Inspire Create Design

MAY 2015

INSPIRE Create DESIGN

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INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Welcome W

elcome to our annual edition of Inspire Create Design.

In this edition we will be showcasing some of our best homes and building companies.

If you are planning building your own home, then we have a step by step to guide for you. If you want to use an architect for your building project, then we give you tips on what an architect can do.

With winter approaching, you can read about how new technology improves the efficiency of home heating, and we

Contacts: Jan Hewitt Features Manager P: 09 4702805 E jan.hewitt@northernadvocate.co.nz

touch on modernising your home, and the effective use of colour in your home, especially those warm colours for a cosy winter. We also have some great tips on home maintenance.

If you wish to advertise in our November issue of Inspire Create Build, then please contact us.

6

The Special Publications Team

Advertising: Marguerite Hugo P: 09 4702845 E: Marguerite.Hugo@northernadvocate.co.nz

Landmark Homes ....... 12-13

Design Architecture ............... 4

Fowler Homes..................... 14

Marsden Cove........................ 4

SMI Group Custom Made Furniture ................... 15

Generation Homes ................. 5

Making a Feature of Your Walls ............... 16-17

Storage Solutions .................. 6

Insulating Your Home.........

18

Golden Homes ....................... 7

Home Heating ....................

19

Master Builders ..................... 7

Home Maintenance..... 20-21

Plumb’ In................................ 8

Modernise Your Home .......................... 22

Frazerhurst ............................ 9 Steps to Building ........ 10-11

Contents

So sit back and enjoy, and happy decorating, renovating or building!

Stonewood Homes................. 2

Kiwi Saver.............................. 5

4 22

9

10-11 14 18

Licenced Building Practitioners ....................... 23

17

Cavern Homes .................... 11

CREATING THE INDOORS – OUTDOORS THE OUTSIDER

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4

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Design Architecture Why does good architecture matter? Great architecture enriches our lives physically, psychologically, spiritually and emotionally - and leaves a legacy for generations to come.

WELL-DESIGNED BUILDINGS: Enhance and enrich their occupants’ activities and lives.

Living or working in a well-designed building can change the way we think and feel; it inspires us, uplifts us, brings us together in new ways, and promotes wellbeing and health.

Make a positive contribution to the urban or rural landscape.

Great architecture does more than simply meet its brief. It works in relationship with the landscape, enhancing our appreciation of the physical environment it occupies.

Sustain and protect the environment.

Great architecture doesn’t come at an environmental cost. It works in a sustainable relationship with the environment and makes a minimal impact.

Provide an opportunity for sound investment.

Leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy.

We have a responsibility to recognise that what we build today should endure and enhance the lives of those who come after us.

A SKILLED ARCHITECT CAN;

• Help clarify what you want.

• Bring vision, design skill, and creativity to the project.

• Maximise potential and create value by taking the project beyond the ordinary.

• Avoid predictable responses to a site or brief, and offer practical solutions to problems.

• Offer a broad range of skills, including; design, cost analysis, contract management and project supervision.

• Liaise and consult with other professionals including engineers, quantity surveyors and building contractors.

For more information go to www.nzia.co.nz

A mediocre building, built cheaply will never be more than the sum of its parts, while a building that responds mindfully to client needs and site specifi cs will inevitably result in a building that attains and retains value beyond its initial costs.

Marsden Cove M

arsden Cove is a unique and comprehensively planned marine village, home to a world class Marina and an impressive residential canal housing development located within Northlands beautiful Bream Bay. Marsden Cove offers an exclusive waterfront experience, enabling canal front sections with private jetty and boat ramp facilities. Boating is made easy for residents as they can simply launch the boat and set off to pursue boating activities in the Whangarei Harbour and beyond.

The bustling waterfront retail at Marsden Cove includes a café, hair and beauty salon, local store, fishing club and more.

Never short of activities there are many events such as fishing competitions, music festivals, community markets, and food and wine festivals which are held in Marsden Cove’s Event Marquee located right on the water’s edge.

Marsden Cove is home to New Zealand’s largest sophisticated Lock & Weir system to create a unique and exclusive waterfront environment in the second and future stages. Lots fronting the locked canal

stages have the added benefit of an everlasting high tide.

The fresh salty waters of the canals are perfect for swimming and a wide range of water activities such as kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and more. The unique waterfront living experience at Marsden Cove is met with breath taking views of Mt Manaia. As part of the biggest growth region in Northland, the popularity of Marsden Cove is increasing and it is becoming apparent why people want to be a part of this outstanding neighbourhood.

Come and experience this unique destination and see what Marsden Cove has to offer. Visit our friendly sales staff or arrange a private viewing of our Show Home on Stace Hopper Drive. Visit www. marsdencove.co.nz or phone (09) 432 8379 for more information.

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

KiwiSaver HomeStart grant After 3 years of contributing to KiwiSaver, you may be entitled to a KiwiSaver HomeStart grant. The grants are administered

by Housing New Zealand and will be paid to your solicitor.

WHAT THE GRANTS ARE WORTH

The two HomeStart grants are:

• For purchasing an existing home, the grant is between $3,000 and $5,000 based on $1,000 each year of KiwiSaver membership.

• For building or purchasing a new home, or for purchasing land to build a new home on, the grant is, in effect doubled to, $2,000 per year of membership in the scheme, up to a maximum of $10,000 for five years for each member.

There are maximum values of grants payable for the purchase of a single dwelling, regardless of the number of eligible purchasers: • $10,000 for the purchase of an older/ existing property • $20,000 for the purchase of a new property.

GETTING A KIWISAVER HOMESTART GRANT

To be eligible for a KiwiSaver HomeStart grant you must:

• have been contributing the required minimum amount to KiwiSaver for at least three years

• be 18 years or over • be purchasing or building your first home (see “Note” below) • have a household income (before tax) of less than $80,000 per year (for one person), or less than $120,000 per year (for two or more people) • have a deposit that is 10% or more of the purchase price, including the addition of the grant • be planning to live in the house for at least 6 months from the settlement/ completion of the property.

Income and house price caps will apply.

Note

If you’ve owned a home before, in some circumstances you may still be eligible for a HomeStart grant. Housing New Zealand will need to determine that you are in the same financial position as a first home buyer.

To find out more, visit the Housing New Zealand website or call them on 0508 935 266.

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5

Sharp designs catch buyers’ attention As sales in the Northland property market pick up Generation Homes is finding the range of designs they offer catching the attention of their clients.

“Potential buyers are finding lots of new ideas from television home improvement programmes such as The Block,” say Generation Homes Northland managing director David Skudder. “We’ve worked hard to keep up with the latest trends, especially in areas such as the kitchen.”

Surveys have identified the kitchen as the most important space in a new home, with consumers looking for more efficient use of space. There is also a continuing trend toward open-plan living and dining.

“We offer more than 200 architecturally design home options for buyers,” David says.

“By keeping these designs current, we are able to offer the home our clients want.”

He says Generation Homes’ rigorous quality control and strong customer and supplier relationships also ensures the finished product matches client expectations.

The company is current selling house and land packages in the Kowi Lakes subdivision at One Tree Point, the Totara

Park subdivision at Whangarei City and the exclusive Edgewater community in Waipu.

