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Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects has said the collapse of a brick wall on a two year old toddler on the 19th January, 2010 in Clayton South, should be a warning for all home owners and those with commercial premises to monitor the condition of their homes and buildings, particularly any brick fences and walls.
David Hallett, Victorian State Manager of Archicentre said Victoria has gone through a long drought which has seen the stability of brick walls and fences damaged, often by the roots of large trees seeking water and the shrinking of clay soils as they dry out.
"This circumstance can cause cracking or leaning, especially of single brick fences or walls, which can be up to two metres high.
"Bricks are heavy and dangerous when they fall and because of their shape and sharp corners, they can become deadly."
Mr Hallett said people can be lulled into a false sense of security by the solid appearance of brick structures, which are only as strong as the cement and the construction methods used to build them.
"Dangers can occur when the walls have been nudged by motor vehicles, have been used to attach basketball rings where children slam dunk, and where building is taking place on the boundary of the property, especially where there is excavation and heavy machinery involved.
Mr Hallett said Archicentre is increasingly being called in to assess situations where brick walls have started to lean into public areas such as footpaths and in commercial areas where workers are involved, as owners become concerned about public safety and their legal liability.
"We would urge all home owners who have leaning or cracked fences and walls, or anybody considering buying a home to conduct a safety audit and where required have the structure professionally assessed.
"We would also be suggesting that where people are having construction taking place next door up to boundary they have their structure assessed before and after to ensure they have a record of any damage caused," Mr Hallett added.
Article from Archicentre
Renovations, extensions and new home costs have increased only 1 per cent in the last quarter according to Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects, in its latest cost guide released January 2010.
Archicentre's Victorian State Manager David Hallett said Archicentre expected renovations to increase in 2010 considerably with baby boomers renovating their family home for lifestyle reasons and to increase the value of their homes as part of their superannuation strategy.
With the average move costing $50,000 to $60,000 in property taxes, expenses and charges, a new bathroom renovation can be undertaken in the current home for $9,588 - $24,990 plus a new kitchen for $10,608 - $31,722.
Mr Hallett said rising house prices, interest rates and the cost of moving, estimated to be around $50,000 to $60,000 for the average move when property taxes and expenses are added, is likely to provide more incentive for people to renovate their current home.
"When people prepare a budget they see the benefit of investing in their homes for a return rather than hand over large amounts to Government coffers for property taxes and charges," Mr Hallet said.
Mr Hallett said we are also seeing an increasing trend to alternative construction systems such as lightweight materials and low embodied energy which can eliminate some trades and offset cost increases in other areas.
"Balanced against this is that we are now seeing a shortage of suitably skilled tradespeople in some areas of the building industry, resulting in some price increases in labour due to the substantial increase in construction activity from the Government's stimulus package in schools, health and first home buyers areas.
"Whilst renovation costs at this stage are remaining reasonably static the major challenges for renovators and owner builders is to ensure that they get the design of the renovation correct to ensure it delivers a sustainable lifestyle on budget.
"For new houses and major renovations, the cost structure is approximately 46% on materials, labour 33%, and 21% on fees, levies, permits, taxes, and GST. The cost will vary for country areas adding 5% to 15% to the renovation," he said.
Mr Hallett said that Archicentre, through its Architects Advice and Architects Design Reports, has often found that people have started renovations and then realised they needed to review their plans when they discovered, for structural or aesthetic reasons, the plan was not delivering the desired outcome requiring a costly redesign. For example, the significant costs of replacing and upgrading kitchens and wet areas means that a master plan can ensure such renovations are optimised for value in relation to future potential additions to the home.
"With increasing interest rates and many people building and renovating for a financial return the original design process and material selection, which provides the vital information for costing and managing the budget, is the foundation for a successful and financially rewarding renovation."
Without a well planned design and management approach to a renovation people may find the returns they were hoping for are severely eroded by unplanned costly variations during the construction stage, Mr Hallett said.
Renovation Costs from the Summer Cost Guide
Bathroom (ensuite is less) $9,588 - $24,990
Kitchen $10,608 - $31,722
Laundry $4,182 - $9,894
Bedroom $4,080 - $8,466
Single Room 20m2 $4,794 - $10,302
Notes:
Prices include plastering, painting, wiring, plumbing, relocation or replacement of windows, the renewal of fittings and fixtures, cabinetry additions and surfacing eg. tiling. The estimates exclude stormwater drainage, paving, carpets, drapes, appliances or the construction of internal partitions to modify the layout of rooms. The upgrading standard is to medium-quality brick veneer or timber.
