Expanding your home with an addition or addition takes time, but there are some strategies that can significantly shorten the overall length of the project.
Below we outline six key tactics that will help you accelerate each of the main stages of the project – the design, local authority approvals and the construction itself – some of which are specific to buildings in Sydney and New South Wales.
1. Use a standard blueprint/plan
Standard versions have various advantages and are just one of them for now.
Not only are they quicker to build, they also use standardized dimensions, making it easier to source construction materials, and their predictability also helps streamline the construction process.
Apart from time, these constructions can also save you money as suppliers stock the building materials used in large quantities, resulting in lower costs and not only shorter waiting times for delivery.
It is also important to note that standardized designs are not set in stone. Changing these plans is still likely to be cheaper and quicker than creating new plans.
Finally, the next section explains that standardized plans are far more likely to be designed as “complying development,” which is another significant time saver.
2. Design as CDC (Complying Development)
This is possible in New South Wales Skip a lengthy development approval process if your project meets the state’s Complying Development Certificate (CDC) criteria, such as: B. Height restrictions, setbacks and building footprint requirements.
Appropriate development permits can be issued in as little as 20 days. Compare that to the average duration of a full development application, which is 70 days and is often much longer.
Using a CDC route for renovations can also save you money on the permitting process alone.
3. Stick to the plan
One of the biggest causes of delays in home renovations is changing the scope mid-project.
Yes, it might be tempting to add additional features or make last-minute adjustments, but sticking with your original plan will save you both time and money.
So before you start, it’s really important to make sure you’ve thought through all aspects of the design. Work with your designer to nail down every possible detail, from materials to finishes, so there are fewer surprises during construction.
Then, in the unlikely event that you actually feel the need to make a change, make sure it is absolutely necessary (and not just a “nice to have”), and then discuss the matter with your contractor to fully understand the cost and time commitment of your construction project.
4. Use common building materials
As mentioned above in the section on using a standard plan, choosing building materials that are easy to obtain will shorten the time of your project.
The alternative, specialized and imported materials, may result in foreseeable and unforeseen delays. For example:
When global supply chain disruptions occur, as we have seen during and after COVID.
In the unlikely event, you will need to replace materials that were damaged during shipping or construction.
Additionally, it can be more difficult for a contractor to build with customized materials, adding time and often significant additional cost to the project.
5. Use Quick to Construct building materials
Some building materials are easy to find, but construction takes a long time.
For example, a traditional brick wall takes much longer to build and is more expensive in both labor costs and cost per square meter than other, more modern materials.
There may be others too significant advantages the use of modern materials in terms of thermal efficiency, weight and water resistance.
6. Hire an experienced design and construction builder
To ensure your project progresses smoothly and quickly, work with a specialist design and build contractor with extensive experience in home additions and extensions in Sydney.
Preferably this will also be someone who has managed development compliance – if you go that route – across several different local councils in Sydney.
These companies Use designers produce the plans which will be used both for submission to the council and for the construction itself. Using a separate architect can cause delays when the architectural plans need to be converted into plans that the contractor can use.
Finally… and a note of caution
There are no magic wands that can guarantee a smooth and quick construction project.
Events beyond anyone’s control, such as weather, can delay the best-planned construction work on the most efficient schedule.
However, if you follow any or all of these six strategies, your project will take significantly less time than it otherwise would have.
However, it’s important that you not only stick to realistic timelines, but also allow for buffer time for unexpected delays.
Why ArticleSubmission.news?
As one of Sydney’s longest established design and build companies with a history spanning over 40 years, ArticleSubmission.news can help you plan and deliver your home extension using any or all of the above strategies. We also take care of municipal permits for you.
ArticleSubmission.news has worked in almost every council area in Sydney, completing more than 2,000 homes. We use this experience and expertise to create designs that can be approved and then built as quickly as possible.
If you are thinking about expanding your home through a major renovation, we would love to hear from you and share our experiences.
Call our office (02) 8765 1555 or send us a message via our Contact form if outside office hours.
Are you still researching? Take a look at us Blog, Consumer advice on home improvement And Masterclass to get more ideas on all aspects of renovating your home.
Looking for inspiration? Take a look at us Feature projects And ‘before and after’ Photos.
