Perhaps you need to stay at this house when you visit Los Angeles.
I hear it’s only around $4,000 a night!
If you want to see more of houses like this check out the Prive Luxury Rentals web site.
Here are some thought on various aspects of the two options:
Generally concrete pools are significantly more expensive.
An exception is if access is poor and a large crane is needed to lift the pool over 2 storey buildings which can easily add $5,000 – $10,000 to the cost.
If you want, or need, a particular shape this can be achieved more easily with concrete.
Fibreglass pools usually come as rectangular pool with a very limited range of alternative shapes.
Because a concrete pool is a very rigid structure it can be constructed closer to a boundary than a fibreglass pool. (the sides of the pool are in effect a retaining wall.
It is quite possible to have a fibreglass pool installed in a couple of weeks.
More, weather dependant, site work and concrete curing times can make concrete pools much slower to build.
It wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect 30-40 years use out of a concrete pool although some resurfacing may be required during that time.
Although the life of a fibreglass pool is likely to be much shorter will you still want to be using the pool in 20 years?
People who have owned both concrete and fibreglass pools say that the water in concrete pools is generally cooler (requires more heating) This is due to the faster heat loss to the surrounding ground.
One advantage of the cooler water in a concrete pool is that it will make algae growth less likely if you are away for a couple of months!
Which type of pool do you prefer?
Most homeowners only spot the signs of a pest invasion once their unwelcome visitors have already started to multiply and take over.
Generally, this is because they’re not really looking for indications of a problem. . . If you’re not looking for pests, you often won’t see them until an infestation has escalated.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to keep a weather eye out for bugs and rodents, without constantly being on guard.
For instance, regular cleaning is the one of the best ways to prevent pest problems.
It gives homeowners a chance to visually inspect spaces and it removes the clutter and debris that insects love so much.
It is also a good idea to seal up cracks and gaps in windows as soon as they appear, because most bugs don’t need a lot of space to enter.
If you do spot signs of an uninvited guest, start looking for reliable Melbourne pest control services.
These hardy critters like to hang out close to food or in areas that are especially moist like the kitchen or basement.
The clearest indication that they’re sharing your home is lots of small, cylindrical pellets of a dark brown colour.
This is cockroach poo, so wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning it up.
Also, take note of any unusual smells, because cockroaches can give off an unpleasantly musty odour.
At the moment, bed bugs are experiencing a major resurgence.
They have become a big problem for millions of homes across the US, UK, and Australia.
They feed by biting and sucking on human blood, usually while the occupants sleep.
This makes them especially reviled, even though they pose no danger to health.
Bed bugs can hide in any crevice or crack on wooden and fabric objects; this is why they are notoriously difficult to eliminate.
Where there are pets, there may be fleas. , , so keep a flea control regime up to date!
These nasty little creatures feed on animal blood and produce itchy, unsightly skin rashes for pet owners.
Like bed bugs, they can be found in fabric, so pillows, duvets, throws, carpets, sofas, and curtains can all be affected.
One sure fire way to diagnose a serious infestation is to wear white socks while inspecting the house.
If they quickly collect lots of dark specks, you need to call pest control.
Termite can be found in any wooden structure throughout a building.
For example, staircases, wall frames, roof trusses, and floor beams.
Make sure you check around the outside of your house and keep the damp proof course and any termite barrier clear,
If you have broken tiles on the roof, check the attic for signs of termites; they are attracted to warmth and moisture.
Mice are one of the easiest pests to spot, because they’re bigger than many of the other pests found in domestic settings.
Often, the first indication is mouse poo.
Invading mice leave small, but distinct, pellets of waste behind in the places that they frequent.
They can sometimes produce a musty odour too, so be aware of this when you’re inspecting kitchens and moist, dark areas.
If you do have a mouse problem, you’ll need to relocate ingredients in the kitchen; as items left in accessible cupboards will be gnawed and chewed.
