Generally the area under the footprint of a new home should be graded and levelled to the required height specified under the house (this height would be the finished floor level of the house shown on drawings, less the thickness of the floor structure). This may require material from high areas under the house to be moved to areas which are too low. Excess ground and dirt usually has to be taken away, while a shortage of soil and gravel will require suitable material to be brought from elsewhere, usually at additional costs. Of course the material that’s used to fill and level the area under the building footprint must be suitable, and it must be compacted to the required engineer’s specifications. Clay, silt, topsoil, and material with vegetation or rubble, as well as material that’s inconsistent or which has large boulders, is generally unsuitable for fill under buildings. Excavated slopes and filled areas mustn’t be too steep so that they’ll collapse. These slopes usually require protection with vegetation or other methods so the ground isn’t eroded away.
​
Before starting to level under the building footprint the area should be cleared of all topsoil, vegetation and unsuitable material.

It’s important to note that material that’s excavated from the undisturbed ground usually compacts to only about 80% of the original volume (this varies according to the type of ground and the desired amount of compaction). This means, that assuming the material excavated is all suitable for fill, then for every eight cubic metres (eight cubic yards) of fill required to level the platform for the house we have to excavate about ten cubic metres (ten cubic yards) from elsewhere. This is also a problem when trenches are excavated for pipes and cables. Often when the trenches are backfilled you may find there’s a shortage of material – nobody has stolen the material, it’s just been compacted down into a smaller volume and you’ll have to find additional material to make up the difference. 
​
If additional fill material has to be brought from elsewhere (off the property) there’s an additional cost for the transport and often the material has to be purchased. It should be noted that a cubic metre (yard) of loose ground and gravel on a truck usually compacts down to around 65% (again this depends on the type of soil as well as the desired compaction). So for every six and a half cubic metres (six and half cubic yards) of fill required you usually have to purchase about ten cubic metres (ten cubic yards) of loose fill. (Always ask for expert advice, or test a few truck loads because with some gravel and earth you may be fortunate and the loose material compacts down to only 75 or even 80%.) When purchasing gravel and earth always check that you’re purchasing cubic metres (yards) not tons. If you’re paying for tons ask the supplier what that equates to per cubic metre or yard.

Unsuitable ground and material that’s in excess of requirements usually has to be carted from your property at an additional cost.

It should be noted that during the construction process earth fill material is usually required to backfill around foundations and under floor slabs. Therefore retain sufficient suitable material created while levelling for the house for later use during construction.

To limit the amount of material required to be bought for filling to level areas and in trenches, it’s important that all material excavated on the property, whether to install utilities or for foundations, is sorted, keeping good backfill material separate from unsuitable material. Unfortunately, often this isn’t monitored properly and the good material gets contaminated and becomes unsuitable for use.
​
An engineer can advise on the compaction required under structures and the type and suitability of gravel and soil on the property.

Generally, where possible, it pays to design the house and set the house's floor levels such that the material excavated will all be used for filling, with minimal material to be carted off the property, or additional fill to be brought on.

If additional material is required, or you have surplus material, it pays to scout the area and nearby suburbs. Often there’re other construction projects nearby that have surplus material that they need to get rid of, or they may require additional fill material. Of course always check the quality of the material, since nobody wants a load of rubbish material that can’t be used and which then has to be removed at additional cost.

It should be noted that it’s illegal to dig holes on vacant properties or deposit excess material on them without the owner’s permission. But, sometimes even with the owner’s permission there may be permits to be gotten, such as environmental.

Where there’s some material that’s not very suitable, it may be a possibility to use this ground for filling lower down in trenches and under the house, and keep the better material for the uppermost layers – but obviously this is dependent on the engineer’s advice. 

On bigger properties, if there’s an excess of material it may be possible to incorporate some of this into the landscaping, creating low mounds.
​
Of course below ground swimming pools and basements create additional ground which can either be used to level the property or it has to be carted away.

​​​This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'.
​© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

Steeply sloping ground can add to building costs since usually the area under the house has to be levelled, which could entail bringing in additional ground, or it could mean excavating into the slope to create a level platform. But creating a level area may also require retaining walls to be constructed to hold the banks or sides of excavations up. These walls can be costly and also unsightly. An alternative to reduce the amount of earthmoving is to design the house so that it has steps and that the various rooms are built at differing levels to accommodate and follow the sloping ground.
​
Sometimes semi-basements can be constructed which are built into the slope to minimise the filling.

