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Category: Pre Purchase Advice

Copyright Beware

I am reminded often of the number of people who do not understand copyright law pertaining to building plans.

 

In short, whosoever draweth the plans – owneth the plans.

 

If you have your house plans done by a registered Builder of a large Major Builder, even if you handed them your hand sketch, they own the copyright on the plans – YOU DO NOT!
You cannot use the plans they produce for you with any other builder without written copyright release. This may or may not be granted & could leave you with plans you have paid for, but cannot use.  At the very least it will cost you good money to release the copyright to you.

 

Use an Independent Building Designer

 

However, if you have your plans designed & drawn by an independent building designer, you can use those plans to request quotes from any number of builders & then select the one you like.  Whilst the copyright legally rests with the Building Designer, you are free to shop it around to any available builder for a quote without fear of any copyright issues.

 

Copyright Release

 

In some cases our clients request we release the copyright to them as part of our agreement.  We normally do not have any issues with this providing the design is only going to be used for the site we were engaged to design it on.  In all cases the ‘Revit’ file is always retained by the building designer.  This file contains intellectual property which cannot be shared with other designers or consultants.

 

Remember – always us a Registered Building Designer to maximise your future options.

$25,000 Grant has a very tight timeline

 Thinking of building?

Many people are now considering renovating or building a new house because of the federal government’s $25k grant initiative.  Few people realise the timeline required to get that contract signed before December 31st 2020.  Consider the following timeline if you were to contact us on 1st July 2020;

 Realistic Timeline

  • Initial phone call to our office about your renovation. (1st July) We advise you to request your plans of the existing house from council prior to meeting (2 weeks wait)
  • Initial free consultation in our office 15th July
  • Quote prepared same day & you sign an agreement to start the design work after some consideration (1 week) 22nd July
  • Site measure completed 5th August (2 weeks depending on workflow)
  • Existing conditions plans ready (1 week) & another meeting scheduled to discuss the design of the renovation 12th August
  • Design sketch completed (1 week) & presented to you 19th August
  • Design given the go ahead after some tweaks (2 weeks) 2nd September
  • Town Planning Drawings completed & submitted to council 9th September (1 week)
  • Council finally approved the planning permit 11th November (2 months is very short for them considering they are currently working remotely)
  • Working drawings completed & engineering consultants requested (2 weeks). Plans emailed to client & sent to your builder for quoting 25th November
  • Engineering received back 9th December & forward to builder (2 weeks)
  • Builders quote received 16th December (1 week)
  • Signing of contract with selected builder after making some amendments to inclusions 23rd December (1 week)
  • Christmas!

Conclusion

Now this timeline is reliant on the building design company being able to fit you in the workflow during a high demand period as everyone else is thinking the same thing.  Also dependent on council approving a permit in 2 months (unusually fast), & the builder having a quote ready just before Christmas in 1 week.

 

What this all boils down to is; if you want this grant you need to act now!

Call HDG on 03 5940 2340

New Homebuyers Grant

If you’re planning on building or renovating it’s officially time to stop sitting in your hands. Act now to be first on the list to get your plans approved.

New Home Stimulus Package

The Coalitions expenditure review committee is finalising its construction package where homeowners will be offered grants of around $25,000 to build new home under a new stimulus plan.

It’s designed to protect tradies’ jobs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.  Renovators will not just be required to match the cash grants but spend more, ensuring the projects are “substantial”.

First Homebuyers Scheme

The Prime Minister is keen to use existing first homebuyer schemes already established in each state to deliver the grants.

That means the same limits on the value of the family homes that are eligible for the scheme are likely to apply which will prohibit wealthy buyers using the grants to purchase million-dollar homes.

In most states, that’s a home worth less than $750,000.

Conclusion

Now is the time to act and get your plans approved. Get in touch with Hargreaves Design Group by calling (03) 5940 2340 or emailing us today