Hi, If this is the same brick we used for our build, then there are heaps of photos on this forum post since we started the build. If…

For external walls I would definitely go with R2.5, assuming it is for a standard 90mm stud wall. R2.7 gets some plasterers in a fizz because they reckon it…

I also agree that it is difficult to get stuff like this looked at by most builders countrybuilds, especially in the current boom.…

Hi Gee Mack,
Now that we've been living in the house for over 1.5 years, I agree decent windows and doors do help for sure. I think in the future though…

Hi jye_klu,
This is just a really quick scan of the plan. Couple of thoughts if it were mine (we designed & built…

Thanks saveH2O, that list is useful. I personally think one of the problems in the local industry - particularly among the…

I should also mention a little while ago I contacted the new manager (although has worked for them for many years in a different role) - since the previous owner…

Hi,
Mid $300k's was the end cost. I think the contract price was somewhere around $325-330k from memory? We ended up upgrading all the windows/doors and lots of other…

Your limited with the frontage on the north, but at least keep the bedrooms off the west side, and put the garage there if possible.
If you look at plans consider…

Hi, we had a similar issue on the ceiling on a house we built over 10 years ago now with Simonds (Vic). Luckily for us it was sorted…

Hi, are you game to knock on a recent customers door to ask them directly? I know of a Boutique Homes build that owners recently moved into near us,…

Hi, I also agree with ddarroch in that if you want to build fairly big but do it on a budget....well you…

Yes Solar does help (our ~13kw system does wonders for our power bill...actually we get paid!). But whacking a big solar system on your roof shouldn't be a way…

I understand if you haven't had much experience with different mechanical heating/cooling systems it can be difficult to get your head around, but I thought my comment just prior to…

Hi RC56,
If you can work hard to just go with invididual split systems these are much better than most other heating/cooling options due…

Yes you are absolutely wasting your time and money trying to get a proper ventilation setup for a standard drier. You need supply air as well as extraction.
Heat pump…

Howdy, This all depends on your opinion relating to whether or not to ventilate your roof cavity though. Personally I would rather ventilate rather than air seal the…

Hi,
If it is colorbond, I personally would consider getting a roofing crew to remove the sheets and then install a proper anticon blanket.
If you had standard foil backed sarking your…

ahhh, definitely not to spec if compressed. When you install batts, manufacturer guidelines require you to 'activate' the batt...which is basically getting it out and tapping it on all…

If the whirly bird is on your plans, don't worry too much because the roofers can pretty much place it anywhere on the day. I actually was there with…

Just FYI, our first Airomatic cost me $31o from Bunnings and the builder's roofing team installed it for no extra as we already had one standard whirly bird as part…

Thanks Hillsbuilds and Countrybuilds, actually those usernames are kind of matching! I wonder what type…

Hi CountryBuilds, this is something we have thought about and monitored in our new house.
I kept costs down by not going with thermally…

SOME POST-BUILD INFO & PHOTOS...
Replying to a personal message just now reminded me again I was going to start posting up some pics and info after we moved into the…

Holy crap, the first job in that roof is the get all the ducting strapped up and level (off the ceiling).
If it was mine, especially because you might have decent…

I contacted our builder after handover, as I went around the roof and measured the depth of the blown-in cellulose and it was not to R5 spec depth everywhere.
Anyhow installer…

...oh another thing I would do is find out what brand/type they used and buy yourself a bag. Typically only $30-$40 per bag. Then you can directly compare…

Hi,
Firstly I'm not 100% sure about the mandatory requirement for sarking, as I still see some homes getting built without it.
But in terms of your batt insulation, depending on…

If you look closely inside your roof space, it might be the case the sparkies who installed the rangehood connected up some of that silver-type vent tube that looks like…

This is so typical of the standard crappy attitudes by most builders and trades. One thing I would definitely push hard for even if you have to do it yourself…