Building a Home

[Pushka]

We put in a full glass splashback behind stove and along bench dome 20 years ago. It has been brilliant. Worth every cent (dollar). Highly recommend. Also, We used mainly drawers, Blum soft-close drawers with inner drawers as well. That is one drawer with a smaller inner drawer like a shelf. (much like the inner shelf suggested by VPS above but easier access.)

If you’ve got the funds, a ZIP Filter system with boiling/cold (and now soda). Has also been worth its price.

We have a white one in our apartment we are eventually moving in to but our rental has a blue one. Not a fan of blue so much.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Nothing to do with the op or this thread intrinsically, but some recollections.

Another time in another era, but my first build was at a time when a roof over the head with enough bedrooms (3) in the shell was the first consideration. On handover the floors were bare unfinished concrete (except in wet areas, no kitchen cabinets, no stove, no hotplates, no window furnishings, no carport or garage.

My father was a builder and I was cheap labour for him. I probably helped build about 200 odd homes before I turned 21.

Back then quite a number of the houses that we built where to what was called "lock up" stage for the clients. The houses were in essence fully finished on the outside (hence the name as they could be locked up, but were not liveable), but inside while the plumbing and electrical were done, the plastering may or may not have been and much of the fitments left to the client to do at their cost and time. ie cupboards, tiling, painting all done by them etc etc.

So with a bit of sweat equity people could get cheaper houses.

Concrete driveways were a optional extra but rarely done on the lockups.

PS> For fun we once built a 12 square brick veneer house as quick as we could. 4 weeks in total from bare block to fully finished. Main trick was having all the trades teed up.

 

[samh004]

One thing I did to cover the tiles when cooking was to put one of those glass “mats“ usually used as a fancy cutting board behind the stove top. Then when needed it could be washed in the dishwasher. Being clear you didn’t really see it against the tiles.

That's a great idea, might have to remember that in the future.

When I built my house the cabinet maker suggested some of the shelves in the kitchen cupboards (this was way before drawers) have a half height shelf at the back (half the depth of the cupboard). This meant you effectively had 50% more shelf space and was great for cans and small jars of things

Another good idea to take with me to the new house.

We found putting in a splash back window was half the price of a glass splash back.

Only problem with this in my floor plan would be that it would open (or look out) to the second bedroom.

Since then 13 purchases and 20 builds later, still engaged with this type of thread.

I hope I'm not following the same path!

If you’ve got the funds, a ZIP Filter system with boiling/cold (and now soda). Has also been worth its price.

I saw one on a renovation show, look great but a little pricey for us in this build. Maybe my next one after I win the lotto!

100% agree! We used the same benchtop stone on kitchen, pantry and laundry splashbacks. No grout to clean!

I'll ask when I get to that stage. Best I can offer at this stage.

Like I said earlier a lot of things won't actually improve your lifestyle nor the value of your home so better to keep the money in your pocket now and see what you really need once you move in, because there will be things you want a contingency fund for (window furnishings aren't cheap!).

There will certainly be quite a few elements we wont have from the start, but turning a home into a castle takes time.

In my case, I think glass was fairly comparable to tiles. Costs more to buy, but quicker to install, so saved on labour costs.

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong so I can go down that path, but I get the feeling that even if things are cheaper in the construction world, it's about where they can gouge you.

Concrete driveways were a optional extra but rarely done on the lockups.

That was one of the things they 'didn't include' and were happy to point out just before we signed that there would be an extra cost. Seems like such an integral part of the package but they are sneaky.

 

[RooFlyer]

Another thing for when you win lotto (but also as others are looking here) : slumped glass splashbacks and bathroom screens.

Glass Splashbacks Slumped - The Glass Guy, Melbourne Australia

Slumped Glass Splashbacks look amazing They can turn a plain wall into a feature wall.

www.theglassguy.com.au

At a place I renovated in Sydney, I got talked into putting one like the green one second from left in link above in the kitchen and one like the bottom one in this link in the bathroom. Pricey, but sensational effects.

Gallery - Textured Slump Glass Melbourne | Design Inferno

Discover the artistry of slump glass at Design Inferno's gallery. Explore unique & captivating designs that redefine modern elegance. Elevate your space today.

www.designinferno.com.au

 

[TheRealTMA]

That's a great idea, might have to remember that in the future.

Another good idea to take with me to the new house.

Only problem with this in my floor plan would be that it would open (or look out) to the second bedroom.

I hope I'm not following the same path!

I saw one on a renovation show, look great but a little pricey for us in this build. Maybe my next one after I win the lotto!

I'll ask when I get to that stage. Best I can offer at this stage.

There will certainly be quite a few elements we wont have from the start, but turning a home into a castle takes time.

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong so I can go down that path, but I get the feeling that even if things are cheaper in the construction world, it's about where they can gouge you.

That was one of the things they 'didn't include' and were happy to point out just before we signed that there would be an extra cost. Seems like such an integral part of the package but they are sneaky.

Do go for a maximum budget for kitchen and bathroom, particularly with top quality fixtures and fittings, and ovens, cooktops, benches, splashbacks etc. You will be rewarded for many years to come, every day. The rest you can do proessively.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Samh004 - Want me to post photos of the drawers and inner drawers and splashback?

 

[VPS]

These are some drawers in the rental I'm in. There is no grout in the whole place - when the owners refurbished they told the guy make it so there are no tiles and no grout. The power points inside the drawer are great because it gives a seamless look

 

[p--and--t]

These are some drawers in the rental I'm in. There is no grout in the whole place - when the owners refurbished they told the guy make it so there are no tiles and no grout. The power points inside the drawer are great because it gives a seamless look

View attachment 222760

So what is the floor covering?

