Design
Changing Builders Standard Plans
Most builders will change their standard designs to some extent. The builder of the last house we built, Metricon, was fairly flexible. Here are some of the changes that you could talk with the builder about if their standard is…
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West, or East, Facing Windows
Well the first rule is to avoid West, or East, facing windows . . . or at least keep them as small as possible….and here is why: Summer West windows get direct sunlight from mid-afternoon to late in the evening…
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The Entertainer
“Just the thing for Entertainment” or something similar is a common theme in house builder’s brochures and estate agent descriptions. It’s really a way of trying to upsize you into a bigger (more expensive) house. Before you get sucked in…
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Window Size
Building Code Rules on Size The Building Code of Australia requires you to have at least 10% of the floor area as windows with at least 5% of the floor area being able to be opened. If you go in…
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Benchtops
There are a wide range of different benchtops around………. so which benchtop should you buy. Here are some thoughts about the options. Laminex/Formica Probably the most popular benchtop available in a wide range of colours and patterns and reasonably hardwearing….
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House Style or Fashion Victim
Appearance is very much a matter of taste with different people liking different styles, there no right solution. If I put up a picture of something as the way to go than more people would think I was wrong, than…
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How Big or Small Does a Home Need To Be?
Our first house was around 6 squares (approx 56m2). Two rooms downstairs and two rooms with a bathroom upstairs, and a single garage in the back garden. We lived happily in the house for 6 years including after my daughter…
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Timber or Steel Frame
The most common frame for the standard brick veneer house uses timber. Steel frames however are becoming much more common. . . . So why should you choose one or the other? Advantages of Timber Well understood by builders; Cheaper;…
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Thinking Of Copying Plans?
If you go around a display Home the builder’s representative will usually give you a brochure with a floor plan. If you look on the net you can often download their plans, or you can even copy them from a…
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Accessible Design
Accessible design is making a house suitable to be lived in or visited by a disabled person. If you don’t think this is important remember that one in five Australians has a disability. So for instance: You might be fine…
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