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The Annoying Parts of being an OB

The Annoying Parts of being and OB

Here we share our most annoying and daunting parts of being an owner builder. The list is…:

  1. Experts getting it wrong 
  2. Insurances
  3. Lining up jobs (scheduling)
  4. Weather impacts
  5. Relying on others
  6. Budget blow-outs
  7. (un) Availability of materials
Experts getting it “not quite right”

We all make mistakes, sure. But when you are relying on experts who you pay lots of money for to get it “right” and crucial things have been missed or have been documented incorrectly, can be very annoying as well as costly and time-wasting.

Some things we learnt throughout the project were…:

  1. check your architecture designs in detail. This is annoying, difficult and time consuming. Ask you architect(s) to run you through every page and discuss all the details, ask questions, ask for explanations of any amendments made to your plans, don’t just accept as being correct them by default. Our plans did not include a proposed slab set out plan until after we needed the surveyor to pin the posts grid for the house raisers so the piers could be dug. That’s now included as the last page of the designs.
  2. Check FFLs (Finished Floor Levels) as well as Ground Contours (actuals and those on your plans). Contours change over time so make sure you get your laser level out and check all levels.
  3. As a result of #2 above being inaccurate on the plans, your engineer may have left out specs such as for retaining wall footings. In our case that was what had happened. We needed to have the engineering plans amended to include RW footing specs for over 2000mm (up to 3850mm as a fact). Not a big deal if you capture it early, just bigger footings and steel and RW blocks and more concrete and  more excavations, that’s all.
  4. Check your engineering plans if raising your house. Our “beam” plan was a mix of steel and timber and nothing. We amended it to be all steel and had the engineering plans updated. Not a big deal if you capture it early, just more steel and more money (and frustrations) for the house raisers, that’s all.

Insurances

We have been knocked back by more than six insurers. None of them were willing, ready nor able to give us insurance. The key issue was the fact that we are raising and moving and restumping our house as none of them will cover that part of the journey. But the company that does the raising etc. will do. Well, you must ensure that they do have proper (current) insurances. Accidents happen and there have been cases in Brisbane where houses have fallen off the  timber styes.

…but… we did find one company that did look after our insurance being Shielded Insurance. They offer an extensive package, albeit not cheap at about $6,500/yr but it is still worth it for a reasonable size project like ours.

Lining up jobs (scheduling)

This is another thing that’s seriously daunting, lining up things to do. Take your time to discuss with your contractors what they need to do and what they need done before they start on their jobs. This is important for several reasons, some being:

  • saving time and hence money
  • not pissing off contractors; having to work around issues or having to undo things is going to upset your contractors
  • getting things certified

Here are some example on what to consider:

  • getting some of your earthworks and retaining walls/blockworks done before raising (easier access)
  • partially or completely disconnecting power while demolishing and getting an alternative power source (e.g. generator)
  • not pouring concrete in pier holes before being certified by your engineer
  • not covering up such as sheeting or tiling plumbing (both underground and above ground) before inspections have been done and you got your certificate
  • not sheeting walls until framing inspections have been done (for things like stud spacing, truss/rafter tie-downs, cyclone rods etc.)

Weather impacts

Mother Nature will throw a spanner in the works, you can be sure of that.

We’ve had super hot days (over 39 degrees) as well as a cyclone (Alfred in March 25) and lots of wet weather. Don’t stress about it, take some time off and do some study (check out our free OB courses).

Relying on others

Some things you simply have to outsource, such as house raising, excavations, plumbing, electricals, waterproofing and more.

It will 100% for sure be super frustrating when you contractors just don’t show up, screw up the job and are obviously not at all interested in our project but only in getting paid and leaving early for the day.

Some tips on managing these inevitable frustrations include…

  1. engage contractors across disciplines (e.g. concreting / blockwork / excavations) that either already work together or who you feel will well together… this is building a team that works effectively
  2. don’t try to be friends with your contractors but of course be friendly, respectful and professional
  3. let it go but follow up but not too much, the typical level of their acceptance of you  repeatedly calling/texting will be low
  4. don’t contact them out of ours or on weekends
  5. always pay their invoices on time or early if you can, most of them like getting the money early

Budget blow-outs

Unless you  are a professional financial planner,  your budget will blow out. Expect this, work out where you can potentially make some savings (e.g. painting) and finish your project.

… but be aware… cutting corners by getting things on the cheap will likely result in future dramas so do things properly now and you won’t have (major) headaches later. We all know people who years after they finish a building project have major problems which could have been prevented.

(un) Availability of materials

Supply and demand changes daily. Things like COVID-19 caused a lot of problems with regard to supply of materials. Prices change and will only go up. Consider swapping timber for steel (like we did with our extension floor beams, buy things when they are on special although you don’t need them yet (e.g. paint, tools, nails etc.), buy things from places such as FB Marketplace and Gumtree, sell surplus materials without a rush to get a better return. We use OzBuild who are a large building material supplier and who  can source materials quickly and at a reasonable price. Don’t think that Bunnings is always the cheapest, they simply aren’t so shop around (on those rainy days or  days where your contractors simply don’t show up without reason).

What about yours?

What are your most frightening parts of being an OB? Why not add a comment below and share it with other OBs?