Kit homes
Jun 20th 2003, 11:54 am
#46
Banned
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Angle vale Sth Australia
Posts: 5,353
Originally posted by dotty
Main problem I can see is finding an estate that will allow you to put one up. What you can build here is highly regualted by Councils and Developer. Kit homes do not have the snob value required by most Aussies. They do not want one next door. Cannot see one going into any suburban housiing estate here.
Acerage/one off blocks may be your best chance.
Australia also gets cyclones. Cyclone Ratings have to be complied with in these parts. New building codes regarding energy and insulation also coming in in Spetember.
Beware any quote that does not include site works. This is where the big guys get their money. The average punter has no idea about Soil tests, engineeering reports and big costs involved here. You could easily be looking at 30grand if footings/foundations, excavations not included.
Self build here is not worth your trouble. Firstly if a registered builder builds a home it comes with a 6 year structural warranty. Self builders cannot give this, so nobody wants to buy them.
Also one off jobs are going to be quoted way over the odds of what the big guys building 200 odd homes pay. It will cost you more most likelly.
What nobody here probably realises, there is plenty of cheap land in OZ. However you will need to move out to get it. This is the most Suburban country in the world, everybody wants to live in the same bits, hence the land lottos, camp outs, to get a bit of land. Move 3 hours west of Brisbane and they will probably try giving it to you, well hundreds of acres for what you pay for a suburban block here anyway.
As for getting a parcel of land to subdivide, the land developers here are big corporations, anything worth dividing is sold for tens of millions+. Even if you found one would you have the knowledge and years and bonds available to develop it?
Sunshine Coast for example still has houses for $200,000 Nambour, Woombye, Chevalum, Landsborough.
Brisbane, still has them too, outer areas may be older and Ipswich has plenty but super hot in summer.
Remember Aussies all swarm to the same place. Look just a few klms off track for eg. (Nambour is 15 klm to the beaches) has hospital, shops, redevelopment planned, Council offices, Pool, theatre but it has never taken off.
Badger, as for you my little Outback James Bond, you should find houses well under $100,000 if you are really prepared to live in the Outback, cheap cheap cheap out away from the main towns.
Main problem I can see is finding an estate that will allow you to put one up. What you can build here is highly regualted by Councils and Developer. Kit homes do not have the snob value required by most Aussies. They do not want one next door. Cannot see one going into any suburban housiing estate here.
Acerage/one off blocks may be your best chance.
Australia also gets cyclones. Cyclone Ratings have to be complied with in these parts. New building codes regarding energy and insulation also coming in in Spetember.
Beware any quote that does not include site works. This is where the big guys get their money. The average punter has no idea about Soil tests, engineeering reports and big costs involved here. You could easily be looking at 30grand if footings/foundations, excavations not included.
Self build here is not worth your trouble. Firstly if a registered builder builds a home it comes with a 6 year structural warranty. Self builders cannot give this, so nobody wants to buy them.
Also one off jobs are going to be quoted way over the odds of what the big guys building 200 odd homes pay. It will cost you more most likelly.
What nobody here probably realises, there is plenty of cheap land in OZ. However you will need to move out to get it. This is the most Suburban country in the world, everybody wants to live in the same bits, hence the land lottos, camp outs, to get a bit of land. Move 3 hours west of Brisbane and they will probably try giving it to you, well hundreds of acres for what you pay for a suburban block here anyway.
As for getting a parcel of land to subdivide, the land developers here are big corporations, anything worth dividing is sold for tens of millions+. Even if you found one would you have the knowledge and years and bonds available to develop it?
Sunshine Coast for example still has houses for $200,000 Nambour, Woombye, Chevalum, Landsborough.
Brisbane, still has them too, outer areas may be older and Ipswich has plenty but super hot in summer.
Remember Aussies all swarm to the same place. Look just a few klms off track for eg. (Nambour is 15 klm to the beaches) has hospital, shops, redevelopment planned, Council offices, Pool, theatre but it has never taken off.
Badger, as for you my little Outback James Bond, you should find houses well under $100,000 if you are really prepared to live in the Outback, cheap cheap cheap out away from the main towns.
MM
Jun 20th 2003, 11:55 am
#47
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by badgersmount
indeed - I am well aware about buying land..I have been looking..
so far you can buy heaps of land in Orange and Dubbo, Parkes - from 25-75k - more than you'd ever need - like 1-2 acres in parts - but not a tiny quarter of an acre or less say on on the extreme outskirts of Sydney or Newcastle!!
But you need a plot size big enough to not have the neighbours complain.
I only need, say 300 sqm2 for christ sakes - not the quarter acre and above..
