The Masterbuilt Blog

Livable House Design Changes

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 15:27:29 +1100

These coming changes later in the year, 1 of October, could arguably be the largest changes in layouts we have seen in decades.

So, what is changing? “The state government has committed to including accessible housing features in the next edition of the National Construction Code (2022). The proposed new rules are intended to make homes easier to access, navigate and live in, as well more cost-effective to adapt when life’s circumstances change. They will be based on the Silver Level of the Liveable Housing Design (LHA) Guidelines.” *1

What does this mean for your homes built after this date.

Firstly, a way to access the home with minimum slope and a step free access into the home.

Second, a larger access door into the home to allow wheelchair access.

Third, wider access doors into Habitable rooms. These are bedrooms, living rooms (think media rooms), and the laundry. This also stems to access to one bathroom with a shower and a toilet.

Fourth the toilet will now need to be longer and wider to have more circulation space.

Fifth, we will be seeing preparation in behind the walls for grab rails in showers, baths, and toilets. A step free shower also must be included.

Lastly, we will see wider halls, doors and path of travel throughout the home become slightly wider.

We sat down and changed one of our smaller plans and saw an increase of approx. 5% to the overall size of the original home.

The changes bought in are numerous and if someone in a wheelchair moves in to call the place home, they won’t need to do as many renovations. But at least they have the space required to move around when visiting and if needed renovate to their requirements after purchase.

https://www.abcb.gov.au/news/2022/livable-housing-project-update-and-project-review

https://www.mbqld.com.au/about/policy-and-advocacy/measure-twice/our-concerns/accessible-housing *1

Water proofing, what is changing? Did you know?

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 12:24:32 +1100

Building codes are amended and updated from time to time. The majority of the time, you may not even notice the changes bought in. But we are now looking at changes coming into effect this year that will be noticeable.

Firstly, we are faced with a raft of changes to the Water Proofing Code, this is coming into effect 1^st of May. Secondly, we have the new Standard of Livable Housing, which we will cover in an upcoming blog.

The changes to the Waterproofing code are numerous. Most you may never notice or even care for. But there will be some you will notice and need to be mindful within the design process.

We feel people will be opting for a closed in shower in both bathrooms once again. Why would be wanting to go back to cleaning shower screens and tracks/sill, sadly it is cost.

If you like the idea of a walk-in shower you need to keep reading.

To have a walk-in shower, you will now need to fall all floor areas into a waste. This means the whole bathroom needs to be recessed for the floor to have the required fall. This comes with additional charges for the concreter for the recess, the water proofer will need to waterproof this area and the extra costs for the tiller to achieve the bed the tiles are laid on and the additional work needed for the cuts and laying to get the fall to the wastes. It also means the tiles will go in before the vanities, which will be more added costs/work for the cabinet maker.

As you can see, this is an in-depth change. To avoid this, having a door on the shower avoids the major changes. The door itself will be more cost-effective than the above. But that does come with another ongoing chore to take care of.

Coming Soon

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 15:53:07 +1100

After a very successful run in the She Oak display home, the new owners have moved in. We will be temporary housed at #138 Hughes Road, Bargara, while the new display home gets built at Beachlinks Estate Bargara. But this not the big news, there is bigger news coming, so stay tuned.

Ocean Links Bargara (1)

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 16:24:35 +1100

Ocean Links Bargara is now under construction and awaiting your new dream home!

Although many blocks are now sold and beautiful new homes are beginning construction, there is still an array of fantastic blocks available. Ocean Links Bargara is SELLING NOW and SELLING FAST!

Surrounded by the pristine fairways of the Bargara Golf Course — and positioned directly opposite Bargara Central Shopping Centre — Ocean Links Bargara is an exciting new residential development, offering a relaxed coastal lifestyle, surrounded by natural beauty and modern convenience. Nestled only 1km back from beautiful beachside Bargara, this unique residential development presents 28 breathtaking home sites in a safe and friendly neighbourhood community.

