Some of the best innovations you will find in a home are on show in Esprit Construction's new display home - the Panama 275. Take a virtual tour of the display here while tracking your progress around the floor plan on the bottom left of screen.
Mackay Builders and how to choose
Choosing a Mackay builder is a lot easier if you follow a few simple steps. Because there is so much at stake – your home is often the biggest asset you will ever purchase – you need to have confidence in which Mackay builder you choose. That means doing a bit of research and comparing apples with apples. We suggest breaking down your selection criteria into three key areas:
The people – how comfortable do you think you will be working with the team?
The product – check out other homes they have built and what they have to offer.
The reputation – talk to others who have used them and would they do it again?
Before you start, however, a quick word on local builders. The reason we talk about Mackay builders is not just to cover builders who are operating in Mackay but builders who are based in Mackay. We have seen, especially during boom times, builders from down south come up to Mackay and sell up a storm. However, when they discover what it takes to build a house in Mackay, including things like cyclone ratings and the high cost of labour during a boom, they soon find themselves losing money on every job. That can leave local families with a half-built house and having their home compromised. That’s why we suggest focusing on local builders who know the local area.
Reputation
The best way to have confidence in your decision is to choose a Mackay builder with a solid reputation. The advantage of using a local builder with a good reputation is having someone who is reliable, trustworthy and who knows what they are doing. A good builder will make building a home a pleasurable experience. Not doing your research could lead to an experience you’ll want to forget (and you’ve probably heard a few horror stories).
Product
If you already have a block of land and completed drawings for your own home design, it is a simple matter of choosing a builder you trust or getting quotes from two or three reputable builders. If you are working with your own home design, getting quotes from different builders is comparing apples with apples. But if you want to use a builder’s design (which will save a considerable amount of money), it can be difficult to compare quotes. What it really comes down to is which home design you want. Builders often have a range of home designs you can build but these designs are subject to copyright so you can’t take Builder A’s design to Builder B to get a quote. You will find, however, that most builders are quoting fairly similar prices so if you go with a design you want and a builder you trust, you are probably getting a good value. Beware the quote that sounds too good to be true - often it isn’t.
People
The people you work with and the relationship you build with them is critical to having a good build. You will spend a lot of time communicating with a good builder and you want to feel comfortable asking questions, raising issues, and making decisions through the process. It’s important to form a “team” around the project and, like any good team, you have to be able to relate with the builder and their “internal team” and trust that they will make every effort to get the best possible outcome for you. One of the great outcomes from an Esprit Constructions build is the long-term friendships that come from each and every project.
The Mackay builder you choose may also depend on where and what you want to build. Some builders specialise in a particular area. For instance, if you want to build in the Pioneer Valley, it would make sense to use a builder who knows the area well and builds a lot of homes there. Some builders have particular expertise in a style of home – like pole homes, timber homes, large homes, or first homes. Some like to deal exclusively with custom-designed homes while others concentrate on set plans and house and land packages.
Other things you should look for in a builder are:
References – ask the builder for references and check with past customers. You’ll soon get an idea of what the builder is like to deal with. Also, look for past clients the builder doesn’t give you.
Quality – check out other work they have done for a guide. Display homes are good but look for other examples of their work too.
Efficiency – do they have a record of building on time or do they guarantee completion dates. Long build time can mean extra expense as you can be paying two mortgages at once or a mortgage and rent for an extended period.
Character – do you feel at ease with the builder and does he/she seem trustworthy. It’s an important step and you need to feel comfortable with the people you will be dealing with.
Licensing – a builder must be licensed by the Queensland Building Services Authority. Look up their licence number on the BSA website for any information you should know about.
Insurances – will your home be covered by insurance. You need to be sure your new home will reach completion and be built free of defects.
Reputation – do friends and/or relatives have any experience with the builder.
Mackay land and easements
Mackay land estate developers try to maximise the area you can build on by running sewer and water easements along the back of the block (and the back of the block at the rear.