​Another solution is to build the house on stilts or columns so that the floor of the house, which is level, overhangs the sloping ground. The columns get longer further down the slope. This can be expensive, especially if the columns and house floor are constructed of concrete.

​But a steeply sloping property can create other problems which could include:

• Vehicle access to street level is difficult, and in particular vehicles with a low ground clearance could become stuck, or scrape on the driveway where it meets the road.
• Construction vehicles may have difficulty accessing the property, making construction more expensive if materials have to be moved from the road by hand to where they’re needed.
• Connections to the main sewer lines will be impossible if the existing town pipes are at a higher level than the lowest exit point from the planned house.
• Houses built below road level could be subject to flooding from stormwater from the road, or even from higher neighbouring properties.
• Maintaining a garden on a steeply sloping property is often more difficult than level properties.
• Many people don’t like purchasing steeply sloping properties, or houses with lots of steps, particularly if they are elderly or have mobility problems.

An advantage of building on steeply sloping ground is that if there’s a view there’s a possibility that the house in front of you will be lower and won’t obscure your view.

​While designing your house, selecting the contractor, and during construction you’ll be faced with hundreds of decisions. ​From the choices of floor coverings, tiles, bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinetry, counter tops, light fittings and much more. It’s important to always focus on costs and know what your budget allows. However, it’s also important that your focus on costs doesn’t drown out other essential factors. Just because something is on sale or much cheaper than another item should never be reason enough to choose the product. Purchasing Building Materials For Your Home Building Project

​When making your decisions you should consider:

• The quality. You should never be tempted to purchase something that’s of an inferior quality, that’s unreliable, or which is damaged already. Do you really want to include a chipped bathroom fixture or cracked tile in your bathroom? Do you really want to install an air-conditioning unit that fell off the back of a truck?
• If the product is suitable for the house? Will it match the architectural style and the other materials you purchased? Nobody should be choosing a countertop or tile solely for the reason that it’s the cheapest.
• Is it what you really want?
• Is it practical? Are you wasting money or adding value with your home renovation?
• Is it really going to be the cheapest decision after you’ve factored in all the other costs, such as transport, installation and running costs? Checking Your Contractor's Price (Quotation)

​Unfortunately, frequently owners become so focussed on costs that their new home becomes a mishmash of clashing ideas and colours which have been selected purely because they were the cheapest or the products were on sale. The vision of that dream home with your favourite colours could turn into a nightmare containing colours that nobody likes, least of all when they’re mixed together. Of course this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t purchase items that are on sale, or use second-hand items, rather that these should be appropriate and fit the house’s style and décor without compromising quality. Nor should you be so fixated on a brand or particular item that you overlook or ignore products and materials which are cheaper, but which will be just as suitable. 7 Tips for Home Renovation on a Budget
For more Read Budget your new home build and renovation project and Read This Before Selecting Your Home Renovation and Building Contractor.

​This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

Many people start constructing their new house, or renovating their home, with great excitement, only to find that they run out of money before they can complete construction. What a disappointment to be left with a half completed house. But it is often more than disappointment. Money problems often leads to other problems. There's stress, marital problems, and in the worst case banks can seize properties which were held as surety against loans. Yes, that's right, people have even lost their partially built home, or even the house that they're currently living in.
​
If you're able to survive the money issues, and the worst case the project is only delayed until your money situation improves, then their are often additional costs to complete your project. These costs could include employing another contractor to take on the half completed project. Often this could mean that warranties on work already completed is lost. During the delay your project could have been damaged by the weather or even vandalised. Then there could be additional costs of paying rent to live elsewhere, council rates, security and insurance, cost of restarting the project, etc.

Many people run out of money because they did not allow for all the costs. In  Have you allowed for all the costs of your new home build?  Part 1​ and  Have you allowed for all the costs of your new home build? Part 2. we looked at the costs to allow in your budget.

Some times people have not looked at what their contractor priced, and then are surprised to have to pay extra to get features they thought were included. See ​Checking Your Contractor's Price (Quotation)  and  Read This Before Selecting Your Home Renovation and Building Contractor. and What’s included in your builder's price (or excluded)

Sometimes projects hit unexpected snags or problems Questions to ask before starting a home renovation, or building a new house

​Then sometimes you have enough money for the project, but you don't have it right now to pay the bills. This is called cashflow problems which we look at in a future article.

Budgets involve not only what the project will cost, but also when these payments are due. It’s important to understand the construction schedule as well as the payment terms of all suppliers and subcontractors. (Read about cash flow later.) Late payment could lead to work stopping, supplies of materials being cut off, and you could incur additional costs, including losing discount provisions and incurring interest payment charges.

