Professionals for Owner Builders

Owner Building? Be professional with your consultants!

9/4/2019

Professional Relationships with Owner Builders

Professionals

We do not often consider the relationship owner builders have with their professional advisers. That is, the consultants they work with through the course of their owner builder projects.

Just to be signing off the same hymn sheet, when we talk about professionals, we are referring to those service providers who have will generally have the qualifications and authority to sign off or certify building elements or design features.

They include engineers, architects or building designers, certifiers, surveyors, lawyers and town planners. The size, scope and complexity of your project, will normally determine the level of involvement you have with these contracted services.

Once upon a time, I would confidently say that owner builders had a very limited exposure to each of these consultants in that generally, most projects would be of traditional design using common building practices and construction techniques.

More and more though, owner builders are becoming more adventurous and confident in tackling complex projects with sometimes extreme design features that require considerable reliance on engineering design and supervision to ensure both structural integrity and compliance.

Even in the electrical space, more and more residential dwellings are including smart wiring, heating, cooling and automation features that require complex design and specialist installation.

It is these designs, features and inclusions which truly individualise a build and make a home ‘fit for purpose’, satisfying the needs of todays mobile and connected families.

I recently had the opportunity to advise a client and oversee the build of an owner built dwelling on the Gold Cost Hinterland that ended up being a 3.4 million dollar build. The water features alone were something else with waterfalls and fountains feeding a mineral salt spa. All very impressive if not indulgent. The sustainability feature though were what really made the home a work of art and a technological masterpiece.

Solar panels, inverters and battery banks are just the start of it. Couple this to soft start electric pool pumps, rainwater harvesting, heat pumps and LED lighting, this property truly attempts to minimise its impact and environmental impact.

This is just one example of how the owner builder market is maturing, with some projects meeting or exceeding the outcomes that would be expected of quality signature custom homes.

It is all well and truly within the reach and capability of owner builders who use all the resources available to them, including reliable and qualified consultants.

Happy owner building,
Rick

13 Comments

Colin

21/4/2019 10:29:36

Thanks for that Rick,
I once, 20+ years ago, commenced an owner builder project in Victoria. On my initial meeting with the then Council appointed "Building Inspector" I still remember one of his first comments. + I love working with owner builders, because they are passionate and want to build a quality structure.

rick heaton link

22/4/2019 10:51:39

Thanks Colin,

Good to hear.
I hope that attitude is still there.
Owner Builders are passionate about their projects and it is in their best interest to build a quality structure.
Sometimes this is lost on project builders and they understandably have to meet profit margins.
The only other option is to go to a custom builder and that is normally cost prohibitive.
Good luck with your project.

Rick

Wayne Caruana

5/5/2021 10:42:18

For me the owner builder option has definitely partly got to do with the lack of builders available at the moment during the building boom in Newcastle.

Quality is very important and n=becoming more important to me than getting a "cheap" job.

But I have also seen it go a bit too long with friend of mine who has been building his own extension for 2 years and still going!

Once I engage a builder I am hoping for a 6-8 week build top.

Michael Nix

7/5/2019 21:20:28

Hi Rick.

I can say with confidence that I would not be an inspiring owner builder if it wasn't for the internet. For years now I have been learning bits and pieces. No matter what topic I am interested in, I've found information on it to satisfy my needs. It means that I can take on any task within my skill level with confidence, and I can easily locate the equipment, material and trades I need. I am also in charge of the outcome.

Christina Chiu

5/2/2024 12:27:38

The internet has really revolutionised our capabilities and confidence. We can now take on essentially any task provided we go about learning it the right way.

Kristen Garratt

4/12/2019 11:44:37

Agree with the above

For me, being an owner builder isnt about saving $$$ (although that is a big advantage). Its all about having control of the job, so i can ensure i get the right quality i want, and can do it within the timeframe that suits me (and my contractors) rather than a larger building company that might have many jobs on the go and fit within their schedule.

Also some smaller items I want are a little out of the ordinary or not standard, so these would either be misunderstood by a general contractor, or overpriced as its not within their 'cookie cutter' houses they are constantly building.

the tradeoff to this however, is that its more responsibility to ensure time, quality and budget constraints are met, so alot more work needed on my side!

Kathy Denniss

18/2/2020 15:58:22

Hi Kristen

You make an interesting point about the amount of time needed to ensure you get exactly what you want. I am sub dividing and building on the back of my block where I currently live, so this will enable me to be present to ensure smooth progress of the project. As an owner builder, I can choose the finishes that will ensure the house fits in with the current neighbourhood. Being in the older area of town the house needs to blend in and not as you say like every other modern home being constructed that have a "same" look.

As I am not under any time constraints, I find this an exciting challenge.

Lorraine Reynolds link

21/3/2020 18:01:28

I totally agree with the above comments. The internet does offer a wealth of knowledge. A library at your finger tip. I have consulted and been supported by numerous experienced people who have shared their knowledge and encouraged me with my Owner Builder project, even the local council. Mutual respect goes a long way. Yes a lot of research and homework has to be done, but well worth the effort.So rewarding to be part of a creative team, you and the contractors. And you get to live in it, or use it, enjoy the outcome.,

Margareta Carter

4/8/2020 11:49:43

My husband has developed quite a number of projects and builds over the years. Since doing this course I have appreciated being on a higher level of understanding when he talks about his work.
I feel (marginally) more qualified to offer suggestions on different topics.

Simon Wooldridge

12/8/2021 07:47:51

Due to my builder falling through on my first build, I had to get my project to CDC by myself, which meant a steep learning curve work direct with architects, draftspeople, engineers and council representatives etc. Having done all that it seemed to make sense to try to owner build my extension, and as it's only under the house and relatively simple frames and cladding, I am even doing the plans myself in MS Paint based on the existing plans. Seems to be going ok so far - but in terms of comms engineers have been the hardesr to deal with. They seem to talk a different language!

KALEB BUSH

29/4/2022 14:33:40

A very interesting read and insight again, Rick. Yes, good building design and layout are very important issues to consider and incorporate in any building design today. Building design and layout is still ultimately a personal thing though or whether you are restricted by a budget or not, etc. A lot of environmentally conscious layout designs require time and effort to develop.

And yes there is increasing pressures to jam and squeeze more buildings on smaller pieces of land areas by developers. I've seen and witnessed this first hand multiple times throughout my life. I see this only getting worse in the future actually.

Joann Slovinec

11/7/2023 12:31:15

One reason why I wanted to be an owner builder was also to have control over the build and to be able to make decisions as the build progressed and to be on site.

I was shocked to find out that when you engage a developer of a kit home, they do not allow you onsite until the build is completed.

James Warne

15/8/2024 14:13:48

I unfortunately have been sent down the owner builder pathway as we have had three different builders take on our renovation and then disappear during the process. Our submissions to council are from 2021, so three years of let downs. So i will take control.

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