House Design Software

[ozwinner]

Were not deaf, we are just ignoring you.

Al

[Grunt]

Martrix, it's not just you I'm ignoring. I ignore everyone equally.

I'll have a play with Sketchup.

[Cliff Rogers]

How hard can it be to draw a dog house?

[silentC]

Quite hard if you're a dog

[ozwinner]

I think there is talk of a straw bale house, so maybe he should ask the 3 little pigs for help..

Al

[Cliff Rogers]

Quite hard if you're a dog

He doesn't know that he is a dog.

[journeyman Mick]

I think there is talk of a straw bale house, so maybe he should ask the 3 little pigs for help..

Al

Breaking news:
In a shock move, the Hogg brothers have had their builder's license cancelled. There's been a lot of complaints leveled against them of substandard building practices. Building inspector Wollfe conducted some wind loading tests on their latest block of flats and there was catastrophic failure of major structural elements. The Hoggs have vowed to fight their license cancellation in a court case starting next week but Mr Wollfe, who will be appearing for the Shire of Christiananderson has been quoted as saying that his evidence is overwhelming and that he "would eat them alive" in the court room.

It is understood, from industry insider sources that since the eldest Hogg brother left the business the traditional stone construction for which they were justly famous and won many industry awards for, has been supplanted by timber stud or "stick" construction and in some cases with hay bale construction. It appears that whilst these materials are acceptable further cost cutting measures by the two remaining Hogg brothers rendered the buildings structurally unsound. Apparently these matters came to light after whistleblower Mr "Chick" Little complained to the building services authority after a section of roofing collapsed on him. He's reported as saying that it felt like the sky was falling on him.

In related news Bob the builder has been declared as mentally unfit to hold a builder's license as he believed that he could talk to,and be answered by his concrete mixer, backhoe, crane and cat. His wife, Judy has vowed that she will stand by him.

Mick

[ozwinner]

Good one Mick, I think you may have to branch out into kiddies stories.

Al

[journeyman Mick]

Good one Mick, I think you may have to branch out into kiddies stories.

Al

Watch out Daddles!
Or,on second thoughts, put your babysitter on danger money and engage a children's psychoanalyst, Mick's twisted tales for little kiddies is coming soon, to a bookshop near you.

Mick

[Grunt]

I find it's hard to hold tools as I have this opposable thumb issue.

There is a company in Victoria that specialises in Straw Bale houses. They're called Huff & Puff.

[Sir Stinkalot]

Chris .... when you say you are looking at submitting to council are you talking about a building permit or a planning permit?

The answer could have a bearing on if you want to do the drafting yourself. If you require a planning permit there is plenty of stuffing around dealing with ResCode and possibly planning reports depending on any planning overlays on your land.

If you are going for a building permit you still need to comply with ResCode and also the BCA. Are you looking at owner builder or getting some prices?
If its a building permit then perhaps a private building survey would be better than council as they will be more likely to guide you through the process.

As for software ..... I use ArchiCad ...... there are some basic home design packages that can be picked up for $100 or so from Hardly Normal and the likes that should be easy enough to drive.

[Grunt]

I have a planning permit to build a house that came with the block when we bought it. The house was a Harkaway kit home. We need to change the house to one of our design which will be a straw bale house.

I have booked myself on a strawbale course in May for 4 days. They provide a building survey service which I plan to use.

I plan to be the owner builder.

I've been looking at various software packages. I've downloaded demo copies a few of them and having a play to see which one I like best.

Chris

[Sir Stinkalot]

Make sure that you take plenty of happy snaps and post them on the forums. I would be very interested to follow the progress.

[ausdesign]

So Grunt this is for an application to alter the planning permit. ??

[Grunt]

Yes and get a building permit. I need to start building before March next year.