l just recently bought one from holy funk they have some nice ones at a reasonable price

Hi 1991_kid If your intention is to be cost effective there are a number of approaches that you might like to take, however, the first plan of approach would be to gather as much information as possible before you begin construction. Most of this will be achieved by having a good set of drawings specifications and a very good research on materials and labor which are available in the area with reduced transport costs. This is some of the approaches that I would take; 1. If you are thinking of using a building company to do your house to "lock up" you may need to register as "an owners builder" you can find more info here or from your private "Building Surveyor", on an internet search 2. If you are thinking of using a building company that does "Design and construct" I would have a careful read of this article on my website. http://www.newhomedesign.com.au/index.php/faqs-article-based/faq-9 3. When you are considering your design I would have an independent person preferably one that does it for a living and has a few years experience monitor or vets your design. Consulting fees might be expensive but it's the only way that you will get an independent design appraisal. 4. Eventually you will have to do your "permit drawings" - Working Drawings and specifications - in Victoria these must be done by a registered person - you do not want the Builder to be responsible for this part as the person he employs will be loyal to him as he is likely to give him further work, you will most likely just give him one job, so it would be reasonable to assume that in any consideration or dispute he will take the side of the Builder - regardless what is said at the beginning. (You may also need a town planning permit depending on your circumstances) 5. You will have to vet your possible Builders and time with your build, I suggest that even if an amount of traveling is required you eventually do this face to face with at least three of your final picks - you have to get on with your Builder so a major effort on research is definitely required. It should be clear and in writing which items the Builder will purchase on your behalf, who pays for delivery and who does the installation especially of such items like windows, doors, landscaping and so on, and which items you will purchase ... etc. Specifications are nothing more than a "list" - try to keep it simple but be specific, but make sure it is written down and signed by both parties. 6. You can only get a "true tender price" from a builder that thinks he can get the job - and you can only achieve this if you have very good drawings and specifications else even a small error of 10% may mean $30,000+ depending on your overall costs. All other prices are a guestimate - a meter squared rate by the number of squared meters will give you a price - ask the builder for the approximate meter squared rate. There are many more twists and turn in this process of part/ self-build, wish you the best with your en devours, I would be happy to consult further if requested. Regards Michael.

Hi Laraine, A few years back I did a project in collingwood on a similar type of extension scope on one of the narrowest sites I've worked on. The existing house was in poor condition and only had 2 bedrooms so a full blown reno/extension was in order either way. It pretty much involved demolishing everything except for the front two rooms, but we went up and this is what we achieved: You're realistically talking $500K ballpark (possibly more depending) do something like this going up on a 2nd level and likely requires some planning acrobatics to achieve approvals, as in this area of Kensington I'd put money on that you have sightline heritage controls that will dictate the upper level positioning. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's not possible or not worth doing.....assume there are there other examples of 2 storey development in the area/street? We've done plenty of this sort of thing in various formats so feel free to contact me directly if you want to run something by me briefly, as I'll be able tell you pretty quickly what likely costs will be if you're contemplating certain options on specific properties........... Typically we can usually find a design solution for whatever you want to do, but the question is how much money is able to be thrown at it and is it then worth it or not.......sometimes it's actually only worth it if you achieve the additional amenity and "go the whole hog" so to speak.....as much as there is a risk of overcapitalising (which in inner suburbs is actually hard to do unless you go stupid with finishes, considering land value etc), equally there is risk of undercooking a renovation and spending relatively a lot of money "rearranging the sock drawer" so to speak and arguably not actually achieving good value for a lower budget spend/ minimal functional upgrade outcome combination, if you understand my drift...... This general scope/cost weighing up, particularly on heritage properties is our speciality & bread & butter line of work Hope this is considered helpful & relevant information for you at this point Cheers PD :) Paul Di Stefano Design www.pauldistefanodesign.com instagram: @pauldistefanodesign

At one stage , this almost morphed into a car thread -- I just thought I'd put up some pics of quite a nice car With the sloping grille , that windscreen , etc , you'd wonder if it is a custom , but believe it or not , it is a 1925 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 coupe ! I just googled , and between 1925 and 1931 , 3512 sedans were sold , and 18 -- yes 18 -- of the coupes ! I'd say that 97 years ago , this would have been extremely radical . The sedan wasn't too bad and I'd be interested in the prices of the 2 at the time ( I can only assume the coupe was SOOOO expensive that not many people could afford them ? ) . Or maybe the coupe was considered ugly ? Who knows . As far as current values go , with only 18 coupes they are worth what someone will pay , but the last publicly reported sale was The Peterson Musuem in the US paid $1.5million for one . In 1991 . 31 years ago . No idea of its condition at the time , and it is on display now . At a guess though , I'd be surprised if you could get one now for under $40 million , and if someone sold one for $100 million it wouldn't even surprise me . Certainly one of my dream cars .