Need to actually go and look - as always online is not the best place to look.
Is it any wonder why the Gold Coast types hate it - they have to live with snobby estate neighbours!!
badgers
indeed - I am well aware about buying land..I have been looking..
so far you can buy heaps of land in Orange and Dubbo, Parkes - from 25-75k - more than you'd ever need - like 1-2 acres in parts - but not a tiny quarter of an acre or less say on on the extreme outskirts of Sydney or Newcastle!!
But you need a plot size big enough to not have the neighbours complain.
I only need, say 300 sqm2 for christ sakes - not the quarter acre and above..
Need to actually go and look - as always online is not the best place to look.
Is it any wonder why the Gold Coast types hate it - they have to live with snobby estate neighbours!!
badgers
Jun 20th 2003, 11:57 am
#48
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: newbury
Posts: 1,015
it's interesting the comments about 'kit homes'
my ex g/f used to work for wesbury homes hq in cheltenham
her boss was instructed to investigate the possibility of 'kit' homes which are built in factories and transported to site and assembled there saving huge costs and not constrained by the weather
very simular to 'curtain walling' etc but a step further
homes in the future will not be made anyother way..
once we can all get past this silly 'my home is my castle and should look like one too' stuff
part of our energy problem is that we've go too many old houses (which are of no real architectural value) which refuse to fall down and cost fortune to maintain and heat etc
cheers
richard
my ex g/f used to work for wesbury homes hq in cheltenham
her boss was instructed to investigate the possibility of 'kit' homes which are built in factories and transported to site and assembled there saving huge costs and not constrained by the weather
very simular to 'curtain walling' etc but a step further
homes in the future will not be made anyother way..
once we can all get past this silly 'my home is my castle and should look like one too' stuff
part of our energy problem is that we've go too many old houses (which are of no real architectural value) which refuse to fall down and cost fortune to maintain and heat etc
cheers
richard
Jun 20th 2003, 12:36 pm
#49
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 498
If what you mean by 'kit home' is 'timber frame home' then they are all over the place in Queensland. I've been in Brisbane for six months and every new construction I've seen is timber frame. They knocked one up over the road from me recently. It took about two months from start to finish. They even installed the bath before they put the brick skin on. Haven't seen a brick built home being constructed anywhere around here (other than on developers sites).
Personally I hate timber frame. They look like wendy houses. The bricks they use for the veneer are often various uncoordinated shades that horrible pale yellow colour that you wouldn't touch with a barge pole in the UK.
I'm someone will correct me if I'm wrong but it seems to be OK to just use timber in SE Queensland. Once you get up in the cyclone belt then I believe you have to use steel joists.
If you want cheap land then I've seen some plots going on Russell Island (just outside Brisbane) for as little as $10k. There is obviously a huge downside for them to be this cheap. Probably the fact that there are no roads connecting it to the mainland and the island is made mostly of sand. Why not buy one of those plots and stick your wendy house on it ?
Personally I hate timber frame. They look like wendy houses. The bricks they use for the veneer are often various uncoordinated shades that horrible pale yellow colour that you wouldn't touch with a barge pole in the UK.
I'm someone will correct me if I'm wrong but it seems to be OK to just use timber in SE Queensland. Once you get up in the cyclone belt then I believe you have to use steel joists.
If you want cheap land then I've seen some plots going on Russell Island (just outside Brisbane) for as little as $10k. There is obviously a huge downside for them to be this cheap. Probably the fact that there are no roads connecting it to the mainland and the island is made mostly of sand. Why not buy one of those plots and stick your wendy house on it ?
Jun 20th 2003, 12:41 pm
#50
Guest
Posts: n/a
paal do their kit homes with STEEL frames and many others you can specify steel.
I think etlniwd is right. Scandinavians have been building timber homes for decades.
I think there is too much snobbery - and let's face it brick veneer is a timber frame house with a layer of bricks anyhow.
Incidentally you can buy them in the UK - paying say pounds rather than dollars - and I was amazed to find really cheap land in the UK for £15k etc!!
badgers
I think etlniwd is right. Scandinavians have been building timber homes for decades.
I think there is too much snobbery - and let's face it brick veneer is a timber frame house with a layer of bricks anyhow.
Incidentally you can buy them in the UK - paying say pounds rather than dollars - and I was amazed to find really cheap land in the UK for £15k etc!!
badgers
Jun 20th 2003, 12:48 pm
#51
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by The Tooth Fairy
Exactly as possible, Why do you want to own a dwelling?
Exactly as possible, Why do you want to own a dwelling?
