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Going Green – Energy Efficient Home Designs

Posted on February 9, 2021 by - Designing your home

“It’s not easy being green”. Sorry, Kermit, you’re wrong – at least when it comes to building an energy-efficient home. There’s no better time to reduce your environmental footprint and slash your utility bills – forever.

While every new home must meet minimum energy efficiency standards, there’s potential to take it a whole lot further. Not only do you stand to gain on reduced utility bills, but a report in the Herald-Sun said that interest in energy efficient homes was rising, and may add to the value of a home.

Energy-efficient home designs are no longer just trendy: they are a lifestyle. This means the decisions you make today about how you design your home will have significant consequences when it comes time to re-sell. Understanding the link between your budget and the global consequences of your decisions makes you far better positioned to predict the attitudes of the buyers of the future.

A green attitude is already evident in the buying habits of millennials, as they pride themselves on being the first generation willing to pay significantly more for products that are more considerate of their impact on the environment, and this, of course, will include the houses they choose to buy. Millennials will not haggle solely on price, they will also negotiate on the specific ways their homes are both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. This attitude has brought new meaning to the term “investment” and needs to be considered when talking to your builder about how to design an energy-efficient home.

Decide upfront; communicate early

If energy efficiency is on your radar, you’ll achieve the best results if you commit to the idea at the very earliest stages of your building project: as you’re choosing land and creating a home design. Your builder and designer then have the chance to provide a full range of ideas and options.

Sustainable design

When it comes to land and overall design, you’ll need to think about aspect and house orientation. Ideally, you want living areas to be north-facing to soak up winter sun; to limit windows on the east and west (or shade them well); and allow for cross-ventilation. You might choose to locate service areas like the garage and laundry in areas that would normally require extra heating or cooling.

Size does matter when it comes to sustainability. It’s important to choose a floor plan that’s just what you need; without unnecessary extra spaces. You might decide to forgo a media room, or a second living area for example.

Then there’s smart use of space. By creating zoned areas of rooms with similar uses, you can save on heating and cooling costs. With high ceilings and open plan designs, creative solutions can limit the energy drain: such as well-placed doors or room-dividing screens.

G.J. Gardner Homes designs can be easily adapted and customized to provide additional energy efficiency. In some areas, we offer a range of highly efficient homes such as the Sterling 1816 which provide adaptable features, great looks and an included solar power system. .

The design decisions you make are critical: they’ll impact your heating, cooling and water costs for years to come.

The Glenview range of house designs are highly energy efficient.

Building choices

This is where your builder can become your eco buddy. If you make it clear that efficiency is a priority, your builder can offer additional choices such as:

  • Advice on materials selection for walls, roofs and floors to add to energy efficiency and decrease maintenance
  • Additional insulation, for the house and for areas such as skylights
  • Solar hot water and solar power. New technology means you can now store solar energy and manage energy usage proactively
  • Rain water tanks and greywater for toilets and laundries
  • Use of water-saving taps and shower heads
  • Low energy lighting, such as LED
  • Installing fans and air-conditioning (AC)

Landscaping for your location

Again, make sure you tell your landscaper that you’re trying to maximize energy efficiency. Plant selection and placement can make a difference. It might be a matter of:

  • Choosing drought-resistant plants
  • Minimizing lawn areas
  • Using vegetation to block the sun in exposed areas or let light through in cool areas

Over to you

Then it’s up to you for the big choices and the everyday ones that impact your utility bills. The big choices include buying energy-efficient appliances that are suitably sized for your spaces. The everyday choices are about where and when to use energy in your home, whether it’s turning on the AC vs opening some windows.

A final word on cost

But won’t it cost a lot to make a home energy efficient? That’s the perception, but the numbers stack up when you look at the payoff. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates households can save 30% on utility bills, which can yield a greater return relative to the initial investment. And that’s not to mention the creature comforts you’ll enjoy from a new home that’s climate optimized; or the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing your bit for environmental sustainability.

How to Design a Functional Kitchen

Posted on January 8, 2021 by - Designing your home

Over the past 20 years, the kitchen has transformed from a hidden room in a home to a multi-generational, multi-purpose space.

The kitchen’s role is no longer limited to cooking and washing dishes. Now, it’s also a living and entertainment area—a space where the kids do their homework, and parents check emails, make drinks and entertain guests.

With the kitchen being the heart of the home, and usually integrated into an open plan design, it’s important to consider this space in an aesthetic and sculptural way. Fixtures and facades suddenly become a whole lot more important when you can see them from your dining room.