The first thing to remember is that not all pests are representative of an unclean home.
In fact, bed bugs and fleas don’t really care what kind of a house they choose, as long as there is plenty of food.
So, there is no shame in having to call on a pest control service for help.
They can fix the problem quickly and make sure that it does not return.
While many homeowners attempt independent solutions, the incidence of returning infestations is quite high.
Your new house not big enough?
Why not just buy this town?
It’s only going to cost you around the same price as an Inner Melbourne Terraced House.
16 individual Queenslander homes plus three saw mills, and even an old school hall for only $750,000.
Mild steel is used a lot in construction as it is a, relatively inexpensive, strong structural material.
It does however have an issue in that it can be susceptible to corrosion in certain locations such as:
One way of protecting the steel is galvanising, which is the application of a layer of zinc over the steel.
Here are the galvanising options you may be offered:
When the section is removed a fairly thick layer of zinc encases the steel providing a durable corrosion resistant layer.
The appearance is of a dull grey material with a crystalline look.
This is an electoplating process where a layer of zinc is bonded to the steel.
The item is dipped in a saline zinc solution and an electrical current is passed through the solution into the steel.
Although it results in a thinner layer of zinc, than hot dipping, the bond between the zinc and the steel is stronger so the effectiveness is comparable.
Cold galvanising is the application of a zinc rich paint to the steel.
Although not as effective as true galvanising it is a better solution than paint alone.
One of the main uses is to provide complete zinc cover after site cutting, drilling, or welding of galvanised products.
Welding of galvanised steel is hazardous as the welding process releases toxic fumes. . . not a DIY exercise!
Did you know there are 105,000 people who are homeless in Australia . . . . WHAT THE …………?
44,000 of Australia’s homeless are young people aged under 25 years . . . . WHAT THE …………?
The average age a young person flees home escaping family violence is 10 years old. . . . . WHAT THE …………?
Young people experiencing homelessness are desperate to get a job. . . but the major reasons they can’t get one are because they don’t have the skills or education, and they can’t get work experience.
Something I do to help with this problem is deliver food 3 days a week for a Social Enterprise called STREAT
STREAT exists to train, and support, young troubled people in hospitality skills, so they can get experience, bring some stability to their lives, and improve their chance of getting a job.
To help STREAT get bigger, and support more young people at risk of homelessness why not support the Crowd Funding Campaign at chuffed.org/project/streat ?
Make a cash donation or take advantage of one of the great vouchers . . . every dollar will help to fight homelessness.
Photo courtesy of the Big Issue
I am showing my age now but I remember when there used to be a reasonable level of supervision. . . . this was how things were when I built my first house 25 years ago.
There used to be a foreman based on site to keep an eye on things.
Also the inspection of various aspects of the build was subject to independent inspections by local authority inspectors, electrical inspectors, and plumbing inspectors.
That’s not to say everything was always perfect but compare with the current situation!
A modern builder employs a Site Supervisor (SS) who may be responsible for the build of 10, or more, houses spread over several suburbs . . . . . . With travelling and office management how often does the SS visit? and how long does he spend?
The Building Inspector is engaged directly by the Builder to ensure compliance as an “Independant” Inspector . . . . . But with a builder directing ten of thousands of dollars to the “Independent” Inspector for 10’s if not 100’s of houses per year how independent are they going to be? . . . . and how thorough?
Electrical and plumbing quality is now measured by what is known as “Quality Assurance” . . . . What this means is:
All the above saves money . . . . but are you getting the quality you deserve?
Well by reading this Blog you are becoming better informed.
By researching, and spending some time on regularly visiting the site, and asking questions, you can demonstrate that you are interested in quality.
You could also consider spending a small proportion of the total build cost in getting your own inspector to check up on the build.
If you like the thought of ‘riding the tube’ this is the house for you.
It’s called the Shell House in Nagano, Japan by Artechnic.
Want to see more? . . . check out this link architizer.com
