Many remote areas find building time consuming and expensive as building materials are not readily available, this results in higher costs and longer build times as the builder is often forced to travel upto 150km for every missing component. areas in Queensland, which are booming suffer from this include Rainbow Beach, Hervey Bay, Town of 1770, Agnes Water, Emerald and the mining growth towns around the Bowen basin, as well as Far North Queensland.

A trend is emerging whereby builders are hooking up with kit home companies to get full kits delivered to site in remote areas, benefitting from the full process management of the Kithome supplier.

The kit home supplier will normally handle everything from design, engineering and supply of all materials to lock up at one fixed price significantly de-risking the builder.

The result is that the  client can often achieve a higher quality product at a similar or even lower price, in a shorter time period, thereby reducing holding costs significantly.

Although many traditional builders are reluctant to build in steel despite its many positives, particularly in areas with white ant and cyclone problems occur, those who have experience building with the NuSteel system are converted and readily come back for more.

Well its that time of the year post election blues fopr the coalition, Liberal/Nationals and Red letter day for Kevin Rudd and his labour minnions.  So what will “Our Kevin” really change?

1) IR- Although the centre of his scare campaign will he really be naive enough to roll-back the changes that have increased work force flexibility and resulted in near full employment? First the US then the UK showed the way in reducing unemployment by reducing labour restraints. we think Kevin is pretty smart, so he will not be giving too much away here.

2) Spending- Glas to see K07 was happy to underspend on JHoward- may he remember this as he seeks reform. His promise to take the meat clever tro government employement numbers will however be a hollow threat we fear.

3) Sign Kyoto- Well at last- welcome to global responsibility. Maybe he should read iot first and give the nation an idea how we can implement before signing and what it will mean to the country. Measures in Germany have included a green levy on fuel (which is now about $2.30 per litre there!) and on heating fuel and much promotion of alternative energy resources, such as wind, and solar power. Watch out you red breasted budgies or whatever were apparantely saved down there in Victoria.

4) Improve Housing affordability- You really have to ask how can a government really do this? The Australian dream is to have a four bedroom macmansion , with pool, aircon, media room, 42′ plasma, double garage, as your first step on the property ladder.  If this is the future of affordable housing then, maybewe missed something. Its time to get back to brass tacks. A first home should be as cheap as possible. maybe need renovating and probably have no more than two bedrooms, definately only one bathroom  preferabbly without a bath (one bathroom I here you say- unthinkable!)

Well when first home buyers decide they want more than their money can afford, then maybe its time to owner build their home. Realistically though trhis is the area for more mature clients who have owned a home before and have some idea of whats needed to own and manage such a home.

5) Lower Interest Rates- We doubt it. However we think this maybe a key point in the economy. Lets look at a relevant comparison. Thatcher came to power in 1979 in the UK and used the unrest in the community to smash the trade unions and open the economy to foreign competition. All good. But at the same tiome, North Sea oil was pouring money into the government coffers and foreign investment into the UK for oil investment. At the same time, Thatcher vowed to beat inflation, by using interest rates as the mechanism to do this. The result, an ever strengthening Pound Sterling, cost of debt rising to local manufacturers, imports getting cheaper and exports dearer. Competitiveness became the forgotten word of the 80s. UK manufacturing all but disappeared and the economy transitiobned to become a services driven economy. This phenomena is known as the Dutch Disease and it looks like Australia may be heading to a pandemic.

Kevin- Good luck. Please save us from Labour’s worst excesses and beware the Dutch Disease!

Why build with Nu-Steel? Well, many people decide to owner build to save money. When owner building you have a couple of choices. The cheapest suppliers offer off the peg housing with no changes and often little creativity. As with project homes you can achieve costs of $800 to $1000 per M2 as long as the block is flat and you accept the build as it comes.

Want to have a bit more input?

Architecturally designed homes often cost in the $1500 to $2500 per M2, making them unattainable for all but the wealthy sector of the market.

Enter Nu-Steel Homes- positioned between project homes and architectural homes, we provide the middle ground. A high degree of individualism, in fact you can design almost anything you like, and we provide the full home to lock up including internal linings and doors, is included in our fixed cost pricing model.  So you can buy an individually designed home in the range of $1000 to $1500 depending on the finishes you desire.

Along with the savings on offer from using our standard engineering and design modules, you can also owner build to a greater or lesser extent to save even further.  So maybe now is the time to build that spectacular home you have always dreamed of. Visit the Nusteel site for further info.

There is a distinct change happening all over the world with regard to new home construction. Governements prompted by consumer protection calls have tightened the building laws and increased the guarantee that builders have to provide. This has made liability insurance and management on e of the key ares of risk foir builders today.

The result is that there are less building licences being issued, less builders taking on third party projects and many people struggling to find a builder for their home. When they do find one they find bespoke or architectural homes are often too expensive due to both the limited supply of builders and the insurance and liability cover they have to carry.

Increasingly builders are deciding to build only spec homes that are then sold as finished packages to clients, or to work with owner builders who carry their own risk and do much of the work many builders hate the paperwork.