Generation Homes “Fixed Price, On Time, Guaranteed”

6

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Storage Solutions/Sliding Doors I

nnovative Interiors has been designing customised wardrobe and storage solutions in New Zealand for almost two decades. The company provides a complete service from creating initial concepts through to manufacturing and installation.

“We oversee everything from measuring and design, right through to installation, keeping customers informed on each process and offering advice,”says design consultant Sheryl Clinch.

This is important as wardrobes and storage systems have become carefully considered, stylish elements of the home. “They form an integral part of a well-planned and functioning living environment.”

Clients can choose from three Innovative ranges: • The Traditional is ideal for less complex storage options, offering exceptional value without compromising quality or style • The Classic is an elegant, floormounted wardrobe system and comes with an extensive selection of accessories • The Euro is a premium wardrobe solution suitable for contemporary walk-in wardrobes and dressing rooms, and includes the ultimate range of sophisticated accessories.

In addition to shelving, Innovative Interiors provides Sliding and Bifold door solutions. The perfect finishing touch for

any wardrobe, office or storage space.

We manufacture and supply Whisper Sliding doors, with fluid engineering and quality componentry to ensure these glide through the tracks with the lightest touch.

The Innovative Interiors team works closely with architects, builders and home-owners to develop the best solution for your wardrobes.

A knowledgeable and experienced team offers innovative solutions for all areas of the home. Their insight maximises space and efficiency in the most challenging areas, increasing usability, enjoyment and value of any property. Importantly, Innovative Interiors offers a personal, FREE in home consultation service that comes

with a no-obligation quote. Its range of high quality products are made in New Zealand and come with a 10- year guarantee on workmanship and componentry.

The company offers a full design, manufacturing, and installation service for all storage requirements including bookcases, entertainment units, storage for children’s rooms, the garage and laundry, shelving and wine cellars.

From wardrobe structures and interiors to the home office, laundry and garage, we design, build and install bespoke storage solutions.

With a nationwide network and two decades of experience we offer quality crafted products to enhance the style and functionality of any home.

We provide free consultations in your home or visit our showroom: Inside GUTHRIE BOWRON, 2 MILL ROAD, REGENT, WHANGAREI

0800 80 30 50 northland@innovative-interiors.co.nz

INNOVATIVEINTERIORS.CO.NZ

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

7

Saving for your first home

Golden Homes

While KiwiSaver is mainly about saving for your retirement, there are 2 benefits for KiwiSaver members who are saving for their first home.

With Golden Homes, you don’t need to sacrifice style for value, or durability for design. We’ve spent years developing the Gold Standard Building System®, with our Goldseal Warranty®, so that you can have it all.

BENEFITS FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS

There are 2 benefits for KiwiSaver members who are about to purchase their first home: c If you’ve been a KiwiSaver member for at least 3 years, you may be able to withdraw some of your savings to put towards purchasing or building your first home. You can withdraw your contributions, your employer contributions, any returns on investments and the member tax credits. You cannot withdraw the $1,000 government kick-start. c You may also be eligible for a one-off grant from the Government to help you.

Find out more by visiting the Housing New Zealand website.

AFTER YOU’VE BOUGHT YOUR HOME

Once you’ve made a withdrawal from your KiwiSaver account to purchase your first home, you’ll remain a KiwiSaver member.

You can: c keep making contributions as usual, or c take a contributions holiday if you need a break from contributing to KiwiSaver to focus on repaying your mortgage.

You’ll be able to withdraw the rest of your KiwiSaver money when you qualify for NZ Super (currently 65).

A

t a glance there is quite a list of advantages for steel framing, apart from its ability to withstand an earthquake. Steel framing gives you the design freedom to easily create optimum architectural forms that timber simply does not allow you to do. Steel is also a third of the weight of timber, whilst also being fire resistant.

Golden Homes builds exclusively with New Zealand-made ZOG® steel framing, which has a 50 year durability statement. Your home will be so strong

it can withstand seismic activity up to magnitude 9.

But don’t just take their word for it though, come and experience a Golden Home for yourself. Visit Adele and Chris at their Whangarei show home and let them walk you through all the wonderful features you’ll only find in a Golden Home, corner of Western Hills Drive and Percy Street, Whangarei or you can view the plans online at goldenhomes.co.nz or give them a call on 07 437 7636 or 0800 22 22 36.

Information retrieved from http://www. kiwisaver.govt.nz/new/situation/first-home/

IF YOU’VE OWNED A HOME BEFORE

If you’ve owned a home before, you may still be eligible for these benefits if you’re in the same financial situation as a first home buyer. To find out more, visit the Housing New Zealand website or call them on 0508 935 266.

Master builders

SUPERIOR FINISH,

To be a Registered Master Builder, building experience trade or professional qualifications and practical management experience are assessed. orkmanship is inspected and previous clients contacted to ensure the applicant’s work is of a high standard and has satisfied clients’ expectations. In addition, applicants must provide evidence of financial responsibility with written references from their bank, accountant and building material suppliers. Re-certification of members occurs regularly, with checks on financial viability and, more importantly, on workmanship.

The Master Build Guarantees are the most comprehensive products available on the market. Only a Registered Master Builder can offer our Guarantees the best products being offered by the best builders! Our Guarantees cover residential building work with a contract price of $25,000 and over and cover fullcontract, labour-only and managed labour-only work carried out

by a Registered Master Builder. Work by subcontractors, as well as materials and rot is covered, but conditions apply. It is important to note that the Guarantee is not automatic upon hiring a Registered Master Builder – you must complete the documentation with your builder and ensure that it is sent through to Master Build Services.

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INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

8

Go to Plumb’In for your Beautiful Bathroom

Beautiful bathrooms @ factory prices

“D

on’t judge a book by its cover “ rings true at Plumb’In Whangarei.

At first glance one could be forgiven for thinking they sell budget bathroomware, but don’t be fooled. The no frills factory warehouse appearance is where the no frills ends. Shrewd buying and no fancy showrooms, allows Plumb’In to bring you luxury bathroomware at really great pricing.

Their range of luxury products include a substantial display of designer freestanding baths, stunning frameless glass showers, high end spa baths, upmarket back to wall toilet suites and wall hung toilet suites, multifunction sophisticated tapware, matching vanities and tower storage units.

Their products have featured in Home and Garden Magazine and adorn the bathrooms of many luxury million dollar homes countrywide.I’s not unheard of to see top designers scouting the store for new ideas.

People look at bathrooms differently these days. It’s not just a convenience room, it’s another living space in your home that should have design features, a little luxury and a wow factor. All these add value, giving you a great place to start and end your day in - ultimately adding value to your biggest investment.

In a society of disposable items, the one place you truly want products that have top quality and looks, is the bathroom.

It’s a big commitment and you want it to last. Plumb’Ins products are all from reputable suppliers and come backed with manufacturer warranties so when spending that little bit extra you are assured of quality and reliability.

And it’s not just the products that are high end. The knowledge and service you will receive from Plumb’In Whangarei is unmatched. Just spend a few minutes in the store and you will know they are specialist in their field.

Plumb’In are constantly bringing in new products and are on the mark with latest trends. If you don’t see exactly what you want in store, just ask and they will go the extra mile to source just what you really want.

So now that the secret is out and you know where to go. The team are looking forward to meeting you at: 33 Southend Avenue, Whangarei. Open seven days a week for your convenience.

