
DA refused -Masterton homes
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…

Build cost predications post 2022
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…

Post handover
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…

Actual Landscape differs from council Landscape plan
Tell me about it! They're even trying to tell us what our neighbours have to have in their yards...

Build cost predications post 2022
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…

Actual Landscape differs from council Landscape plan
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…

Floor plan feedback please
Thanks again for everything. I appreciate it immensely!

Floor plan feedback please
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…

Floor plan feedback please
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…

Floor plan feedback please
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…

Floor plan feedback please
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…

Floor plan feedback please
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…

21 Mths so far for council approval
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…

21 Mths so far for council approval
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…

Benchtop Colour help needed
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.…

Benchtop Colour help needed
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…

Grey, grey or grey
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…

Grey, grey or grey
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…

Grey, grey or grey
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…

Benchtop Colour help needed
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…

Benchtop Colour help needed
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…

Benchtop Colour help needed
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…

Obscured windows in bedroom
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…

Obscured windows in bedroom
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…

Problems with Council
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…

Cost of Colorbond Fence vs Timber Fence
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…

Splay Area - definition?
Thanks. Did try Google but didn’t have any luck hence the post here.

Splay Area - definition?
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…