Choosing the Right Tapware for your new home

img. ABI Interiors.

Choosing The Right Tapware For Your New Home

When it comes to building a new home, choosing the right tapware can be just as important as choosing the right colors and finishes. Tapware not only serves a functional purpose, but it can also add style and personality to your new home. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect tapware for your new home.

Consider the Style of Your Home

The style of your home should play a big role in the tapware you choose. If you're building a traditional home, you may want to choose tapware with classic and elegant designs, such as crosshead or lever handles. If you're building a modern home, you may want to choose tapware with sleek and minimalist designs, such as mixer taps or wall-mounted taps.

Think About the Function of Each Room

The function of each room in your home should also play a role in the tapware you choose. For example, if you're designing a bathroom, you may want to choose tapware with a high spout to make it easier to wash your face or brush your teeth. If you're designing a kitchen, you may want to choose tapware with a pull-out spray to make it easier to wash dishes or fill pots.

Consider the Finish of the Tapware

The finish of the tapware can also have a big impact on the look and feel of your new home. Chrome is a popular choice for tapware as it is durable and easy to clean. However, if you want to add a touch of luxury to your new home, you may want to consider tapware with a brushed nickel or matte black finish.

Think About the Water Efficiency

Water efficiency is becoming increasingly important, and choosing tapware that is water-efficient can help you save money on your water bills. Look for tapware with a high WELS rating, which indicates that the tapware is water-efficient.

Consider the Brand and Quality

Finally, it's important to choose tapware from a reputable brand that is known for its quality and durability. While it may be tempting to choose cheaper tapware, investing in high-quality tapware can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for repairs and replacements.

In conclusion, choosing the right tapware for your new home is an important decision that can have a big impact on the look and feel of your space. By considering the style of your home, the function of each room, the finish of the tapware, the water efficiency, and the brand and quality, you can choose the perfect tapware to make your new home both functional and stylish.

First Home Owner Grant Boost Welcome News for buyers

The Governments First Home Owner Grant boost is now open for applications!

A welcome relief to prospective first home buyers, the Government has announced a boost to their First Home Owner Grant doubling the previous grant amount to $30,000.  The FHOG is available to eligible applicants building or buying a new home or those looking to purchase a home that has had extensive renovations completed.

What residences are included in the FHOG eligibility?

Applicants must purchase a home with a value not exceeding $750,000. This include both land and home (and any variations included in these contracts). The home must not have been lived in or sold as a place of residence at time of purchase.

This could be:

• house, unit, duplex or townhouse; or a detached dwelling built on a relative’s land (e.g. granny flat, tiny home)

• home that has been moved from one site to another (including kit homes or modular homes)

• home in a manufactured home park

• substantially renovated home

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for the grant applicants must

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with someone who is) 18 years or older

• Not have previously received the FHOG in Australia (this includes spouses)

• Not have previously owned a home in Australia that they lived in (applicants who have owned a home as an investment property may still be eligible for the grant)

• Live in the residence for at least six months in the first year of owning the home

Applicants will have access to the grant boost until the 30th of June in 2025. The QLD Governments website has an eligibility tester for the FHOG if applicants are unsure on whether they meet the criteria.

Applicants have twelve months to apply for the grant after taking possession of the new home or reaching build completion. It’s important to note that the government advises not to account for FHOG as part of the home deposit as the payments for the grant are received in varying stages.

Check out the QLD Government’s website for information on applying for the grant if you fit the eligibility criteria

https://qro.qld.gov.au/property-concessions-grants/first-home-grant/

Tips to Save For Your First Home Deposit

Saving for your first home deposit can be a bit of a daunting task. With the cost of living increasing it can seem impossible to also think about having to save for a home loan. It doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. There are several different strategies you can adopt to help get you on the right path

Budget

Budget is the most important factor in your strategy. Finding an easy solution to tracking your budget will be the quickest way to success. Whether you choose to download and app and log your daily spends to keep an eye on patterns and places you could improve, or maybe give yourself a weekly spending allowance that you know save you money from the get go. There are plenty of ways to budget but not every route will work for everyone – find the best one that suits you and keeps you motivated.

Sacrifice’s need to be made

What can you sacrifice to scrape a few extra dollars together each week? To stay on track make sure what you sacrifice is not going to dip your motivation. Whatever you sacrifice replace with something new and exciting that’s a money-friendly exercise. If you’re sacrificing your weekly restaurant meal make sure you replace it with something fun and exciting – try a new recipe each week from a different country or mix it up by taking turns with friends to cook dinner for each other. The sacrifice needs to be worth it in order to make it a habit and to ensure you stick to it. A new fun, free or cheaper activity is the perfect way to stay on track!