For further enquiries please contact Alex Bodger Phone: 09 430 0981 Email: alexb@plumbin.co.nz Website: www.plumbin.co.nz

Alex and Beifei Bodger of Plumb’In

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INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Frazerhurst celebrating their 32nd Birthday Frazerhurst has been pushing the boundaries with window coverings in Northland since 1983, providing the highest quality window fashions, matched with their professional can-do customer service.

T

o celebrate their 32nd year anniversary the team at Frazerhursts have come up with an offer to match… up to 32% off across the show room* including curtains, romans, drapes, blinds, shutters and awnings! This once a year sale is on offer just for the month of June 2015.

Based in Lower Dent Street for all 32 years, Frazerhurst always were and still are the locally owned curtain and blind specialists in Northland. The team place customer service and expert advice at the top of the list. This is why a great deal of their business comes from existing customers coming back for more.

The professional team have acquired a wealth of experience over the years.

They’re New Zealand’s longest standing Weathermaster member with one of the highest throughputs in the whole franchise. Their knowledge and passion for interior and exterior coverings enables them to tailor solutions for a diverse range of needs helping their customers find curtains, blinds,

shutters, screens, rollershades and awnings that complement their home.

Window and door coverings have come a long way in the past three decades and the Frazerhurst team of consultants know how to help their customers find the type of fabric, pattern, styles and material that best fits the ambience they want to create.

There’s a real art to dressing doors and windows. It’s not just about making the room look good – although they have the skills to do this - factors such as sun protection, draught exclusion, thermal insulation, safety, privacy, comfort and energy efficiency all need to be considered.

Nothing is off of the shelf – everything is custom made to suit customer’s needs. The Frazerhurst team would like to invite you to come and join in their 32nd birthday celebrations by taking advantage of the great deals on offer, so why not pop in to their showroom at 146 Lower Dent Street and have a look for yourself?

Consultant Tim Barnaby takes pride in working with satisfied clients

Perfect solutions for your windows indoors and out

32

nd

Birthday

Celebration

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%

OFF

curtains | drapes | blinds | whisper & pleated rollershades | sunscreens | timber venetians awnings | external suncreens | and many more

ONCE A YEAR DEALS DON’T MISS OUT! *Sale excludes juralco security and insect screens, and is only valid in the month of June 2015

Tailored solutions to your requirements.

Call today for a FREE in home design consultation.

“Customers come first at Frazerhurst”

146 Lower Dent St, Whangarei | Ph 09 438 3986 0800 102 710 | www.frazerhurst.co.nz

Umbrellas I Awnings I Blinds I Shutters

9

10

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Steps to Building STEP 1 Choose a section

Consider the location and value of prospective sections. Research the title and council files, checking for any legal restrictions on use of the section. Decide whether you need a professional valuation and/or survey.

Get your lawyer to approve the sale and purchase agreement.

STEP 2 Organise your finances

Work out a budget and figure out how much you need to borrow. Approach the bank or other lending organisations to arrange a mortgage. Review your budget if necessary.

Mortgages

Whether you are building or buying, once you have a good idea of what you can do within your budget, you need to start talking seriously to a bank, mortgage broker or other lenders.

Consumer.org.nz has detailed information on the types of mortgages available, including the latest interest rates, how to apply for a mortgage, how to make a complaint if you are not satisfied with the service you receive, and how to reduce your payments.

Some of this information is free, but for some you will need to be a member.

STEP 3

The fees you pay to an architect or architectural designer may seem like a lot of money, but in reality they are a small part of the total cost of a building project, and have to be considered in the light of the cost-effectiveness and overall value that the architect or designer will add to your house.

Expect to budget between six to 15 percent of the total cost of the job, depending on its size and value and what services the architect or designer provides.

STEP 4 Select a project manager

Decide whether to manage the project yourself or engage the architect, designer, main contractor or a professional project manager.

STEP 5 Choose the builder and other tradespeople Make a shortlist of builders, and ask them for tenders and quotes. Make sure they can work within your deadlines.

Choose the subcontractors.

STEP 6 Organise the contract

Get a written contract from your builder, including details of their guarantee, insurance, payment schedules, and other importance issues.

STEP 7

Choose and brief the designer

There are different kinds of designers – conduct some research to work out which type will suit you best. Talk to a few candidates and make your choice.

Work with them to come up with the design for your house. Gather ideas for materials, fixtures and fittings, and talk them through with your designer.

Design fees

Architectural designers generally charge around the same as architects.

The respective fees will depend on the scope of the project and services required.

You should expect to pay less for an architectural draughtsperson, as they typically offer a narrower range of services.

Get building and resource consents Organise building and resource consents, if this hasn’t been done earlier.

STEP 8 Construction begins ...

When building starts, keep an eye on progress, pay the bills and deal with any unexpected problems. Organise inspections by the Building Consent Authority. Be aware of safety issues at the building site.

STEP 9 Upon completion ...

Arrange the final inspection by the Building Consent Authority and apply for a code compliance certificate.

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We also cut panels to your requirements and can supply part sheets.

Phone: 09 4386565 | Mobile: 021 2166591 Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-5pm | Email: sales@scootersply.co.nz 43c Commerce Street, Whangarei

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INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

11

Cavern Homes After decades of working within their own professions, Ken and Karen Dugdale joined forces in April last year to provide a distinctive home design and build business.

A

ptly named Cavern Homes to give customers peace of mind that their home will stand the test of time; the couple have channelled their expertise into providing quality homes at reasonable prices with a high standard of long lasting workmanship.

Their combined careers span decades of experience. Ken and Karen focus on building solid foundations in the homes they build and the relationship they have with customers, contractors, suppliers and architect.

Tidy up loose ends

Make your own final inspection and liaise with the builder and council to resolve any outstanding issues.

STEP 11 Consider landscaping

Think about options for landscaping, and research design features.

Decide whether to use a professional

landscaper or do it yourself. Get consents if necessary.

A well-designed garden can be a perfect setting for your new house. It can provide pleasure and useful indoor/outdoor living space, save you time and effort if it is designed for easy care, and will also add value if you decide to sell.

For more information: consumerbuild.org.nz

The show house at Estuary Drive in Mangawhai features a grand entrance to a beautifully laid out, light airy home.

Underfloor heating, a central vacuuming system and granite glass bowls in the bathrooms are all part of the interior package – exquisite finishing touches that reflect the high standard you can expect from a Cavern Home.

For more information visit www.cavernhomes.co.nz

Ken loves to come up with concepts that are different and don’t cost an arm a leg to achieve.

Take the show home for instance. From the outside it just looks like an average home. Go inside and the wow factor takes effect. Visitors are amazed by the size of the

ITS

DECISION TIME If you wish to be in your new home by this coming summer - decisions need to be made.

But before you make that very important decision, do yourself a favour Come and see us at Cavern Home Solutions.

THE WORD ‘SOLUTIONS’ IS THERE FOR A REASON. We find solutions based on your budget, size, material used and/or design – resolving all your problems.

This will make your build the most cost effective, stress free build possible and you will be proud to call the result home.

Just have a look at our show home.

It’s a testament to what you can create with your budget.

In our eyes, there is no such thing as can’t.

We can give you a fixed price on every aspect of your new home Come and view our show home at

Estuary Drive, Mangawhai

OPEN

STEP 10

“We take great pride in providing people with a level of service that guarantees no hidden costs, a fixed price contract to code of compliance and a build time of 14 to 16 weeks (subject to weather) once resource consent is received. If we go over time, any out of pocket expenses will be compensated. You’ll also receive a 10 year Master Builders Guarantee.’’

spacious layout. The quality of the materials and fittings included in the price, creates a wow factor of its own.

