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| 6 Jun 2013 Renovation Planning
Once the decision to extend has been made, it is a good idea, if you are relatively new to the house, to live in the existing home as it is for a period to get the feel of the place, which will help you greatly with your plans. It is vitally important not to inhibit […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Rise and Fall Clause
In times of volatile building costs, builders will look at ways of reducing the risk of signing “fixed price” contracts with clients, contracts which leave the builders bearing the total burden of fluctuating costs over the construction period. In the last boom, massive increases and fluctuations in the price of roof tiles, steel and copper […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Safety Management Plan (Residential)
WorkSafe WA has introduced mandatory site-specific safety management plans for domestic construction as from 1 October 2008. Where five or more persons are working or are likely to be working simultaneously on a domestic construction site, you will need to have a site-specific occupational health and safety management plan prepared before work commences. The plan […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Site Works and Contracts
Site costs can be a difficult element of a building contract. In most situations, builders will not specify an exact amount for site works, but will nominate a “provisional sum” or best estimate which may be adjusted up or down depending on work actually required. Under the Home Building Contracts Act a builder cannot just […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Survey Plans
A legal survey exists for all land (lots) in Western Australia. Survey plans are the official record of the legal boundaries of land and will usually indicate the dimensions and size of a lot. Three types of legal survey plans are available from the public register and copies can be purchased online from the Western Australian Land Information […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Storm Season – Simple Strategies
Simple strategies for the arrival of the storm season The official ‘storm season’ runs from May to October in southern WA. There is no substitute for preparation, and there is plenty that can be done to protect your home in advance. This can save you a lot of time, hassle cost in the long run if […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Security: Your Home
There are a number of factors to consider when you want to make sure your new or existing home is as secure as possible. Below are a list of things to consider when you are trying to make your home as safe as possible. Let’s look at the house 1. Are there security screens […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Solar Power System
The Solar Panels collect the sunlight and create energy. They are attached to the roof by high strength rails able to withstand wind, rain and hail. The energy flows through to the Inverter which converts the current from Dc to AC (to usable household power). A Bi-directional meter records the amount of power being […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Insulation – Downlights
Special provisions apply for the installation of insulation near downlights. Where this occurs, it can increase fire risk if there is insufficient clearance and air ventilation around electric lights and fittings. As a result of these concerns, Standards Australia has issued rules which require a clearance of 200mm around lamps and transformers. Any combustible building […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Indoor Air
Home owners are starting to pay a lot more attention to indoor air quality when selecting building products. This is particularly the case where children, elderly, or sick are involved, as they are more vulnerable to toxins. It has been estimated that we spend 90% of our lives indoors, so it is no wonder that […]