Older homes with tired designs that the family has outgrown can be completely altered to become the home of your dreams.
People often leave an area because they feel their home no longer suits their needs or they can't afford to upgrade in the same location—an area where their lives have become interwoven with local facilities, family and friends, schools and clubs. They sell their home and discover that the new owner has capitalised on their investment and restored the home, significantly increasing the property's value. The reality is that additions and alterations to existing homes are less expensive and less stressful, than relocating or building a new home. Most home extensions take an average of 12 to 16 weeks to complete and you don't need to move out while work is being carried out.
Our extensions build process
Urban Bay’s design and building services are structured and planned to ensure your project runs efficiently, on time and on budget. You are kept informed at each stage so there are no unexpected issues or surprises. Our Managing Director, Tony D'Orazio, manages every project end-to-end, involving you at each stage and ensuring the highest quality end result for your extension.
1 Initial site visit
Our Managing Director, will visit you in your home to discuss your needs and what you'd like to achieve. He will then come up with some ideas about how we can help to achieve your vision. You’ll be given an approximate budget that will be required for your project and a run through of our construction process, outlining what is included at each stage.
2 Concept design
Upon mutual agreement, we arrange for a second visit to measure up your home. Using the measurements and information gathered from our initial site visit, we then produce a concept plan with 3D drawings. We estimate a budget for your project and provide a brief specification of what's involved.
3 Approval
Once you are happy with the design, budget and scope of works, a preliminary contract agreement is signed by both parties and an initial fee is requested.
We then arrange a site visit with our engineer and estimator. Following that, we fine tune your plan, produce working drawings, a detailed specification and confirm the final fixed price for the project.
As a result of carrying out such a thorough site investigation and ensuring that you are always involved in both the planning and detailing process, we do not have any cost blow outs.
4 Building contract
Upon finalising the design and costs of your project, we then formalise our agreement by preparing an HIA building contract for renovations and a fully itemised specification of your project. These documents ensure there are no extra hidden costs or surprises. The contract is then signed and a deposit is paid. We then submit drawings and specification documentation to your local council and other authorities as required, and arrange all the necessary approvals, insurance and inspections. Once all documentation is completed, a building permit is obtained and your project can begin.
5 Pre-construction meeting
Before construction commences, our Managing Director will meet with you onsite to plan and explain the building process, timelines and associated schedule of works. We then arrange the required tradesman, order materials and schedule the work to be carried out safely and efficiently, according to the plans and specifications set out in the contract.
6 Commencement and progress
Once building work commences, Tony and Urban Bay’s team will ensure construction stays on track and any potential issues that may arise are resolved accurately and promptly. Your project will involve the use of many tradespeople including concreters, scaffolders, bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, plasterers and roof tilers. Our thorough planning and adherence to high safety standards, frequently enables our clients to live comfortably at home during construction. Several inspections are also arranged for the required authorities at various stages and progress payments are made at nominated stages, as per the building contract.
7 Notice of completion issued
Once the works are completed, a final inspection is conducted by the building surveyor and a notice of completion is issued. Whilst all projects vary in completion timeframes, this notice is generally issued a number of months after building works have started. On completion and handover of your extension, a written 10 year structural warranty will also be issued.
The experience
On site and during construction, we offer a low stress building process through our highly-experienced and skilled tradespeople. Our clients continually tell us they always felt at ease with Tony as he has a relaxed yet professional approach. They have equally found Urban Bay's tradesmen to be pleasant, competent and reliable.
