b'hard truth words: June-Ann RussellpainfreepaperworkYou could say a council is to a renovation what a dentist is to a great smilea necessary evil. However, by being organised and knowing exactly what your rights and obligations are, it neednt feel like pulling teeth. Manukau City Councils booklet, Doing it Right, starts us off with this advice:Do it right and the project will go smoothly. Taking shortAnd at this initial visit, request documentation such as cuts and ignoring the rules will cost you more in the longyour propertys certicate of title and a LIM report if you run. It may mean risks, delays, complaints and disputes.havent already got them.These can lead to loss of insurance cover, future loss ofMerv adds that if council hasnt got the original plansvalue, lawsuits, enforcement and abatement orders, neswhich can sometimes be the case, especially if the house and even prosecution. Do it right, and in the long runis more than 100 years old - this is the time to either carry youll spend less and save more. out the necessary measurements or consult your designer. Depending on how extensive and complex your renovationAs a specialist in house alterations and additions, he says is, you may prefer to let your design professional deal withhis golden rule is always to apply for a project information the council. If you decide to project manage it yourself,memorandum (PIM). though, youll save money and learn quite a lot in theA PIM will uncover very early on all the information the process,saysarchitecturaldesignerMervSandfordofcouncil holds that is relevant to your building project, such Sandford Design.as the location of underground services and whether you The key is to do as much homework as possible andneed to apply for a resource consent. These can be factored follow a realistic timeline, bearing in mind that buildingin sooner rather than later, when drawing up plans. consentapplicationscantakebetween10and20A thorough approach will minimise confusion, delay and working days to approve, and resource consents can takecost, and help ensure the building consent application is longer, he says. processed more rapidly. Merv says not supplying certain Firstly, visit your council and talk to a planner about whatinformation will mean returning to the drawing board over you want to do. They can advise you on issues such asand over again. For example, if the home has unauthorised zoning, height in relation to boundary rules, and drainage.works, have they been added to the plans? Have all the This pre-planning exercise will pinpoint what youll needengineering aspects of the proposal been includeda toprovidewhenlodgingyourconsentapplications.geotechnical report, a ood risk assessment, drainage, pipe 118 |'