Experience
At EHDS we have hands on experience as owner builders, we have built two homes from scratch and renovated and made additions to many more.
owner builder assistance
Working with owner builders we understand that levels of expertise vary greatly from first time builders to fully experienced builders. We can tailor the plans suit any level of expertise from standard plans and construction details to fully detailed construction drawings to assist those not fully conversant with construction and regulatory requirements.
Creativity
Working with our clients we design beautiful practical homes to be built in many different areas using all types of building materials from standard brick, or timber frame to rammed earth, and mud brick homes
Consulting
Our service does not end with the plans. At the request of the client we will visit the site at any time from conception to completion to help with any problem from design stratergies to construction help.
Becoming an owner builder
What does it really mean to be an owner builder?
What is an owner builder?An owner builder is a person who carries out the role of the builder in managing the construction of a residential home. These duties include costing, purchasing, project managing, employing tradesman and various building tasks.
Why become an owner builder?Owner building can save the new home purchaser many thousands in reduced builders fees and tradesman's costs. It is also a great experience to build your own home.
How to become an owner builder?There are differences from state to state, but generally two courses of education are required: the first is sometimes called a 'White card' which is a workplace health and safety certificate, and the second is a general building management certificate comprising project management, building processes, communication and task monitoring. Under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2 011, owner-builders are required to obtain approval from the Building Services Board, administered by the Building Commission, before obtaining a building permit to carry out owner builder work on their land.. Pros and cons of being an Owner BuilderMany of the pros are self evident: total control of the build, ability to choose tradesman and to personally oversee their work, decide what work can be personally done, control how long the build takes and importantly, elimination of the builders markup (about 30%).The cons are just basic fears of stuffing up, dealing with rogue tradesman who take you for a ride, bad estimating and costing, longer build times, inferior quality, poor project management.
Why become an owner builder?Owner building can save the new home purchaser many thousands in reduced builders fees and tradesman's costs. It is also a great experience to build your own home.
How to become an owner builder?There are differences from state to state, but generally two courses of education are required: the first is sometimes called a 'White card' which is a workplace health and safety certificate, and the second is a general building management certificate comprising project management, building processes, communication and task monitoring. Under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2 011, owner-builders are required to obtain approval from the Building Services Board, administered by the Building Commission, before obtaining a building permit to carry out owner builder work on their land.. Pros and cons of being an Owner BuilderMany of the pros are self evident: total control of the build, ability to choose tradesman and to personally oversee their work, decide what work can be personally done, control how long the build takes and importantly, elimination of the builders markup (about 30%).The cons are just basic fears of stuffing up, dealing with rogue tradesman who take you for a ride, bad estimating and costing, longer build times, inferior quality, poor project management.
If you are thinking about owner-building your own home or small commercial building, you will need to have been granted owner-builder approval from the Building Services Board, before you can be granted a building permit from your local government authority.Owner-builder approvals can only be issued to individuals and not to corporate bodies or trusts.Owner-builders can carry out the following types of building work on their property:• Construct a detached dwelling, including a granny flat.• Carry out additions and alterations to an existing dwelling.• Construct a non-habitable building such as a private garage, carport, shed or the like.• Construct or make additions and alterations to small commercial building – being a one or two storey building with a floor space of less than 500m2 that is not a detached house, Class 10 building or farm building.To obtain an owner-builder approval you must:• be the owner of the land; or• be leasing the land and have the owner’s written agreement to undertake building work; or• have an interest as purchaser under a contract to purchase the land.And:• intend to either reside, occupy or use the land on which the building work is to be carried out when the building work is completed.