Article from Archicentre
The Housing Industry Association, Australia’s largest building industry organisation, said that final figures released in January 2010 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirm that new residential building activity began to recover in the September 2009 quarter, as did work commenced.
HIA Chief Economist, Dr Harley Dale said that while 2009/10 would be a healthier year for new residential construction, there were question marks over the sustainability of the up-cycle.
“First home buyer-related activity, the Social Housing Initiative, and the lagged impact of very low mortgage rates will combine to generate growth in new residential work done in 2009/10,” Harley Dale said.
“It remains unclear, however, whether the recovery can gather legs beyond this year in the face of persistent supply side obstacles, rising interest rates, and what to date is an insufficient number of upgrade buyers and investors to fill the void left by first time buyers.
Seasonally adjusted work done on new residential dwellings increased by 2.8 per cent in the September 2009 quarter to an annualised worth of $36.3 billion. This was 3.9 per cent down on the September 2008 quarter and over 9 per cent lower than the previous cyclical peak seen back in early 2004. Work done on detached houses increased by 6.5 per cent over the September 2009 quarter but work done on ‘other residential building’ dropped by 5.5 per cent. Seasonally adjusted new residential work commenced in the September 2009 quarter increased by 5.8 per cent, the first rise since mid 2008.
“There was brighter news on the renovations front in the September 2009 quarter with the volume of work done on major alterations and additions increasing by 3.9 per cent following four consecutive quarters of decline.
“The renovations sector should continue to recover after a soft 2008/09 as labour market conditions improve further and gains in home prices bolster confidence,” said Harley Dale.
In the September 2009 quarter seasonally adjusted new residential work done increased in every state and territory with the exception of Western Australia. New residential work done increased by 6 per cent in Queensland, 4.5 per cent in the Australian Capital Territory, 3 per cent in Victoria, 2.9 per cent in the Northern Territory, 2.8 per cent in New South Wales, 0.3 per cent in South Australia, and 0.2 per cent in Tasmania. New residential work done fell by 1.2 per cent in Western Australia.
Article from Housing Industry Association
The Housing Industry Association, Australia’s largest building industry organisation, said that final figures released in January 2010 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirm that new residential building activity began to recover in the September 2009 quarter, as did work commenced.
HIA Chief Economist, Dr Harley Dale said that while 2009/10 would be a healthier year for new residential construction, there were question marks over the sustainability of the up-cycle
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Women have more influence over home buying, a new poll by Archicentre has revealed. Over 800 respondents from around Australia participated, and 62 per cent of purchasing decisions were made by women, dwarfing the figure for men, a measly 7.8 percent. While 30 per cent chose the fairer option, making house buying a joint decision.
It's a big decision to make, to throw your lives, savings and energy into a mortgage. But women have come up trumps in the decision making process
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Renovation costs in Australia are expected to drop between 5 and 15 percent in the next six months, according to Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects.
David Hallett General Manager of Archicentre releasing the organisation's quarterly cost guide said residential building construction costs have not changed appreciably in the last quarter. However, a substantial slowdown in the planning of new commercial projects around Australia will see many tradespeople moving from commercial to residential over the next six months
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The $20 billion a year renovation industry in Australia could be a major key in kick starting the economy, according to Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre said with interest rates expected to be cut this next week to an all time low, tradespeople looking for new work in a highly competitive market, and the Australian dollar down, there has never been a better time to renovate and use Australian products
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If you have enough room, a swimming pool completes a backyard. It ensures hours of enjoyment and relaxation, and best of all relief for the inevitable hot days. It is said that even winter is becoming warmer every year, giving you more time to use your pool.
Before you start digging, take some time to become familiar with local council rules governing pools. Swimming pools require council approval, so it is wise to plan ahead
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Found your ideal home, but not sure of it’s quality? Going to lots of auctions, but worried about the potential cost of renovating? Get a pre-purchase inspection.
It often takes hours and hours to choose the right home. With this level of time and investment it is worth making the effort to do your homework before you buy. Estimating the cost of potential renovations from the outset is difficult, especially if you are not a builder yourself
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Gone are the days where the clothesline was all about the iconic hills hoist. Once a staple backyard centrepiece, a great Australian invention. But gone also are the days where everyone had a backyard big enough to fit a hills hoist. These days there are many different types of clotheslines on the market, for the variety of homes and outdoor spaces inhabited by Australians.
It’s much more environmentally friendly and cheaper to dry clothes on a clothesline rather than using a clothes dryer. Living in the Australian climate means its common sense to have one strung up somewhere
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