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| 6 Jun 2013 First Homebuyers & Building
First homebuyers comprise around twenty per cent of the new home market. This means that each year of the 20,000 new dwellings constructed each year, around 4,000 will be built by new homebuyers. Master Builders’ advice to homebuyers who are going through the building process for the first time is as follows: Make sure you […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Greywater
Both the mandatory installation of rainwater tanks and the installation of piping to allow a greywater system in new housing are being considered by the state government as part of its planned 5 Star Plus Stage 2 changes to building regulations. While the installation of rainwater tanks is quite straightforward (except for what size tanks […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Garden Design
With smart planning your garden can help control the temperature of your home. Plants and trees moderate temperature, keeping your house cool in summer, and sheltering it from the cold in winter. By choosing deciduous trees that shed leaves, you can still let in the warmth of the winter sun in autumn. Minimise lawn area, […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Government Tendering
The Department of Treasury and Finance oversees Tenders WA, which commenced from March 2009. The system replaced Gem Tendering, also known as the Contracting Information Bulleting Board, as the central online source of information on Western Australian public sector tenders and awarded contracts. Key functionality enhancements to the previous system include: · Automatic email notification of new tenders · […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Geographic Information Systems
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a technology critical to the successful management and completion of many projects. It integrates spatial data, software and hardware with skilled professionals, enabling the detailed analysis of opportunites, constraints and potential impacts at any scale. GIS has now become an invaluable tool for the management of complex environmental challenges and […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Minimum Conditions & The National Employment Standards
NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS Click here to download Fact Sheet This Fact Sheet contains information about annual leave and redundancy provisions of the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, which vary the minimum standards in the National Employment Standards. The redundancy pay provisions and the method of calculating annual leave in the modern award are […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Construction Times
While many contracts specify a definite time period in terms of “x” number of calendar or working days (which exclude weekends and public holidays), some contracts do not and this space is left blank. This does not mean that the builder has an infinite amount of time to complete the project. Courts have ruled on […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Energy Rating
The Energy Rating Label was first introduced in 1986 in NSW and Victoria. It is now mandatory in all Australian states and territories for televisions, fridges and freezers, washers and dryers, dishwashers and air-conditioners to carry the label when they are offered for sale. The Energy Rating Labeling Scheme assists consumers with assessing the energy […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Deposits for Plans
Under a Preparation of Plans Agreement or a Preliminary Work contract homebuyers sometimes pay a small deposit on signing these contracts, which does not commit either party to build the home. The agreement covers the builder’s costs of plans being drawn up, application fees, and the like. Usually if the contract goes ahead, any deposit […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Cleaning a Home
This is the simplest form of maintenance. Besides giving a bright appearance, cleaning can prevent build up of moulds and can stop moisture being trapped which can cause rust or rot, check such things as: Clean guttering as necessary to remove leaves, mud and other foreign matters; Remove rubbish accumulating close to walls; Check that […]