Re Stewie D's comment, our rural property is 500 square metres. and our utilities are not to bad.
Water - all free - rainwater only and enviro septic tank.
Gas - hot…

I built with Nu-steel homes and found the cost to get their guys to do some of the work was excessive. I have since heard that the manager at the…

Environmentally sustainable homes are a real ballancing act. When we built our home my mind set was "this is what I want, how can I make it more environmental without…

Hi
You may be able to get a good price from a kit home builder, or even approach local builders in your area. If you can pay cash upon delivery they…

It looks great

We used Living Pictures (Tony Stanton) to design our garden and were very happy with the service.

My understanding is that you dont need a barrier around LEDs or Flouro downlights because they dont generate the heat of halogens and their transformers.

I have seen this approach in really wet areas, (high rainfall and poor drainage) and usually where they havd a basement.
I'm not sure its necesary if you dont have this…

If it helps, I believe Rehau offer a waranttee that states that the pipe will leak or break long before the fittings will let go. The fittings are rated to…

I have a rural property as well, and we are not on mains water.
I would advise you collect all water from all downpipes anr run them to the tanks. If…

He may have meant that you will need someone with a licence to sign off on the building at the end.
You can OB, I built my home myself (other than…

We chose Rehau, and have had no regrets. (I believe Rehau is recognised as one of the best systems)
Whilst not the sole reason we chose it, I did hear thet…

Please dont landscape over this. All landscaping needs to be below the DPM (damp course membrain - where the bricks meet the slab) otherwise you allow water to enter at…

Raise it with your site inspector.
Most slabs will have some iregularities, but it all depends upon how big the highs and lows are in your slab.
You may get further…

The answer varies with the state you are in.
You obviously need a licenced electrician and plumber to sign off on their work, and in SA you would need a licenced…

Befor the bricks. There is more space and it saves time when roughing in the plumbing.
If you have a cavity on demand hotwater service your brickie will need it roughed…

Hi
2 smaller tanks has an advantage of being able to pump beteewn them for cleaning/maintenance/leeks etc, and 21,000L tanks are often the most ecconomical to purchase (do you have to…

Partially correct.
1200 centres are normal for colourbond roofs, 600 for tiles.
You can do either with steel frames.

Yes, I realise it can be done that way, but I cant really think of a site I have seen in the past few years in Adeliade that have done…

Which assertion? Please explain?

I assume you are just using the Hebel as a cladding rather than structural. The bricks, Hebel or sheeting is really only a dressing and not structural. I have not…

For a kit home, steel can be of great advantage.
Walls are usually pre assembled, so construction consists of little more than screwing wall 1 into wall 2, then join to…

Be careful sourcing your own materials (if you are not doing the work as well)
Tradies can claim the materials are the cause of problems, that not everyting they require is…

Sometimes small has its advantages.
My yard is 50 acres (not looking forward to mowing that)

Congratulations, the house is flying along.
I just worked out the the house is called the houghton, rather than you building in the township of houghton …

Hi
We have a ranch style home, but went with a woodland grey roof, and paperbark waces and windows. The brickwork is ascot pewter.
I'm not sure a light coloured roof will…

I'm happy to help out fellow owner builders in SA.
I am a licenced builder, and an owner builder so I can relate and understand were you are comming from.

I have used art haus world (both as a web service and visiting when I go to Melbourne.)
They sometimes have great specials, and a big range of european fittings…

We were amazed at how many bricks were left over. We had 2 pallets untouched, and another 3 palets made up from pieces left on the ground (it was wet…

Single story steel is what I am licenced for, need to get around to upgrading it (one day)
I got my licence specifically for my own OB, but am happy to…