For example by not inheriting any money from my skint parents who still rent their council flat it is now impossible for me to live in the UK - and if I did I would be mortgaged to the hilt and have to get a high paying job - even in the country - where there are less jobs anyhow.
By buying:
a) you earn own it and then free up capital
b) you can sell it at capital appreciation, or at least the land.
badgers
Jun 20th 2003, 1:22 pm
#52
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2003
Location: Exit UK 23rd Mar 2004, arriving in NZ 29th Mar (stop off LA Disney)
Posts: 385
Left over screws and bolts
bound to happen with Kit homes, always happens to my with anything I self-assemble(IKEA).
Jun 20th 2003, 1:46 pm
#53
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by badgersmount
I want to own my own home as my own life and my parent's life has been blighted by being renters.
For example by not inheriting any money from my skint parents who still rent their council flat it is now impossible for me to live in the UK - and if I did I would be mortgaged to the hilt and have to get a high paying job - even in the country - where there are less jobs anyhow.
By buying:
a) you earn own it and then free up capital
b) you can sell it at capital appreciation, or at least the land.
badgers
I want to own my own home as my own life and my parent's life has been blighted by being renters.
For example by not inheriting any money from my skint parents who still rent their council flat it is now impossible for me to live in the UK - and if I did I would be mortgaged to the hilt and have to get a high paying job - even in the country - where there are less jobs anyhow.
By buying:
a) you earn own it and then free up capital
b) you can sell it at capital appreciation, or at least the land.
badgers
Most of the capital appreciation occurs in 1 to 2 years in a cyclic boom as we are / have just experienced.
HOUSES do not appreciate - they ALL depreciate; only certain LOCATIONS appreciate.
Much of the current increase in price (~1/3) is due to the improvements owners have made to their houses above and beyond normal costs associated with upkeep. Often the improvements are not profitable.
Generally, the locations which have appreciated most, both in $ and % terms, are those which were already the most expensive.
Owning your home outright is a strong foundation to financial stability for most. A strong business is better but few achieve that. Owning in the best location you can afford with the lowest mortgage you can achieve is the best advice for most.
In essence, owning a house is a declaration that you intend to settle in that location for many years.
Jun 20th 2003, 1:50 pm
#54
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left over screws and bolts
Can you imagine it?!
I was looking at the Paal site, they seem to claim to supply the mother of all manuals..as it is all steel construction you screw thinghs together rather than cut etc..
i can imagine it now...
Roof. You may need a helper for this one...cut along line 'A' and paste Roof 'C' to wall 'B'. Repeat for all 4 corners.
Leave to dry.
;-)
badgers
PS Paal look great - even McGrath bought one!
I was looking at the Paal site, they seem to claim to supply the mother of all manuals..as it is all steel construction you screw thinghs together rather than cut etc..
i can imagine it now...
Roof. You may need a helper for this one...cut along line 'A' and paste Roof 'C' to wall 'B'. Repeat for all 4 corners.
Leave to dry.
;-)
badgers
PS Paal look great - even McGrath bought one!
Jun 20th 2003, 2:53 pm
#55
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 92
Re: Left over screws and bolts
Originally posted by badgersmount
Can you imagine it?!
I was looking at the Paal site, they seem to claim to supply the mother of all manuals..as it is all steel construction you screw thinghs together rather than cut etc..
i can imagine it now...
Roof. You may need a helper for this one...cut along line 'A' and paste Roof 'C' to wall 'B'. Repeat for all 4 corners.
Leave to dry.
;-)
badgers
PS Paal look great - even McGrath bought one!
Can you imagine it?!
I was looking at the Paal site, they seem to claim to supply the mother of all manuals..as it is all steel construction you screw thinghs together rather than cut etc..
i can imagine it now...
Roof. You may need a helper for this one...cut along line 'A' and paste Roof 'C' to wall 'B'. Repeat for all 4 corners.
Leave to dry.
;-)
badgers
PS Paal look great - even McGrath bought one!
Things are changing in the UK too, we looked at a new development a couple of weeks ago. All the houses are timber Frame with Stone Cladding. The first houses that were built two years ago have increased in value 100 percent.
We looked around a couple of them and they are great, well finished, good quality fittings etc.
Jun 20th 2003, 5:42 pm
#56
A Male Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Townsville
Posts: 2,106
What about longevity?
For instance, my parents home is 60 years old, and still as solid as the day it was built. They could own it for a further 10 years and sell it without worry that the place might be on its way out.
Now, i don't know anything about housing.....but i would'nt have thought a quick build timber frame home would last "that" well?
Im probably being daft....but do these places last?