You can buy a whole block of land in Mackay but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can build on all of it. Easements can be quite restrictive on the size and shape of your building envelope. Strictly speaking, an easement is a legal right attached to a section of land that allows another party to make use of the land in a particular way. Easements are most commonly sections of land that allow for draining or underground services such as water or sewerage. But it can also be to allow the owner of an adjoining property to access their land or for the support of neighbouring buildings
They are designated as easements because access to these services might be needed at some point in the future. For instance, a broken sewer line will mean excavating around the problem and making repairs. So the last thing you want to do is build your house over that service line. Easements will require you build your home a minimum distance away from potential future access points. That can make it more difficult to fit the home design you want on your piece of land. And if you do need to build very close to the easement, you may have to pay extra money for additional works that will ensure the structure can’t move any closer.
If you are buying land in a new Mackay land development, easements should be clearly marked on the lot plan. Easements and any other encumbrances should be declared in the sales contract and should also be registered on the Land Titles Register.
Easements are another reason why it pays to speak with Adam at Esprit Constructions before purchasing the land as he knows and understands the requirements and what can be done to get the most value from the block of land and new home build. He will also consider the easements on adjoining blocks because these also have the potential to impact what you can do. An experienced eye can also pick up on any other issues that might be cause for future easement concerns, such as the owner of a neighbouring block applying to the court for an easement to be granted to allow access.
Unfortunately, it is also not uncommon for there to be unregistered easements which are not easily identifiable, or circumstances that may allow a neighbour to apply to the Court for an easement over your land (more on this here). This is particularly on older properties where there may already existing services infrastructure in place.
Real cost of buying land in Mackay
Buying a block of land in Mackay when you want to build a new home is not as simple as looking at the price. There are often hidden costs that you need to take into account. There could also be factors that stop you from building the home you want. While exploring these challenges can seem overwhelming, having professional advice will give you peace of mind.
In this post, we look at some of the extra costs you could face when you buy land and build a home in Mackay. These are rarely fixed rates, so it's always a good idea to talk to a builder in Mackay about exactly how much you should expect to pay.
What’s below the surface can soon add cost to your land purchase and make your new home more expensive.
Factor #1: Rocks
Before a builder in Mackay or any construction company will give you a fixed quote for a build, they will need to do a soil test. A basic soil test should cost somewhere under $500. If the test results reveal a rock bed under your block, there may be extra costs added for the rock extraction. The test also determines the density (or compaction) of the soil to see if additional concrete piers are required.
Large established trees on your block of land could become dangerous and expensive to remove.
Factor #2: Trees
The location of existing trees may play a significant role in your decision to purchase a block of land in Mackay. While trees are beautiful and can bring shade to the backyard, it can also pose a danger in severe weather conditions.
Removing trees is no easy task and can incur additional costs of penalties for illegal removal of native trees, so plan accordingly. Even trees that have previously been removed from site leave a root bed that requires that additional 'piering' (deeper concrete pylons).
Just because there’s no trees on a block doesn’t mean there aren’t roots to complicate your build.
At the end of the day, you can not accurately estimate the hidden extra costs of buying a block or building a house on your own. That’s why the best place to start is talking with a reliable builder in Mackay and the land expert (Adam) at Esprit Constructions.
Home Design made to order
Kitchen Design: An adaptation on the Ali, removing cabinetry above the window and making the window open.
Finding a great Home Design, like Esprit Constructions’ last display - the Ali - is just the starting point when you want to build a home in Mackay. The Ali was hugely popular and some clients wanted to build it exactly how it was in the display. But most clients wanted their new home design to be “just perfect” and ordered modifications to the standard Ali design.
This week, we are handing over another Ali design but there were some special changes made to the Home Design. One of the most prominent changes is to the window in the kitchen. Where the standard Home Design has cabinetry above the window, this particular build removed the cabinetry and created a window that opens.
Another noticeable change was replacing the 2 x 750mm cavity slide doors leading into the main bedroom with a single 1200mm cavity slide door. The same was done with the door leading into the kids room. In addition, the clients shortened the length of the main bedroom and added it onto the kids room, creating enough space for a corner couch.
In the main bedroom, the large window was replaced by two smaller ones and the cavity slide doors into the garage and laundry were replace with hinged doors.
Once again, the clients have taken a Home Design that is proven to work and tailored it to suit their own individual needs and tastes. Mackay Builders like Esprit Constructions know their area, their climate and their clients and are happy to make adjustments to create the best possible outcome.
Home Design for the kids room: Adding extra room to allow for a corner couch.
