Tips & Tricks

Where should I position my house on the block? Things to consider? 

Most living rooms should be on the Northern/Eastern side of the block to capture the sun. 

Most Laundries and bathrooms should be on the southern/ Western side of the block. 

Most electrical and water services are usually located at the front of the block. 

Most sewer and stormwater LPD are located on the lowest front or rear of the block. 

Driveways cost money, the closer you are to your “Crossover” the better on the wallet. 

Are your neighbours able to look onto your block? If so, consider which rooms/window they see. 
Do you want your outside entertaining area private? Usually best facing the west to maximise the afternoon sun. 

The main entrance should be facing the street.  Provides security and welcoming aspect. 

Consider over shadowing for location of windows, decks and future gardening options. 

How close can I build to the front boundary? 

Each council and Zoned area will have a minimum setback from the front boundary.  If the house either side of your block is forward of the minimum setback, then you can build out to the average the two setbacks (STCA) 

How close can I build to a side boundary? 

Most councils in Tasmania require a minimum side setback of 1.5m. 

Can I build closer than the minimum standard council requirements? 

You can request to build outside the minimum requirements if you address a range of performance criteria in the Planning Scheme however, it is discretionary as to whether it will be accepted (STCA) 

Can I build on the boundary? 

If you are permitted to build on the boundary, or within 1m of the boundary, you must use a fire rated wall. 

When constructing a new home, site costs should be one of the first things considered when budgeting for your build. Often site costs are considerably lower when residing in and around suburban areas, purely because of the proximity to TasWater and Tas Networks services. We understand that living in suburban areas isn’t for everyone and a lot of Tasmanians dream of a rural or bush home, whereby they have more privacy and a different lifestyle.

In these areas the site costs are likely to add up.

Things to be considered are:

• Soil type.
• Driveways.
• Wastewater provisions – if no TasWater sewer connections are available, soil type, land application area and slope of land for wastewater beds should be considered. In some low-density residential areas, there are no wastewater provisions, and the land sizes are relatively small for these systems to fit within.
• Stormwater drainage.
• Bushfire overlays (if an assessment required).
• Location of power pole/supply or if you are rural, you might consider having an off-grid solution.

Our team at Tasbuilt work with hundreds of customers a year and are proficient at understanding what site costs a property might require. We enjoy helping people and if you are considering purchasing land to build on or have just purchased land and would like to have a more thorough understanding of site costs, please contact us. Being a volume builder, we have the tools and strong connections available to provide you with accurate costings in a timely manner.

Finance is available through many of the well-known finance providers, including our referral partners Commonwealth Bank, Urban Money & MyState.

When seeking finance approval it is important to explain to your bank that a Tasbuilt Home is NOT a kit home or a relocatable home. It is a home that's simply constructed off-site and then installed permanently on your site on concrete and steel foundations, with services/utilities connected just like a traditional build. The whole project is covered under a fixed-price builders contract, and Tasbuilt is a fully licensed Tasmanian Builder, with all relevant insurances required by the banks.
If your bank is not sure about the Tasbuilt Homes process, you can ask them to contact us for more information. A quick phone call can often help clear up any queries and get the ball rolling on your new modular home!

Many banks also have their own policies on progress payments; how much and when they will pay. It is also important for you to know that Tasbuilt is able to negotiate with your bank to arrange your progress payments in a way that suits them.

If you cannot raise the necessary equity or provide a guarantor, we would be happy to adjust the progress payment structure, providing we have a secure contract and guarantee from your bank that they've approved your loan and will make the payment once the home is on site.

