Have I taken on too much? Was this really a good idea to relocate an old house onto a block? Today it feels like a bad idea. I feel as worn down as the tired old stairs on the thumbnail of this post.
The Certifier has come back with the ‘assessment’ which is the precursor to actually submitting an application to Council – my DA (aka development approval). I’m already hearing lingo I never knew I needed to know. I do not have permission to move the house yet. That wont happen until I have all the paperwork in order for the Certifier, who then submits it to Council. Who then assess whether to approve it. Or not.
But before any of that can happen I need to find a builder willing to confirm they will do the renovation works. Or a better scenario is for me to submit an owner builder certificate. To get an owner builder licence I need to do a course, then sit an assessment. Assuming I pass, then I can submit that certificate number to the Certifier.
I also need to decide which sewer system I’m going to install, get the engineering plans completed. Today I found out I also need some kind of soil engineering certification – who knows how and what that entails.
Then, assuming I can tick all those boxes with Certifier and Council, I then go back to the house removalists and get them to start working on their paperwork.
There’s a lot of assumptions in those few paragraphs. And a lot of dollars. I thought I was prepared for this process. But I also knew there were lots of unknowns that would pop up and require me to work through.
Today, this all feels overwhelming. Managing everything on my own is tough. I wish I had someone to share the load with. If only to talk through ideas, processes or logistics. What’s a good idea? What’s not? How to find the right people/trades/professionals to get the jobs done. Coordinating it from Darwin just adds to the challenge.
Though in reality, it would not be any easier if I was in QLD. Although if I was in QLD, at least I could be starting a garden, clearing weeds, starting some site works like retaining walls etc. But I will remain in Darwin until around Feb 2025, so just need to get on with it. Suck it up baby!
Spend to date: $35k
This image of someone else’s deck-come-outdoor living room inspires me to progress forward. I’m trying to look at this as an ultra marathon and I’ve only just crossed the start line – there’s a hell of a long way to go before I get that finishers bling!
