Hi there,
my partner and I have just put in an offer for a unit, greenslopes – BNE. It is 30 years old, two bedroom unit, has its own courtyard and from the front of it – looks like a house with the other 4 units going out toward the back of it in an ‘I’ shape. they are all owner occupied as well.Lots of room underneath the unit (128sqm) we would like to put a ‘store room’ under there as apparently u need natural light for another bedroom and there isnt much of that unless u convert the garage dooor to a glass sliding door. so we thought that it could be made into a rumpus? or small office – how would we get approval for this? oR could we just deck it out outselves and when we come to sell it take it away again? i have been told that just to get approval to build/alter areas could be in the thousands!!! just to get it approved – any reasons around this? why does it cost so much and what sort of things could we build underneath?look forward to some healthy discussion
cheers
mcubed
Wow before you rush in to start construction i would be checking that you actaully own the space below the unit.
I have done many of these in and around Brissie but on old Qlders. In a unit you will need to check a couple of things:
1) Original Building Unit plan to see what you are actaully buying. You Soliciotr should also help you with this.
2) Any alterations or construction interanlly or externally will require the consent of the Body Corporate. Your Disclosure Statement will tell you who this is and it maybe an idea to make their consent as well as the consent of the other owners a condition of the purchase.In unit dwellings these days you have something called volumetric space in Brisbane which refers to normally the space above and around you but also can refer to space below.
After you have received the consent from the other owners and BC you will need to make a Building Application to BCC for this. You will require a height of 2400mm to make a legal room however as you state storage is an option.
The reason why such a small extension is so expensive is a combination of Professional fees and Council fees and Contributions.
Feel free to call me if you need anything else.
Cheers Richard
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Exciting, mcubed, to be planning an addition to the unit.
An council approval may not cost as much as you think- ring the council and ask.I would not build anything unless I had council approval.
Insurance companies are not likely to cover the unapproved areas.This could get you into serious trouble if something did happen and you were not covered because the addition was illegal and not insured.
I know it can be slow and will add to costs a bit more, but having everything done legally will give you peace of mind as well as increase the value of the property.
It would also be costly to remove the improvements you made if you want to sell.Are you planning to do all the work yourself as owner-builders, or give the work to a builder?
We extended our home years ago as owner-builders. You will need architectural plans which are required for council approval.
If you employ an architect, they will probably do the application for you to gain council approval.I can’t remember what we paid exactly, but it certainly didn’t go into the thousands.
For ideas, just google “home additions” and you will be able to view lots of ideas. Store rooms, garage, rumpus, home office, study, etc. Then you can choose one to suit your house and needs.
Let us know what you decide, I’m interested!
Good luck.Celivia
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