This spring has been one of the busiest times so far for the team at Cameron Construction. "Our team has been hard at work finalising our existing home additions and renovations in preparation for the wave of new projects currently in design as eager home owners prepare for the warmer months ahead." Rod Cameron said.
Major renovations activity posted a 1.8 per cent rise in the March 2011 quarter to reach an annual worth of $6.91 billion, the highest in two years.
“Major renovations have started 2011 on a brighter note. Australians are increasingly looking to improve their existing homes rather than face the mounting transaction costs and new housing taxes and charges they will incur if they trade-up to another property or build a new home,” said Harley Dale.
"The cost of new housing would rise substantially under the proposed carbon tax and adequate compensation is imperative," says HIA Managing Director, Shane Goodwin. "Affordability is at an all-time low and the gap is widening."
There are generally two types of permits required when building or altering your home.Building permits are a system of control for the construction or alteration of a building and, in most instances, are required. Planning permits, specifically for alterations and extensions, are generally only required when there is a planning overlay. The most common overlay's being heritage, and significant landscaping. We typically find that 1 in every 8 projects require planning. The best way to find out if you need a planning permit is to contact Cameron Construction and ask to speak with one of our design consultants.
Australians have had a long love affair with property and a history of aspiring to own their own home. Home ownership reached almost 70% in the early 1960s, an amount considered to be extraordinary at the time. Still today, this love affair continues. Despite house prices climbing some 9% per annum for the last 15 years, approximately 69% of Australians currently own their own home.
Residential builders in Victoria are optimistic about the year ahead according to the latest Master Builders Building Trends survey.
Master Builders Association of Victoria Executive Director Brian Welch said that 45 per cent of the builders who responded to the quarterly survey described their current level of business activity as good?.
Australians are demanding more luxurious kitchens and bathrooms, with a report from the Housing Industry Association predicting the value of K&B installations and renovations will hit a record $12.3 billion by 2011/12.
In Victoria you must be licensed to carry out building works that are over the value of $5000. And that's a good thing, but is it enough? We've all heard the horror stories, and for every one we hear, there are a dozen more that end up in legal disputes and VCAT mediation.
A modest cooling in dwelling prices improved housing affordability slightly during the September 2010 quarter, although housing is still far less affordable than it was 12 months ago said the Housing Industry Association, the voice of Australia's residential building industry.
For major residential extension and renovation work in Victoria, builders are required to be registered in the Domestic Builders - Unlimited (DB-U) category. If the builder asks you to register the project as an owner builder, chances are, they're not registered and/or trying to avoid their legal responsibilities.
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