When I did this I:
Excavated top soil
Installed foundations
Laid black poly
Covered with gravel
Built deck

As you get the most power from panels facing North building on a block to the west isn't a huge issue.

I increased the energy stars by reducing the size of the windows by raising the sill height; which was a zero cost modification.
This can make a big difference if you…

Looks like a great orientation to me.
I would tend to build a house on the south half of the block with main rooms facing a garden on the north half.
Should…

There are a lot of variables so although a test may give an indication no builder will accept that a test from an adjacent lot will be accurate.

May 2019 we went all electric in our existing house.
We have a Sanden heat pump with a 250L tank (which is a bit big for the two of us).
The heat…

Here is a link to understanding title plans:

If the build over was properly dealt with at the time the risk of future pipe breakage is very small.
Also the risk that the sewer may have to be dug…

Extra insulation under the slab is really a bit of a waste.
If you are going to look at slab insulation the edges are more important; (see

I would have thought there will be a build over agreement in place so the first step is to ask to see that.

Basically once a concrete slab is cracked there is no way to get rid of the crack.
One repair is a thin layer of asphalt. . . . but after…

PCI should be2 weeks before handover with a final inspection when issues identified atPCI resolved

There are some hints at this link:
http://anewhouse.com.au/2020/06/practic ... -12-hints/

Once you get more prices than around 5 it gets the less likely that builders will be giving a keen price.
It cost them to prepare a firm price.
If they have…

My prices are 25 years out of date. . . But the house probably only cost 10% extra.

Depends on how much money you have got left and how much time.
Seed is cheapest but most involved.
Turf is more expensive and still involves some effort on preparation.
Landscaper is no…

One week is plenty.
Small amount of puddling is no issue.

Standard Builders don't want to do much more than vary one of their standard plans.
When I wanted to build a house to my design I engaged a building designer/draftie rather…

A reflective film by itself makes a huge difference.

Getting a highly reflective window film (Not a Tint) can make a huge difference to the heat gain from a west facing window.

On my builds I've always taken a lot of interest in the initial plumbing.
If this looks good it gives an indication the builder is interested in quality.
If it looks bad…

Any West facing windows (or East facing)will get minimal passive heating in winter, but massive solar overheating in summer.
The only way I have ever hadcomfortable summer afternoon/evening conditions in rooms…

It is very unlikely to be concrete encased.
Concrete encasement is only normally done if there are plans to build within the easement before the construction is started.
If you want to…

Looks nice but to look really classy you need the thicker benchtop.
Problems are its hard to put something down quietly, and don't drop china or glasses . . . .…

CIPP lines are effective and minimise the loss in diameter of the pipe.
As most pipes are 90-100mm dia that is fairly important.
Its a technique that's used by most water…

If you are going to use tradies for the slab its going to be easiest, quickest, and cheapest, to engage someone to do steel fixing , form work and concreting…

If you have a pressure washer these are a couple of attachments that will clean the leaves out.
Would need to be used with care as
you don't want to be…

I would be going for gutter guards to avoid the cleaning.

The cost really depends on what quality you want.
I have found the solar quotes website good value . . .

I built a single storey house with windows facing north, rather than south, and got 6 stars.
The only other change I made was as they originally went down to…