Do your research

It’s important when thinking about embarking on the home owning journey to know what a realistic goal for you and your family is. Overcapitalising on your first home is not a position you want to be in. The ideal scenario for a first home buyer is a smaller home that you can put a little bit of money into to increase your gains when you’re ready to sell up and find your next home. Talk to a broker about what is a realistic goal for you financially and make sure you’re covered for worst case scenario. Interest rates are likely to continue rising so preparing for it now ensures you’re covered. A broker will also be able to help you discover what grants and boosts from the government you are eligible for. They will be able to offer advice on what you can do to become more eligible for financial support.

Get money Savvy

Have you ever tried ringing your insurance company and asking for a discount? Many people aren’t aware that with a bit of bargaining and shopping around on your utilities and expenses like insurance, that you can actually save yourself a lot of money each year. Set yourself a date in the calendar to sit down each year and go over each utility and bill and see if you can get a better rate and if not, shop around! This goes for everything – if you’re super savvy you’ll even know to look into your bank each year. Interest rates change frequently. Make sure you’re getting the biggest interest percentage on your deposit account – every little bit counts.

Owning your own home is a big part of the Australian dream. With cost of living on the rise it’s a stretch for some families (especially those renting in a high-priced market) to think about putting those few extra dollars away to save for their own home. With the right motivation and preparation it’s not an impossible dream!

The Haven - Esprit Constructions Newest Display Home

Esprit Constructions newest Display Home the Haven 272 is relaxed living made easy for the everyday family.

The beautiful display home features four large bedrooms, two and half bathrooms, multiple living spaces and a large open plan kitchen and dining space

Upon entering the home, you are drawn into the study area at the very front of the home. With enough space for two office chairs this study provides room for the kids to complete their homework in a tidy space or for mum and dad to work from home on days that the kids might be unwell.

Behind the spacious study is a rumpus area that features a bench seat nook which is pressed against a large, fixed glass panel and louvre that offer both beautiful breezes and uninterrupted views to the outdoors making nature feel that little bit closer. This room is the perfect space for the kids to watch movies and read books and play while mum and dad sit uninterrupted in the living area enjoy a coffee or watching a movie.

The bedrooms are all sectioned together and are all close to the main bathroom of the home. There is a larger bedroom which features a walk-in robe and a study desk – perfect for the eldest child in the family.

The master suite is located at the rear of the home and offers a complete Haven for its occupants. With a large walk-in robe, the enormous bedroom offers plenty of space to relax and recharge. The bedroom flows into the spacious ensuite which features a double vanity with louvered windows on either side providing the perfect cool breeze for extra ventilation.

At the centre of the home is the kitchen, dining and main living areas. The open plan design brings each of these areas together creating more opportunities to spend time with family. The expansive kitchen island offers bench seating for the family to enjoy breakfast or casual conversation while meals are being prepared. It turns the kitchen into a place to gather and be together. With plenty of storage space and the large pantry, this kitchen is perfect for families that love to cook.

The open plan living flows out onto the eastern facing patio via a large stacker door. Bringing the inside outside is quintessential North Queensland living. This home is perfect for enjoying meals on the back patio during those beautiful summer evenings.

The Haven is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 2pm. We’re located at 8 Regency Crescent in Beaconsfield Heights. Come walk through and see what the fuss is all about.

Entertaining the kids at home

We get it – baby, it’s cold outside. Let’s face it – we don’t get many cold days in a year in North Queensland but when we do you can guarantee we’re not venturing outside! If you’re stuck inside with the kids on a chilly day here’s some ideas to keep them happy and keep you sane!

Movie Time

Set up the loungeroom with some extra blankets and pillows, a space for each individual to lay back and relax while the movie is on. Throw some popcorn in the microwave while you start preparing some hot chocolates. Use a marker and some paper cups to make individual popcorn cups for each person! Or if your family aren’t into popcorn cut up some fruits and snack and place them on a little platter so everyone can nibble while watching the film.

Story Time

Challenge your kids creative abilities and ask them to tell you a story. You can pick a theme – spooky stories always go down a treat! Or make up a story together. One person starts and as you go round each person adds their share to the story!

Treasure Hunt

This is a great way to keep kids busy and give yourself ten minutes to relax. Tear some paper into ten pieces. On each piece write a little clue as to where the next piece will be hidden. Place them around the home and place a little bowl of treats at the final location for the kids to find. Once you’ve set up the treasure hunt give the kids a hint to the location of the first clue and away they go!

Bake, baby, bake

The cold weather makes us all hungry. What better time than a chilly day to do some baking with the kids - warm the house up, stimulate their brains and keep their hands busy at the same time! Keeping pre-mix packets in your pantry ready for days like this is a great idea. If you aren’t that prepared though try making something simple like pancakes! You can add chocolate chips, berries or bananas if you have any to mix things up.