Main bedroom, replacing the large window with two smaller ones.
What you need to know about 'Sloping Blocks'
If you're wanting to buy and build on a sloping block of land in Mackay, then this is the blog post for you.
A sloping site can be both a good and a bad thing. It can offer you scenic views and unique, modern and interesting home structure. But it can be a difficult task to construct on a sloping site because it presents some unique challenges. It calls for innovative and creative thinking. The steepness of the slope will make the construction more difficult and thus more costly than building on a flat site.
When deciding how to design your new home, there’s a lot to take in, so to make it a little easier, we've included everything you need to know before you start planning and building on a sloping site. Esprit Constructions have been designing and constructing on flat and sloping sites to know what the gradient and all the other factors will mean for you – in terms of cost and also the end result.
What is a 'Sloping Block'
When we talk about a sloping block, it simply means that the land on which you plan to build is on an incline or “drop” and is not flat like normal construction sites. Most Mackay builders are watching for less than 1m of fall across the site. This is usually diagonally measured across the building line from corner to corner, using the highest point as the point of reference.
Advantages in constructing a Home in a Sloping Block:
Scenic View - The elevation of a home constructed on a slope ensures you can enjoy breathtaking views and blue skies for miles around.
Natural Drainage and Ventilation - The higher you are, the more natural flow of ventilation there is that will help reduce your energy bills and, if designed correctly, the slope often guarantees drainage naturally.
Landscaped Creative Garden - You can create stunning exterior designs that are set over multiple levels.
Natural Light - Houses built on the side of a hill are also ideally positioned to receive plenty of natural light, which in most homes is a much sought-after feature.
Tips for Building on a Sloping Site
Work with the slope - A design that runs with or alongside the contours would minimise the fall across the building, which means less retaining walls, less scaffolding and lower site costs.
Know your height limits - have a 'Natural Ground Level Survey’
Review the surface below - Every site needs a soil test and it will also give you an idea of excavation costs.
Check the wind rating - If you're at the top of a ridge, on an exposed slope, then you're going to get higher wind rating.
Get advice before you buy - We've seen a lot of buyers purchasing an enticing sloping block of land in Mackay and being drawn in by spectacular views, only to find out that the sum of the cost is much more than anticipated.
Esprit Constructions specialises in designing free-flowing, open-plan layouts. We are happy to meet and discuss your project BEFORE you make an offer to buy your land.
Mackay Builder's Advice on 'Site Costs'
Mackay display home visitors hope to match their dream home with the awesome new block of land they just bought at an excellent deal. But, too often, they soon find out that the savings they made on buying a block of land are far outweighed by the site costs quoted by their builder. Adam, at Esprit Constructions, is a specialist in land because he works with every block to make sure it meets all the requirements and regulations. That’s why he’s the expert people go to for advice. Over the next few blogs, we’ll look at some of the factors that can introduce hidden costs to your project when you build a house in Mackay.
Every dollar counts as we look at a single and most significant purchase of our lives. This is why we cannot blame customers for buying blocks that have been discounted, rebated or sold under market value because as buyers, we are price-sensitive. But not every block is the same – and there's not much awareness in the market that tells buyers what to look for when buying property. Mostly, it's too late by the time they meet a builder. A lot of things gets compromised since they already own the block.
Here are our basic tips:
Get Professional Advice - If you're a first time a buyer, everything is new to you, so it's worth looking for professional assistance. It is actually FREE.
Do Your Research - Prepare to ask questions and take advantage of your Mackay builder’s expertise.
Location is Key - Consider transport options, work proximity, schools, entertainment and shops. They're going to make a major difference in living in your new home.
Esprit Constructions is a trusted local builder in Mackay with specialisations in designing free-flowing, open-plan layouts that embrace the tropical climate of Mackay. They can customise a house and land package to suit you and the needs of your family. Their experienced team is happy to do the groundwork to save you time.
Next up, we’ll look at ‘sloping blocks’.
Queensland Building Boost grant
Building a new house in Mackay got just that little bit easier this week with the Queensland Government announcing a $267 million building stimulus.
Mackay builders and their tradesmen will benefit from the extra boost but so will new home builders, adding another $5,000 to the kitty when they build a home in Mackay.