In the US up to  50% of homes are now owner built. In Auistralia the majority of building is sdtill project homes, where the client has little or no choice, but owner building is growing massively as clients seek to have their individuality reflected in their homes, but at a price which is acceptable on the market.

The kithome market can be either very simple kit homes to a set floor plan or can be as individual as the client demands. This is the way the market is moving, as the project home is often cheaper to build and there is little concept of quality of finishings in the equation, while those seeking quality at a reasonable price choose the owner builder solution offered by bespoke suppliers like Nu-Steel Homes.

As in many places across the planet the first time buyers are perceived as being priced out of the market with the continued growth in housing values.  Many people are calling on the government to intervene to create more affordable housing.

So waht could the government(i.e John Howard and Peter Costello) or the would be Gov (Kevin Rudd)  realistically do?

1) Reduce transfer/stamp duty on land

2) Increase the first time home buyers grant (its $7k in QLD)

3) Reduce the mortgage registration fee and stamp duty

4) Reduce the red tape and costs on developers to make developing land easier

5) Enforce lower head costs on local councils on new land development

Well its easy to put all the onus on the Government and say they should be doing everything about it. But waht can home buyers or would be home buyers do to help themselves?

1) Save more of your disposable cash- stop going out shopping and drinking/gambling the lot away and stop enjoying yourself.

Ok so number one is not that easy, but I wish someone had told me this when I was younger! You should aim to save about 20% of your salary per week consistently.

2) Reduce your expectations; many first time buyers want to jump into the market in the best area with a new built 4 bedroom detached home. Get real. Buy a small fixer upper in a less attractive area and live in the shambles until the house has enough equity in it to afford renovation. And save money once your in there. But get in the market.

3) Get a second job to improve your lending ability

4) Buy a small block and owner build something small on it. You could save yourself thousand.

5) Buy something and rent out a room or two to your mates to make the mortgage payments.

6) Make sure you qualify for the first home buyers grant and make sure you apply for it. $7k is a nice gift from the State.

1. Why build with steel?
   Residential steel framing members are cost effective, light weight, easy to handle, and manufactured under strict quality control guidelines. Add to this straight, knot free and not liable to water damage, termite proof and fire retardant and you sleep an awful lot better in a steel-framed home.
2. Will my home look different than the rest in my development?
   Yes if you want it too! No if you don’t. The design is your choice. In fact, because of steel’s strength you can design your home with larger open spaces. With a steel frame, the walls will remain straight and true and can be finished with the same materials traditionally used.
3. What about the environmental impact of steel construction?
   The overall recycling rate is the highest of any industry in the country, offering an environmentally sound home framing alternative.
   Steel framing scrap is a valuable commodity that should not end up in a landfill.
4. What about cost?
   The price of steel has been relatively constant over the last decade. While the price of traditional framing materials has been erratic and growing at a rate much faster than inflation, steel prices have only experienced small quarterly adjustments. Builders interviewed nationwide have affirmed that framing with steel is commonly less expensive than traditional framing. To build similiar strength in a wood framed home you would need to build a hardwood frame which is substantially more expensive than steel.
5. Will steel framing affect the indoor air quality?
   No. Steel framing is recommended by The Healthy House Institute for chemically sensitive and environmentally conscious homeowners who seek good indoor air quality. Steel frames do not need to be treated for termites and are free of resin adhesives and chemicals normally present in other construction materials.
6. How do I hang pictures in a steel framed home?
   As in a traditional home, depending on the weight of the picture, you can hang it from the drywall with toggle bolts or hangers. Heavier objects can be hung from screws attached directly into the studs, which can easily be found with a magnet.
7. Will I be able to remodel my home?
   Yes, since steel framing allows for larger spans, a home can be designed without interior load-bearing partitions, making it easier for homeowners to complete alterations without affecting the structure.
8. Will my home rust?
   The use of  galvanized steel frame components protects your home against rust.
9. Will the steel interfere with portable radios, phones, or TV reception?
   No. Waves pass through the spaces between studs allowing the use of all of the radios, phones, and television sets in your home.
10. What about lightning?
    The steel frame offers the home occupants better protection than any other construction system.
    Scientists recommend seeking shelter in steel frame structures during lightning storms because the steel frame provides a path to the ground reducing the likelihood of explosions, secondary fires, or personal injury.
11. Can my house be built to resist earthquakes and cyclones?
    Yes, we can offer the wind rating required for your area as a small surcharge on any of our homes. Positive connections and the strength of steel provide great protection against earthquakes and cyclones. Steel’s high strength and ductility make it the best construction material for earthquake resistant design.
12. Can my home be energy efficient?
    Yes, our steel frame house plans all receive a certificate of compliance from an independent body before we deliver the product to you. Our homes are designed to meet or exceed governmental energy efficiency standards. In addition, by staying straight and true, the steel framing helps prevent cracks due to shrinking or warping, thus preventing air leaks that result in costly loss of energy.
13. Will I have to pay higher insurance premiums for my homeowner’s insurance?
    No. As a matter of fact, because of steel’s excellent performance record in earthquakes, and because it is not affected by termites and is non-combustible, home owners may be able to save on insurance premiums.
14. Will I be able to sell my home?
    Your home does not need to look any different than your neighbors and should sell just as easily. Because of steel’s high strength and durability your home should last and retain its value for a long time. In fact, if you take advantage of steel’s strength and flexibility by designing wide open spaces, you will have additional selling features.

