
Electrical and Networking Advice - Power User
I always at least double the GPOs.
One double in the corner of each room is good.

Land fall - Help please!
Basically its 0.6m sloping from the front to the back.

Land fall - Help please!
There is not enough information from this plan.
If each block was surveyed the normal contour internval is 0.2m but the contours shown on your plan might by the developers survey…

Heating and cooling option for the new build
Never bult 2 storey house in Australia, but owned Australian homes with all the above options.
Current home has Daiken reverse cycle units, which I believe is the only way to…

Asking about a soil test report
H means: Highly reactive clay sites. Can experience high ground movement from moisture changes.
The presence of trees can make the moisture changes more dramatic so more compaction isn't going to…

What happens when land appreciates?
Just be careful getting your hopes up.
Some developers see increasing values as an opportunity to cancel contracts and resell the land at a higher price.
Unethical! but some developer chase every…

Stormwater pipe material, how long do they last?
It's not usually the pipes that are the problem they should last another 100 years.
The issue is the joints.
If they have repaired the joints properly those joints shouldn't allow…

3.2m ceiling and the height of the top of the window
There are two things to consider with appearance:
Inside view: I always think the closer to the ceiling of the window head, the classier it looks.
Outside view: What is the builder…

Framing Clarification
I can't see your photos but with prefabricated frames if a mistake has been made the frame can be bigger than the slab and the guys erecting the frame won't…

VICTORIA - All electric house
I think someone might be telling you a story.
In my existing home we did have a gas service but we had it removed two years ago without any legal issues.
In…

Fall calculate
Not all title plans provide levels so often the only accurate way of assessing fall is a proper survey.
Here is a link to understanding survey plans https://anewhouse.com.au/2012/05/understanding-your-survey-plan

House plans
I think the corridors are a but narrow, in front of the linen cupboard, but particularly the one leading to the bedroom. I would think it would be better at…

Help identifying grass type
Looks like a Kikuya type grass.
A drought resistant, hard wearing grass.

ACD driveways
Most small construction companies are closed for at least 2 weeks from Christmas, and maybe longer!

Hot water system choice for new build
I've previously had solar systems but not found them that good.
We have previously also had bottled gas which was super expensive and inconveniant.
At the moment I have had a heat…

DIY Retailing Wall
Low retaining walls are quite possible for DIY once you have got an approval.
For a long life I would be going for Galvanised steel posts.
There is some advice about construction…

Opinion - Overhanging brick
Overhanging brickwork is unfortunatly too common.
As Noname says 15mm is the building code limit.
There is a bit more information at this link https://anewhouse.com.au/2014/02/overhanging-brickwork/

Robust towel rails?
We use grab/handrails in our bathroom for towel rails, which are availble in lenths of up to 1m.
Very robust!
This link will show you some examples:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/products/ba ...…

Building new
I like to find the land before I get serious about talking to builders.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't visit a few show homes first to get an idea of what…

Building inspection stages
The PCI Inspection really is more about picking up finishing quality issues than structural issues.
There is some advice about different options for inspections at this link :

Definition of “completion” of build
No experience of that.
Normally it has taken no more than a couple of weeks before you can move.
There is normally a clause for them to make repairs after you…

Definition of “completion” of build
Builders will often try and bluff about anything and everything.
Last time I built I warned them that I was experienced in construction but they still tried it on twice on…

Definition of “completion” of build
Completion is when the Building is ready for handover.
is just a step to ensure defects are identified and hopefully fixed before handover.
is still a way off completion. I…

Exact Location of Dwelling to be Pegged by Owner
It is the landowners (your) responsibiulity to provide information about the boundary locations (usually marked by Boundary Pegs)
My advice is related to finding boundary pegs which may still be there…

Exact Location of Dwelling to be Pegged by Owner
Often its possible to find the pegs and save the money.
Here is a link to how I did it: https://anewhouse.com.au/2020/08/block-boundary-pegs

Hand tamping grade around slab edge.
I would be using builders plastic rather than a geofabric and then stabiised sand (1 part cement to 20 parts sand)

Which Home Builder provides best value & flexibility?
I think inclusions are all of really similar value and if you don't like a particular inclusion wait a few weeks and it will all change.
You can also get caught…

Current timber wait time
I was in my local Bunnings last week and they didn't have a single stick of 70 x 35 framing timber in stock longer than 900mm.
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Retired Water Engineer
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Volunteer for Disaster Aid Australia