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Benefits of a First Floor Addition

12Oct2020

Don’t move, build:
Rather than relocating to a larger home, consider a first floor addition, this may be the more economical option.

Keep your backyard:
Not only is this quicker in terms of the building process, but you will not have to sacrifice the backyard space to gain extra room for your growing family.

Affordable and obtainable:
A quicker time frame also comes at a lower cost.

Live your life normally: During the construction, you will not have to compromise living comfortably as you will be able to go about your daily routine as we work away upstairs.

If you believe that a first floor addition is the right option for your family and lifestyle, give Spannenberg & Son a call today and we can help guide you through the process. We have offices in the Northern Beaches and Macarthur and offer genuine service and quality workmanship #since1971
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News

Decking Options

5Oct2020

You may have an area out the back you would like to turn into a decked area for entertainment. A deck does need to be above ground level to accomodate the bearers and joists, so if your proposed area is to low to the ground you will need to pave or concrete instead.

How big does my deck need to be?
If your proposed deck is for entertaining, I normally recommend a minimum of 3 m wide so as to give enough space for your table and chairs, an ideal size would be say 4.8 m x 6 m so you can fit a decent outdoor table setting, lounge, coffee table and bbq.

The main picture shown here is a composite or manufactured decking called, ‘Modwood’ which is designed to last much longer in the elements than a traditional timber decking, although if you really want that real traditional authentic look then hardwood is the way to go.

#spannenbergandson #since1971 #northernbeachesbuilder #northernbeaches #macarthurbuilder #macarthur #decking #outdoorliving
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News

Beautiful balcony on our KIRKHAM project

22Sep2020

Sliding doors by ‘Wideline windows’ tiled verandah and glass balustrade.

#spannenbergandson #since1971
#balcony #verandah #tiles #balustrade #glass #ceilingfan #northernbeachesbuilder #macarthurbuilder
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News

When should you sign a building contract?

14Sep2020

Residential building contracts regarding work worth more than $20,000 requires a full home building contract. As well as all of the requirements of the ‘small jobs’ contract, it must include other comprehensive information such as the details of the statutory warranties the builder must provide, the cost of any applicable HBC cover and the contract price or warning that the contract price is not known. The contract must also include a checklist prescribed by Fair Trading. Find a complete list of contract requirements on the fair trading websiwebsite.
All contracts over $20,000 in value must have a progress payment schedule. Progress payments must match the work carried out and, for cost plus contracts, be supported by receipts or other verifying documents.
Any change you need to make to a contract is a ‘variation’. Variations must be in writing and be signed by both parties to the contract. Almost all will impact the contract price.
The maximum deposit you can be asked to pay before work starts is 10%.
Common traps and tricks
Beware of:
● an extremely low quote compared with others. This may indicate the job’s quality is being compromised, or that the builder may not fully understand what is required
● `sales pitches ́ putting pressure on you to sign a contract quickly to avoid a price increase
● a builder who recommends you get an owner-builder permit while they organise all the building work. The builder may be trying to avoid responsibility and may
not have the right kind of licence or HBC cover.
When things go wrong Statutory warranties
Builders and tradespeople must guarantee that their work is fit-for-purpose, performed diligently and delivered in a reasonable timeframe, in line with the contract. Unless otherwise specified, materials should be new and appropriately used. These warranties are time-limited: legal proceedings to enforce them must be
commenced within 6 years for major defects and 2 years
for all other defects. There is another 6 months for both warranty periods if the defect only became apparent after 18 months or 5 and a half years. Find out more about these warranties on the Fair Trading website.

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