HISTORY IN THE MAKING

RRUTLEDGE ST.

DINING PRECINCT & APARTMENTS COMING TO QUEANBEYAN CBD

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Designing Your Home

When it comes to designing your own home, whether it is a new home or a renovation, there are many elements that you need to consider.

Engaging a qualified architect, designer and builder can greatly assist in this process. These professionals will be able to guide you in the right direction to ensure you create a home that you will truly enjoy for years to come.

HOW DOES THE DESIGN PROCESS WORK?

1 Once you’ve engaged a designer or architect to design the plans and discussed what features you would like in your home, they will provide you with an initial design concept.

2 After this, the design is developed in more detail to show furniture locations, building materials, architectural detailing and structural detailing.

3 When you’re satisfied with the design concept, the architect should provide you with the working drawings and specifications.

4 Once you have received your finalised, detailed design and prepared working drawings and specifications this will be the time to finalise building quotes with your preferred builders.

TIPS:

• Good design isn’t free! Investing in a reputable and highly regarded architect or designer will be advantageous when it comes to designing the home of your dreams.

• Consider what you might want from your home in the years to come. Do you need extra space for children or ageing parents? Are you considering operating a business from your home and need space for an office? Planning for the future when designing your home could assist in the long term liveability of the home.

• Be realistic about your budget and ensure that you have factored in the costs associated with designing your own home with a professional.

• Do your homework. Once you’ve set your budget, you should have an idea of the size, fittings and fixtures that you will be able to afford.

LOOKING FOR AN ARCHITECT, DESIGNER OR BUILDER FOR YOUR PROJECT BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

Head to the Find a Member section of the Master Builders ACT website to discover a library of MBA members who might just be the perfect fit for your new home build or renovation.

Independent Property Inspections

WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT PROPERTY INSPECTION?

An independent property inspection (also known as a building inspection) is an examination undertaken by a property inspector who will assess accessible areas of a building. The inspector will then provide you with a written report that should outline any potential issues associated with the home.

During the inspection, an assessor may inspect the:

• Interior of the building

• Exterior of the building

• Sub-floor space

• Roof space

• Roof exterior

• Surrounding property area

WHY SHOULD I ARRANGE FOR ONE BEFORE PURCHASING A HOME?

There are a number of reasons to get an independent property inspection before purchasing a home, including:

• You will be provided with a detailed report that should outline the condition of the building and any potential issues associated with the property.

• You will be able to get specialist advice about any potential issues identified.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROPERTY INSPECTION?

Some items that are not included in a property inspection are:

• Parts of the property that were not or could not be inspected

• An estimate of repair costs

• Matters outside the consultant’s expertise

• Minor defects

• Termite detection (a pest report will need to be obtained for this information)

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT TO UNDERTAKE THIS FOR ME?

If you’re looking for a property inspector to undertake an inspection on a home, head to our website (mba.org.au) and look for the Find a Member section.

TIP:

When searching for an independent property inspector, look for one who holds professional indemnity insurance. This type of insurance will protect you, as the buyer, by ensuring that the property inspector can cover any financial loss if an error is made on their inspection.

APARTMENT LIVING: BUYING OFF THE PLAN

Buying an apartment ‘off the plan’ is the most common way that apartments are purchased. It means that you are agreeing to purchase an apartment before it is constructed, with only the plans or artist representations showing what your finished product may look like.

It is incredibly important that you receive independent legal advice about purchasing an apartment off the plan, before you exchange contracts. There are often clauses in off the plan contracts that allow for a developer to make changes to the size or configuration of your apartment, the amenities included in the building complex or the quality of the materials used, in the event that development approvals require the change. You should also make sure you are familiar with the expected construction start time and length, and what your rights are if the apartment takes longer to build than originally agreed to.

BEFORE YOU SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE, ASK THE DEVELOPER (AND YOUR LAWYER) THESE QUESTIONS:

• The display unit and brochures look amazing! Am I entitled to receive all of that, and what happens if I don’t?