All easement free allotments, some with direct golf course access with sensational views.

Partnering with Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes, a multi-award winning, local builder, the Ocean Links Bargara development will be like no other in the region, with only the highest quality homes being built- meaning your investment is protected and surrounded by a like-minded community.

The options are endless with House & Land packages designed to suit all styles and interests. We have an array of sizes, storeys, and façade options available, with a design to suit everyone. If you wish to alter one of our existing plans, our in-house draftsman can work with you to turn your dream in to a reality.

With a prime location in a laid-back, coastal town, Ocean Links Bargara oozes lifestyle appeal and blocks will not last long.

Are you wanting to be a part of Ocean Links Bargara without the worry of building your own home? 1 Greenview Drive is a spectacular home built to the highest quality by Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes, and is ready for its new owner, right now. Contact Melissa on 0408 290 561 to arrange your viewing of this spectacular property.

Building in Bargara

Fri, 15 Dec 2017 16:59:43 +1100

Are you looking for a sea change or just a lively and ever-thriving area to build your new home in?

Bargara is a coastal town located 15kms from Bundaberg and at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, meaning beautiful beaches are a given!

Bargara gives the ultimate laid-back, beachside lifestyle, whilst still being lively and functional.

Fully equipped with an abundance of amazing eateries, spectacular golf courses, hotels, caravan parks, a variety of supermarkets and speciality stores, schools, public transport and of course easy access to beaches, all of which is allowing the Bargara region to thrive.

Bargara is popular with tourists all year round due to its constant warm weather, meaning the area is always buzzing with action.

The area isn’t just attractive to one demographic; families, retirees and First Home Owners’ are all flocking to check out what Bargara has to offer- and they definitely aren’t leaving disappointed!

It is being considered ‘the place to be’, not only just in the Bundaberg region, but Queensland wide, with people from all over Australia choosing to sell up and move to Bargara for the modern coastal lifestyle on offer, and most importantly, the affordability of house prices compared to other Australian regions, while not compromising on quality of lifestyle or living.

With a plethora of land available in numerous housing estates widely spread around Bargara now available, the options are nearly endless as to where you can build a new home.

Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes currently have a Display Home in Bargara Beach Estate, located in the south of Bargara, as well as a brand-new development Ocean Links Estate on the corner of Bargara Road and Davidson Street; a prime location if you are looking for direct access to the golf course, shops and beaches.

Contact our award-winning Building Consultants today to discuss the options of building your next home in the Bargara region, or click here to find out more information about Ocean Links Bargara.

Building for Investment

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 14:38:55 +1100

Property investment is a popular way of investing, because it generally gives a great return (from tenants and the taxman), if it’s done right.

A lot of people shy away from building a brand new home for investment purposes, opting to buy established homes because they think it will be an easier process- which isn’t necessarily true.

It doesn’t have to be difficult

Building a new home for investment purposes doesn’t have to be a difficult or stressful process. Most building companies offer House & Land Packages, which takes away a lot of stress away from you having to make too many decisions. You just need to choose the block of land you would like to build on, and a plan, and if you want to, colours and designs etc, otherwise your builder will generally do the rest.

You can arrange for the builder to do a ‘full turn key’ package for you, where the fencing and landscaping is completed in the contract also, leaving no stress for you before your tenants move in.

Build for the market & attract more desirable tenants

Building a brand new home may be a slightly longer process than buying existing, however the aftermath can save you a lot of stress in the long run. Building brand new eliminates a lot of maintenance in the first few years, with products still being under warranty, and no wear-and-tear, making the home more appealing to more desirable tenants- every property investors goal.

Doing your research and finding out what features the demographic in the area you plan to build in is most likely looking for in a rental property will make it easier for you to decide what inclusions you need in an investment home. For example, most modern homes include an ensuite, walk-in-robe, open plan living/dining area and an entertainment area. Researching before you sign a building contract is the most beneficial thing you can do in this process, you don’t want to build a home that doesn’t suit the demographic, therefore making it difficult for you to rent.

