We suggest you make a list of your requirements in your new home and prioritise the important issues, note the features you like about your current house or a design you are familiar with.

Start with a wish list. You never know we may be able to fulfil some of your dreams!

Determine a realistic budget and what you expect to be included in that figure.

Consider the following:

Rooms

• How big a house and verandahs you require: Number of bedrooms, living rooms and bathrooms.
• Single or multi level house.
• Room location, crossflow ventilation and internal noise.

Aspect Where is the northern aspect, the path of the sun and prevailing breezes. Sloping or site difficulties (delivery of materials and storage for construction). Views and on site features (trees and rocks you want to retain). Appeal Street appeal, privacy, noise intrusion and security. Items to hide (clothes line, sheds and storage areas, neighbours buildings).

Access

• Street access, driveway, vehicle accommodation and parking, entrance to house.
• Relationship between the kitchen and the car parking for loading/unloading supplies (does it need to be protected?).
• Proximity of laundry to clothesline.
• Furniture installation and location (are there stairs to negotiate with pianos and large beds?)

Security

• Pests and vermin through openings.

Amenities

• Services available on site (power, water, sewerage).
• Position of water tanks and treatment plant, if applicable. (Some treatment plants require 400m2 of drainage effluent run!)