How to Decide Whether to Move Out or Live Through a First Floor Addition, Ground Floor Extension or Renovation?
Whether you are building a First Floor Addition, Ground Floor Extension or Renovation, the one question that our clients always ask us is can they stay in the home and live through construction or should they consider temporarily moving out? This is a big decision to make — with a lot of factors to consider other than your budget when entering into significant construction works to your home.
We have outlined below some of the factors to take into account when looking to stay or move.
Factor # 1 – Scope of works
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What comes first? Plans or Quote?
We often get asked: “What should I do first? Should I get a quote for my home extension/addition or should I get plans drawn up?”
These are our top 5 tips on why you should get a quote from a builder BEFORE getting plans for your project when building an addition or extension.
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- Obtaining a detailed written quote or proposal for your addition or extension comes with many benefits. In your quote the builder should provide you with an indication of the size of the build (how much room is going to be added to your home), the number of rooms being added and what materials and inclusions are being used so you know what is included and if you can afford what you are planning to build.
- A builder can arrange to assist you in drafting plans inhouse or have relationships with draftspeople or architects that specialise in the type of build you are after. This can make the whole process smoother and faster saving you time and money.
- When you work with your builder they can review your plans with you and the draftsperson to ensure you are staying on track with costs and may pick up on items that may be of concern from a construction viewpoint. This input is important in ensuring that you achieve what you set out for in your build while staying within your budget and avoiding issues that could arise during the build if not picked up during this critical planning stage.
- A builder can help and advise you on the true costs for different material options before you commit to plans and approvals. This can in turn ensure that you get the right materials, resulting in the right look for your build at the right cost.
- A builder can consult and guide you with on how to achieve what you want while managing what you can afford. This is best done prior to plans being drawn up due to the builders expertise in the type of build you are looking at. This can reduce the amount of plan revisions and save you time and money in the short term and long term.
If you are thinking of planning or building an addition or extension contact us on (02) 4647 2324 or fill out the form below to get things started.
Save yourself over $100,000 by building an addition vs. buying a new property
Often a difficult choice for families looking to increase their living space is whether to purchase a new home or build an addition on their current home. The costs associated with both decisions can vary but there are many hidden and overlooked costs related to purchasing a home which are not applicable when building an addition. We have outlined costs below for you to keep in mind if this is a decision that you are currently looking to make;
Costs related to purchasing a home
Loan fees – This is the fee charged by a bank or other lending institution when you apply for or take out a loan. Approximate cost: $Nil – $800 There may be additional costs preparing and registering a mortgage.
Mortgage discharge fee – If you have a mortgage, you can expect to close your mortgage loan for approximately $1,000, but this cost can vary depending on your bank. This is essentially a fee for the paperwork involved. Approximate cost: $1,000-$2,500
Conveyancing fee – A conveyancer is required for the process of transferring the property from the seller to the buyer. Approximate cost: $700-$2,500
Disbursements – Your solicitor/conveyancer will charge for some of these expenses paid on your behalf during the conveyancing process. Approximate cost: $100-$350
Stamp duty – You must pay contract stamp duty on the purchase price of the property. Approximate cost based on a house valued at $1.1 million: $45,990
Inspection fees -Building Inspection – A building inspection checks structural soundness and lists any visible defects and necessary repairs. Approximate cost: $300-$700 & Pest Inspection – A pest inspection checks for any signs of past or present pest infestation. Approximate cost: $250 – $300
Real estate agent commission – The cost of selling will depend on the amount of commission charged by your real estate agent. The national average commission rate in Australia sits at around 2 per cent, but commission rates vary from agent to agent. Approximate cost based on a house valued at $1.1 million: $22,000
Auctioneer fees – If you’re holding an auction, you’ll often have to pay an auctioneer’s fee. Approximate cost: $6,000
Moving costs – The cost of moving generally depends on the distance you’re travelling, the amount of furniture you’re moving and whether you’ll hire a full-service removalist or pack the truck yourself. You’ll also need to purchase storage boxes if you haven’t got them already. Approximate cost: $400 – $3,000
Property repairs and renovations –When buying a new home spending money on repairs and renovations is very common. Common repairs include painting, flooring, lighting repairs, kitchen repairs and maintenance, bathroom repairs, electrical repairs as well as giving the exterior a touch up to give your new home that personal touch. Approximate cost: $1,500 – $20,000
Costs associated with moving: | |
Loan Fees | $Nil-$800 |
Mortgage Discharge | $1,000-$2,500 |
Stamp Duty Based on a home valued at $1.1 million | $45,990 |
Inspection Fees | $300-$1,100 |
Real Estate Commission Based on a home valued at $1.1 million at 2% Commission | $22,000 |
Auctioner Fees | $6,000 |
Moving Costs | $400 – $3,000 |
Property Repairs and Renovations | $20,000 |
Total Costs Estimate | $103,890 |
Additional inconveniences and disruptions related to purchasing a home:
- Relocation of services – When moving you will need to relocate your existing services to your new property. This can include transferring and updating your: Gas, Electricity, TV, Internet/Phone, Insurances, Licenses and addresses for your bills.
- Disruptions in relocating – When moving to a new home you face the uncertainty of not knowing who you are moving next to. You have to consider that your new neighbours may not be as accommodating as your previous neighbours which you have good relationships with.
- Other things to consider are the need to change – Schools, churches, social groups, gyms, childcare and the commute to your workplace.
Benefits of building an addition
One of the benefits of building an addition is that you can custom design your plans to tie in with your existing home and remove the need to move or purchase a new home. Building an addition is the perfect way to add significant value to your existing home whilst bypassing any of the issues related to moving.
We specialise in building second storey additions that seamlessly integrate with the existing structure of your home, giving you an aesthetically pleasing street frontage which will make you the envy of all of your neighbours.
Costs related to building an addition
Plans and drafting – $6,000
Council lodgement – $5,000
Council fees – $2,500-$15,000
The average cost of adding a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom and 1 living room addition to a home starts from $200,000.
If you are looking for an affordable solution and you are happy with your existing location, have a great relationship with your neighbours and would like to avoid the stresses of moving, then an addition is the perfect option for you to consider.
Give our team a call or complete our Pre-Quote Enquiry Form if you would like to discuss a potential addition to your home. We can conduct a pre-site assessment prior to the builder coming out to meet with you to ensure that building an addition is a viable option on your property for you.