Save on Stamp Duty

Building a brand new home means you only have to pay stamp duty on the land component of the build, the home itself is stamp duty exempt, another advantage of building over purchasing existing- you will be saving thousands of dollars!

Chose the right builder

It’s extremely important to choose a builder that is going to stick to your budget when building your investment home. You should carefully read the building specifications and contract before signing anything to ensure that everything you want in the home is included in the price, and not going to be a hidden extra during the build, causing your budget to blow, which can in turn, make your investment not as worthy.

If you are thinking of investing in property, speak to our experienced, award-winning Building Consultants who can assist you in every aspect of building your new home.

Making an Energy Efficient home

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 09:58:54 +1000

Making your new home energy efficient can save you money and improve its performance. There are numerous ways you can get a 10-star rating for energy efficiency when you build your home, but the trick is knowing exactly what to look for and selections to make to get the highest rating possible. Here’s just a few tips to getting that top energy efficiency rating.

Insulation

The best way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year round is insulation in the ceiling and walls. This is generally a standard feature in new homes now, and there is an obvious difference in the feel of the home when insulation is missing. Installing insulation will help reduce your power bill as well, because it eliminates the need to use heating and cooling systems at a high rate. Not only does insulation keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter, it can also create a sound barrier, making it more comfortable for everyone.

Colours

In the warm Queensland climate, it is better to choose lighter colours for the exterior of your home and roof, as they reflect heat and help to keep your home cooler. Darker colours tend to attract heat, therefore making generally making your home warmer- a benefit if you live in cooler climates. Making decisions such as choosing lighter colours for the exterior of your home all add up to creating a more energy efficient, cost-saving home.

Lights

Lights account for around 10-12% of electricity usage in homes. You can reduce the amount of energy you use on lighting by up to 50% just by making smarter choices. When planning your new home, it can be beneficial to try and include as much natural lighting as possible. By increasing natural lighting, you may be able to decrease the number of light fittings in your home, all of which account to your energy efficiency rating. For the lights you do install, LED lights are not only one of the most energy efficient lights you can use in your home, they are also stylish and readily available.

Solar

Why not put the sun to good use and have it run your electricity? Not only is this energy efficient, it will save you quite an amount of money in the long run if they are installed to suit your households needs. Solar panels are generally low maintenance and will increase the value of your home. Seeking advice from a professional on the best solar power system and layout for your home is the most beneficial option before installation.

Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes can work with you to make your new home as energy efficiency as possible- our current Display Home at 10 She Oak Boulevard, Bargara is a 10-star Energy Efficiency rating! These ideas are just a few of the options you have to making an efficient home- talk to us today about your options.

Buying or Building your First Home

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:17:47 +1000

Buying or building your first home is an exciting time for anybody.

Most people work extremely hard to reach this milestone and it can be beneficial for you in the long run if you have professional advice about what investment is best for you.

Until 30^th December 2017, the Queensland Government is granting eligible First Home Buyers $20,000 to support them in to their first new home sooner, or to help build or buy something a little more than expected.

One fantastic benefit of the QLD First Home Owners' Grant is the support it gives to the building and construction industry. To receive the grant, you must be building a brand new home or buying a new home that has not yet been lived in. This helps create and keep jobs in the construction industry all over Australia.

WORK WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST

Building your first home can be a daunting experience. With so many choices, it’s important to do your research on building a new home before you sign any contracts.

Finding a trustworthy builder that you feel comfortable with and confident that they won’t take advantage of the fact you are building your first home, is one of the most important parts of the process. Reading testimonials from previous clients will give you a good idea on the integrity of the company.

Do your own research, the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best option, it’s important to look at the quality you’ll receive too.

SPEND YOUR MONEY WISELY

Ensuring you keep to budget can be important when building or buying your first home. Creating a workable and realistic budget is a great (and necessary) starting point. Having a budget will allow you to know where to start looking for your new property.