But you have to strike the balance. The ultimate goal? A functional kitchen design that doesn’t compromise aesthetic.

It’s something that is definitely achievable, and while you can still have that brushed brass tap you’ve always dreamt of, there are key areas to consider to make sure your kitchen really works.

Must know: Five-zoned approach to kitchen design

The five-zoned approach to kitchen design is the holy grail of kitchen design, and is becoming an increasingly popular framework in which modern kitchens are built around.

Five-zoned kitchen design is a way of categorizing and simplifying the ever-diversifying ways that modern kitchens are used. Kitchens have evolved into more than just an area for cooking, and are now just as much a dining or entertainment space.

These five zones are:

  1. Consumables – where you store your perishables and non-perishables (pantry & fridge)
  2. Non-consumables – where you store your tools for cooking and eating (cookware, utensils)
  3. Cleaning – areas that go from dirty to clean (sink, trash cans, dishwasher)
  4. Cooking – your cooktop and oven
  5. Preparation Space – your bench space

Kitchen functionality is about determining how these five areas interact with each other and how you will use them in your daily life.

Use practical exercises to plan your layout

You may have heard of L-shaped, U-shaped and galley layouts. Before you rush into choosing one, we recommend using practical exercises to visualize how you will use the space.

For example, in order to satisfy your normal weekly grocery shop, you will need to be able to maneuver an armful of groceries easily.  Moving them from the bench top to the consumable zone within a few steps in an ideal scenario. Otherwise this task may become just that little bit more tedious!

Something else to consider is doing the dishes. The cleaning zone should be positioned so that you can put away clean dishes and utensils without too much effort. This may also reduce water splashes!

You can extend these imaginary exercises to every activity you do in your kitchen—meal prep, making lunches, baking, even cleaning and taking out the bins.

While you’re running through these ‘mental checks’ always come back to the five zones and consider how their positioning can make these daily tasks easier.

Small kitchen design and the working triangle

The working triangle is a kitchen design framework that was coined in the 1920s. It’s relatively simple—the theory states that a kitchen’s three main work areas (sink, refrigerator, stove) should form a triangle.

This approach allows you to access your consumable zone, cooking zone and cleaning zone with ease and ensures a path free of clutter. It is especially useful for small kitchens that need to utilize space to create comfort and convenience.

The working triangle can help eliminate clutter and obstacles, as you must ensure there is a smooth flow of traffic between each of the triangle’s ‘points’.

A simple but effective way to incorporate this is by adding your bin to your storage area. Otherwise, your free-standing bin may become something of a sticking point in your kitchen plan.

Invest in storage

It can be easy to fall into the trap of ‘bench-as-storage’. You’ll promise yourself that you’ll keep it neat and stay on top of managing the space… but the truth is, you likely won’t.

Ample, smart storage space instantly de-clutters your kitchen and provides you with easy access to your appliances when you need them.

You can never have too much storage in your kitchen, but you also want to make sure that it’s the right kind of storage.

You don’t want to simply stack your pots and pans and have your everyday food processor pushed right into the back of a cupboard. Every time you need something, you’ll have to unload everything from the shelf or drawer, then pack it all away again.

Your new home consultant will be able to help step you through the myriad of different types of kitchen storage available—from custom spice drawers to slide-out and magnetic racks, there’s a solution for every type of cook.

Integrate your appliances

We told you we liked storage. And integrated appliances take this concept one step further.

Simply put, integrated kitchen appliances have fronts that match your cabinetry.

Integration is almost like ‘storing your appliances’ — it helps reduce the visual clutter in your kitchen. From a functional perspective, it also can help you save on space, and makes your kitchen much easier to clean.

If you have the budget to accommodate, they’re an absolute must in a modern kitchen.

Putting it into practice

So where to from here?

A great place to start is to consider what your biggest constraints are and working backwards.

At the end of the day, kitchen design is a bit of a science. Taking the time to consult an expert will pay dividends, ensuring you aren’t running circles around your kitchen every time you prepare a meal.

Thinking of Knocking Down & Rebuilding? What Factors into How Much It Costs to Demolish a House?

Posted on October 20, 2020 by - Planning your build

Thinking of rebuilding how much does it cost to demolish a house

The beauty of rebuilding on your existing plot of land lies in the fact that you can have the house of your dreams, without the considerable hassle that comes with moving to a new location. Maybe you’ve grown to be fond of the land in which your current house sits. Maybe you love the surrounding area and have strong ties to the community. Or, maybe you just want a new house on the same block! If so, your first question will likely center around the process of demolishing your house, and how this will factor into the overall cost of the build. Here, we outline what will impact the demolition dollars in your budget.

