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| 6 Jun 2013 Electricity Connections and Headworks Charges
WA Electrical requirements provide for a standard supply up to: 63 Amps single phase (Perth and major towns) 32 Amps single phase (rural areas and small towns) 32 Amps per phase for multiphase (all areas) Consumer mains size of 35mm² (all areas) A large house with air-conditioning, pool and many appliances is likely to require […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Dispute Resolution
Building and renovation work can be an involved process and a dispute may arise about the quality of work or materials or about the contract itself. To avoid later disputes, there are some things to bear in mind from the outset of the building process. Initially, all promises, undertakings and concessions made in pre-contract […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Development Conditions
Development conditions are sometimes attached to the purchase of land. These conditions are set to protect the interest of buyers and are centred around building strong, vibrant and sustainable Western Australian communities. How conditions protect the buyer Stipulating a time frame for completion prevents land speculation by buyers who are only interested in land value […]
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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 Designing a Home
Many builders have an “in-house” design team that will draw up your building plans as a service to a client. However, ownership of the plans will remain with the builder, and you will be locked in to that builder if you wish to use that design. For one-off designs, consumers can choose architects or draftpeople/designers. […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Dividing Fences and Disputes
Dividing fences are the source of a great deal of angst between new (and not so new) neighbours. Rights and obligations of neighbours are covered by the Dividing Fences Act 1961. It is a good idea to discuss any fencing matter with your local authority before proceeding unilaterally without consulting your neighbour. In relation to […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Dividing Fences and Retaining Walls
Dividing fences are the source of a great deal of angst between new (and not so new) neighbours. Dividing fences are covered by the Dividing Fences Act. In relation to dividing fences, the Department of Housing and Works has produced an excellent booklet – “Dividing Fences”, which can be freely downloaded at www.dhw.wa.gov.au. Retaining walls […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Materials & Environmental Footprint
While a builders’ warranty period may be for 6 years from the date of practical completion, the life of your house will be significantly longer. Guarantees only relate to minimum performance and you can expect far longer. Outlined below are typical working lives for various building components. Note that many of the structural items such […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Efflorescence on Bricks
The growth of white crystals on the surfaces of brickwork and blockwork is called efflorescence and is a common problem particularly in high rainfall areas. Efflorescence is caused by the presence of water-soluble salts which occur naturally in cement-water mixtures. The salts are brought to the surface of bricks or blocks as hydroxides when the […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Electricity Planning
Good electrical design and fitout is often underrated in its importance to the ”liveability” of your new home. Like most things planning is important. An omission during the construction stage can be much more expensive to rectify after your house is completed particularly if you have restricted roof cavity space. Some questions to consider include: […]