Get Creative

If you have any art supplies stored away – now’s the time to bring it out. Set the kids up in area that has space to get a little messy and let them go. Put an old sheet on the floor if you’re worried about any damage from paint spills. If the kids are a little unsure on what to paint give them a task – paint a portrait or a picture of a landmark they are familiar with. Challenge them to be creative. Remember to supervise where necessary or otherwise put those feet up and enjoy a well-deserved ten minute coffee break!

Selecting the Community You Build In

An important part of choosing where to live is making sure the community suits your lifestyle and your families needs. Engaging in your local community can really make a difference in your life so choosing the right one is imperative.

The Centre for public Impact defines community as a group of people who share a story that is important to them – and what more important story could we share than where we call home (Centreforpublicimpact.org, 2021). A community can provide a sense of belonging but also provide support and comfort in times of need.

Beaconsfield Heights, located in Mackay, is a central, quiet estate with established homes and upcoming developments ready for new homes. The expansive estate provides quiet streets with pathways for family’s to enjoy the outdoors together. With no major roads through the estate it means only local traffic flows through the area providing a safer environment and less worry for families with young children.

 Surrounded by green rural views and even a small creek there is plenty of exploring to do around the community. The estate is centrally located, close to schools, parks, shopping centres and much more. Bunning’s is just a short distance away for any home reno or gardening projects with a fuel station at an even closer location. Everything you need is just a short distance away.

Our newest Display home – The Haven – is located within Beaconsfield Heights because we truly believe the surrounding community has a warm, welcoming feel that we want all of our clients to be able to experience.

If a quiet, close-knit community sounds like the ideal place for you then come talk to us about what land is available in the area and how we can help you get started on building in your future community

Lowe, T. (2021). What is ‘community’ and why is it important? [online] Centre For Public Impact (CPI). Available at: https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/insights/what-is-community-and-why-is-it-important.

Creating a Relaxing Home Environment

Busy lifestyles can be very draining and leave us feeling over stimulated and exhausted. Coming home to a relaxing environment can ensure you aren’t burnt out at the end of the day, unable to enjoy time with the family. Our newest Display home The Haven, has relaxed family living at it’s core. Here’s some tips to help you create the same feeling at home

Clutter

Everyone loves a good declutter. Whilst it’s important to decorate a home with lots of personal touches it’s also just as important to ensure you’re not over doing it. Choose decorative items that serve a purpose to fill a space but ensure there is also plenty of whitespace happening around them. Visual clutter can be an effective way to drain your energy – the term ‘less is more’ should come to mind when decorating your home and filling rooms with belongings. Having a space for everything ensures that tidy-up time is more manageable and the likeliness of coming home to a messy space is minimised.

Bring nature in

Having plants inside your home might seem a bit strange for some but it is certainly a trend that is on the rise – and for good reason. The Journal of Physiological Anthropology published a study that showed interacting with indoor plants soothed the nervous system and one’s blood pressure elevating feelings of comfort (Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 2015). Even a small plant or two could make a difference in your home. Choosing a plant and pot to match your décor is easy these days with places like Bunning devoting entire areas in their warehouses to indoor plants and pots. Indoor plants are usually low maintenance and don’t require watering everyday – an effective tool for a calm space that doesn’t require much effort.

Colour Palette

The colours in your home have a huge influence on the way you feel when you are inside it. Not only is it important to choose the right colour for street appeal but it’s also important to select the right colour that matches the feel of the home you are wanting to create. This detail is important down to the tiny things inside your home. A soothing colour palette of neutral tones and a feature colour that is spotted throughout the home is an effective way to create a calming environment. It’s important, however, to make sure your colour palette is reflective of yourself. If you want a bright pop of colour because it matches your outgoing personality then that is a fantastic way of ensuring your home brings you the right feeling or emotion when you step into it.

Cosy it up

Ideally, your home should be stimulating in some spaces and cosy and relaxing in others. Spaces like your bedroom and bathroom should provide a relaxing environment for you to rest and recharge in. Keeping colours warm and neutral in these zones will help make rest time that little bit easier. Investing in soft, quality linen for these spaces will help bring those essential, relaxed vibes to make winding down after a tough day a lot easier. Consider spending a little bit extra on lighting within these areas too. A light dimmer in your bedroom can be an effective way to help you wind down at the end allowing some subtle light exposure instead of the harsh bright lighting.

Creating an environment that works effectively to reduce your stress levels can really be quite simple. With a few tips and tricks you can start your journey of creating your stress-free environment.