• Walk in showers have a 1500mm fixed glass panel instead of a door, with no frame needing to be stepped over to enter the shower. The tiled base allows a seamless transition of tiles from floor to ceiling, making the shower blend into the bathroom.
• Accessibility options: 920mm doors, ramps or space for ramps to be added later, grab rails in showers and toilets, 1200mm hallways, blocking in walls for shower seats.
• Tinted windows help to reduce glare, make bird strike less likely, and increase privacy for street facing windows. Also protects flooring and furniture from getting faded from the sun.
• Tiled niches in showers and above baths are a highly recommended addition to your bathroom. Allowing a designated space for your toiletries will stop them cluttering the floor or requiring a shower basket.
• Plaster niches can be used for displaying art and decorative objects, or above beds as a replacement for bedside tables.
• Upgrade your bath to a freestanding bath to give your bathroom a sense of luxury and design.
• High ceilings will open your space and make it feel bigger. This can be achieved with raking ceilings in bedroom and living areas, or even 2.7m ceilings throughout your house.
• Acoustic insulation between walls and sound check plaster can be added to increase insulation properties and reduce sound between bedrooms and bathrooms/living areas.

Insulation in walls and ceilings plays an important role in maintaining a strong Energy Rating. There are a lot of factors that effect energy ratings and when calculating, even a slight rotation of the house can change the way different materials harness and retain the sun’s warmth.

We work hand in hand with our energy consultant to ensure that all of our houses exceed a 6 star energy rating. Whilst 6 stars is a benchmark we need to meet, it’s important that we discuss any possible improvements to insulation and materials at the time of our Décor meetings. Our clients have the opportunity to construct an energy efficient home to their standards (6 stars plus) so upgrading insulation, under the floor, in the walls and ceilings may very well be a decision that benefits generations of families.

Cathedral ceilings are generally when the ceiling follows the pitch of the roof frame, with the benefit being a more open feel. Generally, this feature is best suited to living, kitchen and dining areas.

From a roof construction perspective, preference is to incorporate this feature with a skillion roof design, but it can be also done in a gable roof design but this construction is more involved as it requires a laminated beam along the ridge and then rafters fitted to it.

Highlight windows would generally be incorporated in a skillion roof design with the highlights being inserted in the section with the highest middle wall. Highlight windows really complement a cathedral ceiling, bringing in natural light effortlessly.

Some drawbacks are, as they would generally be over 3 meters off the internal floor level, they are hard to keep clean internally without extendable glass cleaning equipment. Also, if they are facing east, as the sun rises and the sunlight spreads across the cathedral ceiling for a brief period it exposes even the smallest of imperfections in the ceiling lining, this can be overcome with a plastering level 5 finish to the cathedral ceiling.

They are definitely a plus in providing natural light beautifully and also warmth on those cold winter mornings at no energy cost!

• Consider what small appliances you will regularly use in your kitchen, and where you will want to have them plugged in. Eg. Kettle, toaster, coffee machine.
• A powerpoint in your laundry or linen cupboard to charge handheld vacuums is a good way to keep them out of sight while charging.
• Do you need additional power points for lamps, laptops/computers or phone charging in living areas and by kitchen benches?
• Consider the pitch of your ceiling when planning your lighting setup, are there any changes in height or pitch across modules?
• Dimmers are an optional upgrade that can create ambiance in your living, dining or bedrooms.
• Consider your external lighting placement, think about not only your pathway between the driveway and entry, but also where you will keep your bins and meter box. Motion sensor lighting can be a useful optional upgrade.
• Plan out your furniture placement before choosing locations for your powerpoints and consider whether you will have a wall hung TV. If you need power or data points at specific heights you will need to let the electrician know. Additionally, consider whether you will need additional power points for game consoles.
• If you intend to have a feature pendant over your dining table, plan exactly where your dining table will go. You will want the light centred over the table not necessarily centred in the room.
• Prior to your consultation, spend time thinking about the light switch placement in your current home, what do you like and what would you change? Imagine walking through your floor plan from different routes, and where would be the most convenient placement for your light switches.
• If you are planning to install a wood heater either now or in the future, consider putting in a powerpoint as many wood heaters have fans which require power.

