Step-By-Step Design & Tender Process

It’s never been easier to build a granny flat!

At P J Cook Building, we are focused on ensuring our clients’ building experience is as simple and enjoyable as possible.

As a guide, once the slab is poured onsite, the construction process for a single-storey granny flat can take 15-18 weeks to complete. Our leading-edge cloud-based software keeps you informed and updated throughout the build. If we do not finish within the contracted time, we pay you a standard weekly fee until we do.

With our streamlined process, you can rest assured that your project is in good hands.

So how does it all work? Here is our step-by-step guide.

STEP 1

CONTACT US

Contact us, and we will respond quickly to your enquiry, usually within 24 hours. We ask you a few questions about your property during the initial phone call and book a convenient time to complete a free on-site assessment. Before attending the site, we conduct some preliminary investigations online to assess the possibility of a granny flat on your property via Complying Development [CDC].

STEP 2

INITIAL SITE INSPECTION

A complete site assessment provides us with a good understanding of your block to present a detailed proposal. Our proposal will advise more specifically about CDC potential or if you need to lodge a Development Application [DA] with the council.

STEP 3

QUOTATION

In most cases, our proposal is sent to you within three working days of the site inspection. While P J Cook Building has comprehensive design options and industry-leading standard inclusions, we can customise the design and add specific items to achieve your look – inform our team at the site inspection. These inclusions can be incorporated into our proposal. We are confident that you will get more value from our standard inclusions that we encourage you to compare our price and inclusions with our competitors.

STEP 4

PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONTRACTS & ACCEPTANCE

Once you review our proposal and you are ready to partner with us in this journey, sign and return the acceptance form to your sales consultant. Once we receive this, we send you our standard preliminary design contract. If you are ready to start, you sign and return the contract, and our office will send you the design deposit.

STEP 5

DESIGN PROCESS

After the design deposit is paid, our design team will order the contour survey and reports. Once completed, the balance of the design contract is due. Upon payment, our architectural designer will get to work designing your initial floor and site plan. After you approve this, our designer finalises the full architectural drawings, BASIX certificate and supporting documents.

STEP 6

APPROVAL PROCESS

Once full architectural plans and supporting documents are completed and approved by you,
our design team submit the application to our private certifier for Complying Development[CDC] or lodge the Development Application [DA] with the relevant local council.

STEP 7

COLOURS & SELECTION

Now you can visualise your new granny flat coming to life, and it is time to meet with our colour consultant at our showroom, who will guide you through the selection of materials, finishes and colour schemes. Our standard materials are of the highest quality, but you are welcome to upgrade to suit your tastes and style. Any upgrades are added to your fixed price building contract.

STEP 8

FIXED-PRICE TENDER & BUILDING CONTRACTS

After the private certifier or council has approved your project, we review all documentation, incorporate any required changes and add your selections and colours to your building contract proposal. The architectural plans and tender form part of your fixed price building contract. We use industry-standard Master Builders Association [MBA] BC4 Building Contracts for your peace of mind.

STEP 9

CONSTRUCTION

Once building contracts are signed and after the five-day cooling-off period, we pay the Home Warranty Insurance premium. Upon receiving your Home Warranty Certificate of Insurance, we send you our site start notice and building deposit to pay before work commencing on site.

STEP 10

PRACTICAL COMPLETION

Our team will contact you to offer a pre-handover walk-through to review the granny flat and identify any minor omissions [if any] that require addressing. Upon completion of the walk-through, all final accounts must be made per your building contract.

STEP 11

HANDOVER

The day has arrived! We hand over keys, warranties and user guides. We show you how to use and operate items installed, answer any questions and discuss maintenance to ensure your investment stays in top shape.

Peter and his experienced team will provide you with much more than a dwelling; it will be an enjoyable building experience and a home that will exceed your expectations.

You will receive clear and transparent communication throughout. We have found that our communication standard leads to the development of relationships that generally last well after the project is completed. We look forward to working with you and would be thrilled to invite you into the P J Cook Family.

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