Lee MS, Lee J, Park BJ, Miyazaki Y. Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: a randomized crossover study. J Physiol Anthropol. 2015 Apr 28;34(1):21. doi: 10.1186/s40101-015-0060-8. PMID: 25928639; PMCID: PMC4419447. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4419447/)

Kitchen Design Critical to New Home

Kitchen design is one of the most important parts of building a new home in Mackay. Street appeal ticks the box for first impressions but when it comes to liveability, so much more of your time is spent in the kitchen. And because kitchens, as well as bathrooms, serve such a functional purpose, they can be make or break on whether a new home design hits the mark or is left on the shelf. You probably spend the most time in the bedroom but there’s really not a lot of options there. Either the bed is comfortable or it’s not. You also spend a lot of time, probably, in the living room but there it is all about the furniture - a comfortable couch and a great television. But there’s thousands of ways to put a kitchen together, both in fundamental design and then the finish.

Fundamental Kitchen Design

The best kitchen design starts with position within the house. The kitchen is often referred to as the hub of the household so a good kitchen is positioned in the middle of the home. The kitchen also needs a handy connection to the garage because there is more transfers from the car to the kitchen and pantry than anywhere else. For that reason, a good home design will keep the distance from the garage to the kitchen and pantry as short as possible. You can see this reflected in Esprit Constructions display design - the Panama 275 - with the pantry door adjacent to the garage door.

Kitchen Design Layout

There are several basic kitchen layouts, such as the island bench and galley-style, as well as the all-important triangle - positioning of the fridge, stove-top, and kitchen sink. But that is probably worthy of a separate blog for an in-depth look. At the higher level, the kitchen design needs to be functional, simple, practical, and well organised. The kitchen design in the Panama 275 makes it a delight to use and a pleasure to look at. There’s also plenty of space for storage in the kitchen itself and you can’t help but be impressed with the size of the pantry.

Our Top Tips to Prepare You For Moving Day

Everyone knows that packing up and moving homes is a dreadful task. If you’re building a new home the assumption is that this horrible task lies somewhere in your not-to-distant future! Here’s some great tips to make the move just that little bit easier

Make an action plan

Making a plan before the moving process begins is your best bet to ensuring a smooth shifting process. Make a plan to pack – which room will you pack first, will you need to leave some items from a particular space out, how many boxes will you need, do you have enough tape, scissors, packing foam. Ensuring you have planned all these things in advance will mean you won’t be running around on the day trying to find things you need but haven’t planned for!

Declutter

Ah, as Marie Kondo says – if it doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it! Decluttering before you pack allows you a fresh start in your new home! You’ll already have thrown away unnecessary items so there’ll be less sorting to do when you arrive to unpack at your new home.

Lists, lists, lists

As this blog writer who has moved approximately 6,482 times in her life knows, the best way to a smooth moving day is to write lists! List writing is not only an effective tool for organisation, it’s also a great tool to shift some mental load from yourself in preparation for that big day. You don’t need to add more stress to the day by trying to remember everything that needs to be done, write it down! Prepare yourself a packing list, a to-do list for booking cleans and pest control, for organising kids and pets on the day, a list for things you need to leave out – keeping a bad of essentials handy is the best secret weapon on moving day! A bad full of clothes, pyjamas, toothbrushes and all necessary items for family members ensures that if you don’t quite make it to fully unpacked come bed-time, you can still get those kids down with ease.

Label, Label, Label

Labelling in any area of life is important but when moving labelling is of the utmost importance. If you’re packing boxes and not labelling them, you’re living life far too on the edge! Ensuring that each box is labelled with a brief description of it’s contents and, if possible, which room it will need to be placed in can save time and confusion during the unpacking process. It will also help other people that are assisting with your move to know where a box needs to be placed at the new home! This will mean less time wasted double handling boxes that aren’t placed in the correct space for unpacking

Essentials

Keeping the essentials in a readily available space will ensure that if the day doesn’t work out quite as planned and your stuck having to shower and feed the children and haven’t quite had time to completely unpack, you’ll still be prepared. Keeping a bag with pyjamas and a spare change of clothes for each household member, chargers for phones and tablets, toothbrushes and toothpaste and any other little items you’ll need to ensure you can easily get everyone into bed after a long day. Writing a little list of these items before packing will help ensure you’ve checked every box. Keeping snacks and a quick and easy dinner or lunch prepared in an esky will ensure less money is wasted buying take out food and service station snacks while you’re on the go during moving day

Clean before you pack

Now is the perfect time to give all those items you don’t usually clean a quick wipe over before they get placed into their boxes for moving. Have a bucket of cloths ready and any disinfectant spray you would normally use and wipe everything down to ensure you aren’t taking any unwanted visitors or extra dust into your shiny new home! If you plan to take curtains or upholstery items to the new house make a plan to have them cleaned in the weeks leading up to the move to ensure there is minimal room for unexpected work to be done after you have finished unpacking.

Preparation is key when it comes to moving homes and the best way to a smooth moving day is to prepare with these measures. Make time before you move to make sure you’ve got everything lined up to minimise surprises on moving day. Delegate tasks to make the packing process a little easier and give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Good luck!

