Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 281Mar 26, 2011 11:19 pm To carry on from Steely Dans excellent compilation work.......... I have added a couple of "categories" and tidied the list up a bit. I also added in the new suggestions from Steely Dans list on page 11 to the latest posts and I have also added a couple of my own suggestions. I have marked my entries in RED. This allows anyone following the thread to quickly see new things in the list. SUGGESTION 1: Next time someone carries out maintenance on the list, please remove (my) red tags, and mark the NEW text with red ................ SUGGESTION 2: Where both applicable and appropriate, consider inserting web-links to external products. SUGGESTION 3: Get a Mod to update the thread title to reflect the new location of the revised list. Thanks guys for a great resource !! Site works and administration: • Keep diary of all dates once construction starts and all notes of conversations, emails, costs etc with builder in case something needs to be discussed and clarified • Don’t get builder to do everything just what can’t be completed post build. Save 30% mark-up on items like carpets, floor tiles, wardrobe shelving, paving, painting, fireplaces etc • Ask for excess sand to be removed from site if not required • Shop around and compare inclusions between builders, if you want something that isn’t offered by one you may be able to get it included or at least find out the price difference • Visit builders selection rooms before signing contract to find out what is included and how much it costs • Ask council/builder for refund of kerb/path damage bond if it has been paid • Apply for stamp duty refund if built within guidelines and timeframe • Check you haven’t paid land tax on improved land • Ask bank how much they value your property once completed • Find out land value from the Valuer General • Check builder doesn’t bury any rubbish on site • Obtain all warranties, instruction manuals, serial numbers for all products installed in the house from the builder • Ensure copies of your plans and personal details are not dumped into skip • Make sure contract reflects that the start date is the date that work commences onsite and not the later date after provision of evidence of funding. • Check that contract only allows for rainy days being claimed before roofing is installed and only if there has been more than 5mm of rain. • Make sure you know the fall/slope of your land, the flatter your lot the less site costs you’ll incur, most site costs go to cut and fill as well as building retaining walls. Most volume builders won’t build on sites with a fall greater than 3 metres. • Check the orientation of your block, if the front is north facing then ideally your living areas should be in the front of the house with the bedrooms on the cooler east side, if the rear is north facing, best location for living area is at the back. • Check the Building Commission's website for a list of builders that it has prosecuted: (Victoria) http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/ww ... 35-m-s.asp House: • Install frames on open doorways in case you want to install doors later • If you can’t afford to install a door in certain areas and rooms, install a fastwall lintel so it’s easier and cheaper to install later • Do any doors come with security locks? • Ask what locks are keyed-alike so you don’t end up with multiple keys to lock up doors • Are door stops included and installed? • Consider installing a secure internal door from garage into house instead of lightweight non lockable standard door • Consider rebating external stacker/sliding doors so that the door sill is flush with the concrete slab and there is no ledge • Check what type of timber the external doors are made of, as cheap timber will warp after being exposed to elements after 12 months, consider using fibreglass external doors instead • Upgrade carpet underlay • Can skirting boards be laid by builder after handover if organising own flooring installation? • Check building specifications contract about skirting for tiles, floor tile is sometimes counted as skirting tile and builder will only tile skirting to 200mm, if you want full height skirting you may need to pay extra • Do you have fly screens and window locks? • Check all windows open in preferred direction • Check which windows are fixed and which ones can be opened, important if you want cross air ventilation • Check location of windows is exactly where you want on final plan before signing off • Check all windows are the same (sliding/awning) and from the same manufacturer so you don’t have two sets of keys • Check ceiling height in alfresco is high enough if you want to install a ceiling fan • Check material used for ceiling roof in alfresco is for outdoors and not indoors • Think about location of water tanks, clothesline, bbq, shed, vege patch, letterbox type • Perhaps include letterbox in building contract, if you want to build one after handover consider materials and ask builder to leave any leftover bricks behind • Insulate west wall for radiant heat with glare-shield or something similar, no need to do whole house • Install or extend eaves • If you want passive heating/cooling and the rear of your house is north facing, locate veranda/pergola/alfresco to the side and not the back, preferably the west side as extra shading to the house from the sun • Keep your floor-plan shallow, the sun can’t penetrate more than 4 metres through standard 7 foot windows if you want lots of natural light and you don’t want to install skylights. • Check the location of the crossover matches the location of the garage for the house you want to build, while you can reverse the floor-plan it may impact negatively on your energy efficiency if your living areas are on the opposite side to where you want them to get the most sun and light. • Double glaze north facing windows • Check location of manhole, in relation to ducted heating if it is too close to all the big ducts then you can’t access any other part of the roof space • Duckboards in ceiling cavity • Bathrooms to have floor to ceiling tiling at time of tender or contract • Mitred edges, waterfall benches in kitchen • Sliding (mirror) wardrobe doors • Location of o/h cupboards in kitchen, is the face flush with wall? Ours wasn’t and I had to get it amended • Height of kitchen bench • If you are having an attic pull down man hole thing ... in your garage, clear of door motor and tracks • Lock on any door from the garage to the house. Structural: • Warranty if you install things yourself (ie you put tiles down and later slab cracks, who will replace the tiles) • Be aware of the INTERNAL dimensions of your garage. Can you park a 4WD drive in there WITH a tow bar fitted? • Rear garage roller door - allows incredible access (Double-hinge doors may be an even better option) • Skylights to bathrooms / toilets save a lot of energy costs • Proximity of windows to gas cook-top - will a breeze coming in the window affect the cooking flame? • White Ant treatment / barrier / chemical / re-treatment (Photos of pipe locations) • Ask for a big shelving unit or a cabinet in the garage • Perhaps consider taller doors if you're raising your ceiling height • See if you can make the staircase wider than normal for moving stuff upstairs • Have your insect screens and window locks supplied at the same time as the windows • Insist on a three-coat paint job (1 * sealer, 2 * top coats) • Eves for energy saving • Raised ceilings • More cupboards in the kitchen. Storage is never enough. • Check cornices on bulkheads. do you want cornices there? • Lock on garage-access manhole Electrical: • Install as many power points and TV points as you can, it’s cheaper now than later • Install power point in hallways for vacuuming. • Install power point near cordless phone • Install power point(s) for charging mobile phones (kitchen / hall / bedroom / study as applicable to you) • Install power points on internal back walls for external lighting, sensor lights etc • Consider installing extra power points in garage for second fridge and dryer • Consider double power point installed in front eaves for Xmas lights • Consider power point in ceiling cavity can be useful for Christmas lights along roof perimeter • Consider