Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 May 24, 2011 9:13 pm Husband isn't happy with the price the builder has offered for added insulation and we haven't gotten anywhere with haggling. How difficult is it to add after hand-over? From memory the insulation is minimal in the ceiling and there is none in the walls. Anything we need to know about or consider? Re: Adding insulation after hand-over 2May 24, 2011 9:17 pm You can add it to the roof easily enough, but the walls are a different matter as the batts go in before plaster. You could do blow in stuff, but from all reports it's not that great. If you want batts in the walls, you don't have much option other than to get the builder to do it. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Adding insulation after hand-over 3May 24, 2011 9:19 pm How on earth would you add wall insulation after handover? The walls will already be plastered... so unless you're going to remove plaster, I'd so it's near impossible. Bite the bullet and go with what the builder is offering, unless is it extremely rediculous. In which case, do what others here have done, and supply your own insulation, clear it with your builder, and go onsite one night and do it yourself Re: Adding insulation after hand-over 5May 24, 2011 10:59 pm What's the builder supplying in the ceiling and walls as standard? When we built in Adelaide 5 stars was required for council approval, I think it's now 6 stars. I can't imagine your house would meet council approval if there's no insulation in the walls. Ceiling insulation can fitted after handover but it's no picnic. Unless your builder is charging exorbitant amounts to upgrade your insulation or you know someone who's willing to install it for cheap I'd revisit the builder's quote to upgrade. Re: Adding insulation after hand-over 6May 25, 2011 10:38 pm Sorry, forgot to add that the house will be Hebel (I know there are different types but I'm honestly not sure of the detail) so there is no insulation in the walls but I understand it should/could still be done - the walls will be plastered. I was told insulation could be dropped down possibly. We are building in a cold area so I was keen to up the insulation but I have another half to negotiate with before the builder so that's why I'm asking here first to learn more (insert smiley face) Ceiling insulation is R2.5 and the charge was an additional $1200 when apparently it should only be about $500. We won't be having downlights or air con vents to worry about in the ceiling, just ducted heating. Re: Adding insulation after hand-over 7May 26, 2011 10:47 pm My opinion - do the ceiling yourself/contract - not difficult after handover Wall insulation - during construction but if double brick / hebel / bessa block etc it may pass minimum R standards for your area...? A simple wrap may be sufficient. There are options for extra here but consider most heat is transfered through ceiling / floors (depending on construction of course) BCA (Building Code of Australia) regulations have recently changed especially if you are in SA or QLD. You get what you pay for! Re: Adding insulation after hand-over 8Jun 12, 2011 7:48 pm 220mm skin skin Hebel has been approved for temperate climates by BCA to provide enough insulation and thermal mass without added insulation. It is hard to insulate a skin skin structure compared to a cavity wall construction BV or DB. Re: Adding insulation after hand-over 9Jun 13, 2011 10:04 am we're doing the roof ourselves it was cheaper to go and get the rated 4 insulation ourselves and for me to put it in.(saved us around a thousand bucks) we are building with a well known building company in SA insulation in the walls we dont have to get if we dont want to, and we weren't going to get it, but changed our minds and bit the bullet we are actually signing on the dotted line today to get the process going, so we're off to try and screw them down in price even more with any luck Re: Adding insulation after hand-over 10Jul 08, 2011 3:08 pm What about doing it yourself? Organise a few mates(preferably handy with their hands) Have them on notice to come after work hours or weekend depending on timing. Now carefully carry out reconnaissance missions on your house site & obtain a rough timeline of tradies from your SS who are booked in to be working on your house. You and your team will need to be ready to spring into action as soon as the electrician has completed all of his rough in work as the gyprock will start to go up sometime in the next few 2-5 days(maybe even the next day) Have your insulation batts loaded on box trailers and ready to go,be sure to measure your frame work spaces and have the correct size batts. Go in with your team after work hrs/weekend and take good torches/batts or work lights if it ends up dark. Cut the insulation to size on site and chuck it in the wall frame work,hold it in place with some string at the top and bottom of each batt just tied around the frame ends,cut a hole around the power point brackets,clean up your rubbish and take it with you when done,don`t leave any evidence that you were there and did any work! Slip away quickly and quietly. Resort back to doing daily recon missions to check on the house and the progress of the gyprock installation. The various tradies generally are booked by the SS and don`t know what should(they don`t talk to each other) and shouldn`t be there and are just there to do their job and go home. The gyprock installers will just think the insulation people have been and gone and once it`s all up no one knows except you Job done. If there have been changes, variations, during construction then the drawings should be revised, the building permit amended and the current, as built drawings given to… 2 4444 2 15443 Hi team, Im looking for a second hand sd4b monitor preferably white. 0 8900 |