• What am I actually buying? Are there detailed plans or only concept drawings?

• Does my unit have fixed dimensions or is it subject to change? What are the limits of changes that a developer can make without my consent?

• What are the developer’s rights and responsibilities (and what are mine)?

• When do I have to pay a deposit, stamp duty, or other fees and charges?

• What if the unit is not completed by the agreed date? Can the developer or I cancel the contract? Do I lose my deposit if I terminate the contract?

APARTMENT LIVING: NAVIGATING STRATA

If you’re moving into an apartment complex for the first time, you have probably never had to deal with strata rules and by-laws. There are rules for managing apartments (known as unit titled buildings), and you should be aware of the financial and legal issues involved when you purchase an apartment.

Whilst not an exhaustive list, here are some tips that will help you navigate strata if you are buying an apartment. It is also recommended that you obtain independent legal advice before you sign any contracts, so that you know exactly what your rights and obligations are.

• You are essentially buying into a small community.

Living in close proximity to other people can have a lot of positive benefits. However, it also means that your activities can impact on your neighbours (and the same goes for them). Most apartment complexes also have restrictions on car parking and carrying out renovations.

• Apartment complexes have rules.

Before you purchase an apartment, read the owners corporation rules (and then re-read them). Rules can cover simple things, from not being permitted to hang towels over your balcony through to visitor parking, lift access and the colour of your front door.

• There can be hidden costs.

Buying an apartment can often seem like the cheaper option at the beginning but beware of strata fees that are payable on a regular basis. If your apartment complex has facilities such as lifts, gardens, basement carparking, pools, paved areas or barbecue spots (referred to as common property), there will be costs to maintain these items and you will be legally required to contribute to these costs through strata levies, set by the owners corporation.

Each apartment complex also has a ‘sinking fund’, designed for capital maintenance and repairs. You should check the amount of the fund when purchasing an apartment and take into consideration the age of the complex and what significant maintenance work may be required in the future.

There are clear benefits and downsides to purchasing an apartment and dealing with strata issues. The key is to make sure you are informed and aware of your rights and obligations before you’re locked into a contract.

BUILDING IN THE ACT –REQUIREMENTS

When building a home, it’s important to understand your requirements and responsibilities. There are some key things you need to do to ensure you remain compliant:

• Make sure anyone working on your home has the correct licences and insurances to undertake the prescribed works

• You will need to appoint a building certifier

• Ensure any fees are paid on time

• Check that development applications, building approvals and any other relevant approvals have been attained before commencing works

It can be tricky to know who is responsible for each part of your project. Here is a handy, brief outline of who you can expect to work with throughout the process and what their role should be:

Builder

Your builder should be the person coordinating and leading your new home build or renovation. They will complete all work that requires building approvals. It is a requirement that your builder is licensed by the relevant state licensing body as being suitably qualified to conduct building work.

Architect

Whether you choose to engage an architect, building designer or draftsperson, they will be responsible for the building plans and will provide you with valuable advice in the creation of your home.

Building Certifier

You will appoint a building certifier who will ensure the build is compliant with building legislation.

Electrician

Your electrician will complete all electrical works and, upon completion, must provide you with a certificate of electrical safety that states their work is compliant with relevant standards.

Building Assessor

A building assessor will provide you with an energy efficiency assessment rating to ensure your home meets the required standards.

You may also work with the following tradespeople:

• Tilers

• Bricklayers

• Painters

• Joiners

• Asbestos removalists

• Plasterers

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY HOME IS COMPLETED?

1 You’ll receive a building certifier’s final inspection – this is to ensure the project is compliant with the building approval and requirements. Once this step is complete, you’ll receive a certificate of completion.

2 You or your builder will have engaged a licensed practitioner to complete electrical, plumbing and gas works. These works will need to be approved and may be inspected by an ACT Government inspector.