power points in the floor for table and floor lamps so you don’t have to run extension leads across the floor and behind furniture • Remember external power point to connect pump for water tanks or along internal wall closest to tanks • Provision for power and lighting in shed (Run conduit if necessary to eventual shed location) • Install power points on kitchen island • Consider power point in broom cupboard if you have rechargeable dust buster or vacuum cleaner • Install electrical conduit under driveway or path to provide 12 volt electricity for garden lighting • Check heights of power points also so they suit your needs eg. wall mounted tv • Install door bell, important if you have a big house and living areas at rear of house • Drill hole in brick(s) for brickies to use these brick(s) at doorbell / external light(s) locations • Check location of light switches, if installing double doors where none existed originally ensure the light switches aren’t hidden behind doors when opened • Check that light fixtures also includes the light globes • Install light and power point in walk-in pantry (consider sensor light ?) http://www.arlec.com.au/viewProduct.asp ... alogueID=5 • Install outdoor light near clothesline • Make sure electrical cabling allows for batts insulation to external walls • Allow extra TV points and power points in main living area so you can change orientation of the room and position of the TV • Consider external lights around perimeter of house so wiring goes through the bricks • Light switch inside access door from garage into house so you can turn on hall light before entering the house at night • Cable from garage / carport to inside behind front door to put switch to open / close roller doors from inside • If not installing ducted heating/cooling install lights in the ceiling cavity with light switch next to manhole opening • Install household surge protector at meter • If you have under bench microwave, consider installing an extra power switch at nearest power point so it can be easily switched on/off to save power • Move electrical switchboard into garage (or under stairs in two storey house) for security and easier access • Install single GPO in meter box for reticulation system • Install lots of conduits from ceiling cavity into internal wall, you don’t need to connect them all and the electrician can install blank plates ready for future use when needed • Add a conduit for phone and TV cable for Foxtel installation, if it’s on a cavity wall there is no problem if it isn’t it’s a real pain. • Install conduits in single brick external walls • Install junction boxes to run outside lights, 5 downlights under eaves are equivalent to same power usage as two exterior lights • Consider external light switches in alfresco • Consider external power points in alfresco • Install junction boxes instead of lights if unsure of light selections • Consider installing outdoor TV point • Talk to electrician about multiple circuits for load-spreading • If considering pool think about getting circuit for pool equipment now • Dim lights (LED or sensor) in hallway(s) for night-lighting (600mm above floor level) • A small light in the feature niche in the en-suite that’s low voltage (for midnight pees ) • Cable trays in ceiling for power & data cables • 12v/LED Lighting - check that they EACH have appropriate and properly fitted covers in the ceiling space. Don't want to be singing the Bloodhound Gang "The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire!" • Sensor lights and exhaust fan in toilets. Save energy costs as they will turn themselves off • 32 Amp power outlet in garage - within 5 years we will see a far greater uptake of Hybrid/Electric cars, these vehicle will require a standard 32 Amp outlet • Power points in the master bedroom en suite for electric tooth brushes, hair iron and dryer on BOTH sides of vanity (for DH & DW) smoke detector locations • See end for DATA suggestions Plumbing: • Solar water heating • Rain water tanks for garden watering/car washing • 2 recycled water taps • Move laundry taps to be down in the cabinet next to the machine • Double storey house? ... Have your builder connect a tap to exterior balconies • Consider having a water filter installed at the kitchen sink • Check downpipe locations, last thing you want is a downpipe in front of your feature wall. • Vegetable sprayer type tap with the pull out hose for the laundry sink (cleaning pets) • Provision for water tap in fridge recess for future proofing • Alternatively don’t install water tap behind fridge, install it inside kitchen cupboards instead • Insulate cold water pipe and hot water pipe. • Install capped water point and power points to the roof if you intend on getting evaporative cooling installed later • If installing evaporative cooling, run in the PVC drainpipe for excess water in brick cavity at pre-lay • Consider floor drainage holes in laundry, bathroom and kitchen. Makes cleaning easier and handy if appliances flood/leak (need replenishing with water to keep water-seal from sewer) • Install hot water system as close as possible to kitchen as that is where you use small amounts of hot water the most • Provision for grey-water collection from laundry, baths and showers if not connecting straight away • Consider locations of outside taps, do you need two right next to each other if they will be split by a pool fence, so you can have one in the pool area • Pre lay any storm-water pipes under paving, paths and driveways, saves digging up later • Consider pre-laying the toilet vent PVC pipe in the wall cavity so is not visible other than outlet through roof • Install extra outdoor taps for backyard as garden hose is often not long enough to reach entire space • Check location of downpipes Services: • For ducted vacuuming measure the distance between ducts on the plans to ensure the hoses are long enough to reach the entire house or invest in a longer hose • Check site for closest gas point, water point and phone conduit, builder will use the closest path to connect these services which may not be what you want/expect. • Consider exhaust fan in the laundry or openable window • Lay a 4” PVC pipe under driveway before it’s laid so water pipe can be laid for reticulated water to front garden • Check drainage for backyard, ensure drains connected to downpipes • Install outdoor gas point • Ensure security sensors will not be behind curtains, doors etc…. Heating / Cooling: • Multiple Split system Air Con units that run off a single compressor. Cool only the rooms being used, can work out cheaper on energy costs • Provision for split air conditioners if installing later, think about location in relation to external walls • If installing a split system air conditioner, run a separate circuit from the indoor unit to a junction box on external wall for the outdoor unit and an interconnecting cable between the two units. • Check the location of ceiling vents for heating and cooling in bedrooms so they aren’t directly above occupants heads when beds are moved in • Consider zoned heating so bedrooms and living areas are on separate lines Kitchen: • Check size of fridge recess as most Korean fridges Samsung, LG etc are 900mm wide which is standard width of recess, ask to increase to 1000mm to cover all brands. • Check dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, fridge, microwave spaces will fit the models you want • Check height of rangehood so you don’t hit your head when cooking over stove • Check depth of fridge recess • Get adjustable shelves in kitchen cupboards for different sized items • Useful link if you want those soft closing drawers and want a more affordable option http://www.tim-and-tina.com/ Bathroom: • Think about window size in bathrooms, big windows can make bathrooms feel cold • Frosted windows on toilets/bathrooms • Check which way shower doors open and stipulate door opening direction in contract for all doors (entry, pantry, wardrobes, shower, internal) • Ask for tiles to be cleaned and sealed in wet areas so grout doesn’t stain, especially around toilet bowls • Check location of taps in shower so you don’t have to retract arm through the water after turning hot water on • Wall mount bathroom taps saves water pooling around taps and easier to clean • Consider installing