Author Archive: Brian Ashworth
Building On Fill – Concrete Piers
Its not unusual for the Site Investigation for your new house to reveal fill materials on top of the more stable clay or rock. Even if there is no fill the builder may need to level a sloping site using…
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Contracts – Contract Period
In your house building contract it will quote a Building Period. This starts when the contractor actually starts work (Site Clearance) The period will be in days. (Calendar days not working days) The time should allow for any expected loss…
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Solar Hot Water
With the current emphasis on building efficiency solar hot water systems are pretty much a standard option if not automatically included. These systems incorporate either gas or electricity boosting for cloudy days. Here are a few thoughts on the options…
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New E Book – GUIDE to PRE-START / SELECTION
Once you have paid the deposit on your new house the next big step is the Pre Start or Selection Meeting. (some builders call it the ‘Gallery Meeting’, if you are having a custom built house it may be called…
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Conditions of Use
PLAIN ENGLISH CONDITIONS I run this website as a hobby and can’t afford to be sued so the information is supplied on an ‘All Care and No Responsibility‘ basis. If you use information from this web site….. acknowledge it with…
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Do You Want A Phone Line?
A few years ago having a land line phone was a must have have………….. but is this still the case? We have always had a land line phone but both of us also have mobile phones. Really the mobile is the…
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Considering Owner Building?
Are you considering owner building to save money? Is it the only way you can afford your dream? Perhaps you want to be able to have more choice with fittings and appliances. Well I have almost 40 years in Construction…
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Why I Used Jenman System Agents To Sell
Unless your new house is the first house you own you are going to have to sell your existing house. Lots of people in Melbourne use auctions but I have never been very keen on that approach. We have now…
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Five Interior Design Improvements You Can Make
Post contributed by Emma Lamb, on behalf of Steel-line Improving the interior of a home can enhance your enjoyment of your surroundings as well as add value to the house. Whether making a small change or planning a substantial renovation,…
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Why I Don’t Have Mono-Crystalline Solar Panels
Several people have commented that my panels look different to those on other houses. Most solar PV installations use Mono-Crystalline panels, because they are smaller for the same power rating. The panels on my roof are Kaneka Thin Film Panels….
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