LATEST DESIGN TRENDS
The home designs chosen for KDR projects are diverse,
influenced by personal preference and location. Says
Ally, “In some areas, especially those near water,
Hamptons style homes or those with a coastal vibe are
currently popular. In other areas, such as newer suburbs
and certain inner-city areas, more contemporary home
designs tend to be in favour. If you’re building in an
old, established suburb, however, a design with a more
traditional facade may be preferred.
“Many of the new homes that are built for a KDR tend
to be two storeys to maximise space or, in some cases,
capture views, but of late, single-level homes are becoming
more popular. Most homes would have at least three but
more likely four or more bedrooms — often including a
guest bedroom.
“I ask clients if this will be a family home for the next
10 years or more,” continues Ally. “If so, I advise them
to build to their family’s needs as in 10 years’ time the
market will have changed. “If they will be looking to
move or sell the home within, say, the next four years,
thinking about the prospective buyer makes sense. For
example, including a ground-floor bedroom that can be
used for guests, or converted into a home office and a
full butler’s pantry would be a good idea as that’s whatpeople are looking for. They should also focus on things
like energy efficiency and good-quality appliances.”COMMON CHALLENGES
“It is important to remember that often a KDR requires
a few extra hoops to jump through in order to achieve
DA approval but the good news is that an experienced
KDR builder will be able to ‘hold your hand’ throughout
the entire process,” says Nathan. Securing the required
approvals and meeting council requirements can take
time and money but whether that becomes onerous
depends on the council.
“Probably the most common challenge we experience
with KDR proposals in older areas is the lack of drainage.
Many older homes have inadequate drainage, especially
when the land falls to the rear of the block and there
are no drainage easements in place,” explains Nathan.
“It is important for KDR clients to understand there are
often additional site costs required for us to employ an
independent hydraulic stormwater engineer to provide us
with solutions like an on-site detention pit to satisfy the
relevant council requirements.
“Other challenges with KDR projects can be the
presence of trees or overhead power lines — the best
thing you can do is to talk to your building and designA rundown 1960s brick abode in
Sydney’s North West made way
for a modern two-storey home.
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