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What do you hate about Australian homes?

Just read this article about the most terrible things about Australian houses - http://www.domain.com.au/advice/the-most-terrible-things-about-australian-homes-20160913-grf2ln/

I certainly agree with some of the list, like the number of beautiful brick houses that end up with ugly render on them, overly big garages, environmentally ignorant design and McMansions that are too big and stacked right next to each other.

Big one for me with modern homes is their lack of eaves, which is stupid in our climate. Our homes are just not very energy efficient.

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Comments

Kermit

The price tag.

MartyH

The thing I envy about American homes is their huge basements and attic spaces.

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1918#Comment_1918

@Kermit Couldn't agree more
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-25/housing-costs-in-australia-second-only-to-hong-kong/7111490

Kermit

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1918#Comment_1918

Someone more knowledgeable than me (like @BIM_Engineer) might be able to confirm, but I think the reason why most Aussie homes don't have basements is that councils won't let you excavate without a lot of expense and bother. It's something we should look at though because the price of our land is so expensive and its great for insulation and privacy.

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63227#Comment_63227

@KermitThere are few restrictions on basements, the main issues are ventilation and natural lighting
my engineering solutions are here:
https://plus.google.com/u/1/explore/BasementAEC

CathD

The average house in Australia seems very poorly insulated compared to houses in Europe. Not just ceilings but floors, walls and of course double glazed windows.

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63227#Comment_63227

Totally garee @Kermit, I saw a new build that had provision for a basement years ago & I'm a big fan of them, in that they have inherent sound isolation & also are a more stable area for temperature control. In my mind, the digging of the hole shouldn't be a put off (more beneficial than an inground pool excavation), but the waterproofing is a major issue, & must be done right or you're going to have massive issues down the track.

I don't see ventilation as a deal breaker, as you could easily incorporate an underground venting system at the time, which could solve the problem, & be routed to the remainder of the house as well.

Andy_Mann

@Isobel, I agree with everything in that article, I sense & applaud the tone of anger from the author.

Damned right, we should all be up in arms about how we've been duped out of backyards for kids to play in, the front garden which used to be a show of Australian pride, the loss of an area for fruit trees & chooks etc etc.

In a new estate that was going up nearby years ago, I saw a single continuous concrete pour, that was for 2 adjoining homes. Not only that, they had a common wall & no parapet for ceiling fire abatement. When we built in '75, the closest you could build to the perimeter, was 3' if there were no windows, or 4' with windows. The idiocy continued in that the Southern house, had no provision for environmentally savvy North facing windows. Are developers devoid of intelligence, or is profit the driving force behind the bastardisation of the Australian dream? I say YES to the latter. To think that these blights on commonsense are less affordable than years gone by, yet are being snapped up by desperate consumers, is mindboggling.

I could continue my rant, but I'll cut it short, & pass the baton.

Having said that, I saw a show on TV which featured a luxury home builder, who set rigid guidelines/restrictions that the client must agree to, or they wouldn't take them on.

If there was a view to be had, they'd maximise it, but not at the expense of energy efficiency through bad orientation. They only build homes that are elegant, & environmentally efficient, & the particular home on show, worked for multiple generations. In a word, it was brilliant. It had aged access to cover the unexpected down the track, & an intelligent layout maximising privacy, though welcoming to accommodate family stays, whether they be planned, or longer term to cover emergencies. No stone was unturned, & it embraced the future.

OK, there had to be a downside, & there was, the price. Would you believe the build, not including land was only $220K?

Let's wind the clock back to '75, when we built for $28Kish, dual income working 40 hour week each (80 hours total), & play the inflation game. The ultra stylish, futureproof featured build is in dollars, < 8 times the price of ours.

I don't have accountancy accreditation, nor do I have the gift that our all embracing parliamentarians have, who when handed a portfolio that they have zero background, or understanding of, dictate our future, so could someone please explain to me what has transpired over the last 40ish years?

I don't want to confuse the issue, but back in the early '70s, the asking price for an expansive block with a view, & boasting a pioneering first, of underground power (Foxfield, South Australia), was a very expensive $7000. Foergo the view, corner block $2400, normal street frontage, for $1700.

How does that stack up now?

Here's the rub, multiply the land price of the street frontage block that I spoke of without a view ($1700) by 10 (not the < 8 times of building), & I promise you that you would not get a plot bigger than an indoor toilet, within 100Km from the CBD.

Be angry.

Annette

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1918#Comment_1918

I'm with MartyH on this one - simple way to increase space but not make a larger footprint on a residential block.

Annette

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1920#Comment_1920

I totally agree Andy_Mann - one thing I would add to your points is that my block which we bought back in 1978 is about 980 square metres but today you would be extrememly lucky if you were able to get more than 500 square metres.

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63408#Comment_63408

@Annette, so good to have someone who has experienced those days (70s), & acknowledging the complete flip in land v build costs.

We built in '75, on a block of 670 square metres, & were openly criticised on 2 counts. For some it was that we'd build next door to my parents, & the second & more overwhelming reason was that it was such a radically small block of land.

We were 10 years ahead of the times, I clearly remember reading an article in the property section of The Advertiser, about the new innovation (mid 80s) of courtyard homes, that a builder was introducing.