11am to 4pm

Sat & Sun or by appointment during the week

Give us a call on 0800 22 83 80

www.cavernhomes.co.nz

12

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Landmark Homes L

andmark Homes Northland has only been in business for a little under a year but demand is already running hot for the company’s services.

Clint Dyke and Doug Larkin are the directors of the local franchise of the nationwide firm.

Clint said the point of difference that set Landmark Homes apart from its competition was the quality of the homes that it produced. “We’re quite different to the average home builder.”

Homes built by the Landmark team are designed for the middle to top-end of the market – a step between the standard kitset home you might get from a largescale building company and the much pricier option of having a house designed from scratch by an architect.

All of the home designs can be mixed and matched and adapted to suit the individual buyer. Clint said it was common for members of the Landmark team to sit with a customer and work through minor alterations to an existing plan to bring a home to the desired price point, or accommodate lifestyle requirements.

There is also a design-and-build and a remove-and-build process on offer.

Landmark Homes Northland covers a wide area, from just north of Wellsford up to Cape Reinga and across both coasts. Clint said the greatest demand was coming from Kerikeri and Mangawhai at present.

Prices start at about $350,000.

Clint said he and Doug had decided to team up with Landmark after many years working in the Northland building industry, where they both built up a solid reputation as independent operators.

Homes built by Landmark might be one storey or two, with stylish rooflines and upmarket cladding that make the home stand out from the street. Inside, all the plans in the Landmark range focus on offering generous living areas and making the most of any site, no matter the size.

The style of the homes the company produces appealed and the power of the national brand offered benefits to clients, he said. Landmark Homes has been operating for 35 years and brings a lot of expertise and experience in all aspects of the process.

T A D E T A C O NOW L D A O R A O 8 KIORER PLACEMAKERS WHANGAREI 18 KIOREROA RD (09) 470 3970

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

If someone in the Northland team needs to talk through a design idea, they only need to pick up the phone to pick the brains of those throughout the Landmark network.

“Whatever comes up, someone will have done it before,” he said.

Clint said his team offered site visits to help potential purchasers work out whether a particular section would work for them.

13

Landmark Homes Northland takes care of the process from outset to completion and offers a ten-year Masterbuild Guarantee.

123 Bank Street, Whangarei Phone 09 4388499 Email clint.dyke@landmarkhomes.co.nz www.landmarkhomes.co.nz

Doug Larkin and Clive Dyke

Doug 027 280 0674

Clint 027 459 3321

Clint and Doug are Northlanders and will both have a hands on role in all aspects of the Landmark Homes business, with Clint focusing on Sales and Doug, Construction.

Our experienced builders will help make your new home vision a reality, whether it is in Whangarei or further afield in Northland.

Nira Kingi New Home Consultant Nira 027 680 0550

PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH

LANDMARK

HOMES

We would like to show our appreciation of the work we have accomplished together with Landmark Homes over the past year. We have proudly supplied all their flooring needs providing a customized service for all their interior requirements.

“Come in and see us - the big black and green building by the river” 32 Albert St, Whangarei Phone 09 438 3746

www.flooringxtra.co.nz

Dominator Garage Door Centre Northland 15 Gumdigger Place, PO Box 7004, Tikipunga,Whangarei Phone 09 430 8666 | Fax 09 430 8856 | Mobile 021 2777 800 Email dominatornorthland@xtra.co.nz

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INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Fowler Homes Your style of living… Your style of builder!

F

owler Homes has been involved with the building industry since the early 1980s. In the last 30 years, we have built a reputation of attention to details and quality, winning multiple awards for our designs and standards of building.

With a choice of 585 plans (from homes already built) in 13 plan brief books and our “Award Series” plans – a selection of plans which have been very popular, especially as a starting point – Fowler Homes is sure to be able to help you create your perfect home.

my experience and understanding of the region’s unique climate and topography will be a great advantage when building your new home”.

“When you choose to build with me, you choose to build with confidence, knowing that you are working with the managing director from start to finish. I have gained a reputation for going the extra mile,

assisting my clients through the entire building process”.

“In addition to this you also have the reassurance of knowing my handpicked team of professional tradesman will be building your new homes. At Fowler Homes Northland we aim to exceed your expectations and create a home for you to live in and enjoy for many years to come” says Wayne.

Fowler Homes (Northland) Ltd, 63 Walton Street –Whangarei Phone: 09 438-4840 Fax: 09 438-4845, Mob: 021 438 481 Email: waynep@fowlerhomes.co.nz

We believe in making the building process simple and we project manage the entire process from the initial design sketch through to completion.

For those that have their dream home in mind we offer a Design & Build service. Tell us your ideas or bring in existing plans and we can bring your dreams to life – any size, any style, and with Fowler’s high level of service and attention to detail. Another great reason clients trust us to build their homes.

Pr ou d ow ly 1 ne 00 d % sin Ne ce w 19 Ze 84 ala nd

Fowler Homes Northland Director, Wayne Pickerill says “I am proud to be a long term Northland resident and thoroughly enjoy living and working in Whangarei.

With many dedicated years spend in new home build and construction, you can be confident in the knowledge that

YOUR DESIGN &

BUILD SPECIALISTS ...Celebrating Over 30 Years...

Town

We’ll price your plans Hi, I’m Wayne Pickerill, Managing Director & Project Manager for your new Fowler Home. We will have exactly what you need to know about building your new home and guide you through the process. Enjoy quality and benefits of an efficient, low overhead nationwide company.

Fowler Homes have done it this way since the early 1980’s. Enjoy dealing with one person start to completion.

Country

Wayne Pickerill, Managing Director

PLANS FROM $2,875.00 incl gst! ... more designs at www.fowlerhomes.co.nz or visit our office at 63 Walton Street, Whangarei.

Phone Wayne Pickerill 09 438 4840

Coastal

BESPOKE INTERIORS

SMI is able to provide a custom solution to any interior project, from high-end bespoke interiors and furniture for your luxury boat or home through to commercial fit outs.

Our experience covers such a vast range of skills that we are easily able to adapt our systems to suit your build.

We will bring to your project precision and craftsmanship, offering the very best in high quality custom interiors on time and on budget.

Artisans stand along side the most modern automated machinery, combining a wealth of experience with the latest of technology.

Tel: +64 9 438 3859 • www.smigroup.co.nz • enquiry@smigroup.co.nz 19a Hewlett Street, Whangarei

16

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Making a Feature…of Your Walls T

here’s no quicker, easier or more affordable way to make a statement in a room than to give it a coat of brightly coloured paint, but if you’re nervous about using too much colour, you can play it safe, but still make a statement, by introducing a feature wall.

“Using a textured paint-on wallpaper and then painting it the same colour as the room is one option,” says Resene colour consultant Sarah Gregory. “Or a tonal colour rather than a block of full-on colour. Or you could use a nice statement wallpaper.”

Feature walls – now often referred to as statement walls – add vibrancy and personality without overpowering the rest of the room, and they allow you to be more daring with colour without having to go all out.

