Friday 19 November 2010
AS BANKS make it harder to borrow large amounts of money it's no
surprise people are wondering whether they should move house or
not.
But according to Mr James Shaw of Ecotect-Architects the answer
is simple - 'don't move, improve'
"Borrowing significant sums of money to pay for a new house and
then for stamp duty on top can be very costly," said Mr Shaw.
"Often a more sound solution is to look at the existing home and
to appraise what is good and what can be improved," he said.
Mr Shaw said a good start was to have a sustainability
assessment conducted and for an eco architect to appraise the home
for its passive solar attributes and shortcomings.
"Interestingly good eco and sustainability reports will list
what changes need to be made to make a home more energy efficient
and enjoyable to live in," said Mr Shaw.
"For example, installing glass sliding doors or windows on rooms
that face north can bring in sunlight which reduces the need to use
artificial lighting during the day.
"Even knocking out a few walls or parts of walls in small rooms
can improve air flow and ventilation.
"Replacing floor covering or removing it totally to polished
concrete can also help to absorb or repel heat and light as can
changing colours on walls," he said.
Mr Shaw said people appreciated certain aspects of their homes
and if they liked the neighbourhood and street in which they lived
then there was no real reason why they should move.
He said the main challenge in choosing to renovate or retrofit a
home was living in it while building changes were taking
place.
"Living in a house during renovations can be very stressful,"
said Mr Shaw.
"We recommend people plan carefully, place valuable furniture in
storage and only pay tradespeople in full if tasks are completed
within set timeframes," he said.
Mr Shaw said another option was for home owners to implement
renovation phases in which a master plan is created that shows what
the house will look like when it is finished and for the home
owners to only complete segments at a time pending income and
lifestyle choices.
... / Ends
Further
Information
Mr James Shaw: Tel: 0419 965 227 or 08-9286 3811
(Journalist) Jacinta Goerke: Tel: 0412 338813