• Your Client Liaison will send you an email with information and resources to begin planning your décor selections approximately 4 weeks after signing your contract. The best way to prepare for your décor consultation is to read through these resources and start making selections prior to your meeting.
• Carefully review the inclusions and exclusions in your contract.
• Plan your kitchen colours by using Polytec’s ‘Designer’ visualiser tool or visiting a Polytec selection studio. Your contract will specify which finishes are included in your kitchen allowance. https://www.polytec.com.au/designer
• Use Colorbond’s Visualiser tool to test different colour combinations for your cladding, roof, gutters and window frames. https://colorbond.com/inspiration/visualiser
• Look at internal paint colours at Wattyl Paint ahead of time, buy sample pots and test different colours under different lighting.
• Do some initial planning prior to your electrical consultation to plan where you will need power points, data and lighting.
• Bring photos of styles and colours that you like, if you need inspiration check out our variety of Moodboards inspired by the Tasmanian landscape. https://www.tasbuilthomes.com.au/interior-design

Once you’re settled on the plan of your dreams, we’re ready to start the dream creating, what we do best!

Once all your wants and needs are down on paper, and our friendly sales team have got a full brief from you we’ll then prepare a comprehensive estimate for you. We will also undertake a free site inspection of your property. This allows you to discuss any unique aspects or issues with us that need to be considered in the design (e.g., slope, vegetation, service connections). 

Once you're happy & we’re happy, we'll compile an all-inclusive proposal for you. We advise that at this stage, you complete any finance arrangements to ensure there are no unnecessary delays.

Moving forward, once we’re all satisfied and ready to go we’ll provide a fixed price contract, to be signed by you, (our customer) and us, (the builders).

This contract...

• states the contract price.
• sets out the payment plan.
• confirms your finance details.

Once the contract is signed, and the initial deposit is paid, we will apply to your local council for approval for your new home. The approval process usually takes between 4-6 weeks.

So… contract is all signed, here’s where the fun begins…

Enjoy creating the perfect look and feel for your home, by sitting down with one of our experienced Client Liaison team in our recently refurbished décor selection space. Our standard allowance covers most selections, such as the colour of your walls, ceilings, timberwork, cupboard doors, bench tops, and splash backs. You can also select your curtains, floor coverings, and light fittings, depending on your chosen package.

Should you request something above the allowance of your package, we will advise you of any extra cost.

Once the build process starts in the factory, things move with lightening speed. Crafted by an expert team of qualified tradesmen, your home will be in our factory facility in Westbury for the short space of six weeks, where it will be completed up to at least 90%. You’re welcome to visit our facility anytime to view the progress, and our team of customer service experts will keep your ‘MyHome’ portal up to date with weekly photos of your off-site progress.

After your new modular home is transported to your site(please note: As our team are finishing off other projects they may be a few weeks before they start on your site), the finishing details are added, and the services/utilities are connected. Lastly, your new home is professionally cleaned for your convenience.

Then its over to you! Once all the work onsite has been completed, your local council will make a final inspection. One of our staff will meet you at your new home to guide you through and familiarise you with any relevant details, before handing over your keys, certificate of ownership, insurance information, and after-sales service details.

• The work triangle – this is the line from each of the primary workstations (cooktop, sink & refrigerator). The ideal total length of the work triangle should be between 4000-6000mm
• The minimum distance between benchtops should be 900mm but ideally the space is between 1000-1400mm.
• We recommend including a wall oven tower if you have the space to do so. A wall oven tower incorporates some large pot drawers, oven, microwave space and an overhead cupboard. This allows the oven to be off the floor making it safer for children and easier to access for people of all ages.
• Consider where you will store larger appliances, especially if you do not have a butlers or walk in pantry where you can store them.
• Drawers are much more functional than a cupboard as there’s no need for you to bend right down or get on your hands and knees to reach everything - things tend to get lost at the back of cupboards
• Waste disposal/recycling – a pullout twin bin is the best way to hide away your rubbish and contain unpleasant odors. This can either be in your sink cupboard or in a separate pullout cupboard if you have a larger family.
• Consider keeping gathering/social spaces of the kitchen separate to the preparation spaces. If you have a sink or cooktop in a breakfast bar/island bench they tend to attract clutter and dirty dishes. If space allows, try to keep the breakfast bar/island bench clear.
• Think about what you like and dislike about your current kitchen so these things aren’t incorporated into your new kitchen
• Make sure your lighting placement doesn’t create shadows in your cooking/preparation spaces. You may even want to consider LED strip lighting under any overheads.