an open shower recess instead of shower cabinet • Consider adding glass-shield to both sides of shower screens • Consider nib walls between shower recess and vanity • Think about where you want a medicine cabinet? • Do you want privacy locks in bathrooms? Bedroom: • Think about sliding doors for built in robes, not just for saving space but also so you’re not restricted on placement of furniture • Delete all shelving for walk in robes and built in robes if sourcing own shelving after handover and ensure clothes rails aren’t installed as well • Consider increasing width of built in robes, standard width is 500mm which catches on clothes when closing door • Check line of sight when people walk in front door and master suite door is open Laundry: • Check that laundry trough has bypass drain • Consider pull out or pull-down ironing board in laundry for quick ironing jobs • Drying cupboard in laundry, install heating duct in cupboard to dry clothes • Lots of linen cupboard space • Ventilation in the laundry and a sliding entry door, easier when sorting through clothes Living Areas: • Check measurements of furniture, allow 12mm for render on walls and don’t forget floor coverings as well when calculating width/height for recesses, alcoves etc • Ask for wider openings to passageways than the standard, makes it easier to move furniture without having to pull them apart, scratch or bump into corners • At framing stage, take photos of walls in all rooms before gyprock goes on so you know location of studs and noggins for later • Remember curtains and carpet reduce echo in large open plan areas • Install sound insulation in internal walls • If you love hanging lots of pictures, photos etc get builder to install an extra row of nogging so you have a solid row of wood to hang from instead of plasterboard • Consider installing doors to close off open plan areas, provides greater flexibility when kids get older • Leave enough space at the side of windows or doors for window coverings. (we have a sliding door with a window either side in our master bedroom and there's not a great deal of space for curtains to pull back against the wall, so they don't cover the window.) Garage: • Consider installing manhole in garage so tradesman can do all the work from inside the garage and not the house • Check height of garage door in case it needs to be raised for 4WD vehicles and hatchbacks • Consider workshop/storeroom on side of garage, allows extra room for opening car doors, storing bicycles rather than paying for shed later • Ensure driveway is cut into the gutter where it joins the road so car doesn’t touch the bottom when pulling into driveway DATA • Foxtel - Wants data • TV - Wants data • HD Media Players - Wants data • DVD players - Wants data • Computer - Wants data • Printer - Wants data • Networked hard drives - Wants data • Home Security system often requires a second dedicated phone point • A proper Comms external enclosure... + FTTH Internal Lead In to have an External FTTH ONT mounted inside it.. something like this: http://www.brenclosures.com.au/nbn-enclosure.htm • Or get it as part of the full enclosure kit like this http://www.hagerbr.com.au/enclosures/do ... 0/4386.htm • A FTTH Compliant Internal Lead In . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 282Mar 27, 2011 7:49 pm Pepsi_Drinker To carry on from Steely Dans excellent compilation work.......... I have added a couple of "categories" and tidied the list up a bit. I also added in the new suggestions from Steely Dans list on page 11 to the latest posts and I have also added a couple of my own suggestions. I have marked my entries in RED. This allows anyone following the thread to quickly see new things in the list. <cut Good idea, I've been keeping a list of suggestions, although I have none of my own, I've added a few that you may have overlooked. Some of them are repeated and I'm not sure if I got the category correct. I've done a visual comparison of the list I had with the updates you have done, and attempted to do some more updates, hopefully I got it right Pepsi_Drinker Site works and administration: • Keep diary of all dates once construction starts and all notes of conversations, emails, costs etc with builder in case something needs to be discussed and clarified • Don’t get builder to do everything just what can’t be completed post build. Save 30% mark-up on items like carpets, floor tiles, wardrobe shelving, paving, painting, fireplaces etc • Ask for excess sand to be removed from site if not required • Shop around and compare inclusions between builders, if you want something that isn’t offered by one you may be able to get it included or at least find out the price difference • Visit builders selection rooms before signing contract to find out what is included and how much it costs • Ask council/builder for refund of kerb/path damage bond if it has been paid • Apply for stamp duty refund if built within guidelines and timeframe • Check you haven’t paid land tax on improved land • Ask bank how much they value your property once completed • Find out land value from the Valuer General • Check builder doesn’t bury any rubbish on site • Obtain all warranties, instruction manuals, serial numbers for all products installed in the house from the builder • Ensure copies of your plans and personal details are not dumped into skip • Make sure contract reflects that the start date is the date that work commences onsite and not the later date after provision of evidence of funding. • Check that contract only allows for rainy days being claimed before roofing is installed and only if there has been more than 5mm of rain. • Make sure you know the fall/slope of your land, the flatter your lot the less site costs you’ll incur, most site costs go to cut and fill as well as building retaining walls. Most volume builders won’t build on sites with a fall greater than 3 metres. • Check the orientation of your block, if the front is north facing then ideally your living areas should be in the front of the house with the bedrooms on the cooler east side, if the rear is north facing, best location for living area is at the back. • Check the Building Commission's website for a list of builders that it has prosecuted: (Victoria) http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/ww ... 35-m-s.asp House: • Install frames on open doorways in case you want to install doors later • If you can’t afford to install a door in certain areas and rooms, install a fastwall lintel so it’s easier and cheaper to install later • Do any doors come with security locks? • Ask what locks are keyed-alike so you don’t end up with multiple keys to lock up doors • Are door stops included and installed? • Consider installing a secure internal door from garage into house instead of lightweight non lockable standard door • Consider rebating external stacker/sliding doors so that the door sill is flush with the concrete slab and there is no ledge • Check what type of timber the external doors are made of, as cheap timber will warp after being exposed to elements after 12 months, consider using fibreglass external doors instead • Upgrade carpet underlay • Can skirting boards be laid by builder after handover if organising own flooring installation? • Check building specifications contract about skirting for tiles, floor tile is sometimes counted as skirting tile and builder will only tile skirting to 200mm, if you want full height skirting you may need to pay extra • Do you have fly screens and window locks? • Check all windows open in preferred direction • Check which windows are fixed and which ones can be opened, important if you want cross air ventilation • Check location of windows is exactly where you want on final plan before signing off • Check all windows are the same (sliding/awning) and from the same manufacturer so you don’t have two sets of keys • Check ceiling height in alfresco is high enough if you want to install a ceiling fan • Check material used for ceiling roof in alfresco is for outdoors and not indoors • Think about location of water tanks, clothesline, bbq, shed, vege patch, letterbox type • Perhaps include letterbox in building contract, if you want to build one after handover consider materials and ask builder to leave any leftover bricks behind • Insulate west wall for radiant heat with glare-shield or something similar, no need to do whole house • Install or extend eaves • If you want passive heating/cooling and the rear of your house is north facing, locate veranda/pergola/alfresco to the side and not the back, preferably the west side as extra shading to the house from the sun • Keep your floor-plan shallow, the sun can’t penetrate more than 4 metres through standard 7 foot windows if you want lots of natural light and you don’t want to install skylights. • Check the location of the crossover matches the location of the garage for the house you want to build, while you can reverse the floor-plan it may impact negatively on your energy efficiency if your living areas are on the opposite side to where you want them to get the most sun and light. • Double glaze north facing windows • Check location of manhole, in relation to ducted heating if it is too close to all the big ducts then you can’t access any other part of the roof space • Duckboards in ceiling cavity • Bathrooms to have floor to ceiling tiling at time of tender or contract • Mitred edges, waterfall benches in kitchen • Sliding (mirror) wardrobe doors • Location of o/h cupboards in kitchen, is the face flush with wall? Ours wasn’t and I had to get it amended • Height of kitchen bench • If you are having an attic pull down man hole thing ... in your garage, clear of door motor and tracks • Lock on any door from the garage to the house. • Under-eave outdoor flood lights, perhaps sensor types - get the wiring done during build Structural: • Warranty if you install things yourself (ie you put tiles down and later slab cracks, who will replace the tiles) • Be aware of the INTERNAL dimensions of your garage. Can you park a 4WD drive in there WITH a tow bar fitted? • Rear garage roller door - allows incredible access (Double-hinge doors may be an even better option) • Skylights to bathrooms / toilets save a lot of energy costs • Proximity of windows to gas cook-top - will a breeze coming in the window affect the cooking flame? • White Ant treatment / barrier / chemical / re-treatment (Photos of pipe locations) • Ask for a big shelving unit or a cabinet in the garage • Perhaps consider taller doors if you're raising your ceiling height • See if you can make the staircase wider than normal for moving stuff upstairs • Have your insect screens and window locks supplied at the same time as the windows • Insist on a three-coat paint job (1 * sealer, 2 * top coats) • Eves for energy saving • Raised ceilings • More cupboards in the kitchen. Storage is never enough. • Check cornices on bulkheads. do you want cornices there? • Lock on garage-access manhole Electrical: • Install as many power points and TV points as you can, it’s cheaper now than later • Install power point in hallways for vacuuming. • Install power point near cordless phone • Install power point(s) for charging mobile phones (kitchen / hall / bedroom / study as applicable to you) • Install power points on internal back walls for external lighting, sensor lights etc • Consider installing extra power points in garage for second fridge and dryer • Consider double power point installed in front eaves for Xmas lights • Consider power point in ceiling cavity can be useful for Christmas lights along roof perimeter • Consider power points in the floor for table and floor lamps so you don’t have to run extension leads across the floor and behind furniture • Remember external power point to connect pump for water tanks or along internal wall closest to tanks • Provision for power and lighting in shed (Run conduit if necessary to eventual shed location) • Install power points on kitchen island • Consider power point in broom cupboard if you have rechargeable dust buster or vacuum cleaner • Install electrical conduit under driveway or path to provide 12 volt electricity for garden lighting • Check heights of power points also so they suit your needs eg. wall mounted tv • Install door bell, important if you have a big house and living areas at rear of house • Drill hole in brick(s) for brickies to use these brick(s) at doorbell / external light(s) locations • Check location of light switches, if installing double doors where none existed originally ensure the light switches aren’t hidden behind doors when opened • Check that light fixtures also includes the light globes • Install light and power point in walk-in pantry (consider sensor light ?) http://www.arlec.com.au/viewProduct.asp ... alogueID=5 • Install outdoor light near clothesline • Make sure electrical cabling allows for batts insulation to external walls • Allow extra TV points and power points in main living area so you can change orientation of the room and position of the TV • Consider external lights around perimeter of house so wiring goes through the bricks • Light switch inside access door from garage into house so you can turn on hall light before entering the house at night • Cable from garage / carport to inside behind front door to put switch to open / close roller doors from inside • If not installing ducted heating/cooling install lights in the ceiling cavity with light switch next to manhole opening • Install household surge protector at meter • If you have under bench microwave, consider installing an extra power switch at nearest power point so it can be easily switched on/off to save power • Move electrical switchboard into garage (or under stairs in two storey house) for security and easier access • Install single GPO in meter box for reticulation system • Install lots of conduits from ceiling cavity into internal wall, you don’t need to connect them all and the electrician can install blank plates ready for future use when needed • Add a conduit for phone and TV cable for Foxtel installation, if it’s on a cavity wall there is no problem if it isn’t it’s a real pain. • Install conduits in single brick external walls • Install junction boxes to run outside lights, 5 downlights under eaves are equivalent to same power usage as two exterior lights • Consider external light switches in alfresco • Consider external power points in alfresco • Install junction boxes instead of lights if unsure of light selections • Consider installing outdoor TV point • Talk to electrician about multiple circuits for load-spreading • If considering pool think about getting circuit for pool equipment now • Dim lights (LED or sensor) in hallway(s) for night-lighting (600mm above floor level) • A small light in the feature niche in the en-suite that’s low voltage (for midnight pees ) • Cable trays in ceiling for power & data cables • 12v/LED Lighting - check that they EACH have appropriate and properly fitted covers in the ceiling space. Don't want to be singing the Bloodhound Gang "The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire!" • Sensor lights and exhaust fan in toilets. Save energy costs as they will turn themselves off • 32 Amp power outlet in garage - within 5 years we will see a far greater uptake of Hybrid/Electric cars, these vehicle will require a standard 32 Amp outlet • Power points in the master bedroom en suite for electric tooth brushes, hair iron and dryer on BOTH sides of vanity (for DH & DW) • Smoke detector locations • Consider a waterproof outdoor powerpoint for future pool or area where you may need power. Or simply for the alfresco • See end for DATA suggestions Plumbing: • Solar water heating • Rain water tanks for garden watering/car washing • 2 recycled water taps • Move laundry taps to be down in the cabinet next to the machine • Double storey house? ... Have your builder connect a tap to exterior balconies • Consider having a water filter installed at the kitchen sink • Check downpipe locations, last thing you want is a downpipe in front of your feature wall. • Vegetable sprayer type tap with the pull out hose for the laundry sink (cleaning pets) • Provision for water tap in fridge recess for future proofing • Alternatively don’t install water tap behind fridge, install it inside kitchen cupboards instead • Insulate cold water pipe and hot water pipe. • Install capped water point and power points to the roof if you intend on getting evaporative cooling installed later • If installing evaporative cooling, run in the PVC drainpipe for excess water in brick