DESIGNING YOUR HOME

When it comes to designing your own home, whether it is a new home or a renovation, there are many elements that you need to consider.

Engaging a qualified architect, designer and builder can greatly assist in this process. These professionals will be able to guide you in the right direction to ensure you create a home that you will truly enjoy for years to come.

1 Once you’ve engaged a designer or architect to design the plans and discussed what features you would like in your home, they will provide you with an initial design concept.

2 After this, the design is developed in more detail to show furniture locations, building materials, architectural detailing and structural detailing.

3 When you’re satisfied with the design concept, the architect should provide you with the working drawings and specifications.

4 Once you have received your finalised, detailed design and prepared working drawings and specifications this will be the time to finalise building quotes with your preferred builders.

TIPS:

• Good design isn’t free! Investing in a reputable and highly regarded architect or designer will be advantageous when it comes to designing the home of your dreams.

• Consider what you might want from your home in the years to come. Do you need extra space for children or ageing parents? Are you considering operating a business from your home and need space for an office? Planning for the future when designing your home could assist in the long term liveability of the home.

• Be realistic about your budget and ensure that you have factored in the costs associated with designing your own home with a professional.

• Do your homework. Once you’ve set your budget, you should have an idea of the size, fittings and fixtures that you will be able to afford.

Head to the Find a Member section of the Master Builders ACT website to discover a library of MBA members who might just be the perfect fit for your new home build or renovation.

An independent property inspection (also known as a building inspection) is an examination undertaken by a property inspector who will assess accessible areas of a building. The inspector will then provide you with a written report that should outline any potential issues associated with the home.

During the inspection, an assessor may inspect the:

• Interior of the building

• Exterior of the building

• Sub-floor space

• Roof space

• Roof exterior

• Surrounding property area

There are a number of reasons to get an independent property inspection before purchasing a home, including:

• You will be provided with a detailed report that should outline the condition of the building and any potential issues associated with the property.

• You will be able to get specialist advice about any potential issues identified.

Some items that are not included in a property inspection are:

• Parts of the property that were not or could not be inspected

• An estimate of repair costs

• Matters outside the consultant’s expertise

• Minor defects

• Termite detection (a pest report will need to be obtained for this information)

If you’re looking for a property inspector to undertake an inspection on a home, head to our website (mba.org.au) and look for the Find a Member section.

TIP:

When searching for an independent property inspector, look for one who holds professional indemnity insurance. This type of insurance will protect you, as the buyer, by ensuring that the property inspector can cover any financial loss if an error is made on their inspection.

Buying an apartment ‘off the plan’ is the most common way that apartments are purchased. It means that you are agreeing to purchase an apartment before it is constructed, with only the plans or artist representations showing what your finished product may look like.

It is incredibly important that you receive independent legal advice about purchasing an apartment off the plan, before you exchange contracts. There are often clauses in off the plan contracts that allow for a developer to make changes to the size or configuration of your apartment, the amenities included in the building complex or the quality of the materials used, in the event that development approvals require the change. You should also make sure you are familiar with the expected construction start time and length, and what your rights are if the apartment takes longer to build than originally agreed to.

BEFORE YOU SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE, ASK THE DEVELOPER (AND YOUR LAWYER) THESE QUESTIONS:

• The display unit and brochures look amazing! Am I entitled to receive all of that, and what happens if I don’t?

• What am I actually buying? Are there detailed plans or only concept drawings?

• Does my unit have fixed dimensions or is it subject to change? What are the limits of changes that a developer can make without my consent?

• What are the developer’s rights and responsibilities (and what are mine)?

• When do I have to pay a deposit, stamp duty, or other fees and charges?

• What if the unit is not completed by the agreed date? Can the developer or I cancel the contract? Do I lose my deposit if I terminate the contract?