SEQ Residential House Design Blog

Building Design, Residential Engineering and Development Tips

What’s the deal with Brisbane Building Designers?

Brisbane House Design, Residential House Design - June 4, 2014 - 0 Comments - by

We often get asked by Brisbane home owners investigating house renovation option ‘Why do I need a building designer? I know what I want!’. This is a great question because we agree that nobody knows their home better than someone who lives in that home; we have learned though, that the design process is not […]

House Renovation Costs

Brisbane House Design, Home Renovation Plans, House Raise and Build In Under - May 15, 2014 - 0 Comments - by

At SEQ Building Design our experience and close relationships with Brisbane builders and private certifiers has given the team a great understanding of the renovation costs associated with residential projects in the greater Brisbane area.

House Extensions for the Brisbane Entertainer…

Brisbane Drafting, Brisbane House Design, Home Renovation Plans - April 30, 2014 - 0 Comments - by

Need more space? Can’t decide whether to add a WHOLE lot more space to your home or how to add the right space? The larger the house extension work the dearer the cost, so examining your requirements and designing the configuration can deliver a more cost effective solution and help you achieve the perfect home […]

Feasibility of Major House Renovations in Brisbane

Brisbane House Design, Home Renovation Plans, House Raise and Build In Under, Residential House Design - March 27, 2014 - 0 Comments - by

There is no shortage of online information detailing the potential hidden costs of a major house renovation, but what you won’t read is how these costs will specifically affect your property, how much you should budget and if or how these potential hidden costs can be avoided. Having the right information at the very beginning, […]

Legal Height – Building In Under a Queensland Home

Brisbane House Design, House Raise and Build In Under, Residential House Design, Residential Structural Engineering - March 17, 2014 - 3 Comments - by

Building in under is an attractive option for Brisbane home owners looking to increase the available space within their homes. We talk to many home owners who want to explore alternatives to raising their home, alternatives that generally require a compromise on quality which can add substantial costs that you may not be aware of. […]

Ready to begin construction? Here are 5 Steps for selecting and engaging your builder

Brisbane Builders, Brisbane Construction Process - February 19, 2014 - 0 Comments - by

So your design and engineering have been finalised and you’re itching to turn your plans into a reality, only one final hurdle to leap and that is the build! As your will be well aware the building stage is where more than 90% of overall costs are associated, so taking the time to select the […]

Soil Testing – Importance when Structural Engineering Brisbane Homes

Residential House Design, Residential Structural Engineering - January 23, 2014 - 0 Comments - by

Any building work requiring footing and slab inspections by a certifier during construction should have a soil test completed during the preparation of your structural engineering plans, too often this is not the case and often leads to increased costs later on for the home owner.

Six reasons to engage a building designer

Brisbane House Design, Design, Home Renovation Plans, Residential House Design - January 16, 2014 - 0 Comments - by

Major renovations can be a great experience, mapping out the perfect space, adding your personal touch and constructing something that is truly your own. Once you make the decision to renovate you will become more aware of home-reno shows, pester friends and family about your ideas and their thoughts and… sometimes… you may even find […]

Christmas is fast approaching…

Brisbane House Design - December 6, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

Merry Christmas for SEQ Building Design Holidays are fast approaching… The festive season is upon us and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest and support throughout 2013. The SEQ Building Design team will be taking a much deserved break to recharge the batteries in preparation for a big […]

Brisbane Subdivisions – What to Consider

Brisbane Subdivisions, Residential Development - October 22, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

Subdivisions are costly and time consuming, yet with substantial investment there is potential for significant returns. Choosing the right team for your Brisbane subdivision investment can be the difference between a successful outcome vs. a painful and costly exercise. This article is to provide some insight to the Brisbane Subdivision process to help you determine […]

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Add a Little Tradition to Your Queenslander House Design

Brisbane House Design, Residential House Design - October 11, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

We Love WORKING ON Queenslanders! Designing beautiful functional spaces within the traditional Queenslander style homes is something we pride ourselves on. Our Queenslander house design plans have helped many home owners get more from their Brisbane home renovations, and we would certainly like to hear from you if you’re about to commence design on your […]

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8 Things Brisbane Building Designers want you to know!

