Elegant Simplicity

Martin Kolarik  Home Design
Creating Simply Elegant Home Designs For Your Family
0407 900 068
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Renovating in Bushfire Prone Areas

Home Renovation on Bushfire Prone Land

Planning a renovation, extension or new home on Bushfire Prone Land is our area of expertise. The design, the type of materials and roof systems that are going to be used will be impacted by the BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating requirements for each property.

We are well-aware of the rules and regulations for renovating in bushfire prone areas, as we have worked on many projects ranging from the lowest to the highest BAL ratings. We have very specific experience working with the following Sydney councils:

  • Hornsby Council
  • Ku-ring Gai Council
  • Lane Cove Council
  • Willoughby Council

Each project has been designed, approved and constructed to the approval of both Council and client.

renovating in bushfire prone areas

How to know if your land is Bushfire Prone and the BAL rating.

Often people are very clear that they are on bushfire prone land, simply because the view from their windows shows them the lovely view of the bush – this is often why they bought the property in the first place.

It is not always as simple as having the bush view to know if your property is “Bushfire Prone Land”. A good way to find out initially is to contact us and we should be able to give you some information straight away.

Ultimately a Section 10.7 Planning Certificate, which is issued by your local Council, will confirm whether your property is bushfire prone or not. This certificate replaces the old 149 Certificate.

However what a Section 10.7 Planning Certificate will not tell you is the level to which your property is bushfire affected. The assessment of the level of risk associated with “Bushfire Prone Land” is commonly known as the BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating. There is a range of BAL levels,

  • BAL-Low
  • BAL-12.5
  • BAL-19
  • BAL-29
  • BAL-40
  • BAL-FZ (Flame Zone)

Every property has its own individual BAL rating.  Your property may be similar to your neighbour’s rating, yet your property will need to be assessed individually. The best way to know your exact rating is to use a Rural Fire Service Approved Consultant.

Designing and planning your renovation – is it all too hard and what is possible?

bushfire prone homeWe always use our Approved Bushfire Consultant before commencing design, since the BAL rating will affect how your property is designed and constructed. The good news is you can build on properties with any of these BAL ratings, from BAL-Low to BAL-FZ.

For the higher ratings, like BAL-FZ, the construction requirements become more stringent and therefore more expensive.

By knowing what the BAL rating is before the design is started, we will know the type of materials that are going to be suitable i.e. whether timber can be used or not, and whether the house may have to be constructed out of masonry, or the type of roofing system that can be used.

Construction requirements will impact on the cost of the building. It is best that decisions are made at the Concept Design stage, then you can be sure that you don’t have to make any last-minute design adjustments that will push the costs up.

Council approvals for renovating in bushfire prone areas

Approvals for the two highest levels, which are BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, can only be obtained by Development Application to your local Council.

If, however, our Bushfire Consultant has ascertained that your site is BAL-29 or lower, then we may be able to apply for a Complying Development Certificate (C.D.C.), but only if your design meets all other C.D.C. requirements.

Contact

bushfireWould you like to find out more about the feasibility of your home renovation on bushfire prone land in Sydney’s northern suburbs?

Avoid costly mistakes and get the home you really want. Why not contact us today?

0407 900 068

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Client Feedback

Extremely Happy

The conversion of our 2 bedroom 1950’s bungalow to a modern 4 bedroom house has been an enjoyable journey that completed on time, on budget and with results that far exceeded our expectations.

Jon and Lindley Randle

Lane Cove

Invaluable Expertise

You can see quality in every design detail. During the construction process, Martin's expertise proved invaluable when dealing with council and a somewhat recalcitrant builder.

Dolien and Peter Nicolsen

Berowra NSW 2081

Innovative, highly professional and sympathetic

We wanted to suit the needs of our young family but Martin advised us on how to future proof our house design and meet our needs as our family grows up. We now have a stunning home and we couldn’t be happier with the architectural design.

David & Pauline

St Ives Chase

Fantastic

Martin Kolarik was instrumental in the design and documentation of our family home renovations a few years ago and I have pleasure in recommending his professional services.

