Nice buy... Whats the plan with the nails? Would be interesting to know as loose timeframe on prep.

Just wanted to get an open discussion on the pros, cons and methods of procuring, preparing and building with recycled and salvaged materials.
I'll start it off with a question, to…

I guess storage space and an area to refinish timber is also on the must have list... I am loving the discussion here and would love to hear more... Perhaps…

Steve,
Bit late here, but thats a cracker of a studio mate.
How has the shed stood up to the test of time?

Yep, the 1% flood height is around 800mm, and council requires 500mm above that as freeboard so I have a minimum floor level of 1.4m. Which is about 300mm above…

Very interested in your project mate! Please keep the updates flowing!
I am currently trying to design for my owner build, a 2 bedroom 1 Bath super insulated dwelling in…

I have seen a waffle pod slab failure. Slab flaked away after a few weeks of occupation in a garage.

Do you need an approval to sell or just proof of dwelling entitlement?

Steve,
Its been a year since you moved in... Anything you would change or add? Anything you have changed or added?
Have the secondary pavilions progressed at all?

The gantt chart is something reguarly used in my profession. There are a multitude of ways to create and manage gantt chart however here are some tools I use. Related…

^ Stewie nailed it.
Also, having the garage on the high side of the block can be benificial in everyday use - less stairs too your kitchen for groceries for example.

Ask the owner for some structural plans - you probably wont be able to get them from the council. then as above take to engineer.

If the appearance from the outside is unchanged you should be right.
If not, you can probably play dumb and do a S96 when inspection time comes around.

My understanding of the Interim Occupation Certificate is that you need laundry, kitchen and bathroom only.
Basically a studio apartment.
So you can get away with a microwave, toilet, shower, washing machine…

Stewie,
I do agree with you in that setbacks can create a pseudo building envelope particuarly in residential areas, however, for more recent rural and rural residential development, building envelopes have…

Building envelopes are lodged with the land title. In nsw you can get these from the land titles office and the council. they will also be on the development application.…

Containers are only around 2.9 meters wide you may want to place the two containers next to each other and cut the inner walls out.

Steve. whats going on with this build? Hope your in for winter!

If your in NSW Council fees will be around double that.

Sounds like the journey is going to be just as good as the result Steve. I have intentions of doing something similar (bush block/van setup) and glad to see that…

Yep, germs would be present, however, as previously mentioned with use of common sense, I think you could minimise chance of any contamination.
I have gone with the cupboard - reasons…

Kiwi, when you think about it the laundry is a pretty dirty place (think greywater).
I dont see it as a major concern though, if common sense is applied as…

Hi Steve,
Are you living in the caravan full time?
Any tips on van' living?
Really enjoying your updates, keep up the good work!

I'll keep my tenderloins out of the dryer
those pics are helpful, they look better than my under the bench idea!

Thanks for your input guys, sounds like it wont be so bad...
I'm thinking I could soundproof the 3 sides of the bench, vent through the floor and install doors to…

Hi all,
Just looking at space/cost saving by way of laundry/kitchen combination in a 2br beach village shack I am building (first home). This will be to live in for…

DAs in NSW are assessed on the provisions of Section 79 (c) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (basically does the proposed development have environmental impacts that are…

In NSW it can be a drawn out, costly process that may be unsuccessful.
You are best to look at a loophole in the zoning, perhaps something like a managers residence…

Hey,
Just wondering if you have built a rooftop deck? if so, have you used it/was it worth it?

Hey Everybody,
I'm 23, full of ideas and perhaps about to take on a major project.
Hands-on Owner Building on the Mid-North Coast of NSW.
Just looking for ideas, like…