Making a realistic budget and sticking to it can be advantageous for your financial position in the long run, and also, the bigger your deposit, the better!

Approaching a mortgage broker can be beneficial when looking for a home loan, especially your first. The right broker can assist you in finding the loan that is right for you, over numerous different financial institutions, even ones you may not have thought of. They can work with you to find a package and interest rate that best suits your situation, taking all of the hard work out of it for you.

TAKE A LOAD OFF

Although building your first home can sometimes be an intimidating and stressful time, it doesn’t always have to be.

Engaging a builder that can offer house and land packages can be very useful to your process. You can simply choose a package the developer has on offer, make your colour choices and then watch your new home be built, with minimal stress.

The house and land package process can be valuable to First Home Buyers, especially if they are unsure of exactly what they are looking for in a house plan.

Whether you plan on your first home being your forever home or a temporary option, it is important to consider every aspect of your decision before jumping in to a commitment.

Check out our wide range of House and Land packages available on our website and contact us today to build your new home.

Bargara Display Home Now Open

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 12:41:20 +1000

Brett and Dianne Kleidon are proud to present their new display home “AURA”, situated at 10 She Oak Boulevard, Bargara Beach Estate.

The new home Dianne and Brett have designed has an exciting and unique floor plan, featuring a central courtyard, soaring ceilings and attractive flow through design.

Dianne’s interior and exterior expertise shows through again, she has created another stunning home with new and stylish tiled feature walls internal and external.

Exquisite colours and new products have blended together forming the new masterpiece. An eye-catching waterfall ended island kitchen bench with complimentary black sink and taps, will make any cook proud to be in the kitchen.

Our experienced Building Consultants will be at the Display Home to assist you all the way in building or buying your brand new home. We have on display our extensive range of plans, so whether it be your design ideas or ours, our professional Bundaberg teams attention to detail, honesty, integrity and passion for building, is evident with our top quality service from start to finish.

Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes are your local home builder here to help you create any house of any size or design. From the early stages through to completion and whether you are building your first home, tenth home, unit complex or commercial building.

Melissa and Scott can also assist you with all the available blocks of land in the Bundaberg and Bargara areas.

Come along and experience for yourselves, the exciting, innovative, stylish new design and amazing quality, that allows us to be multi-award winning builders in the Bundaberg region for the past 16 years.

OPEN 7 DAYS

10AM-4PM

Wide Bay Burnett Master Builders Awards 2017

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 15:28:44 +1000

Hard work really does pay off.

Our fantastic team at Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes have successfully taken home more awards at this year’s Wide Bay Burnett Master Builders Awards.

Out of four Housing Award nominations, we received awards for Medium Density up to 3 storeys- over 5 dwellings or multiple Class 1 Dwellings for our Capri Villas Project, Lifestyle Housing for High Care Needs, Disabled and Senior for our Marks Street Project. Congratulations to our fantastic team of carpenters, office staff, suppliers and sub-contractors who make all of our award wins possible, we must be doing something right to continually win year after year!

But there’s one award in particular that deserves a special mention.

Melissa Steele, our Office Manager and Building Consultant/Sales Agent deservingly took home the Institute of Building Consultants award for the first time.

Melissa continues to go from strength to strength in the building and construction industry, being a finalist in the CSQ Women in Building awards in late 2016, and now receiving another coveted award for her hard work and dedication.

Melissa is a fantastic role model for other women in the industry by actively continuing to further her knowledge, in particular, she is currently studying a Certificate 4 in Building & Construction. We are extremely lucky to have her as a vital part of our KMBH team.

Although she has been in the industry for 24 years, Melissa has only branched out in to Building Consultancy in the past few years. When the opportunity arose, Melissa grabbed it with both hands and has successfully integrated the role with her Office Manager position. Working with clients comes naturally to Melissa, she builds a fantastic rapport with every client she meets, which is possibly what has helped Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes’ continued success.

Melissa is a passionate advocate for Women in Building, and hopes to see women succeeding in the industry for many years to come.