While a statement wall provides a focal point to a room, it can also transform it, making it appear larger or wider, cooler or warmer, even more intimate. A statement wall can enhance a room’s best features or downplay its weaknesses. A bold floral design, for example, not only injects personality, it can help to disguise

Paint is not your only option though. There are many other creative alternatives.

uneven walls, and stripes are a great tool for increasing the sense of space within a room.

“Both horizontal and vertical stripes can give you the illusion of a room being bigger (horizontal stripes widen a wall while vertical stripes make it appear taller), just like if a woman wore a stripy top,” says Sarah. “There are lots of stripes coming through in wallpaper at the moment, but painting stripes is much easier than trying to find a wallpaper that’s got the particular width of stripes you want. You might want thin stripes and thick stripes all in one go and lots of different colours – that looks really good in kids’ rooms in pastels.

Painting is more versatile than wallpaper if you want stripes.”

Accent colours are also a means of changing the mood of a room. Brilliant colours give a room energy and vibrancy while softer, tonal colours create a calming, relaxed atmosphere.

“It’s really very personal,” says Sarah. “I’ve met a lot of people recently who are using full-on colour. People are getting confident.

I’ve done a lot of oranges recently and blues and greens. But then at the other end of the scale there are those people who will just go up the neutral scale from something like Resene Thorndon Cream to Resene Triple Thorndon Cream.”

Whether using adventurous colours or more toned-down hues, feature walls can help to anchor or define separate areas within large spaces. In a living room, an

accent colour may be used on one wall to define it as a reading corner. In an open plan kitchen a feature wall may be used to mark out the dining area.

Splashbacks are another place for adding colour in the kitchen, but current trends have seen a shift away from the everpopular red to other cheerful colours also coming into use. “It used to be the classic was red – everyone had a red splashback,” says Sarah. “But now oranges like Resene Ayers Rock are coming in and yellows are creeping in too in the high-end kitchen market. Metallic colours are also being used with colours such as Resene Blast Grey 1 and Resene Silver Aluminium.”

As a general rule, feature walls are located around some kind of focal point in the room – a chimney breast, the wall that your TV hangs on, or the bed head wall in your bedroom. Or it could be the wall that you first see as you enter the house. But Sarah says there are other tricks homeowners can try to create interest.

“What you can do now is to wallpaper opposite sides of the room and then paint the other two. So you’re not doing all of the room but you’re doing the opposite walls. It works really well on long skinny rooms.

“Also on a chimney breast you can flip the feature so that you wallpaper on either side of the chimney breast and paint the chimney breast rather than have the wallpaper on the chimney breast, just to make it a little different.”

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make plans for your new pool this summer

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ask@thedeepend.co.nz

(09) 438 9536

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Using different paint sheens also adds eye appeal. While low sheens are usually used on interior walls, using a mix of low and high sheen can impart that wow factor.

“We generally use a low sheen on our walls, but if you were to do a stripe it would be really yummy if you did some low sheen and some gloss so you’ve got the light playing on it as well. Or a few different colours and different sheen levels to make it a little bit more appealing to the eye.”

Or you can use colour to complement artwork.

“If you have a beautiful painting that you love, you could pick a colour out of the painting and paint that behind it so that it accentuates the painting. It won’t be the dominant colour in the painting – just a little undertone or accent in the painting to bring it out.”

Accessories, like cushions, curtains and plant pots, can be used to bring out the colours in accent walls too.

“I always suggest that people take the Resene The Range fashion colour fandeck with them when shopping for their cushions so that they can match up the colours that they really like,” says Sarah.

Feature walls can be taken outdoors too and used to partition off areas, or as a backdrop for water features,

plant pots, urns, sculptures and espaliered plants.

“I love feature walls in the landscape,” says landscape designer Sandra Batley of Flourish. “And they don’t need to be boring”.

“Feature walls can have a simple water weir built into them to transform it into a water feature. Or outdoor sculptures and weatherproof art can be attached. Vertical walls or green walls are a huge trend.”

There are fabulous colour choices for coloured feature walls.

One of the best ways to make a statement on the exterior of the house though is to paint your front door in a high-impact colour.

“If you were going to do a statement outdoors, front doors are a really good place to do it,” says Sarah. “Red is really popular, and also black, in a really lovely high gloss.”

Whether indoors or out, a statement wall is a great opportunity to experiment with pattern or colour and to inject your personality into your space – and it’s a trend that’s catching on.

“People are finding their way on their own now and really expressing themselves,” says Sarah. “They’re not moving house. They’re renovating and making it their space. And a statement wall is a great place to start.”

Happy decorating!

Contact: Steve Hart t: 09 433 0200 m: 021 588 531 e: steve.hart@A1homes.co.nz Showhome: Corner Sandford Road and State Highway One, Ruakaka

New Show Home Now Open 95 Barbados Way, One Tree Point

Whether choosing from one of our plans, or creating something a little different, discover the easiest way to get the home you want.

Call A1homes or visit our website to start building your home today.

17

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INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

How Well Insulated is your Home?

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any homes built before 1992 are more often than not poorly insulated. Some not insulated at all. By law, all new houses built today must have minimum insulation requirements.

Poorly insulated homes are not only cold and difficult to heat, but can get damp, drafty and unhealthy to live in. Can also get very hot in summer. There is no reason why older homes cannot meet better than modern minimum standards. First, a proper assessment needs to be done of current insulation in the ceiling, existing walls, windows, and under floor. As you can see, its important to take a whole house approach to insulation. Let me explain why.

CEILINGS:

We all know hot air rises. This is why the insulation in your ceiling is your first priority.

Many homes have damp or decayed and settled insulation, pending which product was used in the past, deeming it pretty much useless. If Insulfluff, its best to remove before fitting new.

There is a range of ceiling insulation products on the market, all with differing life spans, cost and effectiveness over

time. Which ever insulation product is used, its important that it is fitted well, with NO gaps under or beside the insulation.

There is segment, blanket, and blown in insulation products available for ceilings.

EECA recommend the ceiling joists should be covered. If using preformed segment and or blanket insulation, its best to fit two layers in older type ceilings. A segment between the ceiling joists, and a blanket over top. The reason for this is a avoid heat escaping out the timber joists, and probable gaps in the segment fitting. Blown in products can achieve the same effect and thickness in one operation, resulting in a more cost effective solution.

EXISTING WALLS.

Heat loss through walls is the second highest area in your home. A house with no wall insulation will not retain warmth, and can result in moldy walls. Once your ceiling is properly insulated hot air is heading for your walls and windows. There is normally 2/3rd walls and 1/3rd windows in an average house. Therefore the next priority is to insulate your walls.

Insulating existing walls must be done to meet building code requirements.

If installed incorrectly, some insulation can absorb moisture and cause structural decay.

Cosy Wall Insulation can be installed without removing linings, and is one of only a few products that meets the building code not requiring a building membrane between the framing and cladding, due to the characteristics of the Cosy Wall product. This system saves time and money, and is cost effective. By insulating the ceiling and walls of older homes helps retain about 70% of heat loss in any average home. These are the two most important areas to insulate.

DRAPES

Ideally, its best to install good thick thermal drapes that fit close to the wall, and go all the way to the floor to avoid a flow of air behind the drape. There are lots of pretty and modern looking blinds that have very little ‘thermal’ value. Roman thermal blind work well on windows.