Pete "confused in a solid brick home in Orpington" Y......
For instance, my parents home is 60 years old, and still as solid as the day it was built. They could own it for a further 10 years and sell it without worry that the place might be on its way out.
Now, i don't know anything about housing.....but i would'nt have thought a quick build timber frame home would last "that" well?
Im probably being daft....but do these places last?
Pete "confused in a solid brick home in Orpington" Y......
Jun 20th 2003, 11:55 pm
#57
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by PeteY
What about longevity?
For instance, my parents home is 60 years old, and still as solid as the day it was built. They could own it for a further 10 years and sell it without worry that the place might be on its way out.
Now, i don't know anything about housing.....but i would'nt have thought a quick build timber frame home would last "that" well?
Im probably being daft....but do these places last?
Pete "confused in a solid brick home in Orpington" Y......
What about longevity?
For instance, my parents home is 60 years old, and still as solid as the day it was built. They could own it for a further 10 years and sell it without worry that the place might be on its way out.
Now, i don't know anything about housing.....but i would'nt have thought a quick build timber frame home would last "that" well?
Im probably being daft....but do these places last?
Pete "confused in a solid brick home in Orpington" Y......
Jun 20th 2003, 11:59 pm
#58
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by etlniwd
If what you mean by 'kit home' is 'timber frame home' then they are all over the place in Queensland. I've been in Brisbane for six months and every new construction I've seen is timber frame. They knocked one up over the road from me recently. It took about two months from start to finish. They even installed the bath before they put the brick skin on. Haven't seen a brick built home being constructed anywhere around here (other than on developers sites).
Personally I hate timber frame. They look like wendy houses. The bricks they use for the veneer are often various uncoordinated shades that horrible pale yellow colour that you wouldn't touch with a barge pole in the UK.
I'm someone will correct me if I'm wrong but it seems to be OK to just use timber in SE Queensland. Once you get up in the cyclone belt then I believe you have to use steel joists.
If you want cheap land then I've seen some plots going on Russell Island (just outside Brisbane) for as little as $10k. There is obviously a huge downside for them to be this cheap. Probably the fact that there are no roads connecting it to the mainland and the island is made mostly of sand. Why not buy one of those plots and stick your wendy house on it ?
If what you mean by 'kit home' is 'timber frame home' then they are all over the place in Queensland. I've been in Brisbane for six months and every new construction I've seen is timber frame. They knocked one up over the road from me recently. It took about two months from start to finish. They even installed the bath before they put the brick skin on. Haven't seen a brick built home being constructed anywhere around here (other than on developers sites).
Personally I hate timber frame. They look like wendy houses. The bricks they use for the veneer are often various uncoordinated shades that horrible pale yellow colour that you wouldn't touch with a barge pole in the UK.
I'm someone will correct me if I'm wrong but it seems to be OK to just use timber in SE Queensland. Once you get up in the cyclone belt then I believe you have to use steel joists.
If you want cheap land then I've seen some plots going on Russell Island (just outside Brisbane) for as little as $10k. There is obviously a huge downside for them to be this cheap. Probably the fact that there are no roads connecting it to the mainland and the island is made mostly of sand. Why not buy one of those plots and stick your wendy house on it ?
Jun 21st 2003, 12:33 am
#59
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 114
I think this is a very useful piece of information you have posted on Building Materials, whether building or buying a house. Thanks for taking the time and finding it.
Sue
Sue
Jun 21st 2003, 1:09 am
#60
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Near Glasgow
Posts: 68
Originally posted by PeteY
What about longevity?
For instance, my parents home is 60 years old, and still as solid as the day it was built. They could own it for a further 10 years and sell it without worry that the place might be on its way out.
Now, i don't know anything about housing.....but i would'nt have thought a quick build timber frame home would last "that" well?
Im probably being daft....but do these places last?
Pete "confused in a solid brick home in Orpington" Y......
What about longevity?
For instance, my parents home is 60 years old, and still as solid as the day it was built. They could own it for a further 10 years and sell it without worry that the place might be on its way out.
Now, i don't know anything about housing.....but i would'nt have thought a quick build timber frame home would last "that" well?
Im probably being daft....but do these places last?
Pete "confused in a solid brick home in Orpington" Y......
a timber kit house will last as long as any traditional brick house, as it has a brick finish on the exterior.Sure you will agree chippy!,
Also, the interior walls will remain straighter than any traditional built house.
Once a kit house is finished there is no visible differences between it and a traditional house.
The majority of new houses in Scotland are kit homes.
Will post some pics when i get a chance to show you an example of one I built last year.
Cheers, Iain.
