Incorporating Sustainable Design in Your House Extension

Environmental concerns have become increasingly important over the recent years. The increasing population levels on the planet, when combined with the drive to industrialization and profits at all costs, have put more pressure on our natural resources than ever before. It seems that not a day goes by that we don’t hear news of pollution at different sites, extraordinary levels of waste being generated and the potential toxicity of the products we might want to purchase.

The focus on environmental conditions and sustainability has also been in the spotlight because of extreme weather events amplified by climate change. So often, we hear of 100 year floods and once in a lifetime wildfires events. The problem is, with a rapidly warming and unstable climate, these events are happening every couple of years, not 100 years apart. It’s become very obvious that every person has to do their part to take care of the Earth, and to incorporate sustainability in our everyday lives.Take a Holistic Design ApproachWhen you are planning a major expansion of your home, you can work with building extensions Sydney to take a holistic design approach. You’ll want to examine how the extension will impact not only the inhabitants of the house, but also the neighbours and neighbourhood too.With a holistic approach, you can also look carefully at how both the new and existing space within the home is to be used. Many times, you can have elements within the design serve more than one function, thus improving the yield and efficiency.Goals of Sustainable DesignIf you are planning a substantial expansion of your home, like a first floor addition from building extensions Sydney, you’ll want to work with a contractor with years of experience and success. They will be able to build sustainably and help you and your family creates a sustainable way of life.As you look at adding to your existing home, your designer can help address your current energy use and come up with ways to reduce your overall energy consumption and expenses. They can add, or enable, home energy generation that is renewable too.Key Idea for SustainabilityThere are many approaches you can take to incorporate elements of truly sustainable design. One that you might want to consider is to take a multi-generational approach to housing and your planned house extension. By sharing a home with multiple members and generations of your family, you’ll reduce the overall use and cut total consumption too. With more people available to help, you might even be able to come together and create gardens so you can grow your own food and vegetables.

4 Reasons Why We LOVE Sydney So Much!

There are many beautiful major cities in the world, but Sydney is second to none. From its iconic harbour and skyline to its amazing beaches and multicultural wonderland, you could spend a lifetime revelling in the magic that Sydney has to offer. New discoveries are always waiting around the corner in this cosmopolitan playland by the sea.

The mild climate and beautiful weather in Sydney make it ideal for both residents and visiting travelers alike. Generally, there are over 300 days a year of sunshine so you are able to make the most of your outdoor time. It’s fun to cool off from the hot days of summer with an ocean swim, and to enjoy the distinct but mild temperatures during the other seasons too.

The Harbour

Stunning harbours around the globe have a universal appeal, but Sydney’s oft-photographed harbour is the very definition of an iconic panorama. Picture a perfect azure sky, sunlight dancing on water and illuminating the brilliant architecture of the Opera House and the magnificent Harbour Bridge.

Best of all, there are so many beautiful places to view the harbour from. For a totally idyllic experience, a cruise through the harbour is the perfect choice.

The Views

Sydney is blessed with so many amazing views, from the skyline to its miles of coastline and ocean vistas. Local residents who want to enjoy the immense beauty of those views have found that building extensions in Sydney are the way to go.

When you hire a top-rated building extensions designer and contractor in Sydney, you’ll be able to add tremendous value to your property. You’ll enjoy incredible beauty in your everyday life with the view from the new upper floor of your home.

The Beaches

The coastline of Sydney sports numerous beautiful beaches, which you can enjoy almost eight months out of the year. While world-renowned Bondi beach is the most famous, there are many other delightful beaches that are perfect for a swim or a seaside meal of fish ‘n’ chips.

You’ll be able to select from great spots for surfing, calm placid waters or picture perfect coves. You can also enjoy the nature trails and beach-to-beach strolls along the coast.

Nearby Green Space and National Parks

Sydney residents who are looking for a break from the city can enjoy the wonders of Blue Mountains National Park. When you stand on a bluff above the forest, you feel like you are viewing a primeval wilderness untouched by humankind.

The Blue Mountains are so named because the vast Eucalyptus forest casts off fine droplets of oil which mix with water vapour and dust to give the forest its distinctive blue haze.