cavity at pre-lay • Consider floor drainage holes in laundry, bathroom and kitchen. Makes cleaning easier and handy if appliances flood/leak (need replenishing with water to keep water-seal from sewer) • Install hot water system as close as possible to kitchen as that is where you use small amounts of hot water the most • Provision for grey-water collection from laundry, baths and showers if not connecting straight away • Consider locations of outside taps, do you need two right next to each other if they will be split by a pool fence, so you can have one in the pool area • Pre lay any storm-water pipes under paving, paths and driveways, saves digging up later • Consider pre-laying the toilet vent PVC pipe in the wall cavity so is not visible other than outlet through roof • Install extra outdoor taps for backyard as garden hose is often not long enough to reach entire space • Consider an extra tap for an outdoor alfresco • Check location of downpipes • Make sure taps are placed at correct spots on drawings Services: • For ducted vacuuming measure the distance between ducts on the plans to ensure the hoses are long enough to reach the entire house or invest in a longer hose • Check site for closest gas point, water point and phone conduit, builder will use the closest path to connect these services which may not be what you want/expect. • Consider exhaust fan in the laundry or openable window • Lay a 4” PVC pipe under driveway before it’s laid so water pipe can be laid for reticulated water to front garden • Check drainage for backyard, ensure drains connected to downpipes • Install outdoor gas point (for a BBQ or similar) • Ensure security sensors will not be behind curtains, doors etc…. • Multiple Outdoor taps (particularly on a large home) Heating / Cooling: • Multiple Split system Air Con units that run off a single compressor. Cool only the rooms being used, can work out cheaper on energy costs • Provision for split air conditioners if installing later, think about location in relation to external walls • If installing a split system air conditioner, run a separate circuit from the indoor unit to a junction box on external wall for the outdoor unit and an interconnecting cable between the two units. • Check the location of ceiling vents for heating and cooling in bedrooms so they aren’t directly above occupants heads when beds are moved in • Consider zoned heating so bedrooms and living areas are on separate lines Kitchen: • Check size of fridge recess as most Korean fridges Samsung, LG etc are 900mm wide which is standard width of recess, ask to increase to 1000mm to cover all brands. • Check dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, fridge, microwave spaces will fit the models you want • Check height of rangehood so you don’t hit your head when cooking over stove • Check depth of fridge recess • Get adjustable shelves in kitchen cupboards for different sized items • Useful link if you want those soft closing drawers and want a more affordable option http://www.tim-and-tina.com/ • Proximity of windows to gas cooktop - will a breeze coming in the window affect the cooking flame? Bathroom: • Think about window size in bathrooms, big windows can make bathrooms feel cold • Frosted windows on toilets/bathrooms • Check which way shower doors open and stipulate door opening direction in contract for all doors (entry, pantry, wardrobes, shower, internal) • Ask for tiles to be cleaned and sealed in wet areas so grout doesn’t stain, especially around toilet bowls • Check location of taps in shower so you don’t have to retract arm through the water after turning hot water on • Wall mount bathroom taps saves water pooling around taps and easier to clean • Consider installing an open shower recess instead of shower cabinet • Consider adding glass-shield to both sides of shower screens • Consider nib walls between shower recess and vanity • Think about where you want a medicine cabinet? • Do you want privacy locks in bathrooms? Bedroom: • Think about sliding doors for built in robes, not just for saving space but also so you’re not restricted on placement of furniture • Delete all shelving for walk in robes and built in robes if sourcing own shelving after handover and ensure clothes rails aren’t installed as well • Consider increasing width of built in robes, standard width is 500mm which catches on clothes when closing door • Check line of sight when people walk in front door and master suite door is open Laundry: • Check that laundry trough has bypass drain • Consider pull out or pull-down ironing board in laundry for quick ironing jobs • Drying cupboard in laundry, install heating duct in cupboard to dry clothes • Lots of linen cupboard space • Ventilation in the laundry and a sliding entry door, easier when sorting through clothes Living Areas: • Check measurements of furniture, allow 12mm for render on walls and don’t forget floor coverings as well when calculating width/height for recesses, alcoves etc • Ask for wider openings to passageways than the standard, makes it easier to move furniture without having to pull them apart, scratch or bump into corners • At framing stage, take photos of walls in all rooms before gyprock goes on so you know location of studs and noggins for later • Remember curtains and carpet reduce echo in large open plan areas • Install sound insulation in internal walls • If you love hanging lots of pictures, photos etc get builder to install an extra row of nogging so you have a solid row of wood to hang from instead of plasterboard • Consider installing doors to close off open plan areas, provides greater flexibility when kids get older • Leave enough space at the side of windows or doors for window coverings. (we have a sliding door with a window either side in our master bedroom and there's not a great deal of space for curtains to pull back against the wall, so they don't cover the window.) Garage: • Consider installing manhole in garage so tradesman can do all the work from inside the garage and not the house • Check height of garage door in case it needs to be raised for 4WD vehicles and hatchbacks • Consider workshop/storeroom on side of garage, allows extra room for opening car doors, storing bicycles rather than paying for shed later • Ensure driveway is cut into the gutter where it joins the road so car doesn’t touch the bottom when pulling into driveway DATA • Foxtel - Wants data • TV - Wants data • HD Media Players - Wants data • DVD players - Wants data • Computer - Wants data • Printer - Wants data • Networked hard drives - Wants data • Home Security system often requires a second dedicated phone point • A proper Comms external enclosure... + FTTH Internal Lead In to have an External FTTH ONT mounted inside it.. something like this: http://www.brenclosures.com.au/nbn-enclosure.htm • Or get it as part of the full enclosure kit like this http://www.hagerbr.com.au/enclosures/do ... 0/4386.htm • A FTTH Compliant Internal Lead In Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 284Apr 04, 2011 12:59 pm Thanks Bel ......... As I got the Dust-Buster out this morning ............. Power-point in pantry / laundry / where-ever you hang your Dust Buster P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 285Apr 04, 2011 6:00 pm Great tips on this list. I would like to make one correction though. Under the "House" topic: "Double glaze north facing windows" this needs to be corrected to "double glaze South facing windows" in Winter, the sun is in the northern part of the sky, allowing solar heat gain in through North facing windows. This is passive heating. On southern orientations, there is no solar heat gain at all. Hence all South facing glazing needs to be well insulated, i.e. needs to be double glazed. Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 286Apr 04, 2011 9:16 pm Hi Pepsi drinker & Steely Dans, You guys are superb... It's such a detail and comprehensive check list.. Thanks heaps.. will definately take note of those.... ___________________ Building with Carlisle Homes, Montrose 36 in Point Cook http://www.pointcookfb.blogspot.com/ Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 287Apr 04, 2011 9:49 pm Great compilation! Now where was it about 6 months ago... Luckily I am happy enough to have considered some, if not most, of these good ideas. Still, wish I had come across this earlier... June 2010: Land Aug Tender + Deposit for Villina 41 Dec DA in Feb DA out Mar Construction Cert May Slab June Frame viewtopic.php?f=31&t=45643 Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 288Apr 04, 2011 10:30 pm I'm not sure if someone else has posted this but just in case it hasn't been... Move your tv point and power point up the wall if you plan to wall mount your tv, it will save you having messy wires in your nice new hous! Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 289Apr 05, 2011 7:56 am Not sure if this has been said, couldn't see it in the list. A light in the pantry. We have a corner (non walk in) pantryand didn't even think of a light, but at night I have trouble seeing the back corner as I stand with my back to the kitchen lights and create a shadow Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 290Apr 05, 2011 10:20 am Izzehz Not sure if this has been said, couldn't see it in the list. A light in the pantry. We have a corner (non walk in) pantryand didn't even think of a light, but at night I have trouble seeing the back corner as I stand with my back to the kitchen lights and create a shadow I am putting a Sensor Light downlight in our walk-in pantry, I nearly ALWAYS forget to turn it off so will now no longer have that problem. Cheers Neil Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 291Apr 05, 2011 12:30 pm Quote: The thread is awesome!! Thanks to everyone who contributed. we are in very early stages of the process waiting for land to get titled atm. anyway, added power points in the master bedroom en suite for electric tooth brushes, hair iron and dryer. Go one better and add an extra power point under the bathroom hand basin, nothing worse than having cords runnng across the top of the basin just to keep your tooth brush / shaver charged (The cords collect dirt also). Hide them out of the way under the bench. Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 292Apr 05, 2011 1:36 pm not sure if this has been mentioned: Check the location of your HWS, it might be in the way inbetween where your laundry exit is and the location of your clothesline. you might not have enough room to get past easily,especially if its on blind side of house.. Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 293Apr 08, 2011 10:05 am Another good one if anyone hasn't mentioned it yet - make sure your hot water heater is seated on a concrete footing rather than on top of the ground (saw this the other day when I was looking at a friend's place that had been recently completed). Some people apparently have nothing better to do than comment on other people's sigs. Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 294Apr 17, 2011 10:36 am Izzehz Not sure if this has been said, couldn't see it in the list. A light in the pantry. We have a corner (non walk in) pantryand didn't even think of a light, but at night I have trouble seeing the back corner as I stand with my back to the kitchen lights and create a shadow "• Install light and power point in walk-in pantry (consider sensor light ?)" Rap53 "Double glaze north facing windows" this needs to be corrected to "double glaze South facing windows" Are you sure? I thought the general advice was to double glaze North facing windows? Goodieslalas Move your tv point and power point up the wall if you plan to wall mount your tv, it will save you having messy wires in your nice new hous! Already there, "• Check heights of power points also so they suit your needs eg. wall mounted tv" Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 295Apr 17, 2011 10:44 am Site works and administration: • Keep diary of all dates once construction starts and all notes of conversations, emails, costs etc with builder in case something needs to be discussed and clarified • Don’t get builder to do everything just what can’t be completed post build. Save 30% mark-up on items like carpets, floor tiles, wardrobe shelving, paving, painting, fireplaces etc • Ask for excess sand to be removed from site if not required • Shop around and compare inclusions between builders, if you want something that isn’t offered by one you may be able to get it included or at least find out the price difference • Visit builders selection rooms before signing contract to find out what is included and how much it costs • Ask council/builder for refund of kerb/path damage bond if it has been paid • Apply for stamp duty refund if built within guidelines and timeframe • Check you haven’t paid land tax on improved land • Ask bank how much they value your property once completed • Find out land value from the Valuer General • Check builder doesn’t bury any rubbish on site • Obtain all warranties, instruction manuals, serial numbers for all products installed in the house from the builder • Ensure copies of your plans and personal details are not dumped into skip • Make sure contract reflects that the start date is the date that work commences onsite and not the later date after provision of evidence of funding. • Check that contract only allows for rainy days being claimed before roofing is installed and only if there has been more than 5mm of rain. • Make sure you know the fall/slope of your land, the flatter your lot the less site costs you’ll incur, most site costs go to cut and fill as well as building retaining walls. Most volume builders won’t build on sites with a fall greater than 3 metres. • Check the orientation of your block, if the front is north facing then ideally your living areas should be in the front of the house with the bedrooms on the cooler east side, if the rear is north facing, best location for living area is at the back. • Check the Building Commission's website for a list of builders that it has prosecuted: (Victoria) http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/ww ... 35-m-s.asp House: • Install frames on open doorways in case you want to install doors later • If you can’t afford to install a door in certain areas and rooms, install a fastwall lintel so it’s easier and cheaper to install later • Do any doors come with security locks? • Ask what locks are keyed-alike so you don’t end up with multiple keys to lock up doors • Are door stops included and installed? • Consider installing a secure internal door from garage into house instead of lightweight non lockable standard door • Consider rebating external stacker/sliding doors so that the door sill is flush with the concrete slab and there is no ledge • Check what type of timber the external doors are made of, as cheap timber will warp after being exposed to elements after 12 months, consider using fibreglass external doors instead • Upgrade carpet underlay • Can skirting boards be laid by builder after handover if organising own flooring installation? • Check building specifications contract about skirting for tiles, floor tile is sometimes counted as skirting tile and builder will only tile skirting to 200mm, if you want full height skirting you may need to pay extra • Do you have fly screens and window locks? • Check all windows open in preferred direction • Check which windows are fixed and which ones can be opened, important if you want cross air ventilation • Check location of windows is exactly where you want on final plan before signing off • Check all windows are the same (sliding/awning) and from the same manufacturer so you don’t have two sets of keys • Check ceiling height in alfresco is high enough if you want to install a ceiling fan • Check material used for ceiling roof in alfresco is for outdoors and not indoors • Think about location of water tanks, clothesline, bbq, shed, vege patch, letterbox type • Perhaps include letterbox in building contract, if you want to build one after handover consider materials and ask builder to leave any leftover bricks behind • Insulate west wall for radiant heat with glare-shield or something similar, no need to do whole house • Install or extend eaves • If you want passive heating/cooling and the rear of your house is north facing, locate veranda/pergola/alfresco to the side and not the back, preferably the west side as extra shading to the house from the sun • Keep your floor-plan shallow, the sun can’t penetrate more than 4 metres through standard 7 foot windows if