Warwick J. Higgs

Chartered Accountant, Wahroonga

Far Exceeded Our Vision

At the completion of the building works, the end result is fantastic and far exceeds the vision we had all those years ago. Martin was able to take our scattered ideas for what we needed in a major extension/ renovation, at all times patiently working with our changing requirements, and deliver an end result that we are extremely pleased with.

Graeme Bradford

Turramurra

Very Happy

Martin's capable oversight of the builders and other contractors ensured we had a trouble free building experience. We continue to be very happy with the result of his efforts.

Patrick and Laura Mooney

A Joy To Work With Martin

Martin is very knowledgeable, organised and professional and it is a joy working with him. He gives every request due consideration, no matter how challenging the request.

Anja & Perry Poehlmann,

St Ives Chase.

Seven years on and still really happy

Seven years on and still really happy I am sitting here typing this testimonial for Martin, 7 years later, and really appreciating this amazing home we live in that is part of the bush environment, as well as providing my family with a very comfortable and modern home.

Mateki and Liam Payne

Hornsby Heights

Exceeded Our Expectations

Martin's ability to understand our core requirements and present answers and new ideas for our project exceeded our expectations. Several design features that Martin presented to us regularly get positive comments from visitors to our home, these comments have come from builders, designers and engineers.

James Douglass J.P.

Lane Cove

Invaluable

Martin has exceeded our expectations during a lengthy design and approval process. His attention to detail and flexibility in being able to interpret our ideas into a new functional space has been outstanding. His assistance during the quotation phase of the project was invaluable and resulted in us engaging a first class builder to complete the works.

Teresa and Peter Gray

Very Attentive

Martin listened very attentively to our requirements and very cooperatively finalised the plan, with careful discussion back and forth. We felt he always took on board our thinking, while respectfully putting his own suggestions.

James and Irene Franklin

Lane Cove

Very Happy

Now that we have lived in the finished product we can categorically state that we wouldn't change any part of the design. Indeed, the only parts of the renovation that we would change are those you weren't involved with!

Michael and Quyen

I Cannot Begin To Thank Martin Enough

One of our main concerns was getting the design through council as we were in a conservation area. Again Martin handled it with ease, going through first time with no amendments! Practically unheard of in our area.

Joe and Sonya La Rosa

The Ultimate Professional

On each occasion I have dealt with Martin and his business I have always found him to be the ultimate professional. One of Martin's strong points, which I particularly admire, is his ability to design to a budget and his understanding of building costs. I feel this is an area of design which many designers are particularly weak.

Mark Newman, Director, Newmark Constructions

www.newmark.com.au

Excellent All the Way

Martin Kolarik was the first person to provide a solution that specifically addressed our requirements. His additional suggestions very much enhanced our living and the value of our home. His unwavering commitment continued until the last paperwork was done, long after the final fee was paid.

Ross & Daphne Bishop

West Pymble

About Us

Accredited Building Designer

Martin Kolarik Home Design your Sydney North Shore specialist home designer. We live here, work here and have done so for decades.

We design extensions and renovations of houses to deliver beautiful, functional homes that complement your lifestyle and budget.

Martin Kolarik’s central design philosophy is modernism for its elegant simplicity.

He appreciates and employs the use of architecture to introduce natural light and ventilation as significant components of the design. This in turn has a positive effect on the sustainability of your home.

Martin creates spaces which are designed to be aesthetically elegant, comfortable and functional which will stand the test of time. He challenges the design solutions to ensure your design maximises every opportunity and the investment you are making to achieve a home that you will be excited to live in.

Welcome

home designer in Sydney

Welcome to my website. My purpose is to help you create a wonderful place you and your family can call home.

It is about listening and understanding your needs and what you would like to achieve. I have spent the better part of my life learning how to create warm and welcoming spaces rather than simply designing houses.

Please have a look around. View the galleries of some recent projects and read the testimonials from past clients.

I have also written many articles on my blog to help you on your journey to creating your dream home. I look forward to assisting you,

Martin Kolarik

0407 900 068

Testimonials

A few words from our clients. Read them all in full here

Extremely Happy

The conversion of our 2 bedroom 1950’s bungalow to a modern 4 bedroom house has been an enjoyable journey that completed on time, on budget and with results that far exceeded our expectations.

