I am having difficulty choosing a plan for a new IP to be built in deception bay.
I had wanted to build the Narcisa with Tamawood, but after getting the plans done was quite annoyed to find that the house was way too small for the covenants (North Ridge Estate), due to the web site including the patio in the floor area, this is despite us advising them of the covenants and the need for approx 200m of living space without garage etc. Live and learn I suppose.
So back to square one. The block is about 24m frontage x 30m and is south facing, so ideally the main windows and living areas will be to the rear. Front setback I think is 6m, although you can pay council $1000-$2000 extra to have it a little further forward. So we really need a house that is square more than long.
I've come up with a few plans I like still with Tamawood. Tamawood have already done the soil tests etc and I HOPE they won't charge me to redo the plans, however we only paid $300 for the plans and haven't signed anything so it could be a lot worse.
The house I would LIKE to build is the Luton.
Pros: Well suited to block size/shape and orientation. Has north facing living area which should also help with energy rating. Main bed also north facing. Living area and main bed have sliding door to under-roofline outdoor living. 3 seperate living areas. Main bedroom has it's "own" study/5th bed separate from other bedrooms. Kid's rooms have their own living area and are seperate from Mum and Dad. I think this house would be really impressive for the average family.
Cons: Price - about an extra $17,000. Cost will be $137,900 for the "comfort" spec + the Habitat extra of $20,700. The extra cost may not translate into extra rent $.
The other houses that I'm looking at with Tamawood are cheaper by around $17,000 - $18,000. For example the Woodvale or the Dayboro. Size of these are similar to the Luton.
Pros of Woodvale or Dayboro: Obviously price. The rent achieved may also be similar or only slightly less than the more expensive home.
Cons: Not ideal for our block orientation (Note: the plans can be mirrored). Living areas would be east facing. Numerous west facing windows. Main bed south facing and no sliding door. No outdoor living area (we would have to spend extra money on this, and it would not be under the roofline it would probably be a covered pergola). Not much separation of parents and child's rooms. The less-than ideal orientation may mean getting hit up for for extra building costs when it comes time to pass the energy efficiency tests.
Had some trouble linking directly to the individual plans but here is the web site, do a search and sort by name to find the plans.
http://www.tamawood.com.au/plansearch/designsprices.asp
Thanks for your opinions, I know a few of you have/are building in Brisbane or with Tamawood so may well have something to offer.
I had wanted to build the Narcisa with Tamawood, but after getting the plans done was quite annoyed to find that the house was way too small for the covenants (North Ridge Estate), due to the web site including the patio in the floor area, this is despite us advising them of the covenants and the need for approx 200m of living space without garage etc. Live and learn I suppose.
So back to square one. The block is about 24m frontage x 30m and is south facing, so ideally the main windows and living areas will be to the rear. Front setback I think is 6m, although you can pay council $1000-$2000 extra to have it a little further forward. So we really need a house that is square more than long.
I've come up with a few plans I like still with Tamawood. Tamawood have already done the soil tests etc and I HOPE they won't charge me to redo the plans, however we only paid $300 for the plans and haven't signed anything so it could be a lot worse.
The house I would LIKE to build is the Luton.
Pros: Well suited to block size/shape and orientation. Has north facing living area which should also help with energy rating. Main bed also north facing. Living area and main bed have sliding door to under-roofline outdoor living. 3 seperate living areas. Main bedroom has it's "own" study/5th bed separate from other bedrooms. Kid's rooms have their own living area and are seperate from Mum and Dad. I think this house would be really impressive for the average family.
Cons: Price - about an extra $17,000. Cost will be $137,900 for the "comfort" spec + the Habitat extra of $20,700. The extra cost may not translate into extra rent $.
The other houses that I'm looking at with Tamawood are cheaper by around $17,000 - $18,000. For example the Woodvale or the Dayboro. Size of these are similar to the Luton.
Pros of Woodvale or Dayboro: Obviously price. The rent achieved may also be similar or only slightly less than the more expensive home.
Cons: Not ideal for our block orientation (Note: the plans can be mirrored). Living areas would be east facing. Numerous west facing windows. Main bed south facing and no sliding door. No outdoor living area (we would have to spend extra money on this, and it would not be under the roofline it would probably be a covered pergola). Not much separation of parents and child's rooms. The less-than ideal orientation may mean getting hit up for for extra building costs when it comes time to pass the energy efficiency tests.
Had some trouble linking directly to the individual plans but here is the web site, do a search and sort by name to find the plans.
http://www.tamawood.com.au/plansearch/designsprices.asp
Thanks for your opinions, I know a few of you have/are building in Brisbane or with Tamawood so may well have something to offer.