House demolition/rebuild

[Nay-DMAX]

My boss has bought one pf the portable toilets used on building sites for use on his farm. He gets a company to empty it out each month but you might need it more regular, if you put it near the cara and all under a temp roof then nobody gets wet doing the midnight run

Yes I like that part of thinking though knowing I am getting a new house at the end I will take an umbrella if need be :-) But it does seem like it might be the way to go if the cost is not too high. We have hired them before when we have had parties here as we are on tank water and it can just work out easier to have the toilet out where the party is.

[Redcherokee]

Something like this would be an make sense to live in, and you could sell it when done for at least half what you paid to create a fast sale.

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-3219950/1985-Hallmark-grand-delux?cr=6&category=caravans&psq=%28%28%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Near%20New%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Used%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20Used%5D%29%26State%3DVictoria%29%26%28Category%3DCaravans%26SubCategory%3DCaravan%29%29%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampingsales%5D%29%26SaleStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Price

Then all you need is a bathroom.
If you can find it, some hire companies have ensuite type units with a shower, toilet and basin in one room - though the ones I have used went into sewerage.  Would be much more comfortable for a long stretch.

Worst comes to worse use a camping potty and regular trips to the local dump point.

[Nay-DMAX]

Something like this would be an make sense to live in, and you could sell it when done for at least half what you paid to create a fast sale.

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-3219950/1985-Hallmark-grand-delux?cr=6&category=caravans&psq=%28%28%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Near%20New%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Used%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20Used%5D%29%26State%3DVictoria%29%26%28Category%3DCaravans%26SubCategory%3DCaravan%29%29%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampingsales%5D%29%26SaleStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Price

Then all you need is a bathroom.
If you can find it, some hire companies have ensuite type units with a shower, toilet and basin in one room - though the ones I have used went into sewerage.  Would be much more comfortable for a long stretch.

Worst comes to worse use a camping potty and regular trips to the local dump point.

Yes that is sort of what I am thinking and had wondered if others had used different options.  I am watching a few on ebay and we have some time to look there are similar on there for a bit less. :-)

[Redcherokee]

If you do go that way, consider putting in a slab that will go under van and annex.   You want the annex floor to be a bit above ground level for when it rains, as well as level surface making a big difference for everyday life.   Under the van makes it easier to manage long grass, bugs, snakes etc.  Maybe in a location where you could use a slab in future.  If not a slab, at the very least a serious level site with fine blue metal and watch your drainage.

This will be home for the best part of a year if you are like most builds.  So make it comfortable. Thinking of true nomads like BIL and how they make a CP site work as home for a month or more at a time.

[Nay-DMAX]

If you do go that way, consider putting in a slab that will go under van and annex.   You want the annex floor to be a bit above ground level for when it rains, as well as level surface making a big difference for everyday life.   Under the van makes it easier to manage long grass, bugs, snakes etc.  Maybe in a location where you could use a slab in future.  If not a slab, at the very least a serious level site with fine blue metal and watch your drainage.

This will be home for the best part of a year if you are like most builds.  So make it comfortable. Thinking of true nomads like BIL and how they make a CP site work as home for a month or more at a time.

Yes thanks for that info the ground is fairly level but could look at putting something down. If we happen to take down the old garage first we could use that slab if the new shed isn't up yet but otherwise I am sure we can sort something for underneath it.

[Rumpig]

If it was my place.... i'd build a shed first up (one to keep for later), add some sort of temporary toilet and shower set up on the back of it after it's been approved, wire up some lights and power points then move into it. If you haven't had interest in giving the house away (advertise it before you build the shed), then get it demolished and build the new place.
SIL sort of did this on their property up at Gympie, though they didn't need to remove an existing house. They built the shed and lived in it for about 7 years, didn't inform the council just did it like many other people do on their properties. They had a composting toilet and a dodgey shower set up that drained the water out into their garden, lived like that for ages. Eventually they added a half decent shower and toilet room onto the shed, then eventually when they had the funds they got a builder to build them a new house on the block. Sometimes it's easier to not tell the council everything you are doing (ie: where you plan to live), though i'm sure others might have horror stories of nasty neighbours dobbing them into the council etc.

