Expanding your home with an extension or addition takes time, but there are some distinct strategies that can substantially minimise the overall length of the project.
We outline six key tactics below that will help you speed up each of the main sections of the project – the design, local government approvals, and the build itself – some specific to building in Sydney and New South Wales.
1. Use A Standard Design / Plan
Standard designs have various advantages, time being just one of them.
Not only are they quicker to draw up, they use standardised dimensions which make it easier to source building materials, plus their predictability helps streamline the construction process.
Aside from time, these designs can also save you money because suppliers stock the building materials used in bulk, meaning a lower cost, not just shorter waiting times for delivery.
It’s also important to note that standardised designs aren’t set in stone. Altering these plans is still likely to be cheaper and quicker than creating new plans.
Finally, as the next section explains, standardised plans are far more likely to be designed as a “Complying Development”, another substantial time-saver.
2. Design as a CDC (Complying Development)
In New South Wales, you can skip a lengthy development approval process if your project meets the state’s CDC (Complying Development Certificate) criteria, such as height limits, setbacks and building footprint requirements.
Complying development approvals can be issued in as little as 20 days. Compare that to the average length of a full development application which is 70 days and often far lengthier than that.
Using a CDC pathway for renovations can also save you money on the approval process alone.
3. Stick to the Plan
One of the biggest causes of delays in home renovations is changing the scope mid-project.
Yes, it might be tempting to add extra features or make last-minute adjustments, but sticking to your original plan will save you both time and money.
So, before starting, it’s really important to make sure you’ve thought through all aspects of the design. Work with your designer to finalise all the possible details, from materials to finishes, so there are fewer surprises during the build.
Then, in the unlikely event that you really feel the need to make a change, make sure it is absolutely necessary (not just ‘nice to have’) and then talk it through with your builder to thoroughly understand the cost and time being added to your building project.
4. Use Commonly Found Building Materials
As mentioned above in the section about using a standard plan, selecting building materials that are easy to source will knock time off your project.
The alternative, specialised and imported materials, can introduce foreseen and unforeseen delays. For example:
If there are global supply chain disruptions, as we saw during and after COVID.
In the unlikely event you need to replace materials damaged in transport or during building.
Plus, bespoke materials can be more difficult for a builder to construct with, adding extra time and thereby often significant extra cost to the project.
5. Use Quick to Construct Building Materials
Some building materials are easy to find, but slow to build with.
As an example, a traditional brick wall will take far longer to construct and will cost more than other more modern materials in both labour and per square metre cost.
There may also be other significant advantages of using modern materials in terms of thermal efficiency, weight and water resistance.
6. Use an Experienced Design and Construct Builder
To ensure your project moves along smoothly and quickly, work with a specialist design and construct builder with strong experience in home additions and extensions in Sydney.
They will also preferably be one that has managed Complying Developments – should you go that way – with a number of different local councils in Sydney.
These companies use designers who draw up plans that are used both for submission to council and for the build itself. Using a separate Architect can add delays when their architectural plans have to be turned into plans the builder can use.
In Conclusion… and a note of Caution
There are no magic wands that can guarantee a seamless and quick building project.
Events beyond anyone’s control, like the weather, can delay the best-planned building work with the most streamlined schedule.
However, by following some or all of these six strategies, your project will take considerably less time than would have otherwise been the case.
That being said, it’s important that as well as being realistic about your timelines, you also allow buffer time for unexpected delays.
Why Addbuild?
As one of Sydney’s longest standing design and construct builders with a 40-plus year history, Addbuild can help you plan and execute expanding your home using any or all of the above strategies. We can also handle local council approvals on your behalf.
Addbuild has worked in almost every Sydney local council area, completing more than 2,000 homes, and we use that experience and know-how to create designs that can be approved and then built as quickly as possible.
If you are thinking about expanding your home with a major renovation, we’d love to hear from you and share our experience.
Call our office on (02) 8765 1555 or send us a message using our contact form if outside of office hours.
Still researching? Have a look at our blog, consumer guide to home improvement and masterclass to get further ideas about every aspect of renovating your home.
