Q) What are the benefits of renovating your existing home rather than building or buying a new house?
A)The benefits are you:
* Do not pay stamp duty
* Do not pay agents fees
* Do not pay rent while the new house gets built
* You know what you existing house needs better then anyone
Q) Does it cost me to get a quote and how long will it take to get one?
A)Generally we do not charge for quotes. Initially we would come to your house and discuss your requirements and give you a ball park figure. If the figure is close to what you can afford or you expected, we would then go further and complete a Firm Written Quote. This would usually involve us creating a Sketch Plan and then pricing the plan based on your requirements. In providing the written quote we endeavor to take no longer then 14 days.
However, if the renovations are difficult to provide a Firm Written Quote due to complexity, we would then enter into a Preparation of Plans Agreement with you and produce preliminary drawings.
Q) How long will the renovation take to complete?
A)Depending on your requirements, the approximate times are:
* A small single room addition may take 8 to 15 weeks after Shire approval is received
* A two room addition may take 8 to 15 weeks after Shire approval
* An internal renovation (walls removed or similar) 2 to 4 weeks
* An opening cut to existing brickwork approximately 1 week
* An upper floor addition, approximately 3 to 5 months after Shire approval, depending on requirements
Q) What things should do before I get a quote?
A)Huge amounts of time can saved by doing a few little things before you contact us.
These items listed below are not essential but are very helpful and may speed up the quoting phase:
* Try to obtain existing house plans, if you do not have them your Shire can provide copies for a cost of about $10
* Try to obtain an E-Plan, which will show where the Water Corporations sewer is located.
These can be provided over the counter at the Water Corporation or online.
* Try to obtain a Flimsy Plan, which will show where your existing drains are located.
These are also available from the Water Corporation and together with the E-Plan would cost about $12 for copies.
* Write down what you requirements are e.g. new bedroom, bigger games room,
etc, and make note of any special requirements
* Do not be afraid to tell us what you budget is. We do not purposely inflate prices up to your budget, however if we know what your budget is we can quickly let you know if it is going to be blown before we get too far down the track.