Land Availability and How to Secure Your Slice of Mackay Paradise

Land Availability and How to Secure Your Slice of Mackay Paradise

If you are currently in the market to build a new home you will know that finding land is a very prominent issue. There is no doubt that we are experiencing a shortage of land availability across the Mackay District.

If you speak with land developers, they will tell you there is plenty on the horizon but the concern is people are looking for land that is available now and the reality is that supply versus demand is totally imbalanced.

Over the 2020 – 2022 period we saw a rapid increase in demand for land lots created by the housing grant boost from the Government. The demand for land increased tenfold over a short amount of time requiring developers to release land in quick succession in what would likely have been released over a longer period of time with little time to prepare for future requirement.

There are, however, a number of blocks still remaining around the Mackay District that are buildable. When you find a block that you believe might be suitable for you the key is to act quickly. Placing a block on hold until you can be sure it’s right for you is a great way to set yourself up for success. Once you’ve placed a block on hold get in touch with your builder to make sure it’s right for your or that your plan can be made to suit the block if necessary.

The number one thing we recommend to prospective clients is to chat with a local builder about the block before going through with the sale. Good local builders can offer advice on buildability in areas. Our incredible director, Adam, is known to look at specific blocks for prospective clients to ensure they’re purchasing a block that’s suitable to their needs.

When considering your home design just be aware that the blocks available might not suit exactly the size or shape that you are after. Being flexible with smaller changes to your design will make the processes of securing a block easier.

Beaconsfield Heights Estate have a great variety of blocks that would suit most home designs still available through their land sales team. We have built a number of homes within the area and most clients have provided great feedback about the area after having moved into the area. The estate has average sized blocks of around 700m2 with some even towards the 1000m2 mark. They’re also fairly consistently rectangular in shape which is great for most house designs.

Plantation Palms is another popular estate, within the district that has a new stage with some great sized blocks currently for sale. They are mostly rectangular or square in shape with an average size of around 700m2 with some ranging up to just over 900m2. Plantation Palms is another great family friendly estate with plenty of offerings for families to explore.

There are several other great estates around Mackay such as Kerrisdale Estate, and Shoal point Waters that have land coming online with a good variety of sizes and shapes within their lots.

We are also noticing a trend in rural Blocks at the moment. Ensuring that you do your homework thoroughly with these will set you up for a successful build. Rural blocks can tend to come with many additional expenses such as bushfire and steep land overlays, requirements for biocycles and adding power to the block. These can all add up fast so know what you are looking at before you hit the big red go button on any purchases you make rurally. Keep an eye out for more info on this one in an upcoming blog post.

To summarize, if you are considering building a new home in Mackay, it’s important to think about where you want to live and the type of lifestyle you are wanting to achieve in that environment. Before making the decision to buy a block you should consider the type of house you want to build, what budget you have and what plans you might have for the future of the block (think pool or shed). Most importantly, remember to act quickly when you see a great block available – it might just end up being the perfect block for you!

If you have any questions about block availabilities or building in general, please contact Esprit Constructions 0487903659 and we can help you put this all together.

Payment Progress Schedules Explained

Payment Progress Schedules Explained

Building a new home can be an overwhelming process. One thing clients are often unsure about is progress payments and payment schedules for a build. Payment schedules are usually outlined in the building contract

Here’s a general overview of how it all works:

There are six stages that are invoiced for a build. The stages include the initial deposit, the Base stage, Frame Stage, Enclosed (or Lock Up) Stage, Fixing Stage and Practical Completion.

Each of these stages are worth a set percentage of the total contract price, proportionate to its value of the total works.  Esprit Constructions uses the HIA New home construction contract (QB1). As part of this contract, each stage requires a payment which is invoiced once that part of the works have been completed. Your builder will send you invoices for each stage which you will then need to send to your broker or bank so that they can release funds to pay your builder.

An overview of the stages:

Initial part deposit- Once the client is satisfied with the Quote for the new home, the quote is signed and a partial deposit is paid.  We will then draft up the contract for signing. 

Deposit – The remainder of deposit is invoiced once finance has been approved and all building approvals have been attained by the builder.  This deposit invoice is for the deposit amount specified in the contract less the initial partial deposit amount.  Depending on your loan requirements your lender will pay this from the loaned amount.

Base stage – this stage is invoiced once the concrete slab has been poured and the base of the build is completed.

Frame Stage – this stage in invoiced once the framework for the build has been completed. This means that wall frames, roof frames and all tie downs and bracing has been completed.

Enclosed stage – this is also known as ‘Lock Up Stage’. This stage is invoiced once the roof has been installed, any external doors have been installed and the windows have been fixed.

Fixing Stage – this stage is invoiced once all internal fit-offs have been completed. This includes the internal lining, architraves, cornices, skirting, doors to rooms, shower trays, wet areas tiling, built-in cabinets & cupboards.