[Nay-DMAX]

If it was my place.... i'd build a shed first up (one to keep for later), add some sort of temporary toilet and shower set up on the back of it after it's been approved, wire up some lights and power points then move into it. If you haven't had interest in giving the house away (advertise it before you build the shed), then get it demolished and build the new place.
SIL sort of did this on their property up at Gympie, though they didn't need to remove an existing house. They built the shed and lived in it for about 7 years, didn't inform the council just did it like many other people do on their properties. They had a composting toilet and a dodgey shower set up that drained the water out into their garden, lived like that for ages. Eventually they added a half decent shower and toilet room onto the shed, then eventually when they had the funds they got a builder to build them a new house on the block. Sometimes it's easier to not tell the council everything you are doing (ie: where you plan to live), though i'm sure others might have horror stories of nasty neighbours dobbing them into the council etc.

No real neighbours here and the ones we have are great. If we can afford to will build the shed first that will replace the current falling down one. Which will give us more storage. Council are aware of our plans but whether they show up to check what we are doing. Problem is if there is no interest from someone to purchase the property then the cost of demolition will push our build date back a lot.

[dales133]

Id just rock up at the local council buildingz in your Yfronts with a towel and a bar of soap with the family in tos if tbey give you sbit.
No oermit required for a composting toilet

[oldmate]

Get a van and just take a dump on ya nieghbours lawn when your dogs do?  Problem solved 

[terravista]

No Councils won't wear any fixed building as they know owners may want to live in them so only storage sheds and temp toilets for building.

Councils all have differing opinions. We built a 9m x 4.5m permanent shed with ablutions and all the council wanted was a smallish bond that was rsfunded on the completion of the house, but it was dependant on new plans being in for approval.

[Fizzie]

No real neighbours here and the ones we have are great. If we can afford to will build the shed first that will replace the current falling down one. Which will give us more storage.

Hi Nay

I agree with you & what Rumpig & others have said - demolish the existing shed, extra slab down then put in as big a shed as you can afford - 6x6 / 6x9?, with permanent power going to it, park your CT / c'van inside, porta-potti in the corner behind a curtain, lean-to out the back with a HotTap or similar shower unit in it & you should be fairly comfy.

Would you be able to set-up some sort of dump point into your existing septic system while building is under way?

Alternatively, with 8 acres & good neighbours  , dig a series of nice deep holes down the back under the fruit trees, empty the porta-potti every few days, foot of dirt back in on top till that hole is full & repeat 

With regard to the existing house - there are "agents" / yards (sorry, can't think of proper word) that sell old houses for relocating to your block. Have a chat to some of them as they may buy it off you or possibly even take it to their yard & sell it on consignment for you? May noy work but worth a try!

[Moggy]

This has been an interesting read,  specifically because of the possibke interactions with local authorities.
I know up here in Mackay they were like dictators a couple of years ago when the place was booming, now that its collapsed they realize they should've been more user friendly because developers left in drove & building approvals are down up to 80% some months. Also it's the norm for people on acreage up here to build a shed & live in it whilst building a house. The only requirement is it must comply with the BCA with regards to amenities & obviously be cyclone rated.
Sometimes people in council/govt jobs take it to seriously

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[tk421]

As Fizzie said check out a home relocation mob. They generally will buy houses. No idea where you are based but here is one eg in SEQ

http://www.grahamremovalhomes.com.au/about.html

[rotare]

Good chance that it may be different in your state, but in SA it's not that easy offloading an old transportable house, unless you find someone who hasn't done their homework. 

I looked at grabbing one and putting it on a block of land I have to use it as a weekender.  Unfortunately it doesn't matter how old the transportable house is it must comply to current building standards if relocating it to a new site.  When I looked at what was involved to do this it appeared a headache and a good way to create a potential money pit.  When seeking advise the phrase 'how long is a piece of string?' was often quoted...   

I quickly realised why there were so many old transportable buildings for sale for next to nothing, or in some cases offered for free.  I decided it was probably easier to build / buy new than try and restore and make comply an old building.... that at the end of the day would still be an old building.   

[prodigyrf]

rotare is spot on with old houses as all States and their Councils will make any home have to comply with the current Building Code of Australia with its associated Australian Standards. That will require an Engineer's inspection and report for starters. By the time you add removal and re-siting costs it's hardly worthwhile and that's why I suggested you start advertising now to test the market and see if you can possibly avoid the demolition cost.