Archicentre Newsbreak
1 February 2009
|
| |
|
|
Who has the most influence over the decision to
purchase a property - men, women or a joint
decision?
The onging
poll says men have less than 10% involvement, with
women having 60% and joint decions being at 30%.
Check the latest
figures.
| |
|
|
Archicentre
Free Seminars UPDATE
FULL
LISTING NOW ONLINE
The Seminars commence on Wednesday 4th
February 2009 in South Australia with Sustainable Homes
- Construction Choices, and in other States from
Monday 23rd February 2009.
Seminar 1 Sustainability - Ten
Things You Should Know about Building in a Changing
Climate The seminar will cover why houses are
cracking, what people can do to save water and energy,
discuss alternative construction techniques, showcase a
recent sustainable building project and take questions
from the audience. Click here for
seminar details and
bookings. | |
 |
|
|
| Heat on Cracking Houses
|
34% of
properties across Australia have been damaged by
drought.
Heat
waves across Australia will place extreme pressure
on many homes that are already suffering cracking due to
the extended drought and water restrictions.
Archicentre's
pre-purchase home inspection statistics show an average
34% of properties across Australia have been damaged by
drought with the estimated annual bill likely to be
around $1 billion and rising.
When
the soil beneath a building dries up and shrinks from
lack of water, it forces the property to move. If the
house or apartment is built of brick, it is highly
likely to crack.
Underpinning
costs around $80,000 per home or more with a wide
variation depending on the extent of damage.
Home
owners should be constantly monitoring cracks in their
homes as they can start out as fine cracks in plaster
and deteriorate into major cracks threatening the
structural integrity of the building.
If home
owners are not sure of the extent of the cracking in
their homes we advise they get professional advice and
undertake maintenance.
Cracking
in homes has become a major issue for Archicentre
architects undertaking pre-purchase inspections and
design concepts for home owners.
In
areas of continued drought where water restrictions are
in place the situation is set to worsen with the drought
impacting on house values.
Many
vendors facing the cost of repairs are opting for
superfical cover-ups which can leave unsuspecting buyers
with hefty repair bills. Archicentre recommends a
thorough structural inspection to the insure the
structural integrity of the property. If you are buying
a property ensure you are aware of the extent of the
cracking.
Cracking
of homes will be one of the areas covered in
Ten Things You Should Know about Building in a Changing
Climate Free Seminars.
Click here
to download a Free Cracking Information Sheet
from the Archicentre
website.
| |
|
|