Practical completion – This in invoiced once the build reaches its final stage. This is invoiced when the build has reached the final stage and the Prehandover process has been completed.

The final payment made is the cost of any signed variations agreed upon during the building process. These are expenses usually paid by the owners of the build, not the bank, as they are generally not included in the loan.

This process can vary slightly depending on the builder and the contract type that they offer but each individual builder will be able to explain any variations to you and talk you through the finance process before entering into the contract with you.

This part of the building process can sometimes be a little confusing and understanding how and when you need make payments is an important thing to investigate and know about before signing your contract.

Key Questions to Ask Before Building

Key Questions that you should be asking when considering building a home

Building a new home is normally an exciting process but can be quite daunting to some. It’s important to ensure you’ve ticked all your boxes before making the decision to sign a contract and build a new home.

We’ve compiled a list of things we thinks are pretty important to check off before making the decision to start your home building process.

What area do I want to live?

This is probably the first and most important question to ask. You can change the colour of a home by repainting but change is not so simple when it comes to location. You need to be sure of the area that you are choosing and you need to be sure that the block you have selected is right for your needs and will suit your family in the years to come. You should consider things such as distance to and from your workplace along with schools, shops and relatives or friends houses that you will be frequently travelling back and forth from during the time you intend to live in the home

What can I afford?

Another very important step in the beginning stages of considering building a home is determining your borrowing capacity or spending ability for those who are paying outright. Finding yourself a reliable and trustworthy mortgage broker can take a lot of stress out of the financial side of building a home. They will be able to help you determine what you can afford when it comes to house and land while ensuring you can maintain living costs to enjoy life. Knowing what you can afford will help you determine what home designs to look at and what sized land you should be looking for.

What builder is right for me?

When determining which builder is right for your it’s important to consider many things that make an overall judgement.

References are a must. Any reputable builder will have great references from previous clients available through their online presence but it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask around for people’s opinions. A reputable builder will be open to sharing feedback from previous experiences and past clients.

Check out builders Display homes to determine the quality of their builds. Follow their socials to see photo’s of previous builds they’ve completed to ensure they’re up to the standard that you are expecting in your new home.

Do they have a good track record for efficiency? There are many horror stories out there at the moment of incomplete homes or homes take more than 12 months to complete. Make sure your builder has an efficient schedule in place and ensure they’re able to prove their efficiency through other builds.

It’s important to ensure that you get along with your prospective builder. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with them over the course of your build and if you have a connection with a certain builder than it’s more likely that they are going to make decisions which will reflect your expectations. If you select a builder that’s on a completely opposite wavelength you might find yourself having some awkward conversations through the build process.

Completing some background checks to ensure licensing and insurances are up to scratch on a prospective builder is crucial. You can search a builder’s license number via the QBCC website to ensure it’s legitimate and up to date. A QBCC licensed operators work is covered up to six years and six months so you can be sure that any issues that may arise in the near future will be covered under the builder’s insurance.

What is the builders lead time?

With the flow on effects from COVID19 and the boost grants from the Government during the height of the pandemic many builders are still facing significant delays between signing contract, getting the build in the ground and finalizing the project. Some builders are still experiencing delays of up to 12 months from signing contract to starting a build. Ensure that when you approach a builder that their build time meets your expectation.

What things am I willing to compromise on and what are my absolutes?

There is generally always some push and shove during the design process of a new home. Whilst it’s important to always keep an open mind during the design process it’s also just as important to ensure you have a list for your must-haves in your new home. The design process is one of the most difficult parts of building a home and many a heartbreak can be had when you don’t manage to communicate to the design team the things you aren’t willing to move on when it comes to your new home. Make sure you have a list of must-haves for your new home before you reach the design process.

Ensuring you are well prepared and equipped with the right knowledge before reaching contract stage wit your builder is incredibly important. Whilst there are many more bases you need to cover, asking yourself these few questions will set you up for a successful home building journey. Contact our sales team and we can let you know more about us!

Building Terminology Explained

BUILDING TERMS EXPLAINED

Building Industry terms can sometimes be a little confusing. We’ve made it a little simpler by building a list of words that you may come across and their definitions!

A’S

Aggregate – the stone mixed in concrete. Used for making an exposed, textured effect in concrete finishes.

Architrave – a molded covering, mostly made from timber, to frame the joins between windows and door and the wall lining.

B’S

BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) Rating – Indicates construction requirements for the measurement of risk of bushfire prone areas.

Batter  - the method of shaping the land or block between two different levels.

C’S

Cut & Fill – the method of cutting and filling a sloped site to create a level area to build on. The uphill section if the block is cut away and the spoil or fill is used to fill-in the lower section of the block.