The construction and other project costs are paid from money you have in the bank, money from the sale of assets (like another home) and payments from bank loans. It’s important to understand when these funds will be received. Funds from the sale of assets can take time to be received and these transactions frequently take longer than envisaged. Of course, there’re often pitfalls along the way, for instance sales could fall through even after everything appears settled. Banks seldom pay loan funds out as a lump sum at the start of the project. The release of funds usually depend on the project reaching particular milestones and on the quality and progress of the project being checked by the bank’s representative. Banks may also require to see copies of insurances, invoices, permits and contract documents before releasing funds. It’s important to understand all the conditions relating to the loan. Inevitably there will be delays in the process and bank holidays can play havoc with your best laid plans.

But equally, it’s important to understand what other costs will be incurred. There are the usual costs of managing your monthly household bills, but invariably there’ll be unexpected costs, such as illness, cars breaking down, unexpectedly high bills, and certainly your monthly costs will increase with time.

In addition, there’ll be additional project costs that weren’t allowed. There will be some changes and variations.
​
It’s important to accurately calculate the project costs, including all the items discussed in the next section. These costs should be regularly checked and as the actual costs come in the numbers should be updated. Once the project starts it is good practice to update the budget every week. This involves ensuring that all suppliers and contractors submit their invoices and variations regularly and that you make allowances for those invoices and variations which you haven’t received.

Preparing an accurate budget at the start of your home renovation or construction project, a budget that allows all the costs, will help ensure you don't run out of money before your house is completed. But, more than a good budget is needed. You must continually update your budget as the project proceeds. There will always be unexpected costs, both additional construction costs, and your daily living costs. Regrettably things do go wrong and circumstances can change. Continually updating your budget will allow you to make timely changes should it become apparent that you could run out of money before the project is completed.

​This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

Adding on new structures to an existing house poses a number of challenges.

• Floor levels should preferably match. Where there are steps between the new addition and the original house these need to be planned so that the size of the stair treads and risers are a consistent size that match the recommended comfortable and legal stair sizes. See Ensure the steps in your house are not a hazard or a nuisance and Designing stairs in your new home
• It’s often difficult to match the existing finishes – particularly face bricks, textured or coloured render work, floor tiles and timber flooring. The problem of matching finishes often results in a permanent mismatch and the new work always appears different from the original building. The alternative is to change the existing finishes and materials to match the new work, which can add significant extra expense which wasn’t foreseen when the budget was prepared.
• Tying in a roof structure poses many challenges, the most obvious being to ensure that there are no leaks. But even getting the same materials of the same colour can be a problem.
• Where floor finishes are carried through from one room to another, such as ceramic tiles or timber, it’s difficult to find the same matching materials and colours. In fact, even when the exact colour is found you’ll frequently find that the existing material in the house has faded with time and use.

​

• Existing floor levels may dictate the type of materials used on the new floor. Generally we don’t want small steps between different rooms in the house. So, if you’re chopping up the floor tiles in the bathroom and re-tiling it you’re often restricted to use a product of similar thickness, or thinner. Using a thicker tile or product will mean the top surface is probably higher than the finished level in the adjoining room. It’s not recommended to reduce the top level of the existing concrete slab to accommodate a thicker tile because this is expensive and it will weaken the slab. Using a thinner tile will necessitate using more glue, or applying a layer of grout under the tile to ensure the top of the new tile is level with the adjoining room. In addition, changing the floor level will impact the doors. If floor levels increase doors may scrape on the floor so they’ll need to be cut shorter – not usually a major problem. But if the new floor level is lower, then the doors may have a large gap underneath which could be unsightly and allow noise and light to enter from the adjoining room. You may have to install new doors of the correct length. Sometimes door frames and architraves end at the top of the finished floor. Installing a floor finish which is thinner than the existing floor will mean that the bottom of the frame is now raised above the new floor level. This is unsightly and is a place for dirt to be trapped and it could even be a hazard that cut people’s feet.
• Sometimes, simply moving a wall, or even a kitchen cupboard may seem simple, but often timber and tile floors have been laid around the existing wall or cupboard. Moving the wall or cupboard exposes a bare piece of floor. Patching the timber or tile often results in colour differences (assuming the product is still available). Before removing an internal wall for your house renovation consider this

As we have previously discussed always be careful when cutting new openings in existing walls or removing existing walls you do not want to damage your home like in this example House collapses during renovations so see these important tips  Before removing walls or adding new windows and doors check your house will not fall down and ​Restrictions which could impact your home renovation plans
There are often potential problems which are hidden, additional costs which you only see when you connect the additions and new portions to your existing house. Proper planning and thought can help avoid some problems. Sometimes you must allow for the additional costs of altering existing floor finishes and repainting roofs and walls.

