others' experience and description of process

Detailed description of process of relocating from someone who has done it in NSW:

INITIAL STEPS

Visit your local Council

We suggest that you make your first step a visit to your local Council to find out about local requirements and restrictions.

Each Council around Australia has different procedures and varying fees, so it is imperative that you have the right information from Day 1. For example, it is vital that you know whether you are required to supply a bondto the Council, and if so, how much it can be a substantial amount which you will need to add into your budget.

Later, when you have found your removal house, you will need to check with the Council that your proposals fit in with the overall town planning scheme. (See also Town Planners).

Find your House and ContractorNext, you will need to find your removal house and a suitable block of land. Removal houses can be found in your local paper, the Trading Post, Yellow Pages as well as online. Prices vary widely so consider your budget before you embark on your search.

Some vendors are businesses that also provide the removal service, whereas others will be private individuals who will require you to arrange for a removal contractor to take the house away and so you will also need to find someone qualified to do this.

Removal contractors will ask you to sign a contract. This should set out the terms and responsibilities of the removalist and state all inclusions, such as bonds, fees, delivery details and services provided. For example, some firms will deliver the house on blocks, whereas others will carry out stumping and some even renovate the house for you. We ALWAYS recommend that you seek legal advice in relation to any legal contract especially as there is no standard contract for the industry - Buyer Beware!!

Choose your land. You'll also need a sufficiently sized block of vacant land for your house, with no easements or covenants that restrict a removal house from being placed on the block.

Get your Finance in place.

Talk with your financier, as many lenders will not take security over a removal house until it is in position and has been stumped.

THE PROCESS IN DETAIL

Inspections and plans.

When the Council considers your application for a removal house they will visit both the site and the proposed house to ascertain if it will suit the situation. Consideration will be given to existing neighbouring homes and to the style, materials used, roof pitch and height of your proposed house. Neighbours may be granted permission to view your proposal and lodge objections if they wish, so this is why it is imperative that you research your area first.

As with all building works you'll need to obtain a soil test so that an Architect/Engineer can consider structural details and design plans for submission to the Council.

The plans will contain details including:
Existing floor plan and details of any alterations

Sub floor, beams, bracing and tie down details.

Architectural elevations, location and orientationAny other relevant information
Lodgement of preliminary plans with the Council will attract fees that vary between States.

An Officer from the Council will then prepare a report of recommendations of building work required, such as:
Level of renovation work required - usually no patching is permitted and rotten materials must be replaced

Maximum building height

If roof replacement is necessary, including insulation

Generally rewiring all electrical workReplace/upgrading of plumbing

Installation of smoke alarms

Tie down, bracing and depth of footings

Determine the bond (Amount held by Council until all works are complete)

You may lodge a Building Application simultaneously with the Preliminary Application and again, fees vary depending on the size of the dwelling and number of plumbing fittings.

Payment of Council Bond and other fees

Most Councils charge a bond. This is a sum of cash to be held by the Council until all works are completed to its satisfaction usually within 12 months. The bond provides the Council with a safety net in the event that it needs to step in and take over an abandoned or unfinished job, or one which is not completed to its satisfaction. The bond is often a significant amount and this can put a huge drain on your cash flow. However, it is usually possible to ask for a partial refund as work progresses.

Before the house can be moved, all bonds and fees must have been paid to Council and the appropriate authorities notified. The contractor will need to provide the Council with proof of current insurance and a building services insurance policy may also be required. Bonds also apply for escort fees and security bonds for roads.

Once the house is in place

Make sure your contract specifies who will be responsible in the event that damage occurs when the house is moved. After the house is moved, as with all renovations, you'll need to have a team of tradespeople ready to start work. The sooner the house is finished, the sooner you can receive your bond back.

A final word...A removal house requires lots of careful research and planning, but the rewards are enormous. The satisfaction that you will gain from turning a dump into a shining diamond will give you immense pride, and co-ordinated correctly, a very healthy profit too.

SUMMARY OF THE PROCESS

Visit council or town planner

Purchase vacant land

Find suitable house for removal

Engineer report and architect plans

Lodge Preliminary plans with council

Council assessor visits house and site

Pay bonds and fees to move house

Renovate and certified

Certificate of Occupancy

Bond refunded

I have to say this looks quite complicated to me - not that I am averse to complexity but how does one take care of all of this at the appropriate time etc? One step at a time.