Brisbane Home Extension – What You Need to Know

If you’re considering doing a Brisbane residential construction project because you want to add some more space, don’t just jump in right away. There are a lot of important factors you will need to take care of first, some of which you might not have considered yet. It’s possible that you’ve already done some careful planning regarding the materials and equipment you will need, and have done an estimate on the costs. But have you also taken into account the logistics and the legalities of doing a home extension project?

Homeowners looking to add an extension to their homes usually overlook a few critical elements during the planning stage, which is why we have decided to share a few of the most important things that need to be considered before getting started with their Brisbane residential construction project.

·         If you’re actually living on the property that you’re planning to do a home extension project on, you might want to think about temporarily moving to another residence for the meantime. Like with family, with friends, or even just a motel. Yes, nobody can stop you from bunking up in the same house you’re going to be working on, but we really don’t recommend it.

First of all, think about the noise, the dust and debris that’s going to accumulate when the work starts. You also need to consider that you would be getting in the way of the workers since they would have to work around you and your daily activities. Conflicting schedules commonly happen in situations like this, plus the fact that work progress is definitely going to be slower.

·         Look for the right specialists that can provide the service and create the design you are looking for. Every homeowner wanting to do a home extension project will have a different idea in mind. An architect can create from scratch the design you’re after, or maybe the in-house design team of a reputable home builder already has a great design or floor plan that you might like.

It’s also advisable to ask people you know and trust if they can recommend somebody or a company to do the job. Perhaps a family member or one of your coworkers had also added an extension to their home. Were they satisfied with the results? Can they recommend the contractor who did it?

·         You also need to consider the paperwork, such as building regulations and insurance. Depending on your location, you might or might not need to get planning permits, but it’s a certainty that you will need to secure documented approval from the building regulation authorities. You will have to meet their requirements for fire safety, structural integrity, ventilation, energy efficiency, and more.

These requirements are usually not needed if you’re just doing repairs on your home, but for new buildings (including additions and modifications), you will have to comply with the regulations first before the first nail gets hammered in. Aside from this, you’d also have to take care of the site insurance. This will make sure you are covered from damage to the existing structures as well as the new works until the project gets completed.