 

[VPS]

So what is the floor covering?

some sort of resin

 

[TheRealTMA]

These are some drawers in the rental I'm in. There is no grout in the whole place - when the owners refurbished they told the guy make it so there are no tiles and no grout. The power points inside the drawer are great because it gives a seamless look

View attachment 222759View attachment 222760View attachment 222761

Sorry?? Powerpoints inside drawers? Crazy IMHO. Renters will put toasters in the drawer then close the drawer.

And actually are they legal?

 

[p--and--t]

May seem trivial, but outside tap(s)

Some builders only provide one outside tap. If you have front & rear gardens a real pain. Request 2.

Also many builders to save money attach the tap to the building, then if they lay cement paths, forever & a day you are going to have a hose draped over the path which is a tripping hazard particularly in low light or for guests. Also makes it almost impossible to hook up an automated watering system neatly.

Always request the tap to be in the garden or provide a conduit from the tap out into the garden area beyond the pathway so you can feed an irrigation pipe through later.

 

[samh004]

Another thing for when you win lotto (but also as others are looking here) : slumped glass splashbacks and bathroom screens.

I actually don't like the look much, so might save my money

Samh004 - Want me to post photos of the drawers and inner drawers and splashback?

Sure.

May seem trivial, but outside tap(s)

Some builders only provide one outside tap. If you have front & rear gardens a real pain. Request 2.

I believe the standard is two, front and rear. Think they're likely to be on the building. The block is only 14m wide and the build takes up a lot of that, so at least on one side (perhaps the other too) I think it'll be unlikely anyone will be walking down the side. Perhaps I'll leave the hose for a burglar to trip over.

 

[VPS]

Sorry?? Powerpoints inside drawers? Crazy IMHO. Renters will put toasters in the drawer then close the drawer.

And actually are they legal?

It’s only in the bathroom For hair driers or razors. I’m renting from friend who don’t need it atm so this will never go on the open market

 

[travelislife]

Sorry?? Powerpoints inside drawers? Crazy IMHO. Renters will put toasters in the drawer then close the drawer.

And actually are they legal?

We have this in the bathroom too. Powerpoints inside the drawers and also the mirrored cabinet. Were always on our plans and no issues with compliance. Good for hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, shavers etc. and keeps the bench clear.

Harder one was the pendant over the bath as that can only be 12 volt to comply.

 

[Pushka]

We have this in the bathroom too. Powerpoints inside the drawers and also the mirrored cabinet. Were always on our plans and no issues with compliance. Good for hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, shavers etc. and keeps the bench clear.

Harder one was the pendant over the bath as that can only be 12 volt to comply.

Amd here I was thinking a power point in our (rented) pantry cupboard was special. I've never used it. There is no space to put any appliamce on the shelf so

 

[cove]

With outside taps don’t have them right up against a house wall. You can add a two port or 4 port to any outside tap if you have enough room to do it yourself and not require a plumber. Yes plumbers can do it but saving dollars works well when you have to decide on priorities.
With any lawn sprinkler do not put them tightly up against a footpath....allow about 15 cms and wind drift will cover the difference to avoid car and pedestrian damage.
The latest WiFi irrigation controllers can save you lots of water provided they have access to weather information to adjust the watering schedule.

 

[jakeseven7]

As always, it comes down to cost. The house and land is at the upper end of what we can afford right now (home builder and first home buyer notwithstanding), and the many extras are eating into all facets of future life (I may never board a plane again at this rate). The build will likely be as standard as they come, with a few changes... some of the ideas in this thread make sense, but I haven't won the lottery nor do I have a high enough paying job if I did, I might be talking about my country estate build instead.

Everything will be considered when we get into the design studio, but adding a glass spashback at the prices they charge could mean keeping batten lights throughout the house. Adding 1km of Cat6 cable could mean not installing the glass splashback. Lots of great ideas but Sam doesn't have enough money to fund them all.

Tiled splash backs need more care, but it’s not rocket science to wipe them down as you go if you are a messy cook. Glass is more practical, but you also have to look at it every day

Personally I think most glass splash backs look quite cheap (reek of rental property to me) so I will stick my neck out and say I think you have made the right choice going with a tile... you can be really creative with tile choice and application style too.

 

[samh004]

The latest WiFi irrigation controllers can save you lots of water provided they have access to weather information to adjust the watering schedule.

You're preaching to the crowd there... while I don't use one, I have considered more than one and know my way around the smart home ecosystem. As I've mentioned, both my current residence and my mothers residence are fitted with a mixture of smart products.

Personally I think most glass splash backs look quite cheap (reek of rental property to me) so I will stick my neck out and say I think you have made the right choice going with a tile... you can be really creative with tile choice and application style too.

At this stage, it's less about choice and more about what is included as standard. When we get into our next appointment they might be able to give us some prices to upgrade in various ways and we'll start evaluating the budget. The ideas on these 9 pages so far will give us enough to talk about in the 2-hour appointment.

 

[Pushka]

You're preaching to the crowd there... while I don't use one, I have considered more than one and know my way around the smart home ecosystem. As I've mentioned, both my current residence and my mothers residence are fitted with a mixture of smart products.

At this stage, it's less about choice and more about what is included as standard. When we get into our next appointment they might be able to give us some prices to upgrade in various ways and we'll start evaluating the budget. The ideas on these 9 pages so far will give us enough to talk about in the 2-hour appointment.

Im presuming you've re read blackcat20 and TomVexville's house build thread again as you will pick up lots more now you are doing likewise.

 

[samh004]

Im presuming you've re read blackcat20 and TomVexville's house build thread again as you will pick up lots more now you are doing likewise.

Not all of it... but certainly bits. It's a long slow read.

Have already had one chat to @TomVexille on the phone though, which has given some clarity to my electrical needs and wants.