Rosie's "Rome"

[rosierose]

Guys I have been talking about "Rome" for ages and thought I would post about my new build.....

So here it is...

This is the old house we bought in a northern suburb of Melbourne in 2009....
an old man had lived in this house his entire life & sadly passed away...One of his mates (about 90) told me after I bought at auction that he had cared for Les's roof since house was built and I was sure to never get a leak....he was so cute I didn't have the heart to tell him I was going to bulldoze the house......

[Elements]

Rosie, that is the cutest front facade I have seen in a long time. Its gorgeous.
But its going to look even more gorgeous when its yours from the ground up.
I wouldn't have been able to tell him either.

[dmplus3]

I agree with both of you, it would have been way too hard to tell him that the house was coming down!

Do we get to see your floorplan next, Rosie?

[Lizzy M]

that is a cute cottage, no wonder you couldn't tell him. look forward to seeing some floor plans.

[rosierose]

Any advice on how to shrink the floor plan so fom will accept it? Actually I think J-A posted it ages ago I will have a hunt for it..

[rosierose]

I found my floor plan original post.....

http://www.decoratingforum.com.au/sh...osierose+plans

[rosierose]

We bought this property in July2009, put tenants in and it took 1 year to get plans/surveys/permits ready to go... (we planned on it taking 6mths) we also thought we could build it from July 10- Dec10.....instead I am thinking more like 12 mths away still....


So what have we done since our tenants left in July 10..

- Demolish house

- Site cut (to make house sit almost flat for Mr 5 wheelchair) & retaining walls

- dig & pour foundations for garage......ground floor garage built....

- dig & pour house foundations


What I have learnt;

-my building designer has no idea
-our engineer is off the planet
-you must tell the tradies people EVERYTHING
-our building surveyors want to make me loose my mind
- my budget was waaaaaaaaaaay off...........

and best of all that Mr Rosie Rose & brother to Rosie Rose rock......bc as owner builders we would be up the creek (and u know which creek I am referring to.....) without a paddle


This picture is taken exact same spot as first picture....looking to back of block...at end you can see our half built garage/carport...

[Lanne]

grins.. i heard someone on Grand Designs (the good UK version) describe the building trade as an 'open air asylum' it sounds like you might appreciate that phrase..

Rome wasn't built in a day but it is lovely.. and I am sure yours will be too!

just checked the floor plan and LOVE it... very cool kitchen/pantry and use of space..

[rosierose]

And last post of day is what it will look like from front...so u will see I have kept it very similar to original house....except it will be brick not clad but will suit character of area...

Apologies for tiny picture...can anyone teach me how to shrink PDF's and pictures easily?

Also Lanne...you are right.....it is mind altering stuff am and sometimes I am amazed that any houses actually get built at all...

[dmplus3]

Aaaah, I do remember having seen (and liked) it before

We have considered owner-building before, but being as hopeless with cash as we are, have always reverted to building companies to manage everything. God only knows how much we would spend if left to our own devices!!!

Look forward to seeing it progress, whether slowly or quickly. I reckon you'll be pinching yourself once you move in!!