I was wondering if you are able to get PVC skirting boards in white in Australia, as an alternative to MDF or wood?

Hi,
I beleive since you have signed the contract you won't get a refund of the $2500, as this is a payment for the soil test and site-survey.
By signing…

Hi Veno,
Thanks! I like the house design you have for your block! I had a look at the design on the Ventura Website and you have made quite a few…

Yeah, the waiting is painful, but once the wait is over it doesn't take to long for things to get rolling as it's all be organized during this time. We…

Hi,
It was 8 weeks (scheduling), before things started happening on our block. We are currently waiting for the slab to go down, so we hope before they shut over Christmas!
Regards
pdaemon

Hi,
We're building with Ventura Homes. It's a customized house on a rear block. We are at the Site-Works stage of the build. You can follow our progress at http://newhouse.i-tecknik.com
So far…

Hi pinkfairymagic,
Yes you are probably right about the laws being different! Sorry about that...well that was my experience in WA with fencing!
Cheers
pdaemon

We are currently building with Ventura homes as well and upto Site-works/slab...Good luck with the variations at pre-start. Hopefully they aren't too much! Our variations came to a total of…

If there is no house built on the adjoining block, you can put up whatever fence you like, but you are unable to claim 1/2 of the cost. You can…

Cool, exciting times! We had prestart in about June, but the council submition took a while so we are still waiting for things to start!
I'll post some pics soon of…

Hi karakarakara,
We are building in Bayswater, what about yourself? What stage are you at?
Cheers
pdaemon

Just an update, our house is currently in scheduling phase and hopefully some kind of work will commence in around 6 weeks or so. Nothing has arrived on site yet.…

Hi All,
Just thought you might be interested to hear that we are building a custom design home with Ventura homes in Perth. Site works should start in about 3-4 weeks!
You…

Wouldn't it make sense to have the Alfresco West facing to shield the internals of the house from the Hot afternoon Summer Sun in Perth?

Its about solar passive design....with the Living Area of the house facing north with adequate windows in this location, the winter sun will warm the house as it's at a…

Solar Tube lights...do they let alot of heat through...because ovbiously I wouldn't want that...
The suggestion with the 45 degree window sounds good on the corner..I will consider this, but keeping…

The original plan did have a Skillion roof etc, which added to the cost. Having removed the Skillion roof the cost is now around $220K for a custom build. Not…

Thanks for the comments Dymonite69...
Yes, this is my own custom design....I was planning to trees on the Master bedroom side for shade if possible...the bedroom will only have a highlight…

Oh, I had a look at your blog and noticed you were using reflective insulation between the brick cavity walls. How much extra did this add to your build and…

Thank you very much for the info everyone!
I have incorporated an alfresco, but not north facing as it would defeat the purpose of my solar-passive design...
Do you know who could…

Hi Ed,
Yes, I've been at this website...
So really, I could have an eave that is:
2.1x0.4 = 0.85m...
I will have to ask my builder if you can build an eave that…

Hi kexkez,
I've had to take the Skillion roof out of the design but that doesn't mean the house can't be solar passive..The Skillion added an extra 70K to the price…

Thanks EcoClassic,
I was looking at extending the eaves during the build as it might be a cheaper option, but the louvers would do the same thing and are adjustable.
If…

Hi,
I am planning to use my eaves as a shading device for controlling the summer/winter sun penetration in my house.
I am living in Perth, WA and this is 33degress…

Did you mean first 15cm (150 mm) or first 15mm?
Oh, I meant 15mm!
So really there isn't any compelling point getting a 100mm slab, unless it is required for a second…

Thanks for the replies. It's just a single story house...so it would only have to be engineered for one level. I just weighing up the costs of getting the 85…

Hi,
I am getting plans drawn up for building a new house and am wondering if someone can fill be in on the benefits of a 100mm slab vs an 85mm…

Hi Pebble,
I have setup a blog of where we are at: http://www.newhouse.i-tecknik.com
I haven't put too much up, but more will go up as soon as I get some sketches from…

Hi Pebble,
Thanks for the info!
Yes, we liked the Rivergum Skillion and are getting a feasibility study done which includes the site works and also the drawing up of the plans.…