Hi balniks,I would suggest getting a designer to do some sketches which will allow you to take drawings to council and discuss your potential application with them. The termite protection would be part of the 'scope of works.' If there is already tremite damage I would suggest to get it properly accessed to determine what repaires are required.I…[Read more]

Hi,I agree with Luke, you are changing the classification of the building and will therefor have to bring the garage up to standards of a dwelling. Fire rating is often an issue as garages are often light weight cladding directly on the boundary.Council will also want to know your intensions for making it self sufficent (weather it will be rented…[Read more]

Hi,I don't know an architect or draftsman that will guarantee being able to sub divide land and build. The blocks in the city of Whitehorse are generally pretty large. Council will take P.O.S (private open space), carparking, side setback etc. into account. Depending drastically on your block (size, shape and easement location) and what you are…[Read more]

Thanks all,Great advice!!

I think Landscaping does help. Decking areas can add a lot of value as well.

You do have warranty on the property and although some of the fixtures might be on the cheap side, structurally, I'm sure the house is fine. I would focus on cosmetics as mentioned above.Landscaping could be good. In my opinion a decking/ covered area (dependant on the size of private open space) reaches a wide target audience and will create and…[Read more]

Hi Mike,I'm from Victoria but have experience in sub dividing and the town planning process. Feel free to email me if you like to talk further or even just for some advice.Cheers,Shannon

Hi J,I would speak to a plumber first and ensure he can make the pipes inactive and let you know when its fine to rip stuff out. A small Jake hammer would be best for the floor, depending on for size of the wall you might just look at a blunt chisel and a hammer to get the wall tiles off, if your not keeping the cladding behind it you might be…[Read more]

I found these calculators pretty helpful. They say how much you could borrow, what your repayments would be ect. I know these are for ING Direct but is helpful as a guide ONLY so you know a rough range before you speak to a mortgage broker

Thanks, yeah if they are owners we might go with the 3rd option

I just bought in Melb and went to many auctions. Educate urself so that you know what the property is worth before the auction and what similar properties have gone for in the same area. As noted aboe property reports are good

All councils have a fee schedule for town planning on their web site, the fees differ for the type of town planning application you have and the estimated construction costs. Handyman, if you can find and architect to to get approval with the architects fees being a bit over $2000 I suggest you use him.  

Hi,I dont think this is fair. Unless his specified in the original quote that he has not allowed for removal of services then I wouldnt be happy with that. I also don't think its fair to add on temporary fencing because this should have been apart of the original quote unless specified that it is not. The asbestos is something that you should…[Read more]

I dont have first hand experience in developing but for lower costs you should consider a building designer. Their fees should approx. amout to around this:sketch design: $2000Town planning: $5000Working drawings: $5000This will vary depending on the size of the job and detail you want in the drawings but should be well below 30k-50k. An a…[Read more]

If your in Melbourne close to public transport and 3 major hospitals and 1 university and for the amout you paid in 2006 it sounds like you may be near Flemginton Rd, North Melbourne. If this is correct I think your property would be worth more than 450.Might be worth looking into that

Hi,There is normally no difference between sub dividing a normal block or coner block apart from applying for a cross over permit.Sub dividing a block into town houses requires a planning permitt (different and a more complicated process to Building permit.) It is put to your local council and they assess the drawings on a number if issues (ov…[Read more]

Thanks for the report! It was very accurate and informativeCheers,Shannon

Thanks,Some good points that make a lot of sense

Thanks for the advice,I had that opinion aswell but wanted to talk to some people that have property experience