4 Essential Questions to Ask Your Building Contractor

Not many people are in the position where they have the opportunity to completely build their house from scratch, but most people at some stage will do a big extension of some sort on their homes.

Building or extending your home is one of the biggest financial commitments that you will make in your life, thus it’s incredibly important to ensure that you get it right.

Before you hire building contractors Sydney or a building contractor northern beaches you should first make sure that the people you are hiring will do the best job of your building extensions Sydney.

There are a number of essential factors that your building contractors must pass to ensure that they will build the home that you want, without getting you into financial trouble.

Here are the four essential questions that you should ask building contractors Sydney or a building contractor northern beaches before they go ahead with your building extensions Sydney:

1. Do you hold a valid license?

Much like driving a car – you need a valid license to be a certified building contractor in Australia. Before you fork out any cash or sign any documents, ensure that your builder has got a license from the state building industry regulator.

To become a licensed builder, your contractor will have to have gone through requisite training, which ensures that they are professional and competent enough to build houses.

The licenses vary from state to state though, so just contact your state regulating authority if you want to find out more.

2. Are you covered by warranty?

Much like any industry, in building there are a few bad eggs that can give everyone else a bad name. Thus it’s important to ensure that you have full coverage for any sort of mistake, incompetence or failure to complete the project.

All builders in Australia need to have Homeowners Warranty Insurance Policy. Make sure that you see this contract and other warranty material for workmanship before your sign any paperwork.

3. What about experience?

The process of building your home isn’t just expensive but it’s also something that you are emotionally invested in and that’s why you don’t want to hire a builder that hasn’t got experience or has never done something similar to what you are looking for.

Ensure that you go through the portfolio to check that their workmanship and experience is where you need it to be for your requirements.

4. Has the builder given you a comprehensive contract of sale?

The contract of sale needs to include details such as time-frames, details of work, exclusions and the agreed upon price for the building process.

Make sure you read through this contract carefully and that you question anything that you aren’t sure of.

Planning a Home Renovation? Avoid these Mistakes!

 

When it comes to home renovations Sydney homeowners know that it makes sense to use experienced contractors with a good reputation.

From architects to designers, renovation experts to tradesmen, if you don’t employ specialists, you’re unlikely to get the renovation of your dreams.

And this is especially true if you’re planning to upgrade your bathroom, as there are so many things that could go wrong, from minor mishaps to major catastrophes.

But before we put you off starting any kind of home or bathroom renovations, Northern Beaches bathroom renovation experts have come up with a list of the top three mistakes people make when renovating their bathrooms.

1. Not Setting your Budget

Getting your budget right is a major consideration when you’re planning a bathroom or indeed any home renovation.

Set your budget at the outset and don’t forget to include a ‘contingency’ fund for those unforeseen expenses.

2. Being Unrealistic

Although you may have your fantasy bathroom all designed in your head, can you actually afford everything that you want?

Once you have set your budget, you need to be realistic. It may be that you can’t afford that gold-plated waterfall shower but can hunt down a cheaper alternative.

You’ll also need to ensure that you have copies of contracts and the scope of work, so that you get exactly what you’ve agreed with your contractor.

They’ll also give you confidence that all necessary building codes will be met, and that your new work won’t invalidate any existing home warranty.

You’ll find that when you engage companies who specialise in home renovations, Sydney builders should provide all this as standard.

3. Employing Relatives and Friends

While this may seem like an answer to your prayers, it’s often a recipe for disaster. For starters, if they’re doing it ‘on the cheap’ or ‘on the side’, you’re unlikely to be their main priority.

And, unless they know how to do all the work that’s required from ripping out your existing fixtures to waterproofing, plumbing, sorting out all electrics and tiling, they’re likely to need extra help which could bump up your overall cost.

The takeaway: Choose a company that can handle your whole project

For fuss-free renovations Northern Beaches homeowners will find that it makes sense to choose a reliable and reputable company that can project manage the renovation from start to finish.

While it may be a more expensive option than pulling all the tradesmen together yourself, or relying on friends and family to help you out, you can expect a professional result backed up with all appropriate warranties.