Question 1

How Long Will A New House Last?

Accepted Answer

A look at the past proves that historical structures and buildings can last a long time, but what about when it comes to your new home? A house will likely be the largest asset you ever purchase, and you need to know that your home will be structurally sound and last many lifetimes. But, how long is that exactly? Not to worry, we have all the information you need on how long your new house will last!

So, How long will a new house last?

This is largely debated within the construction industry as it depends on the materials used, the quality of the craft, and the maintenance that is required and followed through on. A home's generally expected and acceptable lifespan should last at least 60 years. However, many believe that the lifespan of a home is much longer than that, reaching well over 100 years.

Lifespan Expectancies

When answering 'How long will a new house last?', one important thing is that life expectancies are only averages. There is no way to know for certain that your home will last 80 years or even 150 years. This largely comes down to a few key factors that can drastically impact your new build's integrity and shorten that timeframe, in saying that many things can also prolong it.

Question 2

Why Do Houses Age?

Accepted Answer

It's all good and well knowing how long your new house will last on average but do you know why? Many factors can influence the longevity of how structurally sound your build will be. Knowing these factors before building, while you are building, and after your build is complete can help ensure your home withstand time and the elements it is put through.

The factors include:

Materials
Quality
Maintenance
Weather/Environment

Materials

There is no question that quality materials and products last longer. It is the same when it comes to your new home—building your home out of sustainable materials, and high quality can ensure that it will be standing tall for generations to come. Remember, things that are used more frequently will degrade faster over time, so be sure you invest in the right products for your home to last many lifetimes.

Materials that can last a lifetime (60 – 100+ Years) include:

Natural Stone
Clay
Concrete
Bricks (They require less maintenance and can provide better insulation. However, they can make the building process longer and more costly)
Wood (Wood is more prone to wind, water and fire damage if not properly maintained. However, wood is more common in areas that are prone to earthquakes as they are more flexible )
Metals (Slate, copper etc.)
Most types of insulation
Locally-sourced materials

Quality

This is one of the most important factors in ensuring your home has a long lifespan. Good quality craft can prevent issues arising too soon due to an iffy join or a seemingly 'innocent' crack. A poorly-built home will degrade much faster than a home with every detail paid attention to. With tens of thousands of houses being built each year, there is bound to be a couple that slips through the cracks and can have an issue or two – but it is the same with any mass production. Ensuring that this does not happen with new builds are put through detailed assessments at each stage of the construction, from measurements and materials to assessing possible outcomes of each decision made. They also have to rigorously follow the rules and regulations to ensure everything is kept to the same high-quality standard to provide you with a home that will last generations. Most newly built houses will come with a ten-year structural warranty certificate to give you a little peace of mind. Finding a builder/contractor who comes highly recommended is your best bet at ensuring a good quality on your home. Sloppy quality and a poor design can come with issues, replacements and repairs much sooner than required.

Maintenance

Things get old. Whether living or non-living, they are bound to wear and tear damage and break – it is no different for your new home. You may not need to do too much maintenance within the first few years, but it will come. Keeping on top of the maintenance your home requires will ensure that it will last much longer. Your home is made up of various components, and while your house may be sound for many years, the components that make your house a house may not be as resilient and last as long.

Here are some of the components of your new house that have a shorter average lifespan that will require repair or replacement:

Aluminium roof coating (3 -7 years)
Enamel steel sinks (5-10 years)
Security system (5-10 years)
Carpet (8-10 years)
Smoke detector (less than ten years)
Faucets (10-15 years)
Garage door opener (10-15 years)
Air conditioner (10-15 years)
Asphalt (12-15 years)
Termite-proofing during construction (12 years)

Trash compactor, compact refrigerator, microwave oven, humidifier (9-10 years)

Weather/Environments

Unfortunately, mother nature is something that we can not control, and when it comes to your new home, you need to be sure that you build it for the environment it is in. Your home will need to be able to withstand years and years of harsh elements and whatever else mother nature decides to throw at it. Using locally sourced materials is a great option for ensuring your home's longevity as the materials were made with the climate and conditions of your environment in mind. Keeping the environment and weather your home will be prone to in mind is vital to ensure a good construction and adequate upkeep that provides you with a long-lasting home.