Jon and Lindley Randle

Lane Cove

Invaluable Expertise

You can see quality in every design detail. During the construction process, Martin's expertise proved invaluable when dealing with council and a somewhat recalcitrant builder.

Dolien and Peter Nicolsen

Berowra NSW 2081

Innovative, highly professional and sympathetic

We wanted to suit the needs of our young family but Martin advised us on how to future proof our house design and meet our needs as our family grows up. We now have a stunning home and we couldn’t be happier with the architectural design.

David & Pauline

St Ives Chase

Fantastic

Martin Kolarik was instrumental in the design and documentation of our family home renovations a few years ago and I have pleasure in recommending his professional services.

Warwick J. Higgs

Chartered Accountant, Wahroonga

Far Exceeded Our Vision

At the completion of the building works, the end result is fantastic and far exceeds the vision we had all those years ago. Martin was able to take our scattered ideas for what we needed in a major extension/ renovation, at all times patiently working with our changing requirements, and deliver an end result that we are extremely pleased with.

Graeme Bradford

Turramurra

Very Happy

Martin's capable oversight of the builders and other contractors ensured we had a trouble free building experience. We continue to be very happy with the result of his efforts.

Patrick and Laura Mooney

A Joy To Work With Martin

Martin is very knowledgeable, organised and professional and it is a joy working with him. He gives every request due consideration, no matter how challenging the request.

Anja & Perry Poehlmann,

St Ives Chase.

Seven years on and still really happy

Seven years on and still really happy I am sitting here typing this testimonial for Martin, 7 years later, and really appreciating this amazing home we live in that is part of the bush environment, as well as providing my family with a very comfortable and modern home.

Mateki and Liam Payne

Hornsby Heights

Exceeded Our Expectations

Martin's ability to understand our core requirements and present answers and new ideas for our project exceeded our expectations. Several design features that Martin presented to us regularly get positive comments from visitors to our home, these comments have come from builders, designers and engineers.

James Douglass J.P.

Lane Cove

Invaluable

Martin has exceeded our expectations during a lengthy design and approval process. His attention to detail and flexibility in being able to interpret our ideas into a new functional space has been outstanding. His assistance during the quotation phase of the project was invaluable and resulted in us engaging a first class builder to complete the works.

Teresa and Peter Gray

Very Attentive

Martin listened very attentively to our requirements and very cooperatively finalised the plan, with careful discussion back and forth. We felt he always took on board our thinking, while respectfully putting his own suggestions.

James and Irene Franklin

Lane Cove

Very Happy

Now that we have lived in the finished product we can categorically state that we wouldn't change any part of the design. Indeed, the only parts of the renovation that we would change are those you weren't involved with!

Michael and Quyen

I Cannot Begin To Thank Martin Enough

One of our main concerns was getting the design through council as we were in a conservation area. Again Martin handled it with ease, going through first time with no amendments! Practically unheard of in our area.

Joe and Sonya La Rosa

The Ultimate Professional

On each occasion I have dealt with Martin and his business I have always found him to be the ultimate professional. One of Martin's strong points, which I particularly admire, is his ability to design to a budget and his understanding of building costs. I feel this is an area of design which many designers are particularly weak.

Mark Newman, Director, Newmark Constructions

www.newmark.com.au

Excellent All the Way

Martin Kolarik was the first person to provide a solution that specifically addressed our requirements. His additional suggestions very much enhanced our living and the value of our home. His unwavering commitment continued until the last paperwork was done, long after the final fee was paid.

Ross & Daphne Bishop

West Pymble

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plan home renovation in Sydney
renovation planning with Martin Kolarik

Contact Us

If you are considering undertaking a major renovation project, use the form below to get in touch with us:

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Service Area

We service the following area in Sydney’s north:


Home Designers Sydney | Home Extensions & Renovation | House Additions & First Floor Additions Sydney

3 Valley Park Crescent, North Turramurra NSW 2074

Phone: (02) 9449 1109

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