• Ensure you have enough cupboard storage not only for your linen, but also cleaning items, vertical space for mops/brooms/vacuums and even seasonal items such as Christmas decorations.
• Walk-in pantries allow extra space for food storage and small appliances and cookware that aren’t frequently used.
• If a walk-in pantry doesn’t fit into your floor plan, we can include a pull-out pantry unit, or a pantry with built in drawers and shelving into your kitchen design.
• Include a mudroom at your entryway with hooks or storage space to keep shoes, coats and bags tidy and out of the way.
• Walk in robes are practical and luxurious, allowing plenty of extra space for clothes while also keeping them out of the bedroom.

INTERNAL

The best-selling product ranges at Factory Blinds are;

• Double roller blinds also known as Day/Night blinds. https://www.factoryblinds.com.au/Blinds/Internal-Blinds/Roller-blinds/Blockout-Roller-Blinds
• Following close behind is the block-out roller blind combined with a modern sheer drape https://www.factoryblinds.com.au/Curtains/Sheers
• Plantation shutters https://www.factoryblinds.com.au/Blinds/Internal-Blinds/Plantation-shutters/Shutter-Ranges
• Honeycomb blinds https://www.factoryblinds.com.au/Blinds/Internal-Blinds/Honeycombs/Honeycomb-Blind-Styles
• Motorisation https://www.factoryblinds.com.au/Blinds/Motorisation

PRACTICAL

For the home owner wanting best heat reduction in summer and best heat retention in winter then an external roller shutter combined with an internal sheer or sunscreen blind is very hard to beat.

OUTDOOR LIVING

With most new builds having an outdoor entertainment area as a standard addition then to make that space useable all year round add a Ziptrak® patio blind. https://www.factoryblinds.com.au/Blinds/External-Blinds/Outdoor-Ziptrak-Blinds/Outdoor- Blinds-Options

HOME AUTOMATION

As home automation becomes more common and the price of motors and home automation systems become cheaper, the motorised window furnishing market continues to go from strength to strength. Home automation systems can now be operated from mobile phones. Voice activation to operate window furnishings is becoming an everyday occurrence.

All moved in, but need a few essentials? .. no problems! We’re here to help – a new home and a new neighborhood, you’ll need to sort some essentials like rubbish bins, NBN etc. etc. – let us make it easy for you!

Rubbish Bins

Look at your local council shire website for details on ordering your bins, most councils in Tasmania allow a standard residential household a 120-litre rubbish bin and a 240-litre recycling bin. Most Tasmanian councils also provide a regular kerbside waste collection, check the website for days and times of collection etc.

NBN

Even with a new build, you’ll still need to make sure the NBN is available in your area. One of the quickest ways to do this is to check an NBN roll out map and enter your address. After entering your location you’ll see a map of your area which will be covered with a block of colour. Typically purple means the NBN is available, brown means the NBN rollout is still in progress and white means that the work on the NBN hasn’t started yet (or in some cases may not be planned at all).

There may also be some additional information like the approximate date that the NBN will become available and the type of NBN technology that will be used.

Water meters

Water meters are installed on properties to record how much water is being used.  Under the Water and Sewerage Industry Act 2008, TasWater is required to charge customers based on two-part pricing, that is, a fixed service charge and a water usage charge. Water meters are the property of TasWater, and you are responsible for maintaining the meter.

Water usage for your property is recorded quarterly by TasWater.   A true read will be undertaken by an authorised TasWater representative, who will read the meters between the hours of 7.00am and 7.00pm Monday to Friday. 

The meter is usually located just within the boundary of the property, where the property's water supply connects to our mains, known as the 'connection point'. 

If you cannot locate your water meter, an application for the location can be made to TasWater.

So, you’re building a new home and watching every penny! Let us help with some tips on how to make your décor look fantastic without breaking the bank!