Question 3

How Can You Increase The Lifespan Of Your Home?

Accepted Answer

When it comes to prolonging the lifespan of your home, there are a few measures that you can take. It comes down to common and basic routines that can prevent disaster from striking. Checking regularly will allow you to catch any new damages, breaks or wear before it becomes too costly or repairs or replaced altogether.

Things that can prolong the integrity of your house include:

Regular cleaning – This prevents the growth of bacteria, mould and fungus, which can compromise aspects of your home.
Proper separation and disposal of waste
Check for termites, pests, insects – This prevents possible irreversible damage caused by termites, insects and pests in and around your home.
Look out for damp walls, water leaks and seepage.
Check for plinth, foundations and bases of any structural components.
The right material for the needs and requirements of your house
Regular and proper maintenance
Renovation Costs

Question 4

How Much Should I Spend?

Accepted Answer

As a first homeowner, you should avoid taking risks when renovating and spend conservatively. To make sure you don't overcapitalise (when you spend more on the house than what you can sell it for), it's a good idea not to spend more than 5% of the purchase price on renovations. So based on the current mean national house price of $679,100 (source: ABS), the cost of renovating a house or your renovation budget shouldn't exceed much more than $33,955. A well-planned and executed renovation can add up to 10% to the value of your home, especially if you hold onto the property for five or more years. So by spending $33,955 renovating your average $679,100 home, you could potentially make more than $60,000 – double the money you invested.

Understanding Home Renovation Costs

A decade spent working on renovations has helped Kieran develop a knack for estimating construction costs.

Here's his estimated budget breakdown for extensive room renovations.

Kitchen: $25,000 – $50,000
What's involved:
- new kitchen cabinetry and benchtop
- demolition of existing structures
- modification of electricity and plumbing points
- structural works to remove walls and open up the kitchen into an open plan
- Fixtures and appliances.
Bathroom: $15,000 – $30,000
What's involved:
- strip out of the existing bathroom
- adjustment to wall frames
- new floor and wall tiles
- new tapware and vanity
- shower screen and mirror
- Floor coverings and a fresh coat of paint.
Living room or dining room: $10,000 – $15,000
What's involved:
- removal of load-bearing walls (for an open plan space)
- upgrading lights and power points
- Floor coverings and a fresh coat of paint.
Bedrooms: $2,000 – 5,000
What's involved:
- storage space installation (such as a wardrobe)
- upgrading power points and lights
- A fresh coat of paint.
Extensions
- small homes: small extension or internal refurbishment: $150k
- medium homes: extension to post-war home: $250k - $350k
- large homes: house lift, extension & build under: $500k+
- If your structural renovations require council approval, construction will often be funded according to a progress payment schedule rather than one lump sum. This schedule can help cover costs at each stage of the Fixed Price building contract provided by your builder.

Question 5

Should I Renovate?

Accepted Answer

Just because you can afford to renovate doesn't make it the right decision. Whether you're considering renovating a house or an apartment, you should consider all the pros and cons before committing your time and money:

Pros
- Added resale value.
- It can make your home more comfortable and improve your standard of living.
- It can save you time and money by renovating instead of relocating. You can avoid all the stamp duty, agency and legal fees that come with moving by remodelling your home to suit your changing needs.
Cons
- Potential to overspend and overcapitalise.
- May have to move out of the home while works are being completed (or live in dust.

How Many Years Should A House Be Renovated?

When Is The Right Time To Renovate Your House?

What Renovations Are Worth Doing?

What Increases My Home Value?

What Home Improvements Do Not Add Value?

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