How Much Does It Cost to Demolish A House?

Considering all of the factors we go through below, including size, accessibility, type of home and the potential presence of hazardous materials, the price can vary greatly. In our experience you would be looking anywhere between $5,000 to $30,000 to demolish your home.

What Do You Need to Consider When Demolishing a House?

We will dive into deeper detail below, but here’s what you need to consider when demolishing your home:

  1. Size of House
  2. Building Materials
  3. Access to Demolition Site
  4. Hazardous Materials (Asbestos or Mold)
  5. Additional Structures
  6. Tree or Landscape Clearing
  7. Distance to Recycling/Disposal Center
  8. Size of House Being Demolished

Size of the House

Yes, the size of your house will impact the overall demolition cost, with some contractors charging by the square foot. In this case, you can relatively accurately estimate the overall cost you will have to foot based on your home size.

Building Materials

Yes, the material used to build your house can have a significant effect on how much your house demolition costs.

A wood-framed house is generally cheaper to demolish than brick or concrete, which are heavier materials requiring special machinery. In many cases, wood can be salvaged and recycled, which will bring down the overall cost of your demolition.

Level of Access to House

Your site grade and access for demolition equipment may also have a bearing. Essentially, if the home you wish to demolish is in a difficult to reach location, this will make it more difficult to transport demolition equipment, transportation vehicles and disposable material from the site, therefore increasing costs of labor, equipment hire and more.

Hazardous Materials (Asbestos or Mold)

How do you demolish a house with asbestos or mold? How much does it cost to demolish a house with asbestos or mold?

If your house was built between 1920 and 1990, there’s a good chance that asbestos was used in construction. This will boost your budget, as asbestos is about three times more expensive to remove than standard building materials – due to the specialist skills, extra labor and treatment required.

The same goes with mold, as the hazardous material needs to be disposed of safely by experienced technicians. Schedule an asbestos and mold inspection of your home before demolition to find out what type of demolition you require.

Other Factors That Need to be Considered When Demolishing a Home

Additional factors that will impact the cost of removing your existing home include:

  • Extra structures that need to be removed, like a shed or pool.
  • Trees or shrubs that need clearing to allow for your new build.
  • Distance to recycling or disposal centers, which adds to transportation costs.

These factors are more specialized factors that can drive up the price of demolition as well. These are not necessarily going to add a great deal of money to your total, but if they apply to you they will need consideration.

The Demolition Process

Before you sign on to demolish your home, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the demolition process. Your supplier may offer to handle everything for you; or there may be parts you need to take care of yourself.

Do I need a permit to Demolish House?

You’ll need the proper paperwork in place before you begin demolishing your house. This involves working with a private certifier, submitting forms to your local county and paying any necessary fees. This process may take several weeks, so it’s better to start early with this part of the process. Most importantly, you’ll need to check whether there are any restrictions on demolition or tree removal.

Services Disconnection

Here, you’ll need to work in close cooperation with your demolition contractor. Usually you’ll need to disconnect your electricity, gas, telecommunications and water/sewer prior to starting the demolition of your house, however check whether your supplier needs water for any asbestos removal first.

Baiting

It may be a local council requirement for your home to be baited for rodents in the weeks leading up to your house demolition. This is to stop any pests spreading to your neighbours’ homes.

Choosing a Demolition Contractor

Your builder may sort this out for you, but if not, it’s important to choose a demolition company that has all the necessary licences, up-to-date equipment, proven processes, and to understand where and how they will dispose or recycle your building debris. Be sure to find a demolition contractor that will be able to do all of the work you require at a competitive price point.

How Long Does it Take to Demolish a House?

The physical act of knocking down your existing house usually happens relatively quickly – in some cases it only takes a day. But you’ll need to allow around two months to walk through the full process, which needs to be factored into your building project plan.

Most importantly, with your demolition done your site is now ready for the most exciting step: construction of your dream home.

If a knockdown-rebuild ticks all your building boxes, talk to a specialist. G.J. Gardner Homes not only has a huge range of home designs that can be customized for your lot, but we’ll take care of each and every step (including demolition), so you can relax and enjoy your build.

How to Build an Expansive Home on a Narrow Lot

Posted on October 20, 2020 by - Planning your build

Top view narrow blocks

A narrow lot may feel restrictive, but clever home design can overcome any challenge! Despite the smaller space, your approach to designing your home can be bigger and better. Smart design techniques, creative use of interior design elements and some architectural knowhow will allow you to create some incredible results.

