Doing a major addition to an existing house can be a bigger nightmare than expected especially when it’s impossible to know the structural integrity of the residence when it has been added onto a number of times. Not to mention that there may not be any records or plans at the council to verify the age of the alterations and the responsible person who designed the changes. Without this information available it is well worth getting a builder and/or engineer to check the structure as best possible before any design work is done. But it is an unfortunate fact that the ugly truth of the build quality of existing structure only reveals itself once the builder starts to strip away the layers and break out sections of the building readying it for the additions. At this stage it’s too late and the designs, working drawings and details have been completed. In situations like this we often find that after all the inferior quality build work has been removed and the building has been stripped you may as well have demolished the entire structure and designed something completely new.

In the current economic climate we are finding that many people are opting to buy existing homes and renovate them. With the above scenario in mind it’s worth making sure of the following:

  1. Make sure you have all the up-to date approved plans;
  2. A good builder has inspected the home with you if you are unsure if it has been added onto before;
  3. An Architect has helped assess whether you are over-capitalizing or not on your investment and if the changes you want to do are within your budget or if the additions are even possible.
  4. Get a structural engineer to help assess the structure if the builder is unable to assist with this;
  5. Speak to estate agents in the area that are not connected to the sale of the house about the area and the money you would like spend on the house.
  6. And look around you. Are other people doing additions to their homes in the neighbourhood? Are there homes of equal or more value than your house will be when it’s completed;

Before you put an offer in the purchase the property. Sometimes the fees paid up-front for such advice is well worth it in comparison to the potential millions you may have to spend had you not got any professional advice.