• Paint an accent wall :Adding a splash of colour to any part of a room can not only add a different dimension to the room, but is very cost-effective. When you enter the room, it creates a spot that draws the eye to a point, and gives a classy interior look.
• Remove any dated, worn on damaged items: Showcasing any items that do not add to the look or feel of the room only worsens the interior look. Even if you remove these and don’t replace them, it will still improve the looks of the room. If you want to replace them, some inexpensive pieces from stores like Kmart or Target could be the perfect replacement.
• Buy pre-loved décor and furniture: Pre-loved or second-hand décor and furniture can be purchased for a significantly low price. What’s more is that with a little bit of your time and some materials, they can look 100% better. Although this may mean more costs, it will end up costing a lot less than what it would cost to buy brand new items.
• Replace cushion covers with new ones: Such a simple hack that anyone can do! If you have cushions with insides that are in perfect condition, but covers that are worn or dated, all it requires is some new cushion covers. These are not hard to find, and can be picked up for very reasonable prices, and have a big impact on the décor of a room.
• Stock up on candles: Stocking up on candles may seem like an unlikely way to have great décor on a budget. Candles are items that can add some spark and feature to a room and add a calm and cosy vibe. What’s more, is that they come in many shapes, sizes, colours and smells, and can be picked up for very affordable prices at many stores.
• Replace the handles of your cupboards and doors: Although a very small part of the décor of a room, cupboard handles have a considerable effect on the interior look of a room. What’s great is that modern and stylish handles can be purchased and installed at a very low cost. Many shapes, sizes and colours are available, and, when they replace old and dated handles, they can give the room a massive lift.

Decks are often the finishing touch to a home, and many Tasbuilt Homes being in regional and rural areas, have beautiful wide verandas, perfect for enjoying balmy summer evenings and the ever popular Aussie BBQ… but while these are quintessentially part of a rural Tasmanian home, they do need a little bit of upkeep to keep them in A1 condition!

Exposure to Tassie’s four seasons in one day climate and general wear and tear means your deck needs a bit of TLC every now and again! As well as the general cleaning and maintenance, the following deck maintenance tips and actions should be carried out at least once a year. 

A careful annual clean of your deck is critical to the upkeep of your outdoor space. Letting leaves and dirt sit on your deck for long periods of time can lead to discolouration and encourage mould and rotting of timber decks, as will leaving piles of general clutter – mops, buckets, gardening tools etc etc – remember its purpose is for entertaining/welcoming friends – not another storage device!

So as a starting point, sweep your deck with a soft bristled broom to remove obvious debris and dirt from the surface, and if necessary a purpose brought deck wash or cleaning solution to scrub your deck’s surface – it’s important to choose one that’s appropriate for your deck. There are specialised products for this, so please do your research, but a cleaner will not only wash the dirt and residue away it will also kill mould and mildew.

Once you’ve cleaned your deck, the next step is a thorough inspection to identify any problem areas. Check for loose boards, splits in boards, rotten boards and nails or screws rising above the surface. Its essential to replace tarnished boards, as these left will only cause further deterioration and warping.

We recommend that you oil your deck every 12 to 24 months, to keep it in pristine condition. For maximum protection though, you might want to consider having the process completed every 3 to 6 months. We also recommend having it done professionally, as this will ensure that your expensive deck is properly protected, as you will know decks don’t come cheap and deserve to be treated as a worthy investment.

If you’re tossing up between a decking oil or stain, it’s important do your research as to the difference. Decking oil is mostly about protecting your deck, whereas decking stain is more about colouring it. If you’re unhappy with the colour of your timber, and want a completely different hue, you might want to consider a stain (although this won’t give you the same level of protection).

A final note..

Taking the time to clean, repair, sand and seal your deck annually will quickly have it looking like new, making it a great space for you to spend time year-round and protecting your investment for the long term.

Enjoying your home and not being a slace is what homeownership should be about! Here are some helpful tips to consider for the care and maintenance of your new home

Gutters: Most experts agree the best time of year to clean your gutters is in the spring and fall. An early spring cleaning will help clear out all the leaves and debris from your gutters and ensure rainfall can flow freely into the spouts. A simple solution of water and white vinegar works very well for cleaning the outside of the gutters and won’t corrode aluminium.

