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| 6 Jun 2013 Decking
As the general public and builders become more environmentally aware, the pressure is on suppliers to meet their needs. Selecting environmentally friendly construction timbers is one area where the builder has an increasing amount of choices. ‘Eco’ timber is the common name given to timbers that are harvested with the community in mind; […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Apartments vs Single Dwellings
Apartment living is becoming a more popular lifestyle choice for Western Australians. Apartment living has many advantages, but it is not for everyone. If you are thinking about this style of living, there are a few things to think about as the pros and cons of apartment living compared to traditional detached housing. ACCESS AND […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Asbestos
The word ‘asbestos’ certainly rings alarm bells with most people, but many of us still have trouble sorting the myths from the facts about this potentially dangerous substance. One problem is that many people don’t believe they have asbestos in their homes when, in fact, you’ll find it in almost every house that’s more than […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Apprentices: Hiring
Master Builders believes it is in the interests of builders and subcontractors to invest in our industry’s future by taking on and training apprentices. A Master Builders publication is available to as an easy guide to the requirements for employing an apprentice for either a part or the whole of their apprenticeship. Your Investment for […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Apprenticeship Information
What is an Apprenticeship? Apprenticeships are jobs that combine paid work and structured training. They include: paid employment under an appropriate industrial arrangement (for example, an award or enterprise agreement) nationally recognised training. An apprentice enters into a formal training contract (Indenture) with his/her employer for the duration of the traineeship. When an apprentice successfully […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Balconies and Decking
Pest damage, water rot, corrosion, or other physical damage to your decking or rails can occur in obscure locations. Timber can fail for a number of reasons including incorrect timber selected (ie not suitable for an external structure), poor maintenance, or insect attack by the European House Borers or termites. Concrete balconies can […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Bonds and Deposits with Councils
Many Local authorities require building licence applicants to lodge a cash security bond in case of damage to footpaths or other requirements during the construction process. Some councils also require a “performance” bond as some kind of assurance that all building codes and regulations will be complied with, or that landscaping will be completed. The […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Building Inspections: Existing Homes
In general buyers should arrange the following inspections prior to purchasing an existing home: A building inspection: in order to check for structural problems. A pest inspection: in order to ensure the house is free of termites and pests. There are a number of precautionary steps that you can take to ensure that you are […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Block Orientation
Build to last The direction each room faces within your home makes a huge difference to your comfort and your home’s running costs. Design your home around the points of a compass: North Maximise this space. The sun’s position in summer and winter means north facing rooms remain at a comfortable temperature all year – […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Alternative Solutions in Building
When the Performance-Based Building Code was introduced in 1996, WA was the first State to adopt it. The new Code provided the flexibility that was lacking in the Uniform Building By-Laws that prescribed the minimum requirements for compliance of residential and non-residential buildings. The performance-based Building Code of Australia (BCA) maintains the prescriptive requirements as […]