Not seeing it as payback, or gloating, but those that criticised have all moved several times, they now have smaller allotments than ours, have zero privacy, & can't utilise their space as well as we've been able to.

What disgusts me, is that land speculators have made it almost impossible for Australians to live the Australian promise of a home for their familes, & true Australian backyards with a Hills hoist, & another area for vegies, chooks, fruit trees, & an incinerator.

Annette

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94208#Comment_94208

An incinerator ! Boy does that bring back memories - haven't seen one since I was a kid!

Brad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113469#Comment_113469

Incinerator banned in 1994 for @Andy_Mann and myself.

If you live in another SA area that does allow it then -

When using an incinerator, you must have:
A four-metre cleared space around and above the fire
A responsible person must be in attendance at all times with water or an extinguisher.
All incinerator doors and openings should be closed and screens and guards in place.

Hills hoist and birdbath would do me in on cleared space even on 895sqm.

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124324#Comment_124324

Hey @Andy_Mann & @Jason The average Aussie battler and punter dosen't have
" a Hills hoist, & another area for vegies, chooks, fruit trees, & an incinerator."
Times have moved on for better or worse & it is what it is..

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131587#Comment_131587

@BIM_Engineer, I'm putting my money, on that we're worse off than before. Yes it is what it is, & the younger generations don't know any differently, but that's exactly my point.

To paint it a different colour, imagine you design yourself your ideal home, but Miss Fortune waves her wand, & says "Sorry, but unless you want to build on a nuclear waste site, & have $5M, you're out of luck".

The reality is that the youngs don't have an alternative to living like sardines, unless they have fuel vouchers & enjoy 4 hours each of travel time a day to fund paying the bills.

On top of that, couples are expected to work long hours, so are extremely time poor & may never be able to experience the joys of growing their own fruit & vege, or sending the kids out the back for fresh eggs, let alone offer an area for them to play.

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136024#Comment_136024

@Andy_Mann rather than lament aussie homes/life styles and depress the the next generation you'd do better suggesting improvements that DIYers can tackle to improve their smaller plot in life..my kids are happy to buy fruit, veggies and eggs at Coles.

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139058#Comment_139058

@BIM_Engineer, rubbishing homeowners, their homes, or decisions, was never my intent. It galls me that homes in prime areas that still have the Aussie backyard, & a convenient distance from business centres are being snapped up by developers, & replaced with high density housing.

I'm frustrated out of my mind that I don't have any powers, or DIY suggestions to fix what's done/happening, but by your reckoning, I should zip it, or step up to cure the disease of unsustainable development.

Not knowing your age group, I ask, as a child, did you ever thank your neighbour for giving you a freshly picked orange from her backyard?

BibbyKat

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1918#Comment_1918

Totally agree with you ... we, in Australia, waste our roofing areas. Basements can flood .. so maybe this is a reason why we don't have these, as we flood more in Aust. (I think ??) Would others agree with this comment ??

Oldfart

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63407#Comment_63407

.The inhabitants. Just joking,

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141097#Comment_141097

@Andy_Mann I don't have a problem with constructive criticism as long as solutions are offered?
As far as I am concerned high density living isn't a scourge and I am looking forward to down sizing soon and remaining in the same area.
Mate I grew up on a small block living above my parents place of business. There were no orange trees in the neighbours back yards and I didn't feel deprived in any way. Horses for courses

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142631#Comment_142631

All good @BIM_Engineer, you've not known the pleasures of childhood like I was so lucky/priviledged to've had, so I completely understand your acceptance of what's happened in the course of your life.

OK, back on topic of what we hate about Australian homes. 😉

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94212#Comment_94212

@BibbyKat couldn't agree more I always recommend putting in partial provisions for roof space expansion/storage when building/renovating even if you have no intention of upgrading immediately (ie add thickened footings, Load bearing points or walls, trimmed stairwell opening to ceiling joists,etc,etc) my loft has been partially completed for years because we don't need the extra space but it has added at least $30k to the sale value of our house and would be an easy DIY project for the buyer.
Basements as you can see here on G+
https://plus.google.com/u/1/explore/BasementAEC
are not DIYer projects but still cheaper than current unit $/m^2 prices, where you are unable to extend or add space to units,
with basements there are minimal design restrictions, other reasons include where you need to overcome:
1. height restrictions & covenants
2. restriction on altering the buildings form ie heritage
3. security and privacy issues ie private collections, wine cellars,etc..

Helen

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1919#Comment_1919

Our homes are really not suited to our climate, things are beginning to change though, but why are lots of houses being built without eaves? verandas, double glazing, maybe bring back louve windows & of coarse insulation in walls,floor & roof.

My 50's home gets hot in summer & cold in winter, insulation in ceiling helps a bit but also traps in heat. Have been thinking of all these things for an extention with outdoor area. After restumping I have to save for wall insulation. it will make a big difference going by what I have read.

Helen

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1920#Comment_1920

I agree, I love my quarter acre, have veg garden, fruit trees, large shed. I plan to keep it as is until I leave this world, maybe I could change my will so it's not subdivided when I go!!!

Isobel

Here's the other side of the coin - things Australians do best

1. Embrace ecleticism and blend different styles

2. Embrace the outdoors

3. Use bold colours confidently

4. Use timber

5. Keep things casual by embracing the unusual and rustic

What do you think Australian homes do well?

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