 |
Homes QLD Builders QLD Land QLD New Homes QLD builders houses house plans display homes kit homes project homes duplexes new homes house designs house builders house and land packages gj gardener homes house floor plans colonial homes split level homes floor plans builders nsw house design granny flats duplex homes federation homes builders australia build a house country homes australia homes display villages built homes display homes victoria new house builders cairns |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OLDER HOUSES.
ASBESTOS - In the past, asbestos was used extensively in and around houses - in walls, roofing, piping, vinyl flooring, insulation, decorative plaster in domestic water heaters and stoves. Asbestos causes life-threatening diseases, like cancer.
LEAD BASED PAINTS - These are found in most pre 70’s houses. Lead particles can accumulate in the body, causing a range of uncompromising illnesses.
BANNED CHEMICALS - Organic Chloride and other toxins are found around most houses built before July 1995. Unfortunately, chemical contamination is not unusual.
FORMALDEHYDE - Finishes on most kitchen cabinets are now baked-on, or cured to minimise emissions.
TEMPERING VALVE - These became compulsory in 1998. Needless-to-say, the incidence of children scalding themselves has been dramatically reduced.
SMOKE DETECTORS - In July 1997, these became compulsory. Fire happens, especially in the dryer winter months.
EARTH LEAKAGE - In houses built prior to 1993, electrocution is always a risk, often resulting in death.
NO RESPONSIBILITY - When you buy an old house, what you see is what you get. It’s Buyer Beware and there’s no way to recuperate the cost, or be compensated for a hazardous environment. You're on your own!
PEST INFESTED - By the time a home gets to 10 years, or older, previous owners may have allowed pests to settle. Cockroaches, rats, snakes, spiders and dust mites are not always easy to get rid of and the health of older houses can be at risk from termites and wood-eating ants.
DODGY D.I.Y. - Work done by previous occupants may not only be unattractive, but also dangerous. Do-it-yourself wiring, or plumbing can be immediately visible, but often, shoddy workmanship will only be discovered after occupancy, when it’s too late.
|
Asbestos inspection plan gets guarded nod
Fiona Tyndall
Industry groups have lauded a plan that would force homeowners to have a certified asbestos inspection before their house could be sold.
But most said there would be several issues to overcome before the proposal could become law in NSW.
A plan was adopted in principle by the NSW Labor caucus last week in which homeowners would need a pink slip to certify whether asbestos was present in their house before they could sell.
The state Labor MP behind the plan, Paul Lynch, said cabinet ministers were now considering the "nuts and bolts" of how the plan would work.
Real Estate Institute of NSW president Rowen Kelly said that in principle there was no question about the worthiness of the plan.
But he voiced concerns about the cost of the certificates, expected to be similar to the price of a pest inspection at about $150.
"Anything we can do to protect the consumer in this regard is important," Mr Kelly said.
"We have a situation where they are suggesting it will cost $150 but if you have 65,000 homes, not including apartments, sold [in NSW] last year then the shear volume will put a lot of pressure on the services and the cost will escalate."
But Mr Lynch said the need for certifiers would be quickly filled.
"I would think that if there is a system where certificates are required then the market, being what it is, will respond to that," he said.
The president of the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia, Barry Robson, said the group supported the pink slip plan.
"You have got to have a pest certification done, but has anyone died from a pest? If you don't have [an asbestos inspection] you can die from asbestos," Mr Robson said.
Mr Kelly said the proposal left open dangers that arose when asbestos was disturbed, as in the case of renovation or demolition.
One Sydney council has already introduced strict procedures to avoid the disruption of asbestos during renovation or demolition. Developers in the inner-western Sydney area of Ashfield council are required to supply an asbestos clearance certificate with development applications.
Mr Lynch said some estimates indicated that two-thirds of all houses built in NSW after World War II have some asbestos in them.
The Australian Financial Review
Friday 26 November 2004 · www.afr.com
|
|
HIDDEN COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OLDER HOUSES.
STRUCTURAL - Many older houses have roofs that sag and leak, cracked foundations and walls, uneven floors, ill-fitting doors, gaps in window frames and wood rot in joists and rafters. A visual inspection and report could easily cost $400. The rectification may in fact be impossible or cost more than building NEW.
ELECTRICAL - Faulty wiring being extremely dangerous and expensive to fix. The inspection alone could cost you $200, with replacement around $2,000 to $5,000.
PLUMBING - It may start breaking down - after 10 years or so. Full replacement can cost up to $10,000.
PEST CONTROL - Termites, white ants, roaches and vermin are more likely to be found in older houses. An inspection will cost around $120, an infestation can cost you your house.
EXTENSIONS/ADDITIONS - Getting an old house up to scratch often means spending money on expensive improvements - an additional room, or deck - adding thousands to the cost of your purchase, you often uncover costly defects.
KITCHEN - This is one of the most expensive rooms in a house to replace, or even update. New joinery could cost you $5,000 to $20,000. Replace the cooking appliances, dishwasher and sink and you would be lucky to get change out of $5,000.
BATHROOM - Bring a bathroom up to standard and you will be looking to take out a second mortgage. Bathrooms are expensive - second only to kitchens.
PAINTING - When you buy an old house, you will probably want to put your own mark on it, starting with the paint. Think about doing it yourself, unless you’ve got a spare $3,000 to $10,000 lying around. Also remember any work done on older lead based paints will expose you and your family to significant health risks.
HOT WATER SYSTEM - They are built to last for 10 years. A new one will cost up to $2,000.
CARPET - 10 year old carpet looks 10 years old. You will want to replace it and you can for between $2,500 and $20,000.
|
|
|
|
|
