6 Steps to Survive Being an Owner-Builder: Part One
In the first of a two-part series, an architect shares six tips for anyone embarking on the owner-builder journey
Being an owner-builder might sound like an exciting challenge. After all, what could be more satisfying than physically building and taking control of your home? But that’s not the whole picture. As many who have walked this path before will attest, the owner-builder journey is one that is often filled with sleepless nights, worry, self doubt and days spent troubleshooting.
Not put off? If you’re committed to the idea of being the owner-builder of your next project, here are my top tips for smoothing the process – and perhaps even saving yourself some money along the way.
Not put off? If you’re committed to the idea of being the owner-builder of your next project, here are my top tips for smoothing the process – and perhaps even saving yourself some money along the way.
2. Obtain relevant plans, permits and drawings
Engage a suitably qualified designer to prepare all the architectural drawings and documentation that are necessary to not only lodge a building permit, but to adequately explain the design.
Tell the designer you are an owner-builder and they may tailor their drawings so that they are more easily understood by a non-registered builder. I often do this in my practice, preparing drawings to give to individual tradespeople and suppliers so that my owner-builder client doesn’t have to decipher what can at times look like complex, highly technical drawings, searching for the relevant information to give out.
Engage a suitably qualified designer to prepare all the architectural drawings and documentation that are necessary to not only lodge a building permit, but to adequately explain the design.
Tell the designer you are an owner-builder and they may tailor their drawings so that they are more easily understood by a non-registered builder. I often do this in my practice, preparing drawings to give to individual tradespeople and suppliers so that my owner-builder client doesn’t have to decipher what can at times look like complex, highly technical drawings, searching for the relevant information to give out.
If there is a particular design detail that needs some explanation, such as the unique brickwork pattern in this photo above, it’s a good idea to supply a detailed drawing of this element to the tradesperson (in this case, the brick layer).
The Power of Simplicity
The Power of Simplicity
3. Go on holiday – now!
Now that you are registered and have all your relevant building approvals, take the opportunity to get away for some rest. You are about to embark on a build and, if you have no prior experience, it’s going to be a journey full of stress, bumps and bewilderment.
The road isn’t easy and it will consume all of your time. During the day, you will be overwhelmed with constant questions and answers sought by your team of tradespeople and suppliers, and at night you will be scheduling, re-scheduling and budgeting to keep the project on track. Any days that you have off will be filled with so-called ‘leisurely’ work that you have designated to do yourself, such as cleaning up or moving building materials.
Now that you are registered and have all your relevant building approvals, take the opportunity to get away for some rest. You are about to embark on a build and, if you have no prior experience, it’s going to be a journey full of stress, bumps and bewilderment.
The road isn’t easy and it will consume all of your time. During the day, you will be overwhelmed with constant questions and answers sought by your team of tradespeople and suppliers, and at night you will be scheduling, re-scheduling and budgeting to keep the project on track. Any days that you have off will be filled with so-called ‘leisurely’ work that you have designated to do yourself, such as cleaning up or moving building materials.
Even with the best intentions and the most excellent forward planning, you’ll discover that it only takes one trade not turning up or being delayed to throw your entire schedule out the window.
So have that much-needed break now before this journey begins.
A Gloomy 1920s Bungalow Gets a Bright and Luxurious Makeover
So have that much-needed break now before this journey begins.
A Gloomy 1920s Bungalow Gets a Bright and Luxurious Makeover
4. Engage a quantity surveyor
If you have never built before, you will need to hire a quantity surveyor to prepare a bill of quantities.
This will be one of the most valuable documents. Here’s why: a builder will generally send out drawings and specification details to all his or her regular trades and suppliers to obtain costs, which are then used to prepare a final construction figure for the build.
Most builders will have a pre-prepared cost estimate for each item and will know whether the quotes they receive are accurate, too high or too low. This allows them to adjust their price accordingly and make changes to keep the price to a particular budget.
As an owner-builder you won’t have this information. A quantity surveyor can prepare a list of quantities with costs and budgets so you have a guide to work from when comparing trade and suppliers’ prices.
If you have never built before, you will need to hire a quantity surveyor to prepare a bill of quantities.
This will be one of the most valuable documents. Here’s why: a builder will generally send out drawings and specification details to all his or her regular trades and suppliers to obtain costs, which are then used to prepare a final construction figure for the build.
Most builders will have a pre-prepared cost estimate for each item and will know whether the quotes they receive are accurate, too high or too low. This allows them to adjust their price accordingly and make changes to keep the price to a particular budget.
As an owner-builder you won’t have this information. A quantity surveyor can prepare a list of quantities with costs and budgets so you have a guide to work from when comparing trade and suppliers’ prices.
5. Create ideabooks on Houzz
It’s wise to keep all your ideas and reference materials in one place. Set up several ideabooks on Houzz – by room or topic – where you can keep a record of all the looks you love. This will not only help you paint a picture of how you would like the individual spaces to look, but makes it very easy to show others exactly what you want.
Houzz also gives you access to an online community where you can share information, learn from those who have taken the owner-builder path before you, and ask industry professionals all those questions that have been keeping you up at night.
See more gorgeous kitchens
It’s wise to keep all your ideas and reference materials in one place. Set up several ideabooks on Houzz – by room or topic – where you can keep a record of all the looks you love. This will not only help you paint a picture of how you would like the individual spaces to look, but makes it very easy to show others exactly what you want.
Houzz also gives you access to an online community where you can share information, learn from those who have taken the owner-builder path before you, and ask industry professionals all those questions that have been keeping you up at night.
See more gorgeous kitchens
6. Create a detailed specification
A specification is like a recipe; it’s a document that lists everything that will go into the build. It is the written version of drawings. Think of it as your go-to document for all your building’s needs.
You can prepare a specification in collaboration with your building designer or you can do it yourself (this option may give you more time to research the various products and services you could choose for the build).
A specification is like a recipe; it’s a document that lists everything that will go into the build. It is the written version of drawings. Think of it as your go-to document for all your building’s needs.
You can prepare a specification in collaboration with your building designer or you can do it yourself (this option may give you more time to research the various products and services you could choose for the build).
Your specification sheet could, for example, have a table headed ‘ensuite’, which would list the exact taps, basins, shower screens and tiles you will be using. The product name, quantity, supplier, finish and colour should also be listed.
The more detailed your specification the better; it means less room for uncertainty during the build.
The more detailed your specification the better; it means less room for uncertainty during the build.
Tell us
Would you consider being an owner-builder or have you been one before? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to save your favourite images, save this story for easy reference, and join in the conversation.
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Read more architectural stories
Would you consider being an owner-builder or have you been one before? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to save your favourite images, save this story for easy reference, and join in the conversation.
More
Read more architectural stories
Deciding to become an owner-builder means you are taking responsibility for all the domestic work on your land, including obtaining all relevant building permits, supervising or physically undertaking the building work, and ensuring that all work meets building regulations and standards.
Check your local authority to see what is required to become a registered owner-builder. For example, in Victoria you must obtain a certificate of consent from the Victorian Building Authority, which is only given after you meet stringent guidelines. Without registration, your building surveyor will not issue you a building permit.