Northern Ireland's tiny house movement - a small move to the future?

Downsizing. De-cluttering. Alternative housing - these terms are becoming increasing well-known as people try to find and improve their perfect living space.
But how would you feel about living in a 'tiny house' on wheels?
That's what Michael Rauch, 25, and his girlfriend Alex Connolly are building on the back of a flatbed trailer in County Down.
When finished, he'll become one of a very small handful of 'tiny house' owners in Northern Ireland and part of the global tiny house movement, which has its roots in the United States in the 1990s.
Read more on this story in this BBC article.

​Thinking of buying a property and building your dream home? Don't be a victim of a poor decision. Educate yourself and know what to look for when purchasing a property. Read 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volume 2 Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home'

It was supposed to be their slice of the “sweet life” but the owners of new Sydney apartments have only tasted bitterness after being locked out of their homes for a year.

The construction of the Sugarcube apartments and Honeycomb terraces in Erskineville were reportedly finished about 12 months ago but the new homes remain empty due to concerns about whether the developer Golden Rain Development properly cleaned up toxic land on the site.

It’s the fourth apartment block in Sydney to sit empty thanks to problems with construction and building.
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Buyers paid up to a $1 million for a two-bedroom apartment in the development of 109 units and 18 three-bedroom terraces, but have been prevented from moving in.
A City of Sydney spokeswoman said the developer was required to remediate the site where there was contaminated groundwater and detection of heavy metals, hydrocarbons and asbestos.
Continue Reading News.com.au

Thinking of buying a property and building your dream home? Don't be a victim of a poor decision. Educate yourself and know what to look for when purchasing a property. Read 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volume 2 Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home'

Craig Fitch's apartment building is so highly flammable that residents were ordered to remove wood-chip mulch and trees because of fears any fire in the garden could quickly engulf the block.
"It's extremely dangerous," Mr Fitch said. Large parts of the complex, located in Frankston in Melbourne's south-east, is wrapped in non-compliant polystyrene, painted to look like concrete. But this isn't the only problem!
​Read more

Don't fall victim to greedy developers, poor building contractors and a lack of compliance inspections by the authorities. Before building or renovating your home get educated. You must protect your valuable new asset and your family - you must ensure that your home is safe, compliant and of good quality. You cannot rely on the authorities or building contractors alone. My new books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses, Volumes 1 and 2' will provide tips, advice and knowledge so that you can ensure your home isn't like one of these in this story.

​It’s getting hot in here, and by here, we mean the entire planet. Every summer seems to be warmer than the one before. Lucky for us, we have air conditioning to help keep us cool all summer long.

However, we can only expect higher energy bills with all the action our air conditioning system is going to see this summer. Then again, we can still ensure a cool summer for everyone in our home without breaking the bank. Here are some of the ways we can do that.

Get your air conditioner a tuneup before the onset of summer.
You already know that your AC system will be subjected to heavy use in the summer, so you have to get it ready for some heavy work. A tuneup will do wonders for your AC. Get a licensed, bonded, and insured air conditioning professional to do it, and you’ll have a fully-serviced AC by the time the summer gets here. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing your air conditioner will be less likely to break down in the middle of the sweltering heat.

Check and clean the filter a month later.
Because you had a tuneup performed, your air conditioner's air filter may be clean on the first day of summer. A month of continuous use, however, could mean a dirty air filter at the end of that period.

So check the air filter after a month to make sure it’s clean, and airflow is still optimal. You don’t want a dirty air filter clogging things up and causing inefficient operation and higher energy bills. And if the air filter is indeed dirty, take it out and clean it yourself since it’s easy enough to do.

Don’t let the sun shine on your AC unit.
If your air conditioner unit is exposed to the direct rays of the sun, then it’s bound to work harder—and therefore consume more power—and lead to higher energy bills. Things will be really different if only your outdoor unit is shielded from the sun. Planting trees near the unit can give it more shade. You can also opt to build an actual shade for your unit to help it regain its efficiency.

Keep your thermostat away from the sun.
Your thermostat reads the temperature in the room and signals the central air conditioner unit to continue or stop running depending on whether the temperature is cool enough or a tad too hot. If the room is sufficiently cool, but your thermostat is getting hit by direct sunlight, it will think the room is not adequately cooled and will tell the AC unit to run longer than necessary.

Aside from direct sunlight, other sources of heat that could mess with the thermostat include LED lamps, TVs, and refrigerators, so place your thermostat away from them.

Get that ceiling fan running.
If you have ceiling fans, turn them on and adjust your thermostat accordingly.  Doing this will improve the distribution of cool air in your home without setting the thermostat to freezing just so every nook and cranny of your home will feel cool.

Cook outside your house.
Cooking inside your home on a sweltering summer day can only make everything hotter indoors and your AC unit work doubly hard. To avoid the energy inefficiency that comes with that temperature, we can always cook outside on a grill or a fire pit, if you have one. But if that isn’t an option, then you might want to cook your food on a microwave oven, which doesn’t produce heat like regular ovens and stoves.

Plug your home’s gaps, cracks, and holes.
It’s such a waste of money if you just let all that cool air escape from your home through its numerous gaps, cracks, and holes. That loss also leads to higher energy bills, as the AC unit will continue running to compensate for it.

Identify where those exit points are and plug them. Improve the insulation in your windows and doors, too. If you have the budget to insulate your entire house better, then figure out its insulation requirements by having a professional do an energy audit on your home.

Conclusion
These are just some of the things you can do to keep cool this summer with the help of your AC system. Follow them to ensure that your summer will be fun, cool, and energy-efficient!

Read the full story in the Daily Mail

Devastating and expensive problems for new home owners. Don't let your new home construction turn into a disaster. Read 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'. Valuable tips to ensure your home build project is a success. Learn what to look for to ensure your house is handed to you free of defects. 

3 apartment buildings in Sydney over a period of 6 months developed major structural cracks resulting in residents being evacuated - read the story
Consider the cost and the inconvenience of having to move out of your home. But also your new home is suddenly worthless. Why it's vital to select your builder and designer carefully.

Building contractors are hugely varied and range from the one-man business where the owner does almost everything themselves, through to multinational construction companies that construct building projects valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. Some contractors are specialist, only doing electrical, plumbing, carpentry or bricklaying work, while others provide a full construction package. Those that do the complete building may have all the resources and building trades in-house for your home building project, while others employ subcontractors to do many of the specialist construction trades. In fact, some building companies are more like project managers employing subcontractors for all of the construction work, and they merely manage these contractors. Some contractors specialise in particular building projects, for instance some do home renovations, others only build new houses (some contractors specialise in luxury houses, others in typical middle income houses, some construct low cost housing, others use particular materials or methods), or civil structures, apartment buildings or office buildings. Larger companies may have different divisions that specialise in different types of construction. Most contractors work in specific towns, regions or countries, with only the larger construction companies having the ability to work across a wider geographic area and across states.
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Many building projects go badly because the wrong contractor is selected, often the contractor that submitted the lowest price. 

When selecting a contractor it’s important to consider the following:
Ø  Does the contractor have the required experience to deliver the services required? Have they worked on similar building projects? There’s a difference between contractors that build low-cost houses to those that build luxury houses. A heritage restoration requires particular skills.
Ø  What services they offer? If you want the contractor to design your house or home extension then check that they have good designers who will interpret what you want and deliver a design that works. Do they offer planning services and can they help with the interior design, fixture selection and finishes (such as bathroom, kitchen, tiles, materials and colours)?
Ø  Do they have the applicable registrations for the work? Usually there’s a requirement for builders to be registered in the country or state. Check with the registration body that the registration is current, that it’s in the correct trading name of the contractor and that it’s for the trade that you’re looking for. Companies also usually have to be registered for tax purposes.
Ø  Can they produce acceptable quality? Have they produced good quality work on their previous building projects? Do they have the required skills available to produce good quality work in your home?
Ø  Do they have the resources to carry out the work? This includes; equipment, management and the tradespeople. If they don’t have the resources, can they get the resources and will they be able to manage them?
Ø  Do they have the financial means to carry out your project? Are they financially secure? If the contractor is suffering losses on other construction projects this could cause them financial stress which could mean that they can’t pay for people and materials. In extreme cases the contractor could become bankrupt partway through your home build project, leaving you facing delays and additional costs while you find another contractor to finish your house. You’ll probably also lose deposits and advances that you’ve paid them.
Ø  What other work are they currently doing? If they’re involved with other large projects they may not have the resources or the finances to successfully undertake your work.
Ø  What’s their safety record? A poor safety record is often indicative of poor management. Contractors with a poor safety record shouldn’t be used. Accidents delay building projects and they could get your house construction stopped by the authorities until the contractor rectifies safety breaches. 
Ø  Do they have a good reputation?
Ø  Have they got a previous record of being claims orientated and having legal disputes with owners? You don’t want your budget blown by extra costs!
Ø  Are they reliable and complete their building projects on time?
Ø  Do they use good subcontractors? Who will their main subcontractors be? Do these subcontractors have a good reputation?
Ø  Has there recently been a change in management?
Ø  What insurances do they have? (I'll discuss insurances in a later article.)
Past performance however isn’t always indicative of how a contractor will perform on your home construction project and I’ve on occasion had good contractors perform poorly because they were over-committed on other construction projects, which meant they had insufficient and poor quality resources for my project.

Selecting the wrong building contractor could result in a poor quality home, one that is problem filled with ongoing issues long after building is finished - even resulting in a home which is unsafe for you and your family. Selecting a contractor who is incapable of doing the work, one that doesn't have the experience, skills or equipment will result in additional stress for you and inevitably it will result in delays to the completion of your new home. It's vital to understand your contractor's capabilities and reputation, then ensure that you can work with them. Check that they understand your expectations for your new home and that they can meet your expectations.

Never select a building contractor only on price - because they are the cheapest. Inevitably you'll find that the cheapest contractor doesn't always result in a cheap project when things start going wrong.
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​Know your contractor - they will be your partner.

​​A building contractor must be selected that can execute the type of construction work you require doing, that has the capabilities, and who operates in your region. There are often thousands of contractors (bricklayers, builders, electricians, painters, joiners, tilers, roofers, plumbers, etc), but even so it can be hard to find one willing and capable to do your building project.

• The best solution is to approach contractors you’ve previously successfully worked with on other building projects. However, it will still be necessary to check that they’re interested in carrying out the work and that they have the required resources available. Since you last worked with the contractor circumstances may have changed and they could for instance have new managers who aren’t as focused as the ones in place when they last worked for you. They may also now be committed to other building projects and have limited resources, or only the ‘B team’ is available for your construction work.
• A simple solution is to search for construction contractors on the web. By typing in the trade and the location it’s possible to obtain a selection of contractors. Visiting their websites usually provides more useful information including their contact details. Often websites provide details of previous construction projects. Sometimes though, not all the possible contractors come up in a simple search since some may not have websites and others might not be shown as operating in your location even if they are. There’s also often little indication of the size of construction work that the contractor can undertake, nor of their resources. Websites also only give examples of their satisfied customers. For example: I required a retaining wall to be replaced, but a number of contractors I approached weren’t willing to price the project. For some the project was too big, while for others the project was too small. This wasted lots of my time.
• Looking through local newspapers, or even the relevant trade publications will sometimes produce advertisements of contractors working in the area. Again it’s difficult to gauge their reliability or their capabilities.
• There’re often forums and associations in many regions, such as ‘Master Builders’ or specific trade organisations and groups. These associations should have a list of building contractors operating in the area who would be capable of undertaking your construction work. The fact that the contractor belongs to such an organisation provides some level of comfort, although often there’s no restriction or qualifications required to belong to the forum or association (other than paying a fee), and few of these organisations can punish members that don’t perform, unless they’re serial offenders.
• Driving through the area you’ll often see sign boards, vehicles or equipment with the names of contractors working in the area. Stop at these work sites and talk to the project owner, perhaps even view the contractor’s work to see their quality and professionalism.
• Often acquaintances, colleagues, businesses and neighbours may have contacts for contractors (painters, plumbers, tilers, electricians and builders) that have worked for them in the past.
• In some areas, local tradespeople and building companies can register with a central tendering (pricing) or quotation company. The central company can be contacted and the project’s requirements and location specified. Usually a number of suitable companies will respond and provide a price for the work. Sometimes these systems have a well-established website and it’s possible to review what past clients said about the work of each of the contractors. This is usually only useful for smaller projects.
• Designers, architects, quantity surveyors, project managers and engineers working on the project will always have an extensive list of suitable building contractors that they, or their colleagues, have worked with in the past.

It's important that you find the right contractor capable of doing the work you require them to carry out. I'll discuss this topic in more detail in future articles.

​Many contractors have display homes which you can visit. The contractor offers to build the same house wherever you want it at an advertised price. Many contractors also offer standard home designs which you can select and have them build at their advertised price. While others offer a kit home, which you can purchase and erect on your property. This all sounds like a great idea, you know what you are getting and the price! But is that the case?

As with any contractor it’s important to understand the contractor’s reputation and their reliability. In many cases owners fall in love with a particular home design which is within their budget. Sometimes it's not even the overall layout that they like but specific features of the house. It seems an easy process then to sign a contract and get your new home construction underway. Little thought has been given as to who the contractor is, and whether you’ll be getting the advertised product, at the price you envisaged and within the time-frame required. It’s important to choose your contractor wisely (see my article later on selecting the contractor and questions to ask your contractor) and not become solely focused on a particular product. 
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​When selecting a display home or standard plan you must consider the following:

• Will the house meet your local and housing estate rules and permit conditions?
• Understand why you like the house. Ensure that the layout of the home really does suit your needs and those of your family. Don't rush into accepting a house because you like some of the features. Indeed, perhaps even some of these features won't be replicated when the house is built on your property - or perhaps only at an extra cost.
• Is the price really the final price? What provisional sums and prime cost allowances are in the price (I'll discuss this in a future article)? The display home may have more expensive finishes and fittings than the contractor’s advertised price allows. To get the same quality fittings and finishes could add considerably to the final price. Items to consider include:
  • The type of light fixtures.
  • Bathroom fixtures, including bathtubs, basins, toilets, towel rails, toilet roll dispensers, shelving and tap fittings.
  • Counter tops in kitchens.
  • Kitchen cabinetry, including how many, doors, handles and finishes.
  • Windows, including if insect screens, double glazing, tinting, etc, are included.
  • Appliances, including the make and size.
  • Air-conditioning, including the size, make and efficiency. For ducted air-conditioning consider the type and location of air grilles.
  • Wardrobe, including the material, the number of shelves and drawers and whether cupboards have doors (if required).
  • Doors, including the kind of locks and handles, the type and quality of door and the frame. Some front doors can cost several thousand dollars so don’t automatically assume that the door you see on the display home is the one that you’ll get installed in your house.
  • Garages, including the internal finishes and the type of door, it’s material and whether it’s automated.
  • The extent of wall tiles in bathrooms and kitchens.
  • The type of vanity slab in the bathroom.
  • Bathroom cabinetry.
  • The number of electrical outlets.
  • The type of floor finishes, including the quality of carpets.
  • The type of skirtings.
  • The type of cornices.
  • Patio, including floor finish and roof covering.
  • The type of shower door and enclosure.
  • The type of tiles.
• What’s included and excluded in the price? There could be additional costs for site clearing and levelling, connecting utilities, approval by the authorities, landscaping and even for the foundations.
• Will the house plan actually fit onto your property? Indeed is it actually suitable for your block considering the property slope, shape, size, orientation, access and the neighbours?
• Is the house design and materials suitable for your climate?
• Is the contractor reliable? Will they deliver a quality home? Will they complete the house in the time they said they would?

Of course selecting a house from a standard plan does have it's advantages. It can save design fees. In some cases the plans are already approved for that area so it could speed up approvals - meaning construction can start sooner. Often builders have optimised the house designs so they are cheaper to build than other designs.
But it's always important to understand what you are getting and that there aren't hidden costs and unpleasant surprises. Importantly, always ensure that you are employing a reputable contractor and that the home design is really what you want.

​I'll discuss many of these points in more detail in later articles. But of course they are all in in my new book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home' which also contains lots of valuable information to save you money and ensure that your home build or renovation project is a success. Click on the image to read a preview on Amazon. The book is available in paper or ebook form from Amazon and other online stores, or ask your local bookstore to order a copy for you.

An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 2 is packed with advice and tips for a successful project.

Building or renovating a house should be exciting, it will be challenging, but it will end successfully if planned correctly. Building a home is going to be one of the largest investments you make – both emotionally and financially, so it’s important to get it right.

The process of building or renovating a house starts at the beginning where you decide what you want, where you want it, when you need it, how much you can afford and how you’re going to manage and construct the work. This practical book takes you through the what, when and where process. Learn what to look for when choosing your ideal property, know what you should consider when renovating an existing house, understand important design considerations for your dream home, and view simple suggestions that could transform an existing home at a modest cost.

​Don't buy land that you will later regret. Don't believe your real estate agent. Learn what to look for and the questions you should ask.

​Understand design concepts. Learn what questions to ask your architect. Don't accept a house design which you regret later. A design which missed critical essential items. A design which should have been better.

​Don't embark on a costly home renovation project which might not yield the desired results. Don't find that costs on your renovation or remodelling project have skyrocketed. Know what questions you should be asking before starting your renovation project. Learn how to avoid unpleasant surprises and mistakes.