That is indeed a sobering read SaveH2O.
I fear for the ordinary homebuyer when I read articles like that. Obviously some of the big developers have gotten into the…

If you took them to court then what advice did you get about possible outcomes?
Stewie

When the old flooring has been ripped up, as part of the rough-in you install all the waste pipes and traps with them coming up through the floor. You lay…

With our local councils, you lodge the DA then CC, then if there are changes that are more than just say moving a window 500mm then you do a modification…

You may need legal advice for this one. There are easements and then there are easements. Some are as innocuous as simply a pipe or drain running through someones property…

Define " water on a block he sold "

Yes you can but Sydney Water will make you excavate the existing VCP main sewer ( old earthenware pipe ) then concrete encase it @ $1,100 a lineal metre (…

Councils and utility companies - gas, water and electricity can but I doubt a person other than those can.
Stewie

Thanks. I have to update that list as there are others that are better or some that have been updated.
Cheers, Stewie

It depends on the contract. Sometimes the PC is employed by the homeowner and sometimes by the builder. There are variations in each of those scenarios as well.
Stewie

You will probably find that the metal is not quite manufactured to the exact measurements that it should be. it wouldn't be the first time that I've had to dig…

In the past I owned a unit which had very poor quality sand/cement render that was grainy like yours but in worse condition. In the combined kitchen / dining room…

Standard practice.
Usually geotechnical engineers, contour land surveyors and structural engineers won't release drawings until they have been paid first. Too many of them have been burnt in the past.
Stewie

As part of a DA, a SEE is usually required anyway. All they have to do regarding your garage is merely update the existing or already prepared one. To…

They sure do.
A mate who I worked for years ago had a client that bought a new townhouse with acoustic problems. Mostly these were a result of the builder…

Good to know. Thanks for the heads up.
After talking to a few guys recently we will probably look at installing a 6Kw system along with the Powerwall or something similar.
After…

So what was the R-rating?

Good idea. Apart from the walls there is not much else you can do seeing as you have the ceiling and floor insulation taken care of. What R rating are…

Most of what you are after should be on the councils website. It is in all the councils I've dealt with.
Stewie

Sadly, he is pretty spot on with how to deal with it. I've never liked below ground basements/garages etc that have earth hard up against the outside walls even with…

Do you also have the internal vents high up close to the cornice in external walls ?
Stewie

Those beams are the main structural component of the roof. I doubt you could do much with them without spending a lot of money.
Stewie

All of the slabs we've poured in the past have been inspected by a structural engineer before pouring to check the reo and cover. They simply wouldn't certify them as…

You should be able to engage a hydraulics engineer locally and get a quote from them. Whether H & H will let you use someones else is another matter and…

Seeing as you're in NSW it should be the structural engineer.
Stewie

If it works for you then that's fine, that's all that matters.
Nice build by the way. I've been following your thread for quite a while now.
Stewie

I have to disagree RuffTuff.
A pencil and paper may be fine for initial sketches to rough out ideas but CAD is everywhere and so easy to update plans. It sounds…

We've had to replace barge boards on a few houses over the years for clients and it is a pain in the a$$ type of job.
Once something like that starts…

Attaching the track to the studs is fine but It will depend mostly on what size lintel is under the plasterboard over the opening. You're adding another 50kg and then…

A floorpan and photos of the existing would help us a lot before anyone gives you an opinion.
Stewie