​This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

​I am sure you have all done a spot of painting in your home and then spent several hours afterwards cleaning up paint spills and splashes where paint should not have been. Those of you who are less handy may have attempted a small repair job, only to end with a bigger mess than there was before you started.

Renovating portions of an existing house can result in damage to the rest of the house. This damage results in additional costs. Even supposed competent building contractors have been known to damage existing homes because a workman was careless or the work was left unsupervised.
​
Unfortunately damage can often be easily caused. Some damage might not even be immediately visible and only discovered after the contractor has moved off site.

Typical causes of damage and additional costs incurred during renovation and building work to your home includes.

• Dust from construction works can penetrate the whole house. Not only does this result in additional cleaning bills, but it could even result in requirements to repaint walls and replace carpets. Dust can damage equipment and appliances. To limit the spread of dust:
  • Consider hoarding (barricading) off the areas where renovations are taking place and ensure these hoardings are as airtight as possible.
  • Cover areas with plastic dust sheets – these could include light fixtures, carpets, furniture and walls.
  • Remove fixtures and fittings, curtains, blinds and furniture that could get dust on them.
  • Lightly wet down dust making activities.
  • Regularly remove building rubble and clean the work areas.
• Dirt is brought into areas on shoes and equipment. Limit the spread of dirt by covering and protecting floors and providing alternative access for construction workers so they don’t have to go through unaffected areas.
• Scuffing, chipping and scratching.
  • Floors – particularly timber, tiles and carpets can be damaged when workmen move equipment and materials through and over areas not being renovated. Consider covering floors with heavy duty cardboard which should be stuck down so that dust and grit can’t get under the cardboard between the floor and the cardboard which will cause scratches. Where walls are being demolished place timber boards to protect the floors from falling debris.
  • Doors – consider removing and storing doors from doorways that will have construction traffic passing through. Also protect the door frames by taping heavy duty cardboard or timber to areas which could be scuffed and damaged.

Taking a few extra precautions will prevent many of the causes of damage. Important is to keep an eye on your contractor. Do not be afraid to remind them to be careful, and immediately point out things that concern you. Good communication with your building contractors is vital
If your contractor knows that you are watching they will usually take a little extra care.
How to Make Your Home Secure When Remodeling and Renovating your Home

Repairing damage to areas which are not being renovated results in additional costs, it sometimes leaves a permanent scar which can't be repaired, it's annoying, and it can cause further inconvenience to you. Of course you also would not want a precious heirloom or most loved possession to  be damaged by careless workers - something that is irreplaceable to you. Before starting your home building project check your insurance

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

Jane helps run the family building business, and in May she was arranging to pay $51,000 to a subcontractor.
She'd worked with concreter Simon O'Donnell for almost a decade, making countless payments to him in that time.
But a couple of days after Jane transferred the funds, Simon called her husband, asking where his money was.
When Jane received the $51,000 invoice from Simon, she did notice his bank account had changed and updated his details before transferring the money.
"We hadn't used Simon for six months so I thought he's possibly changed it over that period of time," Jane said.
The email itself didn't seem unusual and it showed clear details of the job that'd been completed.
But after looking at the email Simon sent, and the one Jane received, it was clear something was off.
Simon's outbox shows he sent the invoice to Jane at 4:56pm on a Friday — but it didn't appear in her inbox until 7:30am on the Saturday.
According to associate dean for computing and security at Edith Cowan University, associate professor Paul Haskell-Dowland, someone had gained access to either Simon or Jane's computer, and was waiting for an opportunity like this.
Dr Haskell-Dowland believes hackers gained remote access by hacking the builder's website and surreptitiously redirecting visitors to another site which installed malicious software.
The email would have been intercepted potentially via automated means and would have then been modified by human means," he said.
Jane and Simon fell victim to a sophisticated business email compromise (BEC) scam.
"I didn't know that an invoice could be intercepted between a supplier and ourselves and altered," Jane said.
​
This is a story from ABC News on 24 November 2020. Read the full story

Regrettably this kind of scam is fairly common and scammers regularly intercept invoices from suppliers and subcontractors and then change the banking details.
It pays to check the banking details on all invoices and confirm with the supplier or contractor that the details are correct.
Scammers are getting more sophisticated and it's easy to be caught. 

​The living room is the most used room of any house and it is a good place to start with remodeling. A well-decorated living room can reflect your style and personality. However, before you start with the remodeling, inspect the conditions of furniture, electrical items, flooring, roof, etc.

1. Change your Layout
​The living room can get an instant and easy makeover by just moving around the furniture. You can even move your living room to another room. Choose a new focal point and design your room around it.
​
For example, if the fireplace was your old central point, you can choose the television as your new focal point. It would guide the new layout of the room. 

2. Front Entry Door Makeover
If your living room is at the front of the house, consider installing a new entry door. Another idea would be to repaint the current door. This won’t just give your living room a new look but also enhance the home’s exterior curb appeal.
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Choose a bright, appealing and welcoming color for the door. If the breaker box is near the entrance door, choose an interesting way to conceal it.

3. Express with New Colors 
a. Blue: Blue is a soothing and tranquil color. It is easy on the eyes and different shades of blue can bring different effects to the room. Lighter tones create a feeling of harmony and calm while a brighter shade adds vibrancy to the room. 

b. Pink: The blush tone of pink adds new life to the living room and works great as a pop of color. It is a good alternative to neutral colors like cream or beige. 

c. Luxe: Certain colors can bring a luxurious feel to the room. For example, shades of purple or royal blue can make the living room look and feel rich. Combine a bit of brass or marble, and the room will get a whole new look. 
​
d. Bold: If you are not afraid to make a statement, try a bold color like deep green or flaming red. You can either paint the ceiling or one wall to make a bold statement. 

4. Accessorize
If you cannot bring a major change to the room like new furniture, repainting or changing the layout, consider accessorizing. Choose accessories that don’t disturb the flow and harmony of the room.
​
Some accessories you can consider include vintage vases, vintage clocks, art pieces, mirrors, cushions, ceramic displays, curtains, etc.

​5. Experiment with Lighting
Lighting is an important element that peps up the living room. It can highlight the attractive features of the room.
 
Choose ambient lighting to create a soft, peaceful and comforting ambience in the room. Accent lighting draws attention to a focal point and adds elegance to the room. You can experiment with different types of table lamps, floor lamps, landscape lights or spot lights.
 
Use a combination of lights to create interesting effects. Ensure all the lighting pieces have a GFCI connection for protection.
 
Focus on electrical safety as well when you remodel the living room. Ensure the circuit breaker box is functioning the way it is supposed to. This won’t just keep you safe after the remodel but during the remodel as well. 

Author Bio:
Jeson Pitt works with the marketing department of D&F Liquidators and regularly writes to share his knowledge while enlightening people about electrical products and solving their electrical dilemmas. He's got the industry insights that you can count on along with years of experience in the field. Jeson lives in Hayward, CA and loves to explore different cuisines that the food trucks in the Bay area have to offer.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

In previous articles we explained some electric basics.
Understanding Electrics in Your New Home Build and Electrics for your new home build part 2
Then we discussed light fittings. Choosing lights for your new home. In this article we look at electrical outlets or sockets (plugs).

Don’t you hate it when you can’t find an electrical outlet close to where you need it, or when there’re insufficient outlets. Ensure you have sufficient electrical outlets where they’re going to be needed. Rather err on the generous side, because using extension leads and overloading electrical outlets is hazardous and is often the cause of house fires.

​ Locations for electrical sockets include:

• On either side of beds. Usually at least two, one for a lamp and one for phone charging, or electric blankets.
• Where televisions could be located – usually several are required for the various connected devices.
• On kitchen worktops. Also in kitchens for dishwashers and fridges.
• In laundries for washers and dryers plus extra.
• In studies or home offices.
• In garages for power tools. Also, provide a socket to charge electric cars.
• Externally for use by electrical gardening equipment. Note these should be waterproof.
• In lounges and family rooms where standing lamps, heaters, fans and other items may be used.
• In bathrooms for electrical razors and hairdryers. Also for heated towel rails
• Generally spaced at regular intervals around the house. Think where you might be charging mobile phones, computers and other devices and where you’ll connect a vacuum cleaner.
• In addition, electrical outlets are usually required for water heating systems, air-conditioners, alarm systems, electrically operated awnings and blinds, security cameras, intercoms and electrically operated gates and doors.

