Starting
Tiger Tails
Buy a block near overhead electrical cables and you may need ‘Tiger Tails’ during the build. These are plastic tubes that fit over the cables and provide mechanical protection and visual warning on power lines and conductors. Getting ‘Tiger Tails’ installed isn’t…
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Chinese Lucky, and Unlucky, Numbers
I see from the papers that a significant number of properties are bought by Chinese Investors. Also I have noticed many visits to my web site are referred from Australian based Chinese language website oursteps.com.au So for all my fellow Gweilos’ (Ghost…
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NEIGHBOURS
Would you worry if you saw this guy (from Jim’s Jihad?) mowing the lawn next door? Unlikely. . . but it does illustrate the fact that neighbours can have a big effect on your enjoyment, or otherwise, of your house. In…
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Reasons to Re-Build
Knock Down and Rebuild, or Renovate? It may be the only house you can find in the area you like is dilapidated, like this one. You may already live in the house but it no longer suits your family’s needs….
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Design – Controlling Costs
When you are planning a custom home costs can quickly run away with the initial budget! Just watch a few episodes of ‘Grand Designs’ and you will see people with costs out of control! If you are planning a custom…
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Are You Prepared For Interest Rate Rises
Interest Rates are Going Up! Don’t know when but they haven’t gone up for 4 years so it isn’t going to last much longer! How Much? Well the real answer is no one knows, but some of the financial wizz…
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Display Homes – Understanding the Builders Rep
Going into every Display Home the first person you see is the Builders Representative. When talking to the representative it helps to understand a little about them, so here are some thoughts; Pay We all work for money but the Representative’s…
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Pre-Wetting A New House Block
Reason For Pre-Wetting If you are Building On Clay that is dry there is a risk of Soil Heave. This is due to expansion of the clay if the moisture level increases with particular risk factors being: Building after a…
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Understanding Display Homes
I have compared the Cost of a Display Home with the price for the advertised price of the standard house, so here are what the differences are: What you won’t get in the Basic House (unless there is a ‘Special Offer‘) Premium…
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Quick Build ?
One of the reasons that people may choose a builder is the promise of a ‘Quick Build’ . . . . . but how realistic is that promise? Getting the house finished quickly might be attractive to you so here…
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