you want lots of natural light and you don’t want to install skylights. • Check the location of the crossover matches the location of the garage for the house you want to build, while you can reverse the floor-plan it may impact negatively on your energy efficiency if your living areas are on the opposite side to where you want them to get the most sun and light. • Double glaze north facing windows • Check location of manhole, in relation to ducted heating if it is too close to all the big ducts then you can’t access any other part of the roof space • Duckboards in ceiling cavity • Bathrooms to have floor to ceiling tiling at time of tender or contract • Mitred edges, waterfall benches in kitchen • Sliding (mirror) wardrobe doors • Location of o/h cupboards in kitchen, is the face flush with wall? Ours wasn’t and I had to get it amended • Height of kitchen bench • If you are having an attic pull down man hole thing ... in your garage, clear of door motor and tracks • Lock on any door from the garage to the house. • Under-eave outdoor flood lights, perhaps sensor types - get the wiring done during build Structural: • Warranty if you install things yourself (ie you put tiles down and later slab cracks, who will replace the tiles) • Be aware of the INTERNAL dimensions of your garage. Can you park a 4WD drive in there WITH a tow bar fitted? • Rear garage roller door - allows incredible access (Double-hinge doors may be an even better option) • Skylights to bathrooms / toilets save a lot of energy costs • Proximity of windows to gas cook-top - will a breeze coming in the window affect the cooking flame? • White Ant treatment / barrier / chemical / re-treatment (Photos of pipe locations) • Ask for a big shelving unit or a cabinet in the garage • Perhaps consider taller doors if you're raising your ceiling height • See if you can make the staircase wider than normal for moving stuff upstairs • Have your insect screens and window locks supplied at the same time as the windows • Insist on a three-coat paint job (1 * sealer, 2 * top coats) • Eves for energy saving • Raised ceilings • More cupboards in the kitchen. Storage is never enough. • Check cornices on bulkheads. do you want cornices there? • Lock on garage-access manhole Electrical: • Install as many power points and TV points as you can, it’s cheaper now than later • Install power point in hallways for vacuuming. • Install power point near cordless phone • Install power point(s) for charging mobile phones (kitchen / hall / bedroom / study as applicable to you) • Install power points on internal back walls for external lighting, sensor lights etc • Install power point for charging mini-vacuum cleaner / dustbuster in cupboard. • Consider installing extra power points in garage for second fridge and dryer • Consider double power point installed in front eaves for Xmas lights • Consider power point in ceiling cavity can be useful for Christmas lights along roof perimeter • Consider power points in the floor for table and floor lamps so you don’t have to run extension leads across the floor and behind furniture • Remember external power point to connect pump for water tanks or along internal wall closest to tanks • Provision for power and lighting in shed (Run conduit if necessary to eventual shed location) • Install power points on kitchen island • Consider power point in broom cupboard if you have rechargeable dust buster or vacuum cleaner • Install electrical conduit under driveway or path to provide 12 volt electricity for garden lighting • Check heights of power points also so they suit your needs eg. wall mounted tv • Install door bell, important if you have a big house and living areas at rear of house • Drill hole in brick(s) for brickies to use these brick(s) at doorbell / external light(s) locations • Check location of light switches, if installing double doors where none existed originally ensure the light switches aren’t hidden behind doors when opened • Check that light fixtures also includes the light globes • Install light and power point in walk-in pantry (consider sensor light ?) Arlec Oyster Security Light • Install outdoor light near clothesline • Make sure electrical cabling allows for batts insulation to external walls • Allow extra TV points and power points in main living area so you can change orientation of the room and position of the TV • Consider external lights around perimeter of house so wiring goes through the bricks • Light switch inside access door from garage into house so you can turn on hall light before entering the house at night • Cable from garage / carport to inside behind front door to put switch to open / close roller doors from inside • If not installing ducted heating/cooling install lights in the ceiling cavity with light switch next to manhole opening • Install household surge protector at meter • If you have under bench microwave, consider installing an extra power switch at nearest power point so it can be easily switched on/off to save power • Move electrical switchboard into garage (or under stairs in two storey house) for security and easier access • Install single GPO in meter box for reticulation system • Install lots of conduits from ceiling cavity into internal wall, you don’t need to connect them all and the electrician can install blank plates ready for future use when needed • Add a conduit for phone and TV cable for Foxtel installation, if it’s on a cavity wall there is no problem if it isn’t it’s a real pain. • Install conduits in single brick external walls • Install junction boxes to run outside lights, 5 downlights under eaves are equivalent to same power usage as two exterior lights • Consider external light switches in alfresco • Consider external power points in alfresco • Install junction boxes instead of lights if unsure of light selections • Consider installing outdoor TV point • Talk to electrician about multiple circuits for load-spreading • If considering pool think about getting circuit for pool equipment now • Dim lights (LED or sensor) in hallway(s) for night-lighting (600mm above floor level) • A small light in the feature niche in the en-suite that’s low voltage (for midnight pees ) • Cable trays in ceiling for power & data cables • 12v/LED Lighting - check that they EACH have appropriate and properly fitted covers in the ceiling space. Don't want to be singing the Bloodhound Gang "The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire!" • Sensor lights and exhaust fan in toilets. Save energy costs as they will turn themselves off • 32 Amp power outlet in garage - within 5 years we will see a far greater uptake of Hybrid/Electric cars, these vehicle will require a standard 32 Amp outlet • Power points in the master bedroom en suite for electric tooth brushes, hair iron and dryer on BOTH sides of vanity (for DH & DW) • Smoke detector locations • Consider a waterproof outdoor power point for future pool or area where you may need power. Or simply for the alfresco • See end for DATA suggestions Plumbing: • Solar water heating • Rain water tanks for garden watering/car washing • 2 recycled water taps • Move laundry taps to be down in the cabinet next to the machine • Double storey house? ... Have your builder connect a tap to exterior balconies • Consider having a water filter installed at the kitchen sink • Check downpipe locations, last thing you want is a downpipe in front of your feature wall. • Vegetable sprayer type tap with the pull out hose for the laundry sink (cleaning pets) • Provision for water tap in fridge recess for future proofing • Alternatively don’t install water tap behind fridge, install it inside kitchen cupboards instead • Insulate cold water pipe and hot water pipe. • Install capped water point and power points to the roof if you intend on getting evaporative cooling installed later • If installing evaporative cooling, run in the PVC drainpipe for excess water in brick cavity at pre-lay • Consider floor drainage holes in laundry, bathroom and kitchen. Makes cleaning easier and handy if appliances flood/leak (need replenishing with water to keep water-seal from sewer) • Install hot water system as close as possible to kitchen as that is where you use small amounts of hot water the most • Provision for grey-water collection from laundry, baths and showers