Get It Right with Undercover Architect

In this episode, let’s talk about question 2. This question is “What are you allowed to do?”  More specifically, it’s “What does your local authority or council say you’re allowed to do?”  Council rules and regulations can seem like a complete minefield to many homeowners.  It can be a complete dampener on your plans if you let it … but Amelia promises you, it doesn’t have to be like this.   There will be planning regulations as well as building regulations, determining what you can and can’t do in your project. Your local council will enforce planning regulations and help control how your suburbs and streets will look. In some councils, if your project meets all their rules, you don’t need any council approval. Or you'll have a fast-track option to get your approval. Some councils will require a Development Application for all types of work. (A Development Application, or DA, is Council’s formal permission to proceed with any work.) The best place to start is your local council’s website. There’s usually fact sheets, or flow charts starting with “Do I need a Development Application?” that will help you get some information for your project. There are also building regulations that govern how your project can be constructed. These operate at a national level, with state variations. Generally, you’ll need a Building Approval to commence construction. This is when your project is formally checked against these building regulations. A Building Certifier (or Private Certifier) can assist you with these approvals. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the consistent questions I receive from homeowners is “Where do I start?”  It doesn’t matter whether you’re building or renovating. Knowing how to start can be confusing and overwhelming.  There is so much information and advice out there. Finding a simple path through it all can be challenging. It doesn’t take much to get overwhelmed. And it doesn’t take too many wrong turns to be in completely the wrong place.  The thing is that ‘wrong place’ is usually an expensive place to be. It can be costly to reverse decisions, and get back on track. It can also force you to have to live with your mistakes, and pay a mortgage on them as well. That's the double-whammy in building and renovating.  In my experience, all projects start the same way. Building, renovating, subdividing, extending … ALL projects. Whatever your dreams. Wherever you are, and whatever your budget is. This way involves answering four questions.  These 4 questions are: 1.     What would you like to do? 2.     What are you allowed to do? 3.     What can your budget afford? 4.     What do you, and your family, actually need from your home now and into the future? Let’s start with Question Number 1: What would you like to do? Often homeowners start by identifying their desires for their home as a shopping list of rooms and spaces. They try to piece their home together like a jigsaw puzzle. Instead, ask yourself “What am I seeking to achieve?” (Because ultimately, this is the guts of the question “What would I like to do?”) What are your big goals for your project?  Is it to create your forever home?  To give your current home a little more room?  To make life simpler, by downsizing? Or another reason? And then ask “Why”? I’ll be honest here. Any project involving renovating or building is a long-term play – it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Your “why” is your sustenance to get you through. You need to know it, hang onto it, believe in it, and hold it high. Write it down. Put it on the fridge. You may keep talking about your home in terms of what you want it to “do”. But it’s also important to think about “why” you want your home to do these things. And why you want to renovate or build in the first place. Your connection to your home is usually quite an emotional one.  Understanding the “why” of your project honours this. It will help set the framework as you move forward. It will also help you navigate the seduction trap that is Pinterest, Interiors Magazines and Makeover TV Programs. Creating your answer to "What do I want to achieve" saves your sanity, as well as your money and time. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Get It Right! I’m Amelia Lee, the architect behind Undercover Architect, and I’m your secret ally. This podcast will help you get it right when designing, building and renovating your home. In this episode, you’ll learn more about what to expect from the podcast, why Undercover Architect began, and what it’s all about. After you’ve had a listen, hit subscribe so you don’t miss any of our weekly episodes. In the first four episodes released, I take you through the first 4 questions that every project – regardless of budget – needs to begin with in order to go well. If you’ve been struggling to get started on your renovation or new home, these first 4 episodes are for you. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.