Design
Understanding your Survey Plan

I’m used to look at survey plans but I do understand that most people struggle to understand them. Here is a quick guide to help you understand the survey plan for your new house. The plan below shows a survey…
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Wall Dimensions Standard Bricks

When you are deciding about building dimensions its better to take into account the size of building materials. With brick veneer being so popular that means the dimensions of the bricks. Make sure that all lengths, are based on either…
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Door Opening

One of the small things that can really make a difference to your house is how doors open……..but its one thing that is frequently forgotten. This sketch shows a typical bedroom and ensuite layout. (I know it doesn’t show the…
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Don’t Over Develop

I’ve heard people say that they have got the best house on the street……………………..but when you see it, its got the smallest garden, or sometimes no garden at all. If that is the case they have probably overdeveloped and spent…
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Your Garage – A Fire Risk?

How big a fire risk is your garage? Well in my garage there are the following fuel sources 50 Litres of Petrol. (in the car fuel tank) A litre of white spirit. A litre turps substitute. 2 x 5kg gas…
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Buffer Zones

Planning a house layout? or considering builders standard layouts? Thinking about buffer zones when you are will save you on heating and cooling costs. So what are buffer zones? Buffer Zones are basically rooms and spaces that may be heated…
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Placing Your House On The Block – 10 Things To Consider

There’s lots to think about when you are positioning a house on a block. Here are some things that you should consider when comparing blocks and then deciding how to place your house, Statutory Limits There are usually the following…
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Feng Shui

When people see Lion Dogs outside my house they sometimes say “Surely you don’t believe in Feng Shui” to which my initial answer is “ Not really, but I’m told it works whether you believe it or not.” The real…
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Plumbing – Kitchen and Laundry

Make sure you have thought about all the following plumbing fittings: Kitchen There are a wide range of sinks the choice is a lot wider than one basin or two so you need to spend some time looking at various…
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Large or Small

While new houses are getting bigger apartments are getting smaller . . . so how much room to we really need? Reasons We Need Less Space Flat screen televisions can now be mounted flat on the wall. Saving your music…
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