| Residential Building Projects |
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Whether you want to build a new home, or renovate or remodel an existing home, Stephensen Constructions will work with you to create something special.
Stephensen Constructions provides ‘design and construct' services in collaboration with our preferred architect. If you prefer, we are pleased to be engaged for ‘construct' services only. |
| Before you build, renovate or remodel.... |
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It is important to be informed about what the residential building process involves. This includes being aware of steps you would usually take before residential building work can begin.
We have compiled a short guide below to assist you:
(you can also downoad the guide as a PDF......click here) |
| 1. Decide to Build Renovate or Remodel |
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Queensland's Building Services Authority (BSA) provides a Smart Building and Renovating Guide for the community, which is exceptionally useful when deciding whether to build, renovate or remodel.......click here to download guide |
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New Builds
When building a new home, you will almost always need to choose the land before you select floor plans or other details. Once you have found the "perfect spot”, you (and the professionals you hire) will need to investigate factors such as:
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size, slope, soil type/ soil condition |
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aspect |
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setbacks, easements, zoning |
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tree and animal habitat preservation rules |
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environmental factors |
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local development and facilities |
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particular development requirements or restrictions |
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Renovation / Remodelling
As with any new build, renovation or remodelling of an existing home requires diligence at the outset. It is essential know whether your existing location is suitable for the renovation or remodelling you have in mind.
You (and the professionals you hire) will need to investigate factors such as:
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size, slope, soil type/ soil condition |
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aspect |
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setbacks, easements, zoning |
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tree and animal habitat preservation rules |
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environmental factors |
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local development and facilities |
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particular development requirements or restrictions (e.g. local council development restrictions for pre-1946 dwellings and "demolition control precincts”) |
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| 3. Estimate Your Budget and Plan for Additional Costs |
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Begin now to think about how much you can afford to spend and how much building, renovating or remodelling is likely to cost.
You may need to apply for a construction loan and/ or a mortgage. It is not too early to find out what size loan you qualify for. For advice on mortgages and other money matters, contact financial advisers, lenders or visit finance websites. |
It is important to assemble a team of experts to design and construct your new, renovated or remodelled home. Key players will include your preferred builder and architect or building designer. |
The builder will construct your home. The builder will organise and supervise all the trades (e.g. carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting) required to complete the work.
It is essential that your chosen builder holds a BSA Builder Licence. The licence entitles the builder to build, renovate or remodel homes, and to design homes which they will subsequently build.
To check if a builder is appropriately licensed, you can do an Online Licence Search on BSA's website or phone the BSA at 1300 272 272.
Stephensen Constructions is a licensed builder. Please see Trading Details on this site for our license numbers and other details. |
| Architect or Building Designer |
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The architect or building designer will work with you to design your home from "top to bottom” and "inside-out”, often including the full technical and structural plans, environmental/ eco-friendly elements, preferred materials, preferred fixtures and fittings.
The architect or building designer will often take care of critical elements in the pre-building process, such as:
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site inspections (to ensure characteristics of the block and its environment are fully considered) |
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sketches of the elevations (i.e. three-dimensional side views of the house as it will look when the work is completed) |
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liaison with the surveyor |
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liaison with the engineer |
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preparation and lodgement of documents (including plans) for approval. |
You should see the BSA's Smart Building and Renovating Guide for information about the design process, including the questions you should ask your architect or building designer.
Architects do not require a BSA licence, but they must be registered with the Board of Architects, Qld. Phone the Board on (07) 3224 4482 to check if your preferred architect is registered.
Designers require a BSA Building Design Licence. To check if the designer is appropriately licensed, you can do an Online Licence Search on BSA's website or phone the BSA at 1300 272 272. |
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Whether you plan to build, or renovate or remodel an existing home, it is important that you choose a design that meets your unique needs. Consider whether you want your home to be:
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affordable |
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functional or practical for your family or social needs |
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environmentally conscious |
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aligned with the ‘character’ of your neighbourhood |
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unique, fashionable, ‘on trend’ or eye catching. |
Stephensen Constructions provides ‘design and construct' services in collaboration with our preferred architect. If you prefer to engage us for ‘construct' services only, we recommend that you engage a design professional (i.e. a licensed building designer or architect) to prepare the design, plans, and specifications on your behalf based on your instructions. |
| 6. Seek Relevant Permissions |
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Planning and building requirements may impact your decision to build, renovate or remodel, and may also influence your chosen design and overall budget.
In Queensland, the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SPA) and other laws, policies, processes and codes must be considered as you move forward with your plans. In most cases, approval must be granted by the relevant authorities before building works can begin.
The most common types of approvals are planning approval (also known as development approval) and building approval. It is common for one or both of these types of approvals to be required in the building, renovating or remodelling of a home.
There are important differences between planning and building approval, and the process for receiving these approvals can at times be lengthy and costly. It is important to engage the services of someone familiar with the process who can assist you in making your applications, such as a Building Surveyor or Building Certifier.
Local councils provide helpful information about required approvals on their websites. See the links below for the requirements in your area:
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| 7. Negotiate Your Building Contract |
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All building works in Queensland of a value of $3,300.00 or more are required to comply with the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991 (QBSA Act) and the Domestic Buildings Contracts Act 2000 (DBC Act). Put very simply: contracts for building works are required, and they must contain specific elements.
Before you sign any documents or pay any money for building work, you may wish to review the contract checklist published by the BSA.
This is only a general guide - not a substitute for professional advice. Stephensen Constructions Pty Ltd does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any information provided in this guide, and will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered as a result of anyone's relying on this information. We recommend you obtain specialist advice before entering into contracts or financial transactions.
© Stephensen Constructions Pty Ltd October 2010 |
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