building under highset

[mikeyamba]

hi there

I know this has been asked before, and i have studied the posts, but i would just like to ask more "specific" questions in relation to this.

do i measure the hight from the beams down to the floor, or the ceiling down to the floor for the 2.4 requirement?

how do i know if there is a wet seal under my concrete base? do i break a piece off and look, how far down will it be?

I want to build underneith for purely add value and equity reasons, have any of you done this and found it to be worthwhile?, i cant find any comparable properties in my area to aprox revalue at

if i cant legally do it, would adding storage and utility room, instead of bathroom and bedroom still add value to my property?

has anyone done this recently and could voice aprox costs? i was thinking that i would budget 15-20k and do as much of it as possible myself

my property is based in logan area,how are the council for add ons?\

many thanks in advance
mike

[ringtail]

If the house is already raised measure from the lowest point ( bearers) to the slab and take about 75 mm off the measurement to allow for battens, leveling and gyprock. Dig down at the edge of the slab ( 100 - 150 mm) to see if there is a vapour barrier. If the slab was poured properly the vapour barrier should be clearly visable as it should have come out under the formwork and onto the ground to be trimmed back later. You will need 75 mm exposed edge of that slab for termite reasons and the surrounding ground should be lower than that ( 150 mm ish is good) and slope away from the house. You will need a owner builder permit which I'm led to believe is a real PITA to get in NSW. You can easily spend $5 - $ 10 k on plumbing and electrical on a build in so factor that in as well as all the permits, certifiers fees etc...and the new 6 star rubbish energy ratings which add up very quickly before you even start work.

[mikeyamba]

thanks for that:2tsup: