-
Home Extensions
Building smart energy efficient and sustainable additions
The demand for green housing is getting bigger by the minute. The HIA GreenSmart program offers up-to-date information on practical, affordable and durable environmental solutions for residential design and construction.
Today there is more demand for builders to create sustainable homes using environmentally responsible housing design ideas, building techniques and products.
A GreenSmart house will:
✔ Improve the water and energy efficiency of the home and reduce energy bills and costs
✔ Create healthier homes for occupants
✔ Provide options to make the home more adaptable for all stages of life
✔ Reduce waste from the building process
✔ Improve site management during construction
Our Builder Alistair has completed the GreenSmart Professional training and is Accredited as a GreenSmart Professional.
Some things that we have been integrating into our first floor additions, ground floor extensions and renovations are:
✔ Improved thermal performance
✔ Passive solar design and natural ventilation
✔ Design and operational issues for water and energy efficiency
✔ Selection of water and energy-efficient appliances
✔ Lighting
✔ Sustainable building products
✔ Design
When planning your build consider asking your builder or planning team these questions:
Have you thought about the orientation of your addition?
What windows and type of glass to use in your build?
What energy efficiency and sustainable products can you use?
When you meet with our builder and work with our drafting team for your project, we will take these important things into consideration for the design and build of your addition or extension.
Contact us today to discuss how we can integrate environmentally sustainable building solutions into your build.
What comes first? Plans or Quote?
We often get asked: “What should I do first? Should I get a quote for my home extension/addition or should I get plans drawn up?”
These are our top 5 tips on why you should get a quote from a builder BEFORE getting plans for your project when building an addition or extension.
-
- Obtaining a detailed written quote or proposal for your addition or extension comes with many benefits. In your quote the builder should provide you with an indication of the size of the build (how much room is going to be added to your home), the number of rooms being added and what materials and inclusions are being used so you know what is included and if you can afford what you are planning to build.
- A builder can arrange to assist you in drafting plans inhouse or have relationships with draftspeople or architects that specialise in the type of build you are after. This can make the whole process smoother and faster saving you time and money.
- When you work with your builder they can review your plans with you and the draftsperson to ensure you are staying on track with costs and may pick up on items that may be of concern from a construction viewpoint. This input is important in ensuring that you achieve what you set out for in your build while staying within your budget and avoiding issues that could arise during the build if not picked up during this critical planning stage.
- A builder can help and advise you on the true costs for different material options before you commit to plans and approvals. This can in turn ensure that you get the right materials, resulting in the right look for your build at the right cost.
- A builder can consult and guide you with on how to achieve what you want while managing what you can afford. This is best done prior to plans being drawn up due to the builders expertise in the type of build you are looking at. This can reduce the amount of plan revisions and save you time and money in the short term and long term.
If you are thinking of planning or building an addition or extension contact us on (02) 4647 2324 or fill out the form below to get things started.
Trainee’s Efforts Rewarded With Full-Time Role
It is always great to see a trainee excel and be rewarded with a full-time role once they complete their qualification.
That’s been the case for Kelsey Ray, who has just completed her Certificate III in Business Administration with us here at 32 Degrees Building.
Kelsey is “delighted” to be staying on with the business, which specialised in custom built new homes, first floor additions and ground floor extensions. She will continue in an administration type role, utilising the skills she has developed in customer service, processing payroll and navigating MYOB.
“Kelsey has been a positive addition to our team,” said Victoria Size, Operations Manager at 32 Degrees Building.
“She is assertive in her ability to step in and assist in other areas where she can and is always willing to learn more. Kelsey now has a great understanding of accounts payable and payroll and is continuing her learning path with sales, client support, HR and accounts receivable, which will ensure that she is a great asset to any company she works for.”
The skills and knowledge Kelsey has learnt in her traineeship have been invaluable to her in regards to working in an office environment.
“Being able to develop the skills I need to start my career in business administration in a practical, real world application,” Kelsey said of what she’s enjoyed the most about her traineeship.
A key element to any young employee getting the most out of their traineeship is the support they have around them. Kelsey described the support she received the last year as “excellent”.
“Everyone at 32 Degrees Building have been so willing to share their knowledge and experience with me, and it was comforting to know that My Gateway was always there if I needed help with anything.”
Prior to beginning her traineeship at 32 Degrees Building, Kelsey worked in the veterinary industry and had limited administration experience. This didn’t pose an issue during her traineeship though, with Kelsey displaying an eagerness to learn and to help her colleagues when necessary.
“From the start Kelsey was all about the “why” – she had to understand why she was doing what she was doing and as soon as she understood this, she was able to effectively undertake her new role,” Victoria said.
Kelsey’s development throughout her traineeship has provided her with some great lessons and advice to help anyone looking to do a traineeship.
“Ask for help when you need it,” Kelsey said. “You’re there to learn and no one expects you to know how to do everything straight off the bat, so ask questions when you need to so you can get the support you need.”
“If you’re willing to put the effort in, you won’t regret it. The opportunity to learn on the job is truly invaluable and My Gateway will be there to help every step of the way.”
We are stoked to have Kelsey employed with us full-time as a valuable member of our team and thank My Gateway for their support throughout the process.
Start your career with us
Leading Hands, Carpenters, Carpentry Apprentices and Administrative Staff Required
Due to recent growth, we are looking for leading hands, carpenters, carpentry apprentices and administrative staff that live in the surrounding suburbs along the M4 & M5 corridors to join our team.
To apply, please call 02 4647 2324 and send your resume to admin@32degreesbuilding.com.au
Must have a drivers licence and a ute, an immediate start is available for the right applicant. Attractive packages available to the right candidates and based upon skill level. Apprentices are paid as per the Award.
What do we offer in return?
A challenging, rewarding and safe working environment where you can develop your skills and gain a variety of experience across the residential construction industry. We will help you to cement your future in your chosen trade and offer exciting career opportunities for you.
How to save money building a First Floor Addition vs a Ground Floor Extension
We often have clients that approach us looking to add more room to their home.
A common question we are asked is ‘Should I build an extension or an addition?‘
We look at the benefits of building an Addition vs an Extension below.
What’s the difference between an Extension and an Addition?
Extension
In the building industry, the term ‘extension’ refers to extending an existing building; to extend its overall floor size. Basically, it means to add another room or make a room larger whilst remaining at the ground level. To add an extension to your home, you will need to sacrifice some of your backyard or front yard to accommodate the extra room.
Addition
Similar to an extension, an addition can add more living space to your home. However, with an addition (also known as a second storey addition/first floor addition), you do not need to give up any of your yard space as an ‘addition’ goes up and not out like an extension is required to do. In other words, when you have an addition done to your home, you will gain another floor level. Adding height rather than length.
The cost benefits of building an Addition vs an Extension
- You can keep living in your home whilst an addition is being built, this saves you the costs related to finding short term accommodation and relocating your family and your possessions.
- You do not have to worry about soil removal. When building an extension, excavation and site preparation costs can be high. Not only do you have to prepare the site to be built on, you often need to remove any excess soil and other materials to make way for the extension.
- An addition can add significant value to your home. How much value can vary greatly depending on what you plan to add to your home. Regardless, a first floor addition is said to add between 30 to 60% to the value of your home.
- If you add extra bedrooms and bathrooms to your home, you can expect a significant return on your investment. This increase in house value is often in line with the difference in house prices from going from a three-bedroom home to a five-bedroom home.
- Choosing to build a First Floor Addition to your home rather than a Ground Floor Extension will also result in you being able to retain more yard space and this will also further add to the selling power of your property.
Regardless of your decision, our team can assist you with an Addition or Extension to your home. Contact us to discuss how we can add more room to your home.
This Is Why People Love Custom First Floor Additions
First floor additions, also known as second storey extensions are increasingly popular for those homeowners who don’t want to lose valuable garden space but want to increase their family living space. Best of all, going up is easy and our team will do their best to ensure the process is smooth and the build is completed on time and with minimal disruption to your daily lives.
You can have a modern, liveable home with plenty of space for your family – without giving up the location you love.
Our team are the experts in planning and building custom/tailor-designed First Floor Additions
We are often approached by clients who would like to create an open plan living environment downstairs, whilst adding more room for the family to live comfortably upstairs. The best way to achieve this is with a Custom First Floor Addition.
As specialists in these types of builds, we have many years of experience enabling us to easily offer solutions and suggestions on products, layout and how to get the most from your investment. We are able to share with you relevant quality projects that have resulted in many of our clients becoming raving fans.
No Plans? No Worries!
If a client comes to us without plans, part of our service is to organise for a building designer to assist with the plans and design process. This is will be included in our Preliminary Agreement if required.
We can arrange for our draftspeople to consult with our clients at their home and discuss their project requirements. From there we will then provide plans based upon their specifications and work hand in hand with our clients and the draftsperson to ensure the plans continue to work within the tailored build cost estimate that we have provided.
Improve your lifestyle and bring your family together
When building their addition our clients often decide to open up downstairs living spaces, renovate their kitchen and bathrooms and create new living spaces internally and externally. Once the addition and renovation are completed they are left with a finished product that is like moving into a brand new home.
We are able to create open plan living spaces and improve their current living situation. Our mission is to bring families closer together.
Take away the stress, let us help you plan, manage and design your build
We have a streamlined process which is stress-free and fun. When you are building with 32 Degrees Building you don’t have to worry about anything other than choosing what you want to add to your home and we will work with you on the design to suit your home and your lifestyle.
Contact us to start your building journey today
Not ready to book? Check out our process and how we do things here.
What type of loans can you use to fund your addition or extension?
If you are building an addition or extension on your home you may find yourself needing to arrange finance to pay for the build. We can help you secure the appropriate finance for your build.
Refinance your current mortgage
To pay for your addition or extension you can opt to refinance your existing mortgage. This means that you will use the equity in your home to obtain a loan for a higher amount than what you currently owe to finance your addition or extension project.
The new loan will replace your old loan and you can choose to stay with your existing finance provider or move to a new finance provider. Refinancing has several advantages for homeowners with substantial equity in their homes.
First, it may allow you to obtain lower interest rates without changing your monthly mortgage payment or adding on a new payment.
Second, some lenders “may approve a loan based on the estimated value of your home once the addition is completed,” which is convenient for projects that require a large amount of money, such as a second story addition or ground floor extension.
Take out a Construction Loan
A construction home loan is a type of home loan designed for people who are building a new home, a first floor addition, ground floor extension or doing large scale renovations. It has a different loan structure to home loans designed for people buying an established or existing home.
A construction loan most commonly has a progressive drawdown. That is, you receive instalments of the loan amount at various stages of construction, rather than receiving it all at once at the start. You generally only pay interest on the amount that is drawn down, as opposed to on the whole loan amount.
A number of lenders offer construction loans that are interest-only during the construction period and then revert to a standard principal and interest loan.
Of course, a construction loan is just one potential source of funding for your project. The Federal Government recently unveiled its HomeBuilder scheme, which will give eligible homebuyers and existing owners grants of $25,000 to help them construct or substantially renovate their home. Strict eligibility criteria apply– for example, you’ll need to meet an income test, and be building a new home that’s worth less than $750,000 or a renovation that will cost at least $150,000. For more information visit our blog post here.
We can connect you with our finance specialist to discuss how to get started today.
Get a $25,000 contribution towards your Addition, Extension or Renovation through the HomeBuilder Program
Eligible Australians will be able to obtain a $25,000 HomeBuilder grant towards their addition, extension or major renovation under the near – $700 million federal government housing package in a bid to boost the economy and act as a lifeline to the home construction industry (Homebuilder program).
The government announced the $688 million HomeBuilder program on Thursday 4 June 2020. In an attempt to boost new projects between now and the end of the year, the Government will give $25,000 grants to owner-occupiers for certain works on their homes.
These works include first floor/second storey additions, ground floor extensions and large scale renovations.
Renovation work does not include structures separate to the main property, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, granny flats and sheds.
The scheme will not apply to investment properties or owners who intend on building or renovating on their own without the help of licensed builders.
The plan will be restricted to people on middle incomes and to new homes and major renovations valued between $150,000 to $750,000.
The pre-renovation value of the house must not exceed $1.5 million and excludes sheds, pools, granny flats and any other structures not attached to the property.
The temporary scheme that will last until the end of the year, aiming to build 30,000 homes by Christmas.
Construction of a new home or a substantial renovation (including first floor additions, second storey additions and ground floor extensions) must be contracted to begin within three months to prevent a rise in house prices.
The grants will be means-tested, allowing singles who earned up to $125,000 the previous financial year and couples who earned up to $200,000 to access the scheme.
The scheme will work along existing state and territory first-home owner grants programs, stamp duty concessions and other grant schemes, including the federal government’s first-home loan deposit scheme and first-home super saver scheme.
The HomeBuilder Program and its associated grants came to an end in March 2021.
If you’re planning a first-floor addition, ground floor extension or large scale renovation project you can start the planning process now. Or, reach out to our team below for more information.
Live the life of Luxury with a Resort Styled Retreat
The Perfect Parents or Teenagers Retreat
Looking for a dedicated area for you to escape the daily grind and kick back and relax? Our Resort Style Retreat Package is tailored to providing the extra space and lifestyle you are looking for.
Retreat Package
40m2 Second Storey Addition
1 open plan bedroom with integrated living area
1 large ensuite
This exclusive package is available for a limited time only. Take advantage of low-interest rates, increase the value of your home and get that extra room for your family.
Terms and Conditions:
Build cost only, based on a 40m2 addition. Plans and Council approval excluded – these are estimated at $15K.
A full quotation can be only be provided following an onsite consultation with the builder to undertake an assessment and determine suitability.
Family Value Package
Build a second storey addition today!
We have the perfect Family Value Package for you. Get the extra room and lifestyle you and your family have been looking for. This second storey addition package is packed with value and designer inclusions with plenty of additional room for you and your growing family.
| FAMILY VALUE PACKAGE | UPGRADE TO OUR Premium Family Value Package |
| 70m2 Second Storey Addition 3 bedrooms with BIR’s 1 bathroom 1 living area |
80m2 Second Storey Addition 1 master bedroom with ensuite & WIR 2 bedrooms with BIR’s 1 bathroom 1 living area |
This exclusive package is available for a limited time only.
Maximise the value of your home by investing in the extra room for your family today.
Terms and Conditions: Build cost only, based on a 70m2 or 80m2 addition. Plans and Council approval excluded – these are estimated at $15K.
A full quotation can be only be provided following an onsite consultation with the builder to undertake an assessment and determine suitability.
That’s a wrap for 2019
Our team has officially wrapped up things for 2019! Here is an overview of our year!
Our office is now closed until 14th January 2020.
We wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
You can still contact us on our website during the break and we will be in touch when we return. For any enquiries please fill out the form below.