Browse Forums Building A New House Re: When do PD do their 5 star energy rating?? 7Aug 26, 2008 10:01 am We didn't include insulation in our price with PD and upon getting to contract, were slugged with $900 in extras for the insulation. We had added a few sliding doors and bigger windows which resulted in an upgrade to the required insulation. After reading a few posts here though, we were half expecting it so not a total shock. Re: When do PD do their 5 star energy rating?? 8Aug 26, 2008 1:26 pm As mentioned in another thread, we included Double glazing, ceiling and wall batts, at contract stage and PD hardly had to do anything for the rating. All they did was add a 'Raven' doorstrip to the bathroom door and a full door seal to the laundry. If intending to add insulation to your home, add it after the rating has been acheived which is after the contract is drawn and then you can see what is left to upgrade after PD have done their bit. Cheers, Tim -------------------------------------------------------- Built 'Cremorne 41' with PD - Handover took place in Nov '08 http://homeforourcherubs.blogspot.com/ Re: When do PD do their 5 star energy rating?? 9Aug 26, 2008 3:44 pm Interestingly, we got our final (contract) plans from Simonds and they have upgraded our insulation to 4.0 in the ceiling and added double-glazed windows in all the bedrooms to meet the 5-star requirement. All at no cost to us. ![]() Re: When do PD do their 5 star energy rating?? 11Aug 26, 2008 9:26 pm The energy rating is largely a paper exercise, which is quite sad. Something that is 5 stars on paper may not be 5 stars in reality. Re: When do PD do their 5 star energy rating?? 13Aug 28, 2008 7:17 am The energy rating can change depending on a lot of things - mostly due to customer variations, like additional or larger windows etc. Cheers, Tim -------------------------------------------------------- Built 'Cremorne 41' with PD - Handover took place in Nov '08 http://homeforourcherubs.blogspot.com/ Re: When do PD do their 5 star energy rating?? 14Aug 28, 2008 8:44 am The energy rating is site specific with orientation being a major influencing input to the calculation.
Overshadowing from neighbouring structures (site specific) is another main item. i.e. an unobstructed west facing window will rate worse than if there were a neighbouring building say 2 meters away shading the glass. Volume builders who advertise their homes as '5 star' will have (generally) had a rating done as a 'stand alone', to the optimum orientation for the particular design. When the home is then placed on a specific site a final rating will identify requirements for that particular orientation etc. As the design is 'locked in' with window sizes, location etc, the only alternative for the builder if increased levels are required is to up the insulation levels and/or upgrade the glazing levels which can add many thousands ( even 10's of thousands to the base price. ) I haven't studied their contract wording but I imagine there would be a clause similar to foundation costs in the contracts. Similar to an escape clause for foundations such as 'subject to soil report' it would be prudent to request ' subject to energy rating report'. In the 6 odd years since 5 star has been mandatory in Vic we have not rated a 'stock' home to 6 stars. Hope this helps & didn't run off topic too much. Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: When do PD do their 5 star energy rating?? 15Aug 28, 2008 1:26 pm ![]() In the 6 odd years since 5 star has been mandatory in Vic we have not rated a 'stock' home to 6 stars. Wow - that is absolutely atrocious. What about Burbank's "6 star" range? Our house had the highest rating the salesperson had ever seen ... and that was before adding sarking and internal insulation. Wonder how many new home owners happily give money to green groups etc but don't give a thought to such a simple thing as the orientation of their new home. The Porter Davis house down the street makes me cry. Big block, nice looking place, but all of the living room windows face either south or west ... with the classic alfresco on the south side. You reckon the PD salesperson would say "spend a little bit of money to move your crossover, and let's flip this house so that your living area faces north"? 10 years ago was a different software than we use now. it has had a lot of changes over the past years. Improvments to the software and changes to how Nathers models need… 8 17580 ![]() Yes it is a take it or leave it contract, standard form contract. Can try and negotiate terms and conditions. Best to sit down with dictionary and read contract, read… 7 17609 It depends on how much load coming on the wall framing. However you can use more top and bottom plates and studs and/or higher timber grade if required to maintain the 70mm frame. 4 11812 |