Can
you use a green builder and still have a cost effective result?
In
our experience the answer is yes. We found that using an Eco Builder not only
added to our client’s bottom line, benefited their tenants but also gave peace
of mind that they were doing their bit for the environment.
When
it came to finding a builder for our granny flats, at first I had one thing in
mind; cost effectiveness because this development strategy was all about
creating the highest yield possible. We asked our regular brick and tile
builders to price a two bedroom 60sqm flat by using their traditional slab/brick/roof
tile construction but their price was coming in too high.
Thus
our search began for a cheaper way to build the flats without compromising on
quality. We researched caravan park style cabins that could be trucked to site
but found this method was about the same price as our brick builders, we even
looked at converted shipping container ‘boxes’ but they were not up to our standards. Then we found our Eco Builder.
I’ll
quickly explain what is involved with this development strategy. First we locate a house in a strong rental
area, one with ‘good bones’. By that I mean a large house with at least 3 -4
bedrooms and one that doesn’t need too much renovation. The property needs to
tick a number of boxes but in particular be Complying so we can use our private
certifier to fast track the Complying Development application to build the
granny flat. We bring the house up to
the standard where we could maximise the rent, there is an income during the
build phase and on completion the flat is rented usually to a separate tenant
than the house. The result is a 9% gross yield.
So
back to our Eco Builder...I was impressed to see his company is certified as a
Climate Friendly Business encompassing not only their corporate operations but
every granny flat and house they build.
They undertook extensive assessment and calculations to estimate
emissions associated with the construction of each home. On completion, clients are supplied with a
certificate from Climate Friendly, certifying that during the construction
process emissions of greenhouse gasses were minimised and then offset. This reduces
the adverse affects on the planet throughout the stages of design, construction
and completion.
Their
process includes using alternative building materials and construction methods.
By using sustainable and lightweight building products and cost efficient
design principles they achieve energy efficiency. They’ve even won lots of
awards and are considered innovators in their field.
Transporting
products to building sites usually results in the use of large quantities of
both fuel and other resources. This builder has put in place a system to greatly
reduce the amount of transport required and therefore reduce the amount of
greenhouse gasses being emitted during the construction process. One of the key
facets of this is their ability to produce our granny flats to lockup in their
factory, enabling a single delivery of the flats and all components needed to complete
lock-up stage onsite. The
construction process takes approximately 50% of the time required for a typical
slab/brick/tile house.
As well as
the faster completion time and environmental benefits there are other positives
as well, electricity bills are reduced, water bills are minimised and our
clever granny flat design reduce the need for heating & cooling.
Utilisation of natural air movement for cooling, solar or gas heating and appropriate
positioning of the flat on-site is all part of the process.
Research has shown that heating and cooling account for an average of
approximately 40% of household energy costs across Australia. Homes designed to
suit the climate of their location result in a significant reduction in the
amount of energy required to heat and cool the home.
So we found
a winner with our Eco builder, his tender came in 15% lower than the other
builders, our flats are completed in half the time, tenants will save on their
bills and we have a carbon neutral result. To me that’s a win-win-win!
No comments:
Post a Comment