Construction & Contractors Blog
Townhouses are a preferable choice for people who would want to live in urban areas. Building a townhouse can be quite challenging. More often than not, you will have limited space to work on. Besides, most townhouses are close to roads and adjacent buildings. Read on for ideas about townhouse construction.
Understand Planning Laws
In most cases, townhouse construction is regulated by planning laws and strata development by-laws. For instance, you could be compelled to use specific designs to ensure the property is similar to other homes in the neighbourhood. Planning laws will determine the height of the building and how to build the structure. For example, you could be compelled to install foundation piles and damp courses. You must follow these regulations. Otherwise, the construction blueprints will not get the local council's approval.
Townhouse Design
When working with limited space, consider underground parking, garage and storage spaces. A spacious compound will increase the curb appeal of your townhouse. Consider a front balcony to serve as a recreational space when you have guests or a family barbeque.
Your house must be energy efficient. As such, install large double glazed windows and doors to let in natural light. Besides, install insulation and use construction materials with high thermal efficiency. Consider open living spaces to make your house look larger than its actual size. Make use of your backyard. For example, it could serve as a vegetable garden. You could also install a patio or gazebo.
Work With An Experienced Contractor
Ask a few qualified and experienced contractors to bid for your townhouse construction project. Ideally, you should provide the construction blueprints and ask the contractors to create a budget and timeline for your project. Assess the contractor's expertise as you evaluate the bids. For example, what preparation works will the contractor conduct? A site inspection will help the professional to identify risks such as weak soil, land contamination, underground utilities and exposure to floods and fire. The contractor should propose cost-cutting mechanisms such as using recycled construction materials, recycling water at the site, reducing construction waste and labour costs. The contractor should also describe the site safety measures. For example, they should use safety nets to prevent construction debris from falling into your neighbour's property or nearby roads. Besides, site personnel should have protective clothing.
Hire a certifier to supervise construction works and ensure the contractor follows the building code. Additionally, ensure that your contractor has adequate insurance coverage.
Share18 January 2021
Hello, my name is Colin and this is my construction blog. When people think of the construction industry, they often just imagine guys in hard hats building brick walls. While this is a popular image of the industry, it doesn't reflect the true diversity of different contractors and tradesmen who are involved in a construction project. Lasy year, my wife and I decided to construct our dream home. I had to arrange visits of plumbers, roofers, electricians, surveyors and home builders in order to get the job done. I learnt a lot during that experience, so I decided to start this blog.