The grant package announced this week includes a reaffirmed commitment to the $15,000 first home-owner grants program for any Queensland first home buyers purchasing a new home valued at less than $750,000. In addition, there is an additional $5,000 grant for buyers of a new home (with the home being owner occupied and valued up to $750,000) in a regional location.
The program is touted as supporting 240 jobs in construction and delivering social housing across the regions, including Mackay.
As it stands now, first home buyers can access a total of $45,000 ($25,000 from the Federal Government and $20,000 from the State Government) when building their first home.
Mackay Builders can now help first home-buyers access $45,000 worth of grants to get them started.
Land rush is on for Mackay
The $25,000 HomeBuilder grant announced by the Federal Government will see a land rush in Mackay. This incentive will create strong demand for new homes so people will need to act quickly to secure the limited quality land that is currently available.
Construction has to start within three months of the contract date and the contract has to be dated before the end of this year so there is no waiting around for more land to come online. The best way to source land is to talk to a trusted builder who knew all the options that were available because they knew what to look for and how to avoid the pitfalls. Some blocks of land might look like a good deal but they can end up costing tens of thousands of dollars more when it comes time to build.
Talking to a local builder first means you can secure a block of land that suits your budget and the style of home you want. And it also pays to talk to a mortgage broker to confirm what the budget of the new home needs to be.
The grant would be a great boost to the local economy, providing an incentive to those who have been hesitating to make their next move. The Mackay market was on the cusp of solid demand prior to the COVID-19 because more people are moving to town and the area represents good value and a solid investment due to our proximity to the Bowen basin hub.
We haven’t yet seen the full extent of the uncertainty the pandemic caused in the housing market because there is a delay between signing a contract and turning the first sod and an even longer delay before figures are reported. Mr Pearce said the government had recognised the housing industry was a major employer in the Australian economy and acted accordingly.
As a local project builder, the potential of this building incentive to help provide continuous work for employees and long-term trades is tremendous.
Just remember to trust a local builder as they support local trades and suppliers and this has an ongoing benefit for the whole community.
$25,000 HomeBuilder grant to build a new home
Mackay builders ready for a boost
Best Bathroom Vanity Trends for 2020
Good bathroom design is founded on three key areas (shower, vanity, and light). French Philosopher Blaise Pascal has been quoted as saying “Vanity is but the surface”. But a Frenchman should know better than to ignore the importance of a well-designed surface. And his wife probably disagreed with him anyway.
When you start to build a new home, you start looking at vanity units in a different way because you have to make a decision and there was no “how to choose the best vanity for the bathroom” class at school. In fact, some people don’t even connect the word “vanity” with the unit that holds the basin in their bathroom (Pascal might be one of those people). But the vanity unit is more than just a basin to wash your hands. The best vanity design becomes a stylish piece of furniture that goes far beyond the traditional basin pedestal – creating additional storage as well a sense of style.
The White Sierra basin brings a touch of class to the main bathroom in Esprit Construction’s new display home. At the basin outside the main toilet, it’s baby brother, the Mini Sierra keeps the stylish theme.
Even the basics of holding up a washbasin can be achieved in lots of ways. The basin can be fully recessed, partly recessed or not recessed at all – just sitting on the countertop, which is popular in 2020. Sometimes, the basin can cover the top of the entire vanity unit.
The main bathroom in Esprit Construction’s new display creates a spacious feel with neutral colours and white free-standing bath and white Sierra basin.
6 top vanity trends for 2020
The single biggest trend for vanities in 2020 in minimalist. But minimalism is a trend that has been with us a long time – it just varies in extent. Then there are some material trends and, again, they are trends that never seem to go away. Marble and wood come and go. But even when they are not the hottest thing in town, they are still popular and hold their style. Marble, perhaps because of the expense and statement of luxury never seems to date – in the vanity or in the kitchen. Wood, on the other hand, is more a matter of taste and highly dependent on the rest of the new home’s interior design.
Minimalist
Floating
Open shelf
Marble
Wood
Industrial
Tips for choosing the right vanity
Below are some tips to help you choose the right vanity for your new home – a few points to consider.