Crossover- the access point from the street to the block

D’S

Development Application – the application submitted to your local council for the proposed building plans

Decision Notice – the terms and conditions of the building approval received for the submitted build application

E’S

Elevation – a two dimensional render or drawing that shows the front, back and side views of a build

Easement – a section of land on a block that another party (usually a council or surrounding neighbours) has a right of use over. This could be to access another block or for a number of things like sewers or drainage. 

F’S

Fall – the amount of downwards slope on a block

Frontage – the width measured at the front of the block

Footing – the cement foundation laid to support the structure of the build.

G’S

Gable – portion of a wall above the level of the eaves that encloses the end of the space under a pitched roof

Gable Facade on The Haven Display Home

Gutter - preformed or purpose-made channel for collecting and carrying away rainwater, normally from the roof of a building

H’S

Hip - inclined meeting line of two slopes in a pitched roof which forms a salient angle

J’S

Jamb - a vertical side-framing member

Jump up - vertical section of a sanitary drain, which joins two sections of horizontal a drain at different levels (also known as a ‘Vertical’)

L’S

Lintel – a structural member or beam carrying loads over an opening

Load Bearing – means intended to resist vertical forces additional to those due to its own weight.

Landslide Overlay - foundation condition on a sloping site where downhill foundation movement or failure is a design consideration

M’S

Masonry - a bonded construction using clay bricks, concrete bricks or blocks, pumice concrete, sand lime bricks, square dressed natural stone, terracotta or like materials laid manually unit by unit and set in mortar

N’S

Nogging – a horizontal piece of timber fixed between studs in a framed wall

Noise Corridor - is an overlay applicable to dwellings potentially subject to noise nuisance from major roads or railways nearby. Usually requires the home to have heavier insulation and thicker glass to attempt to reduce the noise levels from said roads & railways.

Noise Corridor Map

O’S

Overlays - conditions or requirements that the build needs to meet to ensure it’s habitable for the location and environment it has been built within. These relate to vegetation, bush-fire, noise, erosion and a number of other aspects.

ORG – (Overflow Relief Gully) – A drain located on the outside of your home that is designed to act as a release valve in the event of a blockage or excess rain water in the sewerage.

P’S

Plumb – when something is vertical or perpendicular

Provisional Sum - amount of money included in the contract documents to cover works proposed as part of the contract but for which there is insufficient detail at the time of calling tenders

Q’S

QBCC – (Queensland Building Construction Commission) – regulating body for the Queensland Construction Industry

R’S

Roof Truss – a structural framework that is designed to support and frame the roof

Roof pitch – the angle formed between the slope of the roof surface and a horizontal line

S’S

Stud – vertical timber section in wall framing

Soil Test – a sampled taking from specific positions of a block to determine the requirements of the footing for a build

Soffit – the under-surface of the each or patio

Skirting – timber moldings to finish the join between the wall sheeting and the flooring

skillion – a style of roof design or façade  which consists of the single slope surface

Skillion Facade on an Esprit Home

Sarking – a waterproof membrane that sits beneath the external roof covering

V’S

Variation – a change or addition to the contracted build agreement

Valley – the inverted angle in a roof line formed by two inclined slopes

W’S

Wind Load – The wind exertion estimation that must be accounted for in the design process

Celebrating our 200th Handover

Our team are humbled and appreciative that so many Mackay families have afforded us in being part of 200 special homes in the Mackay Region

You can see more of the beautiful home over on our Facebook page

Kitchen Design Considerations - Top tips for designing your kitchen space

The kitchen in our Panama 275 Display features an enormous island bench with a stunning stone top with waterfall ends. The kitchen is the heart of our open living style home.

The kitchen is one of the most important space in a home. Here’s some things to consider when designing your kitchen space:

Ensure you’re allowing enough space between your island and any other benches in your kitchen. Chances are there’ll always be more than one person wandering around in the kitchen and the last thing you need is to be ducking under a hot fry-pan!

Ensure your appliances are suitable for the space. If you’re one of those french-door-fridge kind of people then you need to make sure there is enough room to swing those beautiful doors open without hitting or bumping into your beautiful new cabinetry

Position your cooktop is an area with less air-flow (away from the window) to ensure consistent heat when cooking. When thinking about your cooktop position remember that you’ll need to install a rangehood directly above it – so make sure there’s room!

Ensure the flow of your kitchen will suit your lifestyle. If you’re opting for an open-living plan (like Esprit is known for) then you want to ensure your kitchen is facing your entertaining area to keep the open flow of the layout. While you’re cooking and prepping you should still be able to converse with your family or entertain your guests!

Remember - the kitchen is the heart of every home. Careful design consideration is key to creating a space that flows and functions efficiently.

Walk-In Pantry v Walk-Through Pantry

Based on the Panama 275 display home, the Walk-Through Pantry in this recently completed home offers lots of space with easy access to the garage and kitchen at one end and the Butler’s Pantry and other side of the kitchen at the other end.

