Q. Do we have to have plans drawn up?
A. No, our consultant will design your addition and our draughtsman will draw up the plans for council approval.

Q. How do we know if we can put a first floor addition on our house?
A. We have a structural engineer check that your home can support a first floor addition.

Q. Do I have to pay for someone to come out to my home?
A. No, not initially.

Q. Do you make appointments after hours or at weekends?
A. Yes, our consultants will try to arrange an appointment to suit your time frame.

Q. This is the first time I've done something like this. What do I have to do?
A. You've already taken the first step, now telephone us or complete the form in Contact Us and someone will be in touch with you. If you wish to proceed further our consultant will make an appointment to visit you at your home. He will discuss your requirements with you, draw a rough sketch of your ideas and give you an indication of costs. If you wish to proceed further still he will draw up sketch plans and give you a written quotation.

Q. What's the process? What happens next?
A. If you're happy with the quotation you can sign an authority for us to put plans into Council on your behalf. (It is usual to pay a fee of 5% of the quotation price at this time). We do all the paperwork for you! Once plans are approved by Council we take them to Sydney Water for their approval and prepare HIA Contracts. Once contracts are signed construction usually begins in 2-3 weeks.

Q. How do we make payments?
A. As certain stages of construction are reached progress payments are made. There are usually about seven, including initial fee and final payment.

Q. How much is it going to cost?
A. This will depend on what you are having done, what materials and finishes are used, and sizes and number of rooms. Approximate figures are listed below for a basic addition plus any extra costs for alterations downstairs.

Q. I don't want a box on top! I'd like something different. I want to improve/change the look of my house OR I want to keep the look of my existing house. I love it the way it is. Can you do this?
A. Our design consultants can work with you to enhance the look of your existing house still keeping its essential character, or they can change the look of it completely depending on what you want to achieve.

Q. We're very busy people. Can you do everything for us once we've decided on the plans and agreed to the quotation price?
A. We can do everything from the initial concept plans to the very last nail and brushstroke. You will not have to go from company to company to put it all together. Yet you will have the freedom to choose finishes, bathroom fittings, ceramic tiles, staircase and balustrades, windows, etc.

Q. Can we do some of the work ourselves?
A. Yes. We can build to lock-up stage only. Or you can choose to do your own electrical work or plumbing work etc, if that is what you wish.

Q. Do we have to move out whilst the work's being carried out?
A. This is highly unlikely. We have been doing this kind of work for over 34 years and
during this time only 4 or 5 families have moved out during construction. This was due to major alterations being carried out on their existing downstairs home.

Q. Time frames! How long does it take from the initial first enquiry to completion?
A. Of course this will vary from person to person and job to job. Generally, the initial stages (when clients are deciding on what they want) is out of our control. Perhaps, as an average, 3 months. Once we have the go ahead, drawing the plans and putting them into Council may take a couple of weeks. Plans are in Council (again, a time which is out of our control) around 6-12 weeks, sometimes as long as 4-5 months. When Council has approved the plans it takes about 2 weeks for us to have them stamped up by Sydney Water and draw up the contracts and associated paperwork. Once contracts are signed construction usually begins within 2 to 3 weeks. Construction of the addition usually takes between 12 to 16 weeks depending on the size and complexity of the design.