Am I crazy?!

[TJJJ]

G'day everyone,

I am glad to have found a forum which has some practical information in it.

I am planning a first floor addition, on top of a small Federation cottage (weatherboard and tin roof). The addition contains two bedrooms, a small bathroom and an open lounge area - total size about 50 sqm. the engineer said there are no special structural requirements.

I am also planning to build a free-standing garage with a basic loft space - 40 sqm on each floor.

I have my plans approved by Council, but have not yet signed a building contract.

I would be interested in anyone's thoughts on what you think would be a reasonable cost to build?


Thanks in advance.

[SilentButDeadly]

Anything less than $125,000 or the second storey would be a steal. Add another $20 to 30K for the garage.

[TJJJ]

Thanks SBD - appreciate the benefit of your knowledge. It is good to have a ballpark number in my mind while I get some firm quotes.

Problem is - reading some of the other great threads in this forum has made me toy with the idea of going owner-builder again. I went owner-builder on a previous small extension. A lot of work. But it's a bit like having kids - a few years in between them and you forget all the reasons why you promised yourself - never again...!

I am also thinking about something in between. That is, get a builder for the big stuff but keep some of the less complex work for me eg rough ins, painting, tiling etc. Anyway, that decision may depend on the quality of the builders I can find.

I wonder if anyone has views on these questions:

1. Weatherboard or weathertex? I am thinking weatherboard for close continuity with the main house, while thinking weathertex for the garage, because of its low maintenance properties. Thoughts?

2. Stairs in main house. I am thinking MDF with wood veneer to save cost, rather than solid wood?

Thanks in advance, and best regards.

[Wavenut]

Sounds like a big job - maybe you could "owner manage"

I am keen to know what the quotes come in at - if it was one of those guess raffles i would say >190k