Site investigation is a critical first step before you start design.
Your existing house, land, surroundings will all have an impact on the cost of your renovation and the potential value you can add through renovation. This month on the 101.5FM radio show I introduce the key considerations.
What is a site investigation?
Site investigation for a new house or renovation involves determining all the critical information about your house and land — the opportunities and constraints — that you need to consider
What sort of information do we need to find out?
The information varies, depending on your site and what you are planning to do. However, it typically will include finding information about four criteria:
- Your existing house, if you are renovating,
- Your block of land and surrounding properties or landscape items that affect your block of land
- Your climate, and
- Any regulations and approvals you need to address in your design.
Can you give me a bit more detail about the sorts of opportunities and constraints we should be looking for?
Absolutely, let’s step through those items one by one:
1. Your existing house:
- If you are planning a renovation, you will need an existing floor plan to plan your new ideas. You might have this measured and drawn up by a drafter, or you can sometimes find a copy of your house plans in your Local Council building approval records.
- Opportunities to make the most of may include any features you want to keep, such as high ceilings, timber windows and any traditional character features.
2.Your block of land:
- Opportunities to make the most of may include views, trees, and a useful lawn area for kids to play.
- Constraints to consider and design around may include neighbours overlooking your yard, noisy neighbours, overshadowing from adjoining houses or trees creating too much shade in winter.
3. Your climate:
- Work out the orientation of your block of land and the rooms in your house to find out the path of the sun and breezes.
- Opportunities will include accessing the bright northern sun in living areas.
4. Applicable regulations & approvals:
- We talked about this last week, and you can find out this information from your local council and a private certifier.
What are the benefits of a site investigation?
Understanding and addressing all this information before designing your house or renovation always saves you time and money. In addition, designing your home to properly address your site and surroundings will enable it to function better, be more comfortable to live in, be more cost-efficient to run, and be a more valuable investment both now and in the future.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Listen to the 101.5FM radio episode HERE
In Course 5. Site Investigation and Regulations I show you the site investigation information you need to know, the process to find it and where to find help. Not sure if you will renovate or sell? I save you time and money by telling you the essential site info you need to know now in concept and feasibility stage, and the info you can leave until you decide to proceed with the build.