Brisbane House Design, Residential House Design - September 25, 2013 - 1 Comments - by

Home owners are often curious about what really goes into a set of design plans, to help shed some light on the situation we have interviewed three Brisbane building designers from SEQ Building Design to get their perspective on everything that makes it in to a set of plans and the ‘behind the scenes’ work necessary […]

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House Plans Required for Building Approval and Why – Brisbane Building Design Terminology Explained

Brisbane House Design, Home Renovation Plans, House Raise and Build In Under, Residential House Design, Residential Structural Engineering - September 13, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

Included below are common Brisbane Building Design planning requirements prepared during the pre-construction phase of your major Brisbane home renovation. The requirements listed below are needed to satisfy building codes, council codes and building certification (approval) and acts as an instruction sheet for your builder of choice to explain your renovation requirements and form your […]

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Costs Breakdown – Brisbane House Extension

Brisbane House Design, DCP and Character Codes, Residential House Design - August 28, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

Many home owners contact us looking for indicative costs for their Brisbane house extension, usually as a way to improve the value of their property and/or to make way for a growing family. Determining the most cost effective way to achieve more space to a home can be difficult “Do we raise and build-in or […]

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What’s really included in your Design and Structural Engineering Plans – Buyer Beware!

Brisbane Drafting, House Floor Plans, Residential House Design, Residential Structural Engineering - August 13, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

As a Brisbane Residential Design company providing both House Design Plans and Structural Engineering Plans for Brisbane Home Owners we are exposed to all facets of the pre-construction process. At times we will work with Brisbane home owners on their structural engineering plans only, using plans from other house designers and draftsman to develop structural […]

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Brisbane Draftsman

Brisbane Drafting, Brisbane House Design - July 19, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

As far as house plans go finding a Brisbane draftsman locals know comes down to an operator with extensive local knowledge; often this can be the difference between a hassle-free, easy building approval or a project that is complicated and costly. Your draftsman should have a thorough understanding of local council requirements, earned their stripes so […]

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Understanding Brisbane Home Design Floor Plans

Brisbane Drafting, DCP and Character Codes, Home Renovation Plans, House Floor Plans, Residential House Design - July 9, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

Home floor plans are widely recognized by most people and provide great insight to the functional characteristics of the home; however house floor plans tend to be underutilized by non-builders / designers, who often use their floor plans only to identify the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces. In most cases you will be […]

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Structural Engineering Complements (not conflicts with) Smart Home Design…

Brisbane House Design, Residential House Design, Residential Structural Engineering - June 26, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

Continuity between design and structural engineering requirements are vital for achieving the best results from your Brisbane renovation or new home project… Just ask your builder? Creating brilliant open living spaces, seamlessly integrating outdoor and indoor living spaces, ensuring accessibility for small or narrow lots or just achieving a certain look requires a means for […]

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Cost Breakdown – Average Brisbane House Raise and Build In Under

Brisbane Drafting, Home Renovation Plans, House Floor Plans, House Raise and Build In Under, Residential House Design - June 14, 2013 - 8 Comments - by

It is important to be practical, there are many forums where users promote their own Brisbane house raise and build in under efforts coming in well under $300,000 but how much are they telling you? Total project costs are good to know, a breakdown of how costs are allocated is better… Some forum contributions are […]

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Why do I need drafting plans before I build?

Brisbane Drafting, DCP and Character Codes, House Floor Plans, Residential House Design, Residential Structural Engineering - May 28, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

Drafting plans are drawn to show the location of a home on a property in its context. Measuring the site allows the drafting plans to correctly reflect the position of your sites structure within the boundaries of your property.  Your site plan allows council (or accredited certifier) to assess compliance against regulations. For simple extensions […]

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5 Planning Requirements Needed for Building Approval in Brisbane

Brisbane Drafting, DCP and Character Codes, House Floor Plans, Residential House Design - May 10, 2013 - 1 Comments - by

The pre-building process in Brisbane is all about ensuring your plans for building comply with the various codes and regulations prior to Building Approval being granted. Understanding the various requirements and applicable codes that need to be satisfied before your building work begins can help you budget effectively for your major home renovation project and […]

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Smart Home Floor Plan Design Configuration in Brisbane

Brisbane Drafting, Brisbane House Design, House Floor Plans, Residential House Design - April 29, 2013 - 0 Comments - by

A carefully planned home floor plan design can be the difference between the perfect fit and a home that is too small in some areas and too large in others. Incorporating the experience of a building designer, not just to provide you with house plans for your builder, but to configure your floor space to […]

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Building in B.C.C. ‘Flood Planning Areas’

Brisbane Drafting, DCP and Character Codes, House Raise and Build In Under, Residential House Design - March 14, 2013 - 2 Comments - by

