Gyprocking the internal walls in the three bedrooms would probably be easier for you than applying a rendered coat or hard plaster finish.  You could use 10 mm plasterboard and direct stick if the brick walls are even enough (the alternative would be to fix the plasterboard onto timber battens).  You would need to flush the plasterboard and p…[Read more]

Building the residences yourselves with no building experience would be fraught with risk.  You would need to ensure that the buildings comply in every respect with the Building Code; be responsible for OHS on the site during construction; and be responsible for the soundness of the buildings for 6 years after construction.  You would need to u…[Read more]

Not sure what you are trying to do.  If this is an existing tiled roof you would need to remove the tiles to install the Anticon over the tiling battens.  Is there smoke damage to all roof framing – battens, rafters or trusses, ceiling joists?  If so, how were you looking to hide the smoke damage to the rest of the roof framing?  Anticon is usu…[Read more]

You could try using turf paving blocks to prevent soil compaction and minimise grass wear.  These are hexagonal blocks made of  UV stabilised plastic, that interlock together.  They will support the weight of a vehicle and allow grass to grow without being affected by vehicles.  They are easy enough to place, can be cut to size.  Just a thought.

I would be reluctant to use this finish in one of my rentals.  Once applied it would be very difficult to convert back to a flat plaster finish.  It is apparently more popular in the US but I haven't seen many (if any) houses in Australia where a heavy textured finish has been successfully applied to an internal wall.  I would rather repair the pl…[Read more]

For general economics, "Economics for Dummies" is a good read, for a basic understanding of economic principles.  A good book to read is "What Every Property Investor Needs To Know About Finance and the Law" by Michael Yardney. 

Well yes any type of radiant or micrathermic radiant panel heater is expensive to run. If a heater is rated at 2.4kW (2400W) and the cost of power is (say) 15c per kW hour then the heater will cost 2.4 x 15c = 36c per hour to run. If it runs all day at the same rate it will cost 24 x 36c = $8.64.  A heat pump (air conditioning) is the most cos…[Read more]

The Nobo heaters are radiant panel heaters; that is, they heat by radiation and the room occupant needs to be near enough to the unit to benefit from its radiant warmth (the same principle as a bar radiator).  They have been in New Zealand for a little while, still catching on in Australia as far as I am aware.  There are other panel heaters a…[Read more]

The Nobo heaters are radiant panel heaters; that is, they heat by radiation and the room occupant needs to be near enough to the unit to benefit from its radiant warmth (the same principle as a bar radiator).  They have been in New Zealand for a little while, still catching on in Australia as far as I am aware.  There are other panel heaters a…[Read more]

There can be no more than 18 risers in a flight of stairs (i.e. in a set of risers not interrupted by a landing or floor).  Does your existing staircase have more than 18 risers in an uninterrupted flight?  I don't think you have any choice but to comply with current BCA requirements in building a new set of stairs.  The builders would also ha…[Read more]

The saving in not using a builder essentially comes from not paying the builder's profit margin.  This could be offset by the saving in buying materials at trade prices (provided the builder passes on those savings) and in better financial control of subcontractor prices.  I'm not certain, but I think the 6 year rule that applies to o…[Read more]

I have replaced Versilux and asbestos in small areas but not through an entire house.  The vertical joints indicate the location of studs.  I'm not sure from your description whether the joining strips are plastic H-moulds or timber cover battens.  If H-moulds they are first nailed to the studs and the sheets are slotted into the small &q…[Read more]

If you are removing an internal wall you need to be sure (as has already been highlighted) that it is not a load-bearing wall.  A first check would be to look at the roof framing: a gang-nail truss roof structure would mean that the internal walls are not taking any roof load.  A traditional roof structure with rafters/ under purlins etc would me…[Read more]

The first thing you should do is have a meeting with planners at the Council, to establish their initial reaction to the subdivision of the property.  Expect a cool response, the Council of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters traditionally takes a negative stance on subdividing properties that have similarly large properties as neighbours.   

The shower plumbing may be leaking, particularly at the breeching piece which is a common problem; have a plumber carry out a pressure test to see whether that is the case.  Apply silicone jointing at the floor/ wall junctions and at internal corners in the shower.  Make sure that any jointing in the tiling looks sound. 

No expert here but check with the Council that a 3 townhouse development is likely to be approved, i.e. strata or Torrens title (or what that's called in Vic).  Do the sums on the development costs vs. likely sales costs to establish an estimated profit for the development (work on at least 20% profit after all development costs).  Are you able t…[Read more]

There is always a temptation to buy (what seems) hot property while visiting a holiday destination.  Prices of apartments in new Gold Coast high rise developments drop appreciably at around settlement date, when a lot of apartments come up for sale (or resale).  I would be loathe to burn the 10% deposit but you would need to hold the apartment f…[Read more]

 The building cost itself can't be depreciated if constructed prior to July 1985 (residential) or July 1982 (non-residential). However legislation allows all plant and equipment  to be given a new effective life from settlement date and is depreciated at various rates generally ranging from 5% to 20%. This is available for any investment property…[Read more]

In removing the vinyl flooring to replace it there would also be some residual depreciation value in the flooring that you can claim.  If you are looking to replace the flooring throughout the house it may be worthwhile having a scrapping report prepared by a quantity surveyor so that you can write off the vinyl before you throw it out.  The s…[Read more]

The very first thing you need to do is speak to the Council and find out in principle whether the block can be subdivided; talk to a planning officer at the Council.  Unless it is an exceptionally large block I would be surprised if a single level duplex was viable; work out the area of each unit (allow 2 or 3 bedrooms, living, bathrooms,…[Read more]