Tips to Build a Granny Flat on a Budget

Posted by on May 26, 2020 in Real estate |

Tips to Build a Granny Flat on a Budget

The costs of building a granny flat can be quite expensive. A homeowner who has good carpentry skills and time to do the project can drastically cut the building costs at around 20-25%.

Further savings can be gained when you build a granny flat by renovating a home to include a separate entrance for the flat or converting a garage or shed.

By turning yourself as an owner-builder

You can become an owner-builder of a granny flat when you possess the right carpentry skills the time to do it. Getting a permit as an owner-builder is a requirement before starting on the granny flat building project. This means that you need to attend classes and pass a test. However, essential jobs such as plumbing and electrical work have to be given to the pros. The bulk of the construction can also be helped by a good carpenter.

A building permit is a requirement even with small structures such as a granny flat. Hiring the services of a good drafter is an expense you can’t skimp if you want to get approval. The detailed drawings provided by a skilled drafter will not only speed up the approval but also give you a construction blueprint to base your work on.

Going for sheds is a good option

Sheds provide a good option if you don’t want to build a granny flat from scratch. The delivered shed components only take a short time to assemble. You can then do modifications to the interior to make it a comfortable living space. The new comfortable and beautiful designs of sheds have made them a living space to consider.

You can renovate your garage

Renovating your garage to turn it into a granny flat will save you thousands of dollars. The shell of the granny flat can be provided by your existing garage structure. Extensive renovations have to be done though for you to comply with building codes and regulations. Just remember to include the costs of providing a drainage and floor elevation.

Renovating your existing home

Renovating your existing home to add a granny flat with a separate entrance is another cost-saving construction option. Bear in mind that the renovation should include all the amenities of a separate home to include bathroom facilities, separate entrance, and cooking areas.

Incorporating all these features can qualify the structure as a granny flat even when it is connected to your main house. However, renovating your home to add a granny flat is only good if you have a larger-sized house. Incorporating a granny flat will take care of some unused spaces in your home.

Consider the earthworks

Earthworks are an important factor to consider when you want to build a separate granny flat from your home. Obstructions such as large rocks, trees, and bushes are excavation jobs you have to consider before starting work on the construction of your granny flat. Doing it this way avoids nasty and expensive surprises.

Is it better to go the route of being an owner-builder or to purchase a prefab or hire a professional home builder for your granny flat project? Do you want removabale granny flats? If you are still unclear about the designs and details of your granny flat, it is best to consult an expert builder.

Read More »

Floor plan information

Posted by on Apr 16, 2020 in Real estate |

Floor plan information

Open floor plans

Debates frequently arise between couples or investors on which floor finishing may be the killer touch the building needs. That makes these plans very crucial since they affect not just your budgeting but also where you will be spending your time in the future. Here you will weigh out which flooring option serves you better and why you should choose what you chose.

An open floor plan entails combining one or more spaces to create a single extensive room. You could, for instance, have your sitting room, dining room, and kitchen all combined into one single spacious room. The following are some of the merits of open floor plan finishing.

Creates sufficient space

Open floor layout creates the illusion of extra space which is not a bad thing. This looks good, especially on smaller houses. The extra space may not feel restrictive anymore when used in the house appropriately. One can also get creative with the spaces and decorate their houses accordingly.

Amplify resale value

Open floor plans are among the most popular styles homeowners desire today. When thinking of a resale, this feature alone could help you perk up the prices for the prospective buyers. Build it for less and sell it for more.

Enough family time

With open floor planning, a family member is not really away from sight unless they are in their bedrooms. Whenever one is in the kitchen or dining room or sitting room, they can easily communicate with each other without straining, allowing families to spend as much time as possible.

Closed floor plans

Unlike open floor layout, closed flooring entails erecting walls distinctively to create separate rooms and utility places in the house. This gained popularity back in the ’90s when privacy was key, and the functionality of the house really mattered. Here are a few benefits to a closed flooring plan today.

Increased privacy

You often need time for yourself without company, and so does everyone else. This flooring option has walls everywhere creating sufficient privacy for you to enjoy.

Easy to decorate

Yes, decoration has now been made easier with many walls erected in the house. You may hang decorations and family pictures on the walls and hallways to improve the general beauty of the house.

Reduced energy expenses

Warming up rooms with the open floor plan is expensive due to the extra space. This differs for closed floor plans since you can warm up individual rooms according to their demands.

How do I find a good and professional builder?

Everyone in the market nowadays claims to be a renowned builder, but how do you prove this? Be very careful when finding the right expert for your project lest you risk wasting not just your time but the energy and finances too. Here are some tips to help you with your search.

Ask for recommendations

Inquire from your friends and relatives whether they do have any builders they can trust. There is a good possibility that you may create a very resourceful shortlist to work with. Besides people that want the best for you can never recommend an inexperienced builder for you.

Ask for legal paperwork and academic credentials

Nowadays documentations seem to be the only way you could prove anything. The same applies to builders. Find out if they are trained, where they were trained, and finally whether or not they have the required licensing to operate within your town or state. Gala Home Builders in Gold Coast have all the necessary permits, credentials and licenses to execute your project.

Read More »

Land For Sale in Bundaberg: Top Buying Guide

Posted by on Apr 6, 2020 in Home, Real estate |

Land For Sale in Bundaberg: Top Buying Guide

You may be considering buying land in Bundaberg since you know that this investment is better than stocks, bonds, savings accounts, or even gold. But just like any huge investment or spending, you would do; you must step back and think wisely before you make a purchase.

Top Land Buying Guide

To help you further with this project, here are the things you need to consider when buying a land in Bundaberg:

Think of what you plan to do with the land

As you know, Bundaberg is a popular tourist destination in Australia, and this is where the famous Bundaberg Distillery, a museum and tasting spot, is housed. Thinking of what to do with the land is necessary so you can set your expectations right.

Some of the things you can do with the land for sale are:

  • Building a home for your family
  • Recreational or hunting land
  • A place to put up a business
  • Convert to an agricultural land
  • An investment property which you can sell or develop later

Each of it has its own set of advantages and disadvantages you must be aware of, like having extra expenses for property insurance and taxes, or/and great future investment considering that land values appreciate.

Think about your budget

Another factor you must consider when buying land is your budget. If you are planning to pay for the land using cash, make sure that you source for a land that is suitable for what you can afford. Include on your budget, tax and insurance you have to pay every year. Won’t the extra fees and other expenses hurt your budget that may come along from owning a land?

If you are thinking about financing the land you will purchase, it is best if you contact mortgage lenders earlier before sourcing lands to buy. Some lenders give their clients pre-approved loans, hence limiting you from headaches when you already found the land to purchase.

When looking for lenders, make sure that they have experience giving land loans. Some lenders specialise in a specific type of loan like a car, house, etc. By researching, you can find the best lender in Australia, providing land loans.

Hire a real estate agent

Buying land is harder compared to buying a house, experience and expertise are necessary to ensure that you can get the land most suitable for your requirements. They are the right people to provide you with the best deals. He/she is also qualified where to search for a land that suits your needs.

Some would rather locate a land by themselves, as they want to skip paying professional fees, but the benefits from hiring a realtor or a real estate agent are not only while you are searching for land but in the long run too. Their accesses, knowledge, expertise, and connections can lead you to find the best land in Bundaberg to purchase.

Close titles with a title attorney or company

Hiring an attorney or a company can assure you of a clear title. They also help in many of the requirements and paperwork necessary when transferring the title from the seller to the buyer.

You can choose either a company or an attorney, but needless to say, they must specialise in lands and not with other legal matters like divorce.

Read More »