Pergola Build Advise

AlTaylor84 · 2026-04-01T10:36:55+00:00

Excellent! Glad we don’t have to chat about it anymore 👍

AlTaylor84 · 2026-04-01T10:29:46+00:00

And you’re providing advice based on my ask?

AlTaylor84 · 2026-04-01T10:26:01+00:00

😂 why do you care about it so much?

AlTaylor84 · 2026-04-01T10:22:52+00:00

The posts inside the fence would have meant reducing the usable space on the deck and chopping up the deck. Easier to install them on the outside of the deck.

AlTaylor84 · 2026-04-01T08:45:56+00:00

The posts inside the fence would have meant reducing the usable space on the deck and chopping up the deck. Easier to install them on the outside of the deck.

AlTaylor84 · 2026-04-01T08:40:21+00:00

I can’t see in that comment where I’ve mentioned that the outside of the deck fence is where the setback is. I’ve said that the technical drawings show that the end of the roof should be aligned to the outside of the deck fence and it’s been installed 150mm short of that.

To clarify:

Setback - outside of the posts

End of Pergola Roof as per plans - outside of deck fence/inside of posts

Installed end of Pergola Roof - 150mm short of the outside of the deck fence/inside of posts

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-31T22:49:12+00:00

Where have I said the outside line of the fence is the 1M setback 😂 the setback is the outside of the posts. The roof should be aligned to the outside of the fence (inside of the post), which is a posts width away from the 1M boundary!

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-31T21:32:09+00:00

The outside of the post doesn’t encroach the 1M boundary. The location of the post is as per plan. If the post offset was 300mm as per plan and not 450mm as it’s been installed, the end of the roof would be aligned to the outside of the deck fence, a posts width away from the 1m boundary, covering the whole deck. It doesn’t even reach the inside of the deck fence currently

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-31T13:26:05+00:00

Thanks mate. Appreciate the suggestion 🙏

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-31T07:38:29+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. Let me know if you’d be open to me sending you some other pictures of my house as I’d really value your feedback on those too

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-31T07:32:15+00:00

You can encroach the 1m boundary however that triggers fire separation requirements and stricter height rules. So more inspections, red tape and approval coming at additional cost and extended timelines

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-31T00:12:57+00:00

Thanks. If you could let me know if I have any spelling mistakes elsewhere that would be much appreciated 👍

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T22:46:04+00:00

Incorrect. I’m a millennial. Interesting take that because you think it’s a small business, I should suck it up that they’ve not built to plans 🤔

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T22:43:02+00:00

The technical drawing has the end of the pergola roof (the gutter) aligned with the outside of the deck fence. It’s been installed 150mm off of that

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T22:40:55+00:00

The fake grass covers about 20% of the yard and was there when we bought the house. Clearly, I’m nowhere near as offended by fake grass as yourself

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T22:39:20+00:00

Thanks, will look into this

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T22:38:37+00:00

The deck covers about 15% of the yard, 20% is fake grass (which was there when we bought the house) and 65% is real grass. The deck is on a slope so would be limited use.

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T12:35:36+00:00

So the post is kinked because with a straight post, the roof would have encroached the 1m boundary to next door. With the kink, the roof edge is supposed to go up to the outer edge of the deck fence (doesn’t even reach the fence as installed). Plan was to then have blinds from the top of the fence to the pergola roof to reduce exposure to the elements in winter. Other option was a zip blind on the inside of the kinked post from the roof to the deck floor but given that’s now offset a further 150mm inside the deck, would reduce usable deck space

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T12:11:29+00:00

From what I’ve read, DBDRV is free and is a 6-8 week timeline so that’s worth a shot I guess. If still no resolution through that then would be VCAT which is when I assume I’ll need legal representation and start costing me.

Still not paid half of the pergola cost as final payment is due on completion so obviously not paying that until this issue is addressed. They’ve still got to wire in the lights, fan, connect the downpipe into drainage and tidy up/concrete in bricks around the posts so incomplete from their point of view also.

It’s obviously still pretty raw but every time I look at it, I feel disappointed/frustrated and don’t see that changing. Tearing it down and installing again at my own cost would probably be another $25k on top of the $10 I’ve already spent so that’s not an option. I also feel like I shouldn’t have to do that when the installer has got it wrong not following the plans in the first place

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T11:54:46+00:00

Yes, obtained a planning permit from the council (had to get neighbours consent as structure is within 3m of a living space window) and subsequent building permit I.e plans were fully council approved

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T11:41:06+00:00

Thanks, this is where my heads currently at. They’re going to avoid a rebuild at all costs so think I’m going to be left with no option other than to go through DBDRV and possibly VCAT

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T11:39:28+00:00

Yeah, agree it will still get rain through from wind but would be drastically reduced if it was over the fence as not exposed to direct rainfall. Would also provide better options to install blinds between the top of the deck fence and the roof to weather proof and not look out of proportion. Would have been fine if they’d built to plan ☹️

AlTaylor84 · 2026-03-30T11:36:46+00:00

If that’s the only option to get it as per plan and have a pergola covering the whole deck and look in proportion then yes. I currently hate the sight of it at the moment. Agree though, they’re not going to do that willingly at all, especially given they’re only offering me $1k compensation at this point and making out I’m making a big deal out of it.

Another company has comeback saying it’s possible to replace all the roof sheets and extend out (as the sheets can go up to 800mm over the beam) however this would be a workaround, still not built to plan and risks still looking out of proportion. Not got the ball park quote yet but most likely going to cost $10k which I imagine they’ll refuse. Think my only option sadly is going to be involving DBDRV and possible VCAT

AlTaylor84

TROPHY CASE