Neutral colours
Neutral colours, such as white, ebony and grey, ensure your vanity will go with all bathroom styles. Neutral also opens the door to more potential buyers if you ever want to sell your new home. White is the most common colour because it makes the space look bigger. If you are working with a small bathroom area, and most of us do, then you want to make good use of mirrors and the colour white. If you don’t want to go down the path of basic white, then cool colours like silver and grey can add a sense of style while beige and gold can add a warmer feel to the bathroom.
Mackay’s climate suits open shelving
Mackay’s tropical climate means we constantly have to be aware of the dreaded heat/moisture combination. Getting anything to dry out during the wet season is a challenge – especially in a bathroom where we regularly flood the air with steam. Open-style shelving eases that pressure as well as making the bathroom look more open and more like a day spa. It’s more friendly and inviting – “like a towel – just take one”. If you do want to keep doors closed to keep clutter from view, one popular solution is to put an open shelf at the bottom of the vanity. This also makes it easier to see and to access.
Esprit’s Panama 275 display home adds style to the ensuite with the Arlo vessel basin mixer.
Open bottom and floating vanities
Create the feel of a more open bathroom with a vanity that is open at the bottom or floating. It not only makes the space look larger but also makes the room feel less cluttered and adds to a “minimalist” style. Floating vanities can have their height adjusted and what was once a popular trend in restaurants is now starting to find its way into new homes.
The Best and Newest Mackay Display Home
Esprit Constructions has opened the best and newest display home in Mackay with the Panama 275, proving once again they are the innovators - not imitators. You will have to come and check out this home in person to find out what the great new innovations are. The display is open 10am to 4pm daily.
Home Design Tips: Bathroom Design and Lighting
Making the most of natural light in the bathroom has always been a challenge when building a new home in Mackay. Bathrooms, ensuites, and wet areas are commonly dark so getting natural light and ventilation is difficult. Most of us who live in the Mackay or anywhere in a tropical climate would know, from experience, what happens to dark rooms where there are lots of moisture.
The Design Challenge for the Bathroom
Two of the big hurdles to overcome in the bathroom design are lack of space to put a window and privacy. An easy solution to the second problem is to use frosted glass, which still lets a lot of light into the bathroom but still affords privacy. Overcoming the first hurdle is not as easy because while bathrooms tend to be small (no one wants to devote a lot of their under-roof space in the bathroom), there is a lot to pack in there. Bathrooms need to have a shower and that can take up a lot of wall space. There also needs to be vanity and today’s homes often include a double vanity because married couples want to stay married. There also needs to be some cupboard space and a large mirror. To compound the wall space even further, the wet towels have to go somewhere because, as the men in those married couples are often cold, wet towels don’t belong on the floor. They need to be spread out to allow them to dry. And don’t forget there needs to a door in one of those walls!
Bathroom Design Solution
Esprit Constructions has solved these hurdles with an innovative bathroom design that has proven to be a hit with visitors during the first week of opening at their new Mackay display home at Richmond Hills. Their Panama home design incorporates a “vanity window”, which runs horizontally between the vanity and the chrome framed mirror. This window allows the natural light in and, with the simple addition of a screen from the local nursery and some small succulent plants, it also affords privacy. As a bonus, your garden design gets a head start with your very own private vertical garden greeting you every morning.
The vanity in Esprit’s new Mackay display home, the Panama 275, has a Smartstone stone benchtop (part of Esprit’s Luxury inclusions list). The vanity bowl is a 600mm offset Positano. Adding to the bathroom design is the offset pendant light, which was sourced from Beacon Lights. And finishing the look is the timber-patterned Laminex door fronts, which are popular with interior design at the moment.
Innovative home design
With this new bathroom design feature, Esprit Constructions have proven, once again, they are the innovators, not the imitators. The new Mackay display home features a number of innovative home designs that are best seen in person, so call to book an inspection time. The display is open from 10am to 4pm daily in Grangewood Avenue, Richmond Hills.
Easy-clean bathroom design
A tiled nib wall in the main bathroom means you’re not constantly cleaning a glass screen.
The nib wall is a common feature in the ensuite of homes based on the Ali design, which is the current display home design. However, in a home completed last week the nib wall was also used in the main bathroom. One of the best features about this kind of bathroom design is that it avoids the intensive cleaning of glass that comes with traditional glass shower screens. It’s also another chance to showcase the tiles.
The ensuite in this new home uses the same design feature and tiles combination as the main bathroom, including the nib wall.