Ocean Links Bargara

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 12:48:27 +1000

VISIT THE OCEAN LINKS BARGARA WEBSITE

Site works have begun on the development, meaning it won’t be long now until construction will start on a number of new homes.

With a prime location in a laid-back, coastal town, Ocean Links Bargara oozes lifestyle appeal and blocks will not last long.

Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2017

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 16:16:22 +1000

We were recently nominated and successfully won Trade Business of the Year and People’s Choice awards at the 2017 Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

After receiving our nomination, it wasn’t just sit back and hope for the best- we set to work on our application, proving why we deserved to win Trade Business of the Year. Numerous amounts of hours went in to perfecting the application, and ensuring we included anything that would appeal to the judges. The hard work seemed to pay off!

For the first time, we attended the awards ceremony at the Bundaberg Civic Centre, a lovely evening with a beautiful meal and fantastic entertainment, plus plenty of mingling with fellow attendees and nominated businesses.

We were overwhelmed with the support we received for the People’s Choice award, we thought we may be a good contender, but we were ecstatic to hear our name called as the winner.

After being in the local building and construction industry for so long, we feel it is a testament to our hard work and top quality homes that enable us to still win such prestigious awards, especially within our local community.

Over the past 12 months, we have rebranded our company and expanded our marketing vision, begun construction on two brand new display homes in the Bundaberg region, as well as continuing to employ significant amounts of local tradespeople and staff. In April this year, we assisted a fantastic cause, Chickens to Love, to achieve their vision by designing and constructing a bespoke chicken coop for everyone at Community Lifestyle Support to enjoy. We believe all of these factors played a part in our success of being named Trade Business of the Year.

We would like to take an opportunity to give our sincerest gratitude to everyone who voted for us as People’s Choice, it would not have been made possible without every single one of our supporters. Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes will continue to thrive and as always, build top quality homes, every time.

Chickens to Love- Companion Chickens

Tue, 30 May 2017 15:31:38 +1000

HELPING A FANTASTIC CAUSE

In April, we came across a fantastic cause that we couldn’t ignore. A young girl named Summer, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, along with her mum Cynthia had founded Chickens to Love-Companion Chickens, an organisation with a vision to socialise chickens and make them companions to people in need.

Summer and Cynthia had previously been running Chickens to Love from their backyard, and had visions to expand, so when Summer was asked what her dream chicken coop would be, she answered that she would want a big chicken coop at Community Lifestyle Support so that everyone could enjoy it.

This is where we saw the opportunity to assist a fantastic cause, by designing and constructing a dream coop to support Summer’s and Chickens to Love’s vision.

PUTTING THE DREAM TOGETHER

After some research and liaising with Cynthia and Community Lifestyle Support, our team designed a custom coop, and began construction with materials either donated from ourselves and an array of local businesses, all without Summer having any knowledge of the project. The generosity of amazing local businesses and community members made this whole venture possible.

After designing and gathering supplies, our talented team of carpenters worked tirelessly for two days to construct the coop in time for the surprise reveal Cynthia had planned, with the community coming together to support Summer in the reveal.

Summer was absolutely over the moon with her new chicken coop, that was accompanied by a miniature horse stable next to it, in support of the brilliant work Community Lifestyle Support do.

SUMMER’S GRATITUDE

Summer got the surprise of her life when the brand new chicken coop was revealed to her.

The local news and newspaper attended and gave Summer and Chickens to Love some fantastic media coverage, which can only be beneficial to her brilliant cause.

Summer made a lovely painting to present to our Building Consultant and Office Manager, Melissa, who orchestrated the whole project, to show her sincere gratitude for our contribution to her dream.

Check out Chicken to Loves Facebook page - facebook.com/Chickens2love/

A special shout out to the following businesses that generously donated or assisted with Summer’s project;

Bundaberg Betta Home Living
Suresafe Pest Management
Bundaberg Wholesale Palms and Plants
Bundaberg Frames and Trusses
Form Direct
Norco Rural
Bunnings Bundaberg