UNDER FLOOR

We receive more enquires for under floor insulation than any other. Yet this is where the least amount of heat is lost. Rising

Removing old damp settled insulfluff before replacing is advisable.

damp and invasive cold air coming up through the floor is a bit of a myth.

Given the opportunity, cold air will always sink, or settle. At night we nearly always get dew forming on the grass outside.

This is because the air cools once the sun goes down, and cold air won’t support moisture. This is called the Dew effect. So in a house that does not have adequate ceiling and wall insulation your house gets cold, moisture in the air will drop to the floor, making carpets and the like feel cold and damp.

The biggest gain from insulating the under floor is that it will take the chill off the floor. Average heat loss through floor is only 10% So there you have it in order of priority.

However you go about it, get a proper full assessment, and start from the top and work down, if funs are short, but for your home to retain warmth in winter and stay cool in summer, its best to ‘COMPLETE THE THERMAL ENVELOPE’ Whether renting or own your own home, we should all be living in a warm, dry healthy homes.

Ceiling insulation should be thick and have no gaps under, or beside it. Here is blown-in Qmulus glass wool insulation.

Would you like your home to be warm and dry this winter?

Free, no obligation assessment of the floors, existing walls and ceiling insulation in your home, to discover how best to improve your comfort levels, health and energy efficiency.

Call us now Phone 09 431 5223 or 027 4753 986 Email: info@pilkprop.co.nz Find us at: www.pilkingtoninsulation.co.nz

Services include:

• Removal of old decayed or damp insulation.

• Cosywall a blown-in dry fibre mineral wool for existing

wall insulation, so no need to remove the linings.

• Ceiling insulation, including difficult to access areas.

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

19

Fire up your Furnace for the Big Chill Home heating in winter is essential, but not all systems are created equal. LEIGH BRAMWELL investigates

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INTER will come, no question, and unless your house is prepared with good insulation and efficient heating sources, your power bills could soar.

So how warm is warm enough? The World Health Organisation recommends the following minimum indoor temperatures, which are also supported by the Ministry of Health: • A minimum of 18C, or a minimum of 20C for more vulnerable groups such as children, the ill and the elderly.

• A minimum of 16C in your bedroom overnight.

It’s not difficult to achieve those temperatures even in the coldest New Zealand winter, but it is expensive.

Half a dozen electric heaters will keep the average home warm, but it may take most of your salary to pay the power bill.

But before you even go there, look at how you’re going to keep the warmth inside once you’ve generated it. In a typical older home, heat could be escaping through the windows, doors, ceilings, floors and walls. Insulate those areas and you’ll be able to get away with a smaller heating system that’ll be cheaper to run. There’s been so much publicity recently about the importance of efficient insulation that you could hardly miss it, yet an estimated half of all New Zealand homes (around 700,000) have insufficient ceiling or underfloor insulation.

According to EECA Energywise, priorities for insulating should be ceiling, underfloor, walls and windows. Even if your house was insulated some years ago, it’s worth checking, as insulation can move or become less effective over time. Check out the website www.energywise.govt.nz and find out what to do, and whether you qualify for funding.

DOUBLE GLAZING

At the more expensive end of home insulation measures is double glazing.

While single-pane glass lets sun into your house and helps to heat it, it also lets heat out again — a double edged sword.

Double glazing creates an insulating layer between two panes of glass and as well as improving warmth levels, it reduces noise and condensation. It’s easier to install

when you’re building, but not impossible to retrofit. It’s especially worthwhile if you have big windows.

Cheap trick: Try window insulation film.

Not as good as double glazing, but a good option when combined with decent thermal drapes.

Use the sun Once the groundwork of insulating your home has been done, you can consider the best options for heating it up. The cheapest, most sustainable heating source is the sun, and although it’s not always available, it is possible to collect its warmth and save it up for later.

So pull back the curtains and throw your home open as early in the day as you can, and take advantage of the fact that you’re grabbing heat for free.

You can take further advantage if you have a concrete or tiled floor that catches the sun during the day. It’ll store up warmth and then release it when the sun goes down. Shut up shop as soon as the sun disappears and trap the warmth inside.

HEATING SYSTEMS

Alongside that, you have many choices of heating systems, from the relatively modern heat pump systems to oldfashioned fires.

If you already have gas appliances in your home, especially hot water, it can make economic sense to run gas heating as well, as you’re already paying for the gas fixed charges. Gas is the cleanest burning, lowest emission fossil fuel, though it still emits more carbon dioxide than renewable sources of energy. Some modern gas heaters have higher efficiency, so are cheaper to run.

They’re also a bit more convenient than log burners, because the flues for gas fires can be run out of the house in any direction, horizontally or vertically, so they don’t even need to be installed on an outside wall. You don’t need a building consent to install one, but they must be installed by a registered gasfitter and a gas certificate must be issued for the installation.

HEAT PUMPS

Heat pumps are quick and convenient, and many are cheaper to run than other forms

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P. 09 438 0192 F. 09 438 0196

GAS WORKS & PLUMBING LIMITED Supply, Install & Service

of electric heating. They are expensive to buy when compared to a simple electric heater, but some models will heat your home in winter and cool it in summer, and act as a filter for dust. You need to check what sort of heat pump you need for the size of your room.

If you choose one that’s too small, it’ll have to work harder, and that’ll cost you more.

Don’t be tempted to get your wallet out for a heat pump just because it’s reduced, or because there’s a special deal on. Do your homework, learn to understand the different ratings, and use the calculator on the Energywise website to work out what sizes you need for the different rooms in your house.

CHEAP TRICK: Use the thermostat and the timer. It’s pointless to heat up rooms or houses that nobody is using.

Wood fires Log burners have been a popular option for heating for many years, and understandably so. If you have access to free firewood, you don’t need much more than a box of matches and maybe a few fire starters to run them, and the flames offer psychological as well as physical comfort. The newer models authorised by the Ministry for the Environment burn more

cleanly than older models, so you can do your bit for the environment.

WOOD PELLET BURNERS

Wood pellet burners offer lower emissions than log burners because the pellets have a more consistent burn rate. Some units have a remote control, a thermostat, a timer and a built-in fan to better distribute the heat. Low emission pellet burners are allowed in some areas where new wood burners are not allowed in houses that haven’t had a wood burner before. For more information check with your local council, and also check the Ministry for the Environment’s list of authorised models.

ELECTRIC HEATERS

Last but not least, the electric heater still has its place, although perhaps not as the main source of heating for an entire home. But they are quick and convenient for heating specific spaces, and there are various types (night store, convection, fan, radiant) for different purposes. And there’s nothing quite like en electric heater when you want to instantly toast your toes when you walk into a cool house.

20

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Maintaining your home A checklist to help homeowners protect their properties

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ost New Zealanders’ homes are their biggest investments, so it’s important to protect them.

Good maintenance will: • help keep your home safe and secure • keep you and your family healthy • save you money by allowing you to fix problems before they get bigger • protect your financial investment.

Many modern homes are described as ‘low maintenance’, but this does not mean ‘no maintenance’. There is no such thing as a maintenance-free house.

Practical, easy-to-follow information about home maintenance is available at www.consumerbuild.org.nz – a website jointly owned by the Consumers’ Institute and the Department of Building and Housing.

WHAT IS HOME MAINTENANCE?

Home maintenance includes everything from regular cleaning to repairs and replacements. It can be a job as small as changing a washer to stop a tap dripping, or as large as repainting the whole house.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO APPROACH MAINTENANCE?