Forget foregoing spacious living areas or sacrificing a breath-taking location. If you think outside the box (narrow, wide- whatever the size) and explore the key design elements behind the most inspiring narrow lot homes, you can achieve the home you so desire.

At G.J. Gardner Homes, we offer a range of narrow lot house designs created to take advantage of every available inch. We’ll dive into deeper detail below, but here are our 6 Narrow Lot House Design Tips:

  1. Open Plan Living
  2. High Ceilings
  3. Prioritize Natural Light
  4. Clever Use of Space
  5. A Light Color Palette
  6. Landscaping

1. Open Plan Living

The concept of open plan living is potentially the most important in narrow block house designs! Ditch the dividers and let the kitchen, living room and dining room live as one. In keeping with contemporary interior design trends, these spaces are growing into more than the sum of their parts. These spaces combined are increasingly becoming the central hub of the modern home, and none more so than homes built on narrow lots.

By unifying these areas, the limited width of the space is optimized and natural light is able to bounce around at its own free will. Sliding doors can be used to open the space further to the patio area, providing space to entertain and enjoy with the entire family.

2. High Ceilings

What’s lacking in width can be made up for in height. Embracing the vertical space with high ceilings will allow even the smallest rooms to feel spacious and luxurious. Around 9 feet is a great ceiling height to aim for, but don’t be afraid to aim even higher. For a 2-storey narrow block design, consider a void above the kitchen, dining or living area.

3. Prioritize Natural Light

Natural light is your best friend on a narrow lot, and the aim of the game is to let as much in as possible. This can be achieved through cleverly placed windows, skylights, highlight windows and glass doors. The builders at GJ Gardner are experts when it comes to narrow lot house designs, and all floor plans are created to optimize space and generate a distinctly open and bright floor plan. Room design, window placement and the overall layout are skilfully crafted to accomplish this.

4. Creative Use of Space

As mentioned earlier, there is no need to sacrifice in narrow block homes. Two-car garages, patio areas, a butler’s pantry, bonus rooms and the number of spacious bedrooms your family needs; space is calculated to ensure everything fits and that no space is wasted.

The key to perfect narrow block house plans is the functional use of space. Through carefully considered choices in furniture your essential storage space doesn’t need to be sacrificed. G.J. Gardner’s Kensington 270 narrow house block design is a great example of how to utilise an open space plan.

5. A Light Color Palette

Light colors will bring your narrow block home to life and will allow natural light to reflect throughout, accentuating the open feel and making your space feel wider than it may be in a literal sense.

Give your home a light and natural feel with a neutral color palette that uses white or off-white tones, light woods and other earthy elements like woven fabrics for décor.

6. Landscaping Considerations

You may not have acres and acres of land to work with, but nonetheless, you have the power to create an outdoor space that’s a beautiful addition to your narrow lot home. Install cavity sliding doors to your patio area, and make use of vertical gardens to grow your favorite veggies and herbs.

Local Regulations and Building Code

The relevant building code may have some rules around what you can and can’t do you on a narrow lot. Pay particular attention to:

  • Setback from each boundary: This is how close you can build to the boundary and will influence the footprint of your new home.
  • Building height and number of stories: Can you build to two stories to add more space? Even three?
  • Percentage of the land you can build on: These guides are intended to balance indoor and outdoor space and will guide the maximum footprint of your new home.
  • Impact on neighbors: There may be requirements around privacy, light, amenity and views of neighboring houses.
  • Parking provisions: Including access, number of parking spaces, and their location.

When you work with G.J. Gardner Homes, we can explain your local guidelines and advice on compliant design choices. As experts in local building regulation, we can work with you to meet these standards in a way that conforms to your expectations for your new home.

Other Aspects to Consider When Designing a Narrow Lot Home

The design phase is crucial when you have a narrow lot, as there is less room for error than a traditional lot. But modern designs for narrow lots have come a long way and provide excellent liveability and comfort. Some design inspiration for a narrow lot:

  • Use a design that’s been made for a narrow lot: It’s fine to customize, but it doesn’t work as well to use a traditional design as your starting point.
  • Build up: If possible, add a second story to gain additional living space. After all, height will be the best dimension for you to expand into.
  • Get creative with car parking: This might mean a side entrance to the house so you maximize parking real estate at the front. Or, put parking at the back of the house if you have rear access. If you use one car more than the other, a tandem garage might be the go.
  • Decorate sensitively: The key is not to over-do interior decorations: less really is more! That means being restrained with furniture and cutting the clutter. Interior designers advise choosing a core palette of around three base materials and using these throughout the home to create a seamless, expansive feel. Make use of wall-mounted joinery in bathrooms: combined with wall-mounted toilets and frameless shower screens it creates the illusion of extra space.

