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| 6 Jun 2013 Land Title Release and Contracts
Sometimes people sign a building contract and pay a deposit on a home when land title is not yet available. Delays in the processing of land title can be lengthy and with building costs increasing rapidly, so there can be contract complications and inconvenience to both parties. Under normal conditions and under most building contracts […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Owner Building
If you are considering building your own home, excluding some of the finishing work from your building contract, or renovating your existing home, you will need to apply to the Building Commission of Western Australia. All of the owners of the land must apply, and at least one applicant must provide evidence that he/she has […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Preliminary Agreements
A Preliminary Agreement (PA), or Preparation of Plans Agreement, is a common document used by builders dealing with clients in the early stages of building a new home. These agreements do not involve building work and are preparatory to entering a building contract. Some common features are: the consumer is committed to paying a “deposit”, […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Pool and Spa Safety Barriers
With hot weather across the state, pools are a hot topic. Most people would be aware that an approval is required to install a swimming pool. Concrete, fibre-glass, or liner pools all need approval, as well as above-ground and temporary pools. The reason for the need for a Building Permit for swimming pools is not […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Building Documentation
When applying for a building permit, the documents required need to be to a “ready for construction” standard. The minimum requirements for a building project when it comes to documenting can be summarised as: Drawings or Plans – These describe visually, what will be built, where the building is situated, the size of rooms and […]
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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 Buying a Display Home
Investment in a builder’s display home may be a sound decision depending on your circumstances. Many builders sell and rent back their display homes to recover some of the capital construction costs. Usually a display home will have a limited life until a new development area is built out, so the lease back option can […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Embodied Energy
Buildings and energy use When we talk about a “sustainable building” we mainly focus on the energy it consumes and how the building can be designed to be more sustainable, but the design and construction of the building impacts the environment well before we occupy it when it is finished. Technical Adviser Romina De Santis […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Children and Safety at Home
The family home is the place where young children are most likely to be injured. However there are a number of things that you can do around the home to reduce the risk of injury to small children. Some of these things can be included in the original design, while others can be retrofitted […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Concrete Slabs – Shrinkage
Curing is a process which takes place when a concrete slab is laid. As concrete is being poured, fresh concrete is converted into a solid mass when the cementeous materials hydrate. The action taken after the slab is laid to ensure hydration is called curing. Curing is the protection of fresh concrete from evaporation. When […]