31 May 2005
Reno Web Cam Saves Builders and Renovators Money
Live web cams will become a feature of an increasing number of renovations and new building sites as a management, cost saving measure and client service, Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects said today.
Mr David Lawrence, State Manager Archicentre ACT & NSW said: "The live web cam being used on Archicentre's Mosman Green, a renovation demonstration project at Mosman in New South Wales is allowing the project to be tracked from all over the world."
Mosman
Green Live RENO CAM Snap Shot
Live Web Link www.archicentre.com.au
"We see the introduction of live web cams as a major cost saving initiative allowing architects, builders, building inspectors and tradesmen to be able to click into the project and look at its progress without having to attend the site."
A web camera system costs $1,200 to $1,500 for the duration of a large renovation project, but has the potential to save thousands of dollars in lost time, preventing mistakes, stolen materials and allows for the general supervision of the project.
Mr Lawrence said, a builder with several projects on the go can keep check of their progress visually from their hand held internet device or office at the end of each day to assist in organising tradesmen and building materials.
"For an architect a similar advantage exists being able to check the daily progress of the building without having to travel to the site and being able to assess the correct times for inspections and on site meetings."
Mr. Lawrence said that the Mosman project is currently at the structural construction stage and the architect, structural engineer and building inspector can continually review the work in progress and pick up some discrepancies before they become a costly problem.
"For people who are having new homes built a live web cam on site will provide the opportunity to see the progress of the home daily and provide a major communication boost between client and the builder," Mr Lawrence said.
Other advantages include:
* keeping a record of the renovation by down loading photos.
* maintaining of security.
* direct link on site visually whilst being able to chat to the builder
or architect on the phone.
* keeping a record of when subcontractors arrive and leave
* keeping a record of time lost due to rain
* sales aid to real estate agents.
Mr Lawrence said that the Reno cam can be also set up to download images onto a hard disc, keeping a visual record of the project for contractual purposes.
Archicentre is the largest originator of home renovation projects in Australia and is undertaking the Mosman Green project with Mosman Council to demonstrate state of the art design and construction systems as well as the use of energy saving, water saving and non toxic building products.