if not connecting straight away • Consider locations of outside taps, do you need two right next to each other if they will be split by a pool fence, so you can have one in the pool area • Pre-lay any storm-water pipes under paving, paths and driveways, saves digging up later • Consider pre-laying the toilet vent PVC pipe in the wall cavity so is not visible other than outlet through roof • Install extra outdoor taps for backyard as garden hose is often not long enough to reach entire space • Consider an extra tap for an outdoor alfresco • Check location of downpipes • Make sure taps are placed at correct spots on drawings Services: • For ducted vacuuming measure the distance between ducts on the plans to ensure the hoses are long enough to reach the entire house or invest in a longer hose • Check site for closest gas point, water point and phone conduit, builder will use the closest path to connect these services which may not be what you want/expect. • Consider exhaust fan in the laundry or openable window • Lay a 4” PVC pipe under driveway before it’s laid so water pipe can be laid for reticulated water to front garden • Check drainage for backyard, ensure drains connected to downpipes • Install outdoor gas point (for a BBQ or similar) • Ensure security sensors will not be behind curtains, doors etc…. • Multiple Outdoor taps (particularly on a large home) • Ensure hot water heater is on a concrete base. Heating / Cooling: • Multiple Split system Air Con units that run off a single compressor. Cool only the rooms being used, can work out cheaper on energy costs • Provision for split air conditioners if installing later, think about location in relation to external walls • If installing a split system air conditioner, run a separate circuit from the indoor unit to a junction box on external wall for the outdoor unit and an interconnecting cable between the two units. • Check the location of ceiling vents for heating and cooling in bedrooms so they aren’t directly above occupants heads when beds are moved in • Consider zoned heating so bedrooms and living areas are on separate lines Kitchen: • Check size of fridge recess as most Korean fridges Samsung, LG etc are 900mm wide which is standard width of recess, ask to increase to 1000mm to cover all brands. • Check dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, fridge, microwave spaces will fit the models you want • Check height of rangehood so you don’t hit your head when cooking over stove • Check depth of fridge recess • Get adjustable shelves in kitchen cupboards for different sized items • Useful link if you want those soft closing drawers and want a more affordable option http://www.tim-and-tina.com/ • Proximity of windows to gas cooktop - will a breeze coming in the window affect the cooking flame? Bathroom: • Think about window size in bathrooms, big windows can make bathrooms feel cold • Frosted windows on toilets/bathrooms • Check which way shower doors open and stipulate door opening direction in contract for all doors (entry, pantry, wardrobes, shower, internal) • Ask for tiles to be cleaned and sealed in wet areas so grout doesn’t stain, especially around toilet bowls • Check location of taps in shower so you don’t have to retract arm through the water after turning hot water on • Wall mount bathroom taps saves water pooling around taps and easier to clean • Consider installing an open shower recess instead of shower cabinet • Consider adding glass-shield to both sides of shower screens • Consider nib walls between shower recess and vanity • Think about where you want a medicine cabinet? • Do you want privacy locks in bathrooms? • Consider installing power points under the basin for charging shavers/electric toothbrush Bedroom: • Think about sliding doors for built in robes, not just for saving space but also so you’re not restricted on placement of furniture • Delete all shelving for walk in robes and built in robes if sourcing own shelving after handover and ensure clothes rails aren’t installed as well • Consider increasing width of built in robes, standard width is 500mm which catches on clothes when closing door • Check line of sight when people walk in front door and master suite door is open Laundry: • Check that laundry trough has bypass drain • Consider pull out or pull-down ironing board in laundry for quick ironing jobs • Drying cupboard in laundry, install heating duct in cupboard to dry clothes • Lots of linen cupboard space • Ventilation in the laundry and a sliding entry door, easier when sorting through clothes Living Areas: • Check measurements of furniture, allow 12mm for render on walls and don’t forget floor coverings as well when calculating width/height for recesses, alcoves etc • Ask for wider openings to passageways than the standard, makes it easier to move furniture without having to pull them apart, scratch or bump into corners • At framing stage, take photos of walls in all rooms before gyprock goes on so you know location of studs and noggins for later • Remember curtains and carpet reduce echo in large open plan areas • Install sound insulation in internal walls • If you love hanging lots of pictures, photos etc get builder to install an extra row of nogging so you have a solid row of wood to hang from instead of plasterboard • Consider installing doors to close off open plan areas, provides greater flexibility when kids get older • Leave enough space at the side of windows or doors for window coverings. (we have a sliding door with a window either side in our master bedroom and there's not a great deal of space for curtains to pull back against the wall, so they don't cover the window.) Garage: • Consider installing manhole in garage so tradesman can do all the work from inside the garage and not the house • Check height of garage door in case it needs to be raised for 4WD vehicles and hatchbacks • Consider workshop/storeroom on side of garage, allows extra room for opening car doors, storing bicycles rather than paying for shed later • Ensure driveway is cut into the gutter where it joins the road so car doesn’t touch the bottom when pulling into driveway DATA • Foxtel - Wants data • TV - Wants data • HD Media Players - Wants data • DVD players - Wants data • Computer - Wants data • Printer - Wants data • Networked hard drives - Wants data • Home Security system often requires a second dedicated phone point • A proper Comms external enclosure... + FTTH Internal Lead In to have an External FTTH ONT mounted inside it.. something like this: Bren Enclosures NBN Enclosure • Or get it as part of the full enclosure kit like this S80 Hager B&R • A FTTH Compliant Internal Lead In Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 298Apr 23, 2011 2:04 pm This is a great list thanks everyone. I have one...... If you are doing a knockdown rebuild and have gas, make sure you allow for abolishment fees. I have just been quoted almost $800 for the abolishment of gas lines! This will need to come from our contingency budget as I never thought in a million years I would be charged for this.. Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 299Apr 24, 2011 11:29 pm Brilliant list! Outstanding How about this one, to check that venting from exhausts in bathrooms and kitchen goes outside, not to roofs space. You cannot vent to roof space if you have sarking under your tiles apparently, so best to look out for that one. Re: Things you forget - summary page 11 & 15 300Apr 25, 2011 1:04 am Pos Brilliant list! Outstanding How about this one, to check that venting from exhausts in bathrooms and kitchen goes outside, not to roofs space. You cannot vent to roof space if you have sarking under your tiles apparently, so best to look out for that one. http://www.basix.nsw.gov.au/help_detach ... tions2.gif HTH P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Depends what you're current inclusions are, but we're not including wardrobes and will just use second hand ones until we can save later on to get them built. Also have a… 3 12447 No. It's not original. Circa early to mid 90s would be my guess and maybe even as late as early 2000s 1 7236 A question. Im in Queensland and building a new home. We managed to reach practical completion 6 weeks ago but we haven't heard any date for handover yet. Who should we… 0 6277 |