me about it! They're even trying to tell us what our neighbours have to have in their yards...

no intel but in a similar position (in fact our builder cancelled our contract because it was no longer profitable and we have to resign). My guess is it will…

Will entirely depend on the Council. We'd probably be in deep doodoo with our Council but others may be OK.
With the fence, check the regs with your Council as there…

Thanks again for everything. I appreciate it immensely!

Yeah, I started with the block and knowing that I wanted the car accommodation in the top "right" corner and just started building from there. What should wall widths be…

Oh my god - that's amazing! I love it!! I can't believe you put this together. What did you do that in? And would you be prepared to share it…

Excellent questions oklouise!
Yes, the dimensions are pretty hard to read. The downside of using a free tool to create it (I don't have the energy to reproduce it right now…

Lol - Keep It Simple Stupid
Council conditions are things like windows that needed to be obscured, etc, use these plants, basic stuff that most councils want yet somehow the builder…

Hi all,
I've attached a floor plan that I've done up that I'm hoping to build on my block (sorry for the really poor quality - couldn't download a decent quality…

Wow that sucks! We’re pretty well stuck with our builder but I think we’re nearly there. Luckily so far our builder hasn’t tried to hit us with price increases but…

Any ideas how I can put a rocket up Council and our builders?
March 2020 we first put our application into Council. Still waiting on final approval!! At this point it’s…

Thanks. Yes, lighting will be a big deal. Our current kitchen is awful so well aware! I’ll be looking at under cupboard lighting and will have pendants over the island.…

We ended up going with the Mocha Febrini but changed the upper cabinets to Taupe. They seem like they will work quite well together. I'm not too concerned about a…

Quite traditional really. Unfortunately we are still a long way off. Our Council are painful and it’s taken over 12 mths so far for Council Approval. Looks like at least…

Here's where we ended up (thought I had a rendering but apparently I don't). It's quite different to most of the stuff being built at the moment but fits in…

Accidentally posted twice

Hear hear! Totally agree. We are with a smaller builder and all their options are grey. We were luckily able to design our own colour scheme (provided we stuck with…

Totally agree about the difficulty in deciding from small colour swatches! Yeah, a few people have commented on the darker doors but I think it will be fine. Our tastes…

Fair point. Thanks for your input.

I looked at that one. I was concerned it would be a little boring given there is no texture anywhere else (other than the upper cabinets). The kitchen is at…

We were originally having stone benchtops but have had to change to laminate for budgetary reasons. We are trying to work out what colour benchtops (and will possibly continue it…

Would be interested to know what. We tried going back asking if we could use screening instead but Council said they don't allow that - only obscured glazing.
End of the…

Anyone have a bedroom/s with obscured glazing and no ability to open up to 1.7m above floor? Would love some feedback on this as our Council have said all our…

Update:
Went back to Council asking if we can do screens instead (as per the building regs). Apparently Knox Council don’t accept that and will only allow obscure glazing. Boggles the…

Looking into fencing at the moment. What sort of difference in price is there between Colorbond and Timber fences these days? An acquaintance has suggested they are effectively the same…

Thanks. Did try Google but didn’t have any luck hence the post here.

Trying to make sure I understand the various conditions the Council have put on our planning application...
Anyone know what this might mean?
"Alterations to front fence for splay area or replace…