Home designs with a Walk-In pantry are certainly popular. The big advantage is the amount of storage space you can create with a big pantry and the easy access you can gain to everything on the shelves. There’s also a lot of flexibility in how you set it up – especially when compared with the standard pantry cupboard. Another popular home design feature is open access from the garage straight into the pantry. The big advantage here is how easy it makes putting away the groceries after a trip to the supermarket. But one of the innovative home designs we’ve introduced for Mackay is the combination of these features with a Walk-Through Pantry. Our new display, the Panama 275, features a pantry with open access at both ends (and it’s very long). One end is adjacent to the garage door, giving easy access for putting away the groceries. It also leads into the hall and the centre of the home, including access to the kitchen and dining area. At the other end is a Butler’s Pantry and open access to the other side of the kitchen. If you want even more space in the pantry (although it is pretty huge!), you can opt to close off the extra passageway and add more shelves. If you want to see just how big and functional this pantry is, check out the display home at Richmond Hills Estate – open 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Monday.

There’s loads of pantry space in this format. But if you want to go even further, you can extend the width to put shelves down both sides.

New Home Design – Butler’s Pantry

An increasingly popular addition to Mackay home designs is the concept of a butler’s pantry. A butler’s pantry is an extension of kitchen functions into a separate area (usually out of sight). Given the move toward open plan living/dining/kitchen home designs started a long time ago, it’s perhaps surprising that it has taken this long for the butler’s pantry to make a comeback. One of the advantages of the butler’s pantry is that it keeps certain things and certain functions out of sight. When you’re entertaining in the open plan area, a butler’s pantry is where drinks and food can be prepared and where dirty dishes can be stored – rather than cluttering up the kitchen where the guests are.

The size and function of a butler’s pantry might range from a simple bench for preparation and perhaps a bit of storage for appliances, right through to an area larger than a kitchen. In this new home in Mackay, recently build by Esprit Constructions, the butler’s pantry is enormous. At one end of the long space is the walk-in pantry that is now common for new homes in Mackay. The remainder of the space is taken up with bench spaces, cupboards (including room for a microwave), a full sink and even a dishwasher. With virtually a complete kitchen at your disposal, the open plan living area can be totally dedicated to entertaining and living. While there is still running water in the main kitchen, it is reduced to a simple mixer and basin, keeping stylish looks while maintaining practicality.

Bathroom trend: Black tapware

New home design trend - black tapware.

The new trend in bathroom design tells us the “new black” is, well, black. There’s no dispute, the striking look of the black tapware in this recent new home built by Esprit Constructions certainly catches the eye. In a sea of chrome and occasional brass, black suddenly appears to be a more exciting colour (feel free to comment on whether or not black is actually a colour – or chrome, for that matter).

Black grout in the tiled splashback makes the trend even more exciting and you can really notice the change in look between the black grout, used in the butler’s pantry, and the grey grout used in the laundry.

Black grout in the splashback tiles.

Grey grout in the splashback tiles.

There is some debate in design circles as to whether the black tapware trend is just a passing fad or something that is here to stay. Without wanting to nail any colours to the mast on which side of the debate we stand, we might point out a couple of things. Firstly, there is a reason why various colours are referred to as “the new black” – because black has always been a go-to trend. Secondly, black is not really a colour (nor is white, nor chrome), and the neutrals and metals have always been popular – think little black dress, tuxedos, and fashion for the races.

Black shower and tapware with white basin and neutral tiles.

One of the negatives put forward on black tapware is that fingerprints are noticeable on black. But they are also noticeable on chrome too and many would argue that fingerprints are not that noticeable on black anyway (you be the judge on that one).  On the plus side, it is a great opportunity to provide some “wow” factor in the design of your new home and black easily fits in with a range of design directions.

If you are designing a new home, there are a few more points you might consider about black tapware. Another trend that just never seems to go away is marble and black tapware looks great with a marble backdrop. The stark black of the tapware really brings out the dark marble of benchtops or splashbacks. Black and white would have to be the most classic colour combination in history and, in the bathroom, the combination of white porcelain basin or bath with black tapware will never fail to impress. Like a pair of black shoes or a black jacket, black tapware will “go” with just about anything you can throw at it. Black and just about any colour you can imagine is a workable combination.

Black mixers help to bring out marble in benchtop and splashback.

In summary, black tapware is not a new influence. It has been around for a long time, especially in Europe. If you want a stylish, sleek, sophisticated look in your new home, check out some examples and get inspired because it certainly “pops” when you walk into a well-designed bathroom with black tapware.

NOTE: If you build a new home in Mackay with black tapware, here’s a tip on cleaning. Wiping down with a microfibre cloth after every use will dramatically prolong the life a rich black colour. Also, chemicals and cleaners might end up doing more damage than good so consult with the manufacturer.

Black accents on a neutral background with black showerheads and mixer.