Ideally, it should not. Check with your building surveyor, they issue the OC so should be able to clarify. You may also refer to you build permit if there is…

With the top being North, only Option1 makes sense to have an open, bright living area. May be best to have an alfresco adjoining the dining

Ideally, the orientation of your lot should drive the layout. Without knowing the orientation, I do like #2,3. I am somehow like dining closer to the kitchen.

Check with your builder on what is the remediation for this. I was in a similar situation last year, I did not want to second guess and went ahead with…

If you're in Vic, you can contact Disputes Vic for suggestions. Using an unlicensed tradesmen may have other issues such as public/injury liability as well. If nothing else works, you…

What's on your Eastern & Western walls ? If possible try and have windows on all sides, so you have light coming in from all directions throughout the day.
Use…

Yes, get the letter from your broker/lender requesting a modification of the Progress Payment schedule. Your builder should be able to accomodate this.

Eviction is harsh, probably given the landlord and agent now know you're going to vacate anyways they did not see any merit in extending your lease. Have you looked at…

You may still have a couple of days, till they start putting the form boxes in there. Get a private inspector at the earliest before the pour.

Piers have to be done as per the engineering plans. If you see some missing, raise the issue with the builder. Are you getting a pre-pour inspection done? Your inspector…

I got mine cleared earlier this year, hired a bobcat operator and tipper from Airtasker, $1K in total. Had it not been for that huge boulder it would've been much…

Hello Members
For anyone who has completed their construction recently, have the Lenders done a valuation at completion. If so, how have the outcomes been ? Did anyone of you see…

For a smaller lot, it would make sense to not have an Alfresco at this stage and extend you living space. You can always build a pergola at a later…

A contract is a legal document which provides a clear scope work the builder is going to perform. Working/Engineering drawings are prepared by engineers/architects which describes the architectural components of…

Build time/duration
Progress Payment schedule
Liquidation damages
Builder's & your rights to cancel the contract
When the contract is subject to finance, ask for long as possible to secure the mortgage
The list goes…

This one for doublestory bath tub which a mate suggested was to fill it up and leave it for sometime and see if any seepages appear downstairs.

What does your contract say ? there must be a section explaining each stage. HIA contracts usually have a clause where builder can claim payments only once when a stage…

It would mean, a work of equivalent proportion. Each builder has a different method of construction and the tasks at each stage varies. It's a general guide for you to…

You should contact a legal expert in Property Law, to really understand what chance you stand. As a layman, #15 clearly states you get no refund, unless the builder is…

As far as I know, temporary downpipes are within Australian Building standards but not enforceable or practices that a builder must do. It's a quality thing which the builder must…

It's a rookie mistake, but don't rush into it just so that you can make up for the lost time. I was in the same boat as you. We put…

For this price, considering your site does not have many issues you may be able to build a 25-27sq home with a small project builder (some of them call themselves…

Hello All
Post the announcement of Stage 4 lockdown in Vic, my builder sent out an email (generic to all customers) regarding potential delays up to 6 weeks due to the…

I tried getting it done in my new build but it's considerably expensive to be done. Firstly, if your estate is one of the newer developments in all likelihood it…

2 years since Contract and no construction!! Wow, didn't know you could do that. Anyways, there is no exit clause for customers in HIA contracts. If you end the contract,…

Ambiguity has been a constant in these lockdowns. Going by the rules, if you're beyond 5KM from your house you could be fined but at the same time renters are…

Heaps of lots these days are made up of engineered fill. In all likelihood the site classification would come down to a P increase your site costs in the range…

LIke others have mentioned you cannot squeeze in 4 Bedrooms in a 20 sq house, I know this personally since I own a smal lot and we struggled with designs,…

Ideally you would want your living areas to be on the north, check if you can swap Kitchen+Alfresco with Living+Dining. Also, get good sized windows for the Northern side. If…