Whether you’re living in your home or renting it to tenants, there are four main approaches to maintenance.

• Carry out regular preventive maintenance, such as cleaning gutters, to prevent some problems from occurring.

• Carry out repairs as needed, preventing small problems from turning into big ones.

• Plan ahead for major maintenance tasks, such as repainting or reroofing, so you have the money and time available when the work is needed.

• Be prepared for emergencies – know where and how the water, gas and power supplies turn off, and if you have tenants make sure they know too.

If you’re doing your own maintenance work, make sure you take the necessary safety precautions.

DIY OR PROFESSIONAL?

MAJOR MAINTENANCE MATTERS

You may be able to do basic maintenance and repairs, like painting or replacing a broken window, but you need to be realistic about your limits. It is better to hire a tradesperson and get the job done properly the first time around than to make costly mistakes. By law, some jobs need to be done by a professional, such as gas, plumbing, drainage and some electrical work. From November 2010, certain building work will need to be supervised or carried out by a licensed building practitioner.

WILL MY BODY CORPORATE TAKE CARE OF ALL MY HOME MAINTENANCE?

If you live in an apartment or townhouse with a body corporate you are likely to be limited in what, if any, external maintenance you can do yourself. The best way to keep your building well maintained is to be an active member of the body corporate and make sure it has a properly funded, longterm maintenance programme to keep the building in good condition.

Moisture

One of the main problems with New Zealand homes is the amount of moisture that collects and stays around indoors. Damp homes are unhealthy and harder to heat.

You can combat persistent damp in your home by: • insulating (under the floor, in the ceiling and walls) • ventilating (including extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens, open windows,

using a dehumidifier or forced ventilation system, keeping vents clear) • heating (aim to keep the indoor temperature at a minimum of 16 degrees) • replacing unflued gas heaters with electric or flued gas heaters.

You should treat the cause of excessive moisture at the same time as addressing its effects. Excessive moisture can be caused by leaking pipes or condensation.

It can also indicate that your home is a leaky building, which could involve extensive repairs.

Mould, water stains and musty smells in houses that have been built or renovated since the early 1990s can be the first signs of a leaky or non-weathertight house – they need to be thoroughly investigated.

Owners who think their homes could have weathertightness problems because of their design and construction methods should seek early expert advice.

Practical advice on identifying and addressing weathertightness problems is available at www.consumerbuild.org.nz.

It is important that leaky homes are repaired promptly and properly to stop further damage. Good quality early repairs

New premises have given the Tile Depot space to expand and offer clients a more comprehensive service.

The business has moved into a new super store in Gumdigger Place, with more than 1000 sq m of space to showcase its products. It is also now selling bathroom ware including leading brands such as VOS and Heirloom.

It is the latest step in a long history of growth for the Tile Depot. It opened its first store in Whangarei in 1998 with 200 tiles in its range. It twice had to take over neighbouring retail space as its range expanded to more than 1000 tiles.

Assistant manager Anita Holt, who has a background in interior design and offers the Tile Depot customers a full design service, said the visual impact that was possible in the new store made choosing tiles and design a lot easier.

“They can visually see combinations together.”

WHANGAREI SUPER STORE

NOW OPEN

Over 1000 tiles on display in a huge new showroom 16 Full bathroom displays Now selling VOSS bathware

She said it was common for people to bring in samples of the other products they would have in their homes to see what tiles would look like with them.

The Tile Depot caters to every kind of customer. Ms Holt said manager Corran McGregor was skilled in dealing with the trade side of the business. The store also has a bathroom specialist to advise on any renovation or new fit-out work.

Ms Holt said the store was busy dealing with new builds and renovation. She said there had been a noticeable increase in the number of people deciding to do up their existing properties.

The owners of the Tile Depot chain are originally from Whangarei. After opening stores in Hamilton and Auckland they wanted a presence in the north and opened the Tile Depot in Whangarei, which was the fourth of 13 in the network of stores.

4 GUMDIGGER PLACE (OPPOSITE HARVEY NORMANS) OPEN 6 DAYS (SATURDAY 9AM-1PM) www.tiledepot.co.nz

INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

mean that homeowners avoid additional costs for repairing further damage.

Owners of tenanted houses likely to have weathertightness issues should regularly check their properties and ask their tenants to report early signs of problems.

Walls Fibre-cement claddings

Modern homes with monolithic fibrecement claddings are often sold as ‘low maintenance’ homes, but most of these speciality exteriors need more maintenance than a weatherboard house. Check with the cladding manufacturer, as you may be required to wash the cladding at specific intervals to keep the warranty valid. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

It is particularly important to wash the cladding if your house is near the sea and where wall areas are sheltered from regular rain washing. It is important to use a soft brush and low-pressure hose to wash the cladding – do not use a water blaster as they can damage claddings and force water through gaps and joints.

If your home was built after the early 1990s and has any risk of being a leaky building, you need to be especially vigilant in your maintenance checks. Carry out a careful inspection of the cladding at least once a year. The main things to look for are: • places where water can get into the framing • signs that water has already got in.

Water might get in through holes, cracks, loose cladding, fixings (like aerials), joints that have separated, around doors and windows, anywhere where the sealing has failed, and any area where water can pool against the cladding. Look for signs that moisture might be soaking up into the cladding, often indicated by darker colouration along the bottom edges of the cladding.

Vulnerable areas to pay attention to: • Check around the house to make sure the cladding is at least 175 mm above the lawn or garden, or 100 mm above paved surfaces • Check pergolas, cantilevered decks, poorly formed flashings (waterproofing

strips) that do not protect doors and windows, and meter boxes which are not sealed or flashed • Check any areas where bolts, screws or handrails penetrate the cladding

Brick houses

Most brick houses are brick veneer, with a cavity between the timber framing and the brickwork. You need to keep the drainage cavities at the base of the walls clear – check regularly that soil and plants are not blocking them. Never let insulation material fill the cavity behind the brick veneer as this will seriously alter the weatherproofing performance of the cladding.

Concrete block houses

Drains and gutters Blocked and damaged drains can cause serious flooding so it’s important to contact a professional drain cleaner as soon as you become aware of any problems. Tree roots can cause clay (earthenware) drainage

pipes to crack, so take care where you plant trees with extensive root systems.

Guttering and spouting need to be cleaned out at least once a year as leaves can easily collect and block them.

See reverse for summary checklist.

Remember to Plan for regular preventive maintenance Budget for major maintenance tasks like repainting Carry out repairs promptly to avoid larger problems developing

Most solid concrete block homes are constructed of reinforced masonry. They rely on the externally applied waterproof coating for weathertightness and this must be maintained to keep water out.

Know how to turn your water, gas and power supplies off

Balconies and decks

Get involved in your body corporate’s maintenance planning

Common on apartments and many modern homes, enclosed decks and balconies require good design and regular maintenance to ensure adequate drainage.

They should be built with a slope to allow water to run off to a collection point such as a downpipe. Drainage outlets must be kept clear of leaves and other items that might block them.

Know your limitations – get qualified help when necessary Know what jobs the law requires a professional to do

Combat dampness by insulating, ventilating and heating your home Check mould and water stains for possible weathertightness problems Understand the maintenance requirements of your home’s cladding Check cladding regularly for signs of water getting in

Balconies enclosed with solid walls often suffer weathertightness problems and need to be frequently checked for signs of rotting, swelling, cracks, and rust around bolts and flashings.