Painting weatherboards: Painting the exterior of your home demands time and effort, so it makes sense to do it right the first time. When you know how to prepare weatherboards for painting you’ll be able to give your home a professional looking, freshly updated look.

1. 1. Clean the weatherboards: Use a broom to remove any cobwebs around the gutters or under the eaves and windows.
2. 2. Rinse the weatherboards thoroughly with clean water and allow them to dry. If possible, use a high-pressure water hose.
3. If there are any stubborn surface stains on the weatherboards, wearing rubber gloves, wash down the weatherboard surfaces with sugar soap.
4. Remove any flaking or loose paint with sandpaper and a scraper.
5. Fill any gaps with exterior filler, allowing it to dry before sanding back. It’s important to check the ends of the weatherboards and use gap filler if holes are present.
6. Enjoy painting!

Air con filters: Maintaining clean air filters will help keep your air conditioner performing at its best. In most cases you simply remove the front panel of your return air. With that out of the way, you can now access the filter. To clean the filter, you simply take it out and remove all dust build up by vacuuming. You could also clean it using water, making sure you allow it to dry before putting back into place.

Cleaning grout: Simply spray warm water on the grout lines and scrub circular motion with a small nylon brush, then let it dry. Fill a spray bottle with half and half solution of vinegar and warm water. Spray on the grout, let it stand for a couple of minutes, and then scrub with a stiff- bristled brush using circular motion.

Spring cleaning: Get the most out of your spring cleaning by using a checklist. Tackle every room in your house from bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen to the living room.

• Every Room
  • Wash skirting boards, window sills, doors, and walls.
  • Wash window furnishings
  • Dust blinds.
  • Wash Windows - inside and out
  • Replace light bulbs.
  • Dust and/or vacuum light fixtures and lamp shades.
• Kitchen
• Clean out pantry.
• Wash kitchen cabinets.
• Clean oven.
• Move fridge - vacuum and mop behind it.
• Clean fridge inside - wash outside.
• Living Room
• Dust and wash all mirrors, frames, and decorative items.
• Vacuum all upholstery.
• Vacuum all lamp shades.
• Dust furniture and fixtures.
• Wash all throw pillows and blankets (use steam).
• Dust and polish furniture.
• Vacuum and shampoo carpets
• Bedroom
• Wash all bedding.
• Wash all bed and throw pillows.
• Flip Mattress - if using pillow top, rotate mattress.
• Remove anything stored under bed you don't want anymore.
• Home
• Change batteries in smoke detectors.
• Check all electronics, make sure they are plugged in, cords are untangled and everything is plugged in.
• Check expiration date on fire extinguisher.
• Sweep front porch and back deck.
• Store all winter items.
• Disinfect all computer keyboards and mouse - Use compressed air to remove crumbs, dust and other particulates. Use a dampened microfiber cloth and wipe the keys down. Use dry microfiber to remove any leftover moisture.
• Bathroom
• Clean and disinfect bath and shower.
• Wash bathmats.
• Dust and replace decorative items.
• Other
• Update all your house first aid kits. Toss expired medication while sorting other medication.
• Dry clean any necessary winter clothing or items. Store all winter items for next year.
• Donate any unused clothes items to local community organizations.
• Cleaning light fittings
• Most fixtures can be easily cleaned with the use of a microfiber towel, you may need a little extra help if it hasn’t been cleaned in a long time. If you choose to use a cleaning solution, your best bet is to mix a mild cleaner like dish soap with warm water.
• Ovens
• There are many different ways and ideas to clean your ovens. Baking soda and white vinegar (known as kitchen heroes) can tackle a dirty oven covered in build-up and transform it into a sparkling clean appliance. Make a chemical free cleaning paste with these natural products for a safe cleaning method that fights the grime.
• Carpet cleaning
• Hiring a professional carpet cleaning service would be the best option for when cleaning the carpets in your home. The use of pressurised water disturbs the carpet fibers and dislodges dirt from deep within the carpet and the vacuum immediately draws the waste out, leaving your carpet thoroughly clean. For the removal of stubborn stains and ingrained dirt, hot water extraction really is the best method of cleaning.