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I was a gardener (with horticulture cert) then became landscaper (landscape trade cert) then specialised in artificial rockwork. Also dabbled a bit as a part time muso early in the adult life. :)

Yes, I slackened off on this one didn't I. :) We sold the front unit privately for 340k and we have moved into the back unit. Around the same time, we had our downstairs PPOR approved as a granny flat (with about 10k worth of reno work to comply with fireproofing, etc), moved out and found...

All of my roofwater is directed into rainwater tanks. From there it is piped under the battleaxe entryway and is directed into a council inter allottment stormwater pipe which was installed by the developer of the estate. The grated pits in the driveway seen above catch driveway runoff and...

Yes they are cheaper, Seaview but are less private and you cannot have windows on the shared wall. This restricts them a bit if you are trying to satisfy BASIX and passive solar design. Saying this, if your block is too small you can't be too fussy. My 1st duplex project consisted of 2...

Still progressing well. Gyprockers finished Fixout done Internal painting begun Internal driveways poured today Wetsealing done Tiles and kitchen coming next week Fortunately no cost blowouts yet. All on (or even below) budget. :)

All progressing well since last update. We now have finished cladding and painting outside has begun. Plumber has done all stormwater prep and internal rough in ready for wetsealing. Gyprockers will finish on thursday. Concrete will be poured for carport and verandah slabs on Thursday...

We have only sold one OTP. This was to a family member. Another was sold during construction and the first two were sold after completion. I have never used development finance - only standard investment loans. ie: I always have a view of holding for the longer term. It just so happened that I...

Hi jsoe, The current project was funded by a 200k loan from a friend - roughly 80% of land value. The remaining 20% land cost and the construction costs are being funded by the sale profits of the last duplex. No bank is involved although I did at one stage have approval for a 60% loan from...

Good progress this week despite some rain delays. Chippies finished the carports and verandahs as well as fixing windows. All tie downs were completed and I have booked a frame inspection for Monday. Fascia and gutter went on and roof battens screwed down. Roofers came today and we put a lid...

Trusses are now up and frames for verandahs and carport have begun. Plumber will rough in today and I will continue dressing and oiling hardwood. Chippies will be back next week to finish all hardwood skillions ready for a roof by the end of next week. Rain predicted for Mon and Tues with an...

Hi Murph, below is the labour quote from my chippie. He worked for me on the last house and I was very happy with his team's work. He has worked a lot for project builders and has a builders licence himself. He is reliable and extremely efficient and I am happy with his price since he works so...

Frames and Trusses delivered last week. Truck got bogged in the sand and was pulled out by another truck that came in shortly after with hardwood delivery. Chippies began framing this morning until getting washed out with rain around 12.30pm. Still raining now but looks like it will clear...

Slabs got done today - just before the rain showers set in after lunch. :cool: :D

Hi jsoe, the kit homes are no different than what I am sourcing myself as far as materials are concerned. The big difference is that the kit home company will calculate, order and deliver all of the materials for you. They also draft plans and engineering for council DA and CC. This is great for...

Smooth day today without incident last night. Spraying got done early and all prep work was done by early afternoon. Council inspected and we're all ready to pour at 7am tomorrow. Line pump will be used to place the concrete. Should be around 22 cubic metres for both slabs.

Problems last night. :mad: Sunday afternoon we set up profiles and stringlines ready for the concretors to form up this morning. Turned up at 7am to a disappointing sight. Someone had come in after dark and ripped out all but 1 of our profiles and broken all the lines. Fortunately they didn't...

Yes they can if you have a fixed price contract with a builder who has quoted you for them in the contract. Getting a loan as an owner builder is a totally different story and I have heard that you won't be able to borrow much at all. Maybe only 25%?

A few more progress shots. Been beautiful weather so far. :)

We have made good progress last week. Tree lopper came and pruned off some overhanging Hoop Pine branches before house began. Porky came for 3 days and did all my prep work for the sub grade of slabs. Stripped the grass, benched and rolled the pads, dug all the service trenches and backfilled...

There are many variables jsoe. What is your combined income - borrowing capacity? How much cash on hand / accessible equity do you have? Do you plan to sell or hold after completion? What is your background - ie: do you have any experience in building, planning, organising and...