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| 6 Jun 2013 Multi-storey Homes
There are a number of specific construction issues with two storey homes. Obviously the square metre cost and length of the construction period will be greater when a second storey is added. Costs for additional storeys often double due to the cost of scaffolding, the requirement for engineering certification of the suspended slab and the […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Legal Aspects of Home Purchase
Normally a buyer first comes into contact with the property through a real-estate agent. Remember that the agent works for the seller, not for the buyer, and that the seller pays the agent’s fees or commission for negotiating the sale. This means that the agent’s obligations are primarily owed to the seller, not to the […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Landscape Designers
Hiring a Landscape Designer is a sound initiative. You wouldn’t consider building your home without a plan, yet many people take a very hap-hazard approach to the creation of their garden. Mistakes and scrimping on costs in the early stages may mean expensive work in rectifying mistakes and getting it right later on. Fortunately, we […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Insulation Types
Loose Fill Loose fill materials include cellulose fibre and mineral wool, and is mainly used as ceiling insulation. It is simply pumped into the roof space, or sometimes the wall cavity. Since there’s no cutting, fitting or stapling it’s one of the fastest and easiest insulation types to install. Cellulose has been rated currently (by […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Hot Weather
Contractors should consider the benefits of developing a policy or procedure which is appropriate for their particular circumstances in anticipation of work being undertaken during hot weather. Such policies or procedures may be incorporated into negotiations for an EBA or workplace arrangement. Consultation with any Health and Safety Committee, where applicable, should also be considered. […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Home Finishes
Home finishes When you build or renovate, the finishing touches are the ones that make the house into a home, the personal choices made of the furniture, decorative pieces, the wall colours and floor finishes can make a stark space into a welcoming cosy room or a modern energising area. The dilemma is that there […]
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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 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 Charging for Quotes: Builders and Subcontractors
Charging for quotations is not a common building industry practice. But builders can pick and choose their jobs, and charge for quotes and in order to discourage “check pricing” by some consumers. A problem can arise when some financial institutions require three quotations before approving a loan amount. Many builders particularly in regional areas are […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Cost Plus Contracts
A cost plus contract is becoming a popular form of building contract in today’s busy building environment. Essentially it’s a contract where a builder, using its best endeavours, obtains materials and services at each stage of the building process, passing the actual costs on to the owner and adding an agreed margin to cover overheads […]