You can now see exactly how the Draft New City Plan will affect homes in Brisbane, following the release of interactive mapping, including flood zones. The new mapping was made available on the Brisbane City Council (BCC) website this week and enables homeowners to examine the impact of proposed flood planning provisions within the draft […]

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Brisbane Home Renovation Finance Requirements

Brisbane Drafting, Home Renovation Plans, Residential House Design - March 5, 2013 - 2 Comments - by

When discussing finance for a Major Renovation there are plenty of figures that need to be considered and a handful of requirements fulfilled before funds can be obtained. Figures for consideration include: ‘As is’ Valuation Amount owing Available equity Design Costs Construction Costs ‘On Completion’ Valuation Finance Requirements: Your finance requirements will be dependent on […]

Water Tanks for New Homes No Longer Compulsory in Brisbane

Brisbane Drafting, DCP and Character Codes, Residential House Design - February 15, 2013 - 9 Comments - by

The extra costs of rain water tanks and energy efficient hot water systems are now at the home owner’s discretion, no longer a compulsory requirement for new residential homes built in Brisbane or Queensland for that matter, commencing February 2013. Master Builders Director of Housing Policy Paul Bidwell welcomed the decision, along with many Queenslanders […]

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Financing a Major Home Renovation in Brisbane

Brisbane Drafting, Brisbane House Design, Home Renovation Plans, Residential House Design - January 23, 2013 - 4 Comments - by

Do the words ‘home renovation’ conjure up thoughts of exposed wiring, sheet covered furniture and exhausted savings accounts? While there is a degree of cost and disruption associated with all renovations, the value you can potentially add to your Brisbane property through a major renovation may well be worth the adventure. At this point what […]

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Making the most of your Garage or Carport design

Brisbane Drafting, Home Renovation Plans, Residential House Design - December 28, 2012 - 2 Comments - by

A Carport or Garage is a great addition to any Brisbane home considering the temperamental and often unexpected weather. Offering protection for your vehicle is the primary concern for home owners but there are additional benefits a Carport or Garage can afford if considered early on in the design process; like allowing for extra storage […]

Plan a Successful Raise and Build In Under

Brisbane Drafting, Brisbane House Design, House Raise and Build In Under, Residential House Design, Residential Structural Engineering - December 20, 2012 - 1 Comments - by

Raising and building in under your Queenslander home can be a stressful and complicated project, even for the seasoned professionals. It is all too common for house raising projects to end up way over budget, costing home owners more than they can afford. Being equipped with the right information from the beginning can save you […]

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Character Codes and Extensions… No Problem!

Brisbane House Design, DCP and Character Codes, Home Renovation Plans, House Floor Plans, Residential House Design, Residential Structural Engineering - December 7, 2012 - 1 Comments - by

A challenging residential project was completed recently, and though this extension was very unique, the challenges that were overcome during the design, planning and approval stages were the same as faced by many Queenslanders looking to extend or renovate their homes.

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How will the proposed Brisbane City Plan affect your Renovation?

Brisbane Drafting, DCP and Character Codes, Home Renovation Plans, Residential House Design - December 5, 2012 - 6 Comments - by

Brisbane City Councils Draft New City Plan (Due for completion late 2013 / early 2014) has been released, providing a blueprint for Brisbane’s growth over the next 20 years, still maintains a focus on protecting the city’s character. Included below are areas of the plan that will affect residential developments…

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Home Renovation Plans

Brisbane Drafting, Brisbane House Design, Home Renovation Plans, House Floor Plans, Residential House Design - November 13, 2012 - 0 Comments - by

Have you decided on a home renovation? Perhaps it’s something you’ve been planning for a long time or falling property prices meant buying a larger home is no longer an option? Hey, even if you have been in your home for 30 years and it’s time for a makeover; whatever your motivation one thing holds […]

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Developers push for reduction in red tape!

Brisbane Drafting, Brisbane House Design, DCP and Character Codes, Residential House Design - October 30, 2012 - 0 Comments - by

Gaining development approval in south east Queensland can be a costly and time consuming exercise, and as many with firsthand experience will know, a regulatory mind field.

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Why Custom Home Renovations

Brisbane Drafting, Brisbane House Design, DCP and Character Codes, Home Renovation Plans, Residential House Design - October 24, 2012 - 1 Comments - by

Having trouble finding a home that ticks all the boxes? SEQ Building Design have worked with many property owners who have bought properties knowing full well it wasn’t what they were after but had a firm plan in mind for shaping their newly acquired house into their ideal home.

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