Generally it’s good practice to have the electrical socket covers and switches matching the light switches. The outlets shouldn’t be located where they could get wet (unless they’re waterproof) and they should be easily accessible. Consider the location of furniture and how this could impede access to the electrical outlets and also where cupboards and counters will be so the outlet isn’t in the way, or inaccessible.

​This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 2 Finding your Ideal Property and Designing your Dream Home.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

In previous articles we explained some electric basics.
Understanding Electrics in Your New Home Build and Electrics for your new home build part 2
​In this article we look at things to consider when choosing lights for your new home and renovation project.

Lights are an important part of your finished house. They illuminate the general area, light specific areas of interest creating a highlight effect, they create mood and ambiance and they can be a feature in themselves (illuminated, or even in some cases when they aren’t on).

I’m sure we’ve all been in rooms, especially hotel rooms, that were dark, gloomy and uninviting. Then, there’re rooms that are blindingly full of light so that they’re stark and unappealing, almost like a hospital operating room. Careful choice of the type of light, the number of lights and their positioning, can add or detract from your home. You don’t want to feel like you’re battling to see, while at the same time you don’t want to be overwhelmed by too much light. The number and variety of light fittings available can provide daunting decisions. Like everything, don’t be influenced by price alone. You install cheap light fittings and invariably they’ll look cheap.

​It’s important to ensure that you use light fittings which are approved for use in your country. Be especially careful when purchasing fittings online as these may not be safe and won’t always comply with local regulations. Equally important is ensuring that lights are installed in accordance with their purpose. Some lights are only suitable for indoors and shouldn’t be installed outside where they could be damaged or pose a safety risk, while many light fittings aren’t suitable for bathrooms or other wet areas.
​
Some lights generate lots of heat and they’re a fire risk when installed in areas which aren’t well ventilated, or where they’re in contact with flammable materials.

Always consider how easy it’ll be to replace the lightbulb when it fails. Some light fittings are difficult to open to replace burnt out bulbs. Reaching lights in high ceilings, over stairs, or in double volume areas, is difficult and requires specialist equipment.

Chandeliers look fantastic in some houses, but remember light fittings can be dust collectors, so always think who’ll be cleaning the light and how easily it can be done.
Study where you want illumination. You don’t want lights casting shadows over work areas nor do you want lights shining onto television screens. If you have artwork you may want lights illuminating it.

Light fixtures can add to, or detract from, the overall décor of the room. Some lights are modern, others have a more industrial look, some are beach house, and others have a distinct period or antique look. Using the right light fittings can help create the right look and style and are a valuable addition to the room.
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To vary the amount of light in a room, either to create mood, or to take account of the varying daylight entering the room, consider having the lights on dimmer switches which alter the amount of illumination. (Note that some light fixtures and light bulbs aren’t suitable for dimmer switches.) Alternatively, a better option is having lights in a room connected to two or more light switch circuits, so that all the lights don’t have to be on at the same time.

Positioning of light switches is important since you don’t want to walk across a dark room to switch the lights on. Light switches should generally be fitted close to doorways. It’s important to consider the type of doors and how they’ll open. You don’t want light switches to be behind the door when it opens, or be hidden by a sliding door. For passageways, rooms with two separate entrances, and stairs you should consider connecting the lights to separate switches located at either end of the passage, the top and bottom of the stairs and at both entrance doors of a room, so that the lights can be operated from the different locations. Depending on legislation, sometimes light switches for bathrooms must be located outside the room.

Light switches aren’t always the prettiest feature so try and locate them together where possible. Light switches come in various designs and colours. Some blend into the wall so they’re less noticeable, while others form a decorative statement in their own right. Consider how the light switch suites the décor and style of the room. Switches that look antique are suited to heritage homes, while those that are sleek and modern will look out of place in a heritage house. Ensure light switches match the electrical sockets. In general when using metallic colours you should keep the colours consistent in the room, even matching the door locks and handles. Having some fittings in a room copper while others are silver will look mismatched.

Lights can be triggered to come on when they detect movement. This is particularly useful for external lights. The lights go off automatically after a few minutes when movement ceases. Having movement sensors in rooms, particularly in bathrooms, can mean that the lights only illuminate when someone is in the room and then are off when the room is empty. This helps reduce power usage.
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Installing energy efficient lights is important to reduce power consumption.

Carefully consider where you need lights and how you will control them. Ensure that the light fittings you choose will be safe, practical, provide sufficient light, and fit with the style of your house. Lights are an important aspect for your new home and can add or detract from both the value of your home and your enjoyment. If in doubt get expert help.
Read our next article related to electrics in your new house Electrical outlets in your new home

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.