Steel is a Superior Construction Material:

1. Highest strength - to - weight ratio of any building material
   Steel possesses the highest strength to weight ration of any building material being utilized today.
   It remains one of the strongest, most durable and economically manufactured materials.
   No wonder 80% of all commercial buildings are constructed with steel as the primary structure.
   Stronger, straighter, non-combustible, longer lasting and many other characteristics contribute to the undeniable superiority of steel as a building material.
2. Higher Walls Greater Spans, but no increase in the thickness of walls. Due to the strength of steel you can still work on 75mm size beams and wall frames even upto 4m in height.
3. Non-combustible - and will not contribute fuel to a fire…
   With gypsum interior finish material supported on a steel frame you have a combination of
   non-combustible products and the likelihood of a fire being further fueled is nearly eliminated”
4. Inorganic – steel will not warp, rot, split, crack or creep…
5. Consistent material quality - Dimensionally stable - does not expand or contract
6. 100% recyclable - Steel is the most recycled material on planet!
   You can frame a typical home with 6 recycled cars… or take down 40-50 trees!
7. Less waste: 2% in steel verses 20% in wood construction
8. Square corners stay squared; windows and doors open & close as they should.
9. Lightweight: Steel is 60% of the weight of wood framing… making it easier to handle.
10. Not vulnerable to termites - Termite Proof

C0nvinced, visit the experts in steel frames to learn more and see some house plans on steel framed kit homes.

Bespoke homes, meaning designed to your plans for you, and kit homes used in the same sentence seems like an oxymoron!

Most people consider kit homes as mass produced low cost products produced off of a production line, meaning any customer changes are either expensive or not possible.

As the pioneer of steel framed kit homes in Australia, Nu-Steel pursued this policy back in the 80s, with a Henry Ford approach to housing, you can have any home as long as its rectangular or L-shaped.

However this all changed in the late 90s when Ken Roberts decided that the consumer had to have preference and began producing kit homes to a new formula, designed individually by NuSteel and by the client for the client, individually engineered and produced one by one in our production facility. At the time it seemed like a crazy idea, but its 10 years now and the customers love the homes they buy from us and the more importantly they love being able to influence the build cost by project managing or owner building themselves.

Although not the cheapest house on the market, NuSteel can probably claim to offer the best price/performance ratio for designer homes in Queensland. Value building, building value for you.

If you want cheap, then pay cheap and get cheap. If you want quality at a great price and value the strength, durability and beauty of a home then maybe the NuSteel home system is for you.

So have a look at some of the house plans on our site to give you inspiration or just start with a nice sharp pencil, some squared paper and a ruler and let your imagination run free. After all how often do you build your own home, you might as well do something worthwhile!

Two of our true Ozzie homes and most popular designs, both homes are larger homes while not being pretentious. Single story making for an easy build for the builder or owner builder.

Yoyur choice of finishes and you have the perfect home for your larger block.

· Walk-in pantry and room for fridge and freezer in the expansive kitchen

The AzaleaThe Azalea is for the larger family in search of the home with it all - this 5-bedroom classic country home will give you a bedroom for every one and room to move.Benefits include extra large living areas, a large internal storage room, so that when adverse conditions occur you won’t need to go outside for anything and an en-suite to give Mum and Dad that extra bit of privacy.Look for all the following in The Azalea: · 5 bedrooms · walk-through robe and ensuite to master bedroom · separate study · 2 living areas · separate toilet · Entry shielded from the living areas · large internal store room · verandah extends the length of the house

This large home fits elegantly in 301m²

^{Contact NuSteel or visit their website for a larger range of home plans from 1 bedroom to 5 or more.}

Global warming is a major issue, even if some governments seem to want to ignore it. So what can you do around your home to help?

Well help is at hand, the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainable Industries Division promotes the development and uptake of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency initiatives in Queensland.

Partnerships with industry promote and facilitate the implementation of sustainable energy practices and technologies, addressing both business practice and building design. The Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund, a joint project with industry, provides assistance in developing products and services that encourage the efficient and sustainable production and use of energy in Queensland.

The Energy Advisory Service provides impartial, professional advice on energy efficiency and renewable energy for householders, educators and small business people. The services offered include:

• demonstrating ways to make a home or building more energy efficient, using a combination of simple design principles, insulation and ventilation, appropriate building materials, window protection and shading
• providing a house plan energy assessment and rating service (by arrangement only)
• helping householders and small businesses save on their energy costs for lighting, heating/cooling, appliances, hot water, office equipment
• developing energy audit kits for householders, small business and schools
• promoting the use of renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, water, biomass, cogeneration
• advising on the Queensland and Commonwealth Government rebate schemes that encourage the use of renewable resources, including the Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme, the Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS) Rebate Scheme, the Working Property Rebate Scheme, the Photovoltaic Rebate programme for community buildings and for residential purposes