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What would you have now if you rebuilt?
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 8:01 pm
by Dot
If you were to build a new house these days what things would you have different? I am thinking
Solar with one of those tesla? battery storage things?
Cooking tops, gas, induction , any other new type?
Double glazing to some windows?
Underfloor heating (loved it in last place)
Hot water gas or power (solar)
Roof tiles/ tin
Insulation.
Water tanks/ (we have ours underground)
Eves (houses have barely any these days.
Anything else you smart people could mention?
Re: What would you have now if you rebuilt?
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 8:15 pm
by jon_d
high Tin roof.
tons of Solar with lots of storages
little room off the side of the house for all the energy things.
No gas hot water. Solar powered hot water when the batteries are full.
Re: What would you have now if you rebuilt?
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 9:04 pm
by Shirley
Really think you have to be young guns to go for all that solar & battery stuff at our age you would never save the cost of the installation IMO probably a solar hot water would be good.
Although as time progresses it does seem to be getting cheaper.
Re: What would you have now if you rebuilt?
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 11:30 pm
by Greynomad
With you on the solar, Shirley!
Payback time would be 30+ years at the present feed-in rate... and that’s just to break even! You’d need to live another 30 years to reap the rewards in low power bills.
Two things I’d change: a walk-in shower with no step, and a 10ft deep verandah the full length of the north side of our house, which is aligned east-west. Already have a shady ODLA on the south side.
That would shade the bedrooms in summer while having room for a couple of easy chairs.
I’d even keep our wood fireplace! (It’s supplemented by underfloor heating. Very cozy.)
Oh, if I had zillions I’d demolish the whole house and rebuild it 20ft north, which would give us a smaller front yard but a bigger back yard for the hounds.
They only have ⅓ acre...
Front garden is a half acre.
The existing 6 roses when we moved in have now been joined by another 120... and some garden sculptures/ornaments.
Re: What would you have now if you rebuilt?
Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:07 am
by Shirley
We already have 8ft balconies facing north the full with of our house Ray, perfect for the winter
Re: What would you have now if you rebuilt?
Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:47 am
by Newcastle George
Our 20yo house has 600mm eaves and I made certain that the 2nd floor extension had the same.
If installing a corrugated iron roof be sure it is zuncalume coated, not colourbond.
George
Re: What would you have now if you rebuilt?
Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 9:05 am
by BruceS
Good luck with the zincalume George!!
Not sure here in Mannum but all roofs and shed / garages must be in 'heritage' colour. (in Kingston council area)
(unless using tiles of course)
I guess you could use zincalume & paint it!!?? (good luck getting the paint to stick)
PS. Mannum ... same....
Re: What would you have now if you rebuilt?
Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 9:53 am
by Newcastle George
Bruce, it's the heritage colours that deteriorate the quickest.
George
Re: What would you have now if you rebuilt?
Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 10:06 am
by TassyJim
Disability bathroom.
No stairs.
If a recent diagnosis is correct, I have a few years to get mine organised but I wish I had thought of it 15 years ago when I re-did the bathroom.
Jim
Re: What would you have now if you rebuilt?
Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 10:32 am
by BernieQ2
Carol and I with the occasional help from our son built the house on the farm , I had a owner builder license..done the lot including electrical and plumbing .
Got it right the first time...but we did have the vertue of living in three homes and took all the good stuff...spose that's cheating ?
Bernie .
They only have ⅓ acre... 
Front garden is a half acre. 
The existing 6 roses when we moved in have now been joined by another 120... and some garden sculptures/ornaments.