Ready to get started? Check out G.J. Gardner Homes’ house designs and talk to your local consultant about the best match for your narrow lot. Get in touch with your local office today!

6 Things to Look for When Purchasing a Lot to Build On

Posted on October 20, 2020 by - Planning your build

If you’ve decided to build a new home with G.J Gardner Homes, you’ll probably need to source a piece of land. Finding the right lot isn’t always straightforward – size, shape and location are just some of the first things that spring to mind when thinking of elements that will inform your buying decision. But that’s not all that you’ll need to keep front of mind! In this post, we examine the most important considerations to make when looking for a lot.

  1. Location
  2. Size and shape of the lot
  3. Slopes
  4. Soil, rocks and trees
  5. Orientation of the lot
  6. Cost of utilities

1. Location

Ideally, the lot you buy should be close to the nearest amenities – shops, schools, hospitals, parks, public transport – in a street that makes sense for you and your family. It’s no secret that one of the most important things to consider before buying land is the real estate mantra – “Location, Location, Location”. This slogan is still just as relevant today as when it was first coined in the mid-20th Century.

Additionally, while it is more than likely your building developer has already researched your piece of land, you must remember to verify any forest fire, tornado, or earthquake risks with your local city or country office. These dangers can impact your insurance costs and ability to receive finance for your project.

As a rule of thumb, you should to be careful when considering land near to forests, waterways, and fault lines.

2. Size, Shape and Aspect

First, you should consider the size of your lot relative to your personal circumstance. For instance, a family will need a larger lot in order to add extra bedrooms and so on, whereas a single owner or a couple may need less space. Your home design is, therefore, vital to the size of your chosen lot.

It goes without saying that your block will have to accommodate the house you are planning on building. A flat, rectangular block that faces the street is the most popular choice. As a result, these blocks will often fetch a higher price in suburban areas.

Moreover, it’s worth remembering that more “unique or unusual” pieces of land – such as L-shape or corner lots – may be more difficult to sell when the time comes. These irregular lots can create some constraints on the type of structure you can realistically build on it. However, these irregular lots have some pros. For instance, the battle-axe lot usually has a lower price and the corner lot allows for the potential of a subdivision.

3. Sloping Lots

A sloping lot with a stunning view can be difficult to resist. Although, it should to be known that a sloping lot requires far more preparation before it comes time to build. If a sloping lot is your dream, it’s vital to receive advice from a professional builder before agreeing to the purchase. It is very likely that your builder will have to carve into the slope in order to create some space for the level slab. Additionally, retaining walls may also be necessary in order to have stable soil that adheres to local standards. This preparation can be very expensive, so you should be aware of the cost.

Similarly, if your lot is located below street level or at the bottom of a slope, you will have to discuss draining issues with your developer.

4. Soil, Rocks and Trees

If you’re buying a piece of land in an unestablished, rural area (without prior soil testing), you should have a soil test administered on your lot. This is necessary as a lot with an unwanted soil class can be very costly to stabilize. Likewise, lots which are rocky or in need of tree removal will cost more to build on.

5. Orientation of the Lot

One of the most important aspects of construction, according to engineers and architects, is the orientation of the build.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the most popular orientation for the front of the house is a south-facing build. A south-facing property allows the sun to passively heat your home in Winter, helping you save on your electricity bill. It’s worth consulting with your home builder, as they know how you can do this most efficiently based on your location and the weather conditions you experience over an average year. Carefully choosing the placement of your land will not only reduce your heating bills but also allow your house to be ‘greener’.

It is not only the placement of the house that will be important, where windows are located will have a significant impact on your electricity bill. So you should consider the placement of rooms, windows and so on before buying your land.

6. Cost of Utilities

A common oversight when buying land is to forget about the utilities. Fortunately, in most cases of housing or estate development, your developer will have already arranged the street connections for the electricity, water, sewer lines, gas, and telecommunications.

However, if you’re hoping to purchase land in an undeveloped or rural area, it is vital that you do your research. Your costs to build will rise significantly if you need to install infrastructure such as any of those mentioned above.

In short, your lot that you decide to build on should be something you put a great deal of thought into if you want to avoid any undue costs or headaches down the track. Buying your own lot is an enjoyable experience, provided you do your research and get a professional building opinion along the way.

At G.J. Gardner Homes, we strive to take the complexity and stress out of buying land: we’re able to source quality pieces of land, a range of custom house designs and house and land packages to build with you. For further information, please contact us for a friendly, no-obligation chat.