Keep drainage outlets clear on enclosed decks and balconies

Roofs

Take adequate safety precautions when doing maintenance work

Once a year you should check your roof cladding, chimneys and flashings (waterproofing strips that protect vulnerable areas) to ensure problems are not developing. Things to look for include flashings that have corroded or lifted, and crumbling chimney mortar. Overhanging branches can damage roofing materials, so it’s important to keep trees next to your house well trimmed. Check with the manufacturer of your roofing material to find out about any special maintenance requirements. Paint-on membranes, for example, must be regularly re-coated every 7-10 years.

21

Check your roof annually Clean guttering and spouting regularly

Practical, easy-to-follow information about home maintenance is available at www.consumerbuild.org.nz – a website jointly owned by the Consumers’ Institute and the Department of Building and Housing. The website also has useful information about house buying, building and renovating

The Consumer Affairs and the Department of Building and Housing are now part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Go to www.consumerbuild.org.nz for more information.

NOW OPEN! 2 Okara Dr opposite Countdown | Plenty of off street parking

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INSPIRE CREATE DESIGN MAY 2015

Modernise your Home C

elebrate your flair - it’s time to recap and refresh ourselves on basic interior design guidelines. Less is more, keep your base colours neutral, and mix a bit of the old in with the new to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Keeping your base furniture neutral means you can play around with smaller

items and accessories to suit the occasion and mood. Decorative pillows and large pieces of abstract art are stunning on a simple backdrop. However, for a real colour hit, you can’t go past a startling feature coffee table or chair. If you’re brave you’ll own it, go bright and instantly bring the room to life!

Bold geometric patterns and prints are fast taking over in international design circles. Often in black and white, these are emerging on everything from side table to curtains and home decor. Taken to a new level recently by an element of optical illusion they’re a superb way to truly express your creative self but are

best saved for a feature room. After all, less is more.

Be classic, be timeless and most importantly be yourself – inject a bit of your personality to really feel at home in your surroundings and invite your guests into your corner of our world…

KNOW YOUR LOCAL Licensed Building Practitioner What Is an LBP

LBPs are designers carpenters, brick and blocklayers, roofers, external plasterers, site and foundation specialists who have been assessed to be competent to carry out work essential to a residential building’s structure or weather tightness.

When you need an LBP

If you’re thinking of getting building or renovation work done on your house or apartment, you need to check If It’s ‘restricted building work’ (RBW). If it is, you’ll need a licensed building practitioner - or (LBP - to do it. Restricted building work involves the building’s structure, weather tightness, and design of fire safety systems. Because this work is so important, it’s only allowed to be done by licensed building practitioners (LBPs). LBPs are assessed before getting licensed, and have to maintain their skills to keep their licence. Restricted building work, and the requirement to use LBPs to do it, was brought in on 1 March 2012 (through changes to the Building Act 2004).

King Builders of the North King Bros Construction Limited was formed in 2004 when two brothers – Michael (Mitch) and Neil King decided to combine their building skills to form a new company.

Mitch has been involved in the building industry for 50 years after starting his 5 year carpentry apprenticeship in 1964 and achieving his Trades Certificate in Carpentry in 1969.

Mitch is a licensed building practitioner.

Neil has had various jobs in the building industry including being

What are LBPs?

In November 2007 the Ministry of Business.

Innovation and Employment (MBIE) (formerly Department of Building and Housing) established the licensed building practitioner scheme under the Building Act 2004. This scheme sets out a regulated process where skilled and/or qualified building practitioners must demonstrate their ability to meet industry consulted competencies in order to obtain the status of being LBPs.

a yardman, storeman and builders labourer before completing his NZQA National Certificate in Carpentry in 2013.

King Bros Construction Limited currently employs 2 qualified builders, an adult apprentice builder, an office manager and an architect student who is learning practical building experience for a year before completing her degree.

This company operates out of an office at 7/9 Liverpool Street, Dargaville.

King Bros Construction Limited has been involved in numerous building projects including school upgrades, the old Dargaville Post Office restoration and Fosters Retail Stores Dargaville gaining experience in concrete panel construction zincalume roofing as well as additions and alterations.

Subcontracting to Hills Construction, Jennian Homes Northland Ltd

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The scheme has 7 licence classes: • Design • Site (these are on-site supervisors or project managers) • Carpentry • Roofing • External Plastering • Brick and Blocklaying • Foundation Registered architects, plumbers and chartered professional engineers are also treated as being licensed to do or supervise certain elements of RBW.

Look for this logo to make sure you are using a

• New Homes • Renovations • Concrete Work • Retaining Walls We have a friendly team who are willing to work with you every step of the way PO BOX 126, MANGONUI 0442 Onsite Contact: Alistair Ross Ph:0274 879 586 Offi ce: 09 406 0035 Email: eastsidebuilders@vodafone.co.nz

Licensed, highly skilled and experienced in asbestos removal.

We operate according to Work Safe New Zealand’s safety standards, ensuring safe removal and disposal of roofs and buildings containing asbestos.

Call Luke on

0800 110 182 or 021 702 430

Licensed Building Practitioner

EASTSIDE BUILDERS LTD

KING BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION •COMMERCIAL •RESIDENTIAL •DESIGN • BUILD

We do everything from start to finish!

Ph: 09-439-5989 | Mob: 027-498-4782 www.kingbrothers.co.nz

PACIFIC PLANNING LTD

Murray Timperley Director

KENNETH J CANTON General Building Contractors

• Residential • Light Commercial • Full Contract

NZCE, BE(Tech), LBP

Kerikeri

Architecture • Engineering Town Planning PO Box 253, Mangawhai 0540 Ph: 021 593358 E: canton@xtra.co.nz

Ph: 09 407 7269 Fax: 09 407 7232 Mob: 027 562 9543 AH: 09 407 4104

LPB No. 101028

E: lifestyledev @xtra.co.nz

Spouting & Roofing

Ph 021 961 661

and Aztech buildings – King Bros Construction Limited are involved in the building process of commercial buildings, new homes and rural farm buildings throughout Northland.

Look for this logo to make sure you are using a Licensed Building Practitioner

BESPOKE DESIGNS PROJECT SOLUTIONS QUALITY CONSTRUCTION Call Brian Cutforth today 09 438 5554 / 027 438 5038 www.alphaconstruction.kiwi

New builds • Renovations Decks • Fencing Landscaping • Roofing

Dave Clarkson OWNER

PH: 433 6881 | Mob: 021 1438 810 Email: bronmo@ubernet.co.nz RD4 Teal Bay, Hikurangi

BP127046

Call Ethan 027 337 2912 ethan@buildsense.co.nz

FREE* Nationally recognised BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION qualifications in Whangarei • Learn with a registered Builder in a workshop - Small “class” sizes - Community projects - Work experience can be available

• *ZERO fees for 16-19 year oldss • Free transport may be available START • Gain your qualifications NOW practically Limited spaces left for 2015!

“connecting our future today”

Whangarei has some of the best broadband in NZ – now it’s your turn to experience the best Go to GM@DABMEI@JC@I.co.nz

check the coverage tab to see if JC@I QN FD LMO@ KMM@NDIBH Choose your preferred broadband provider and

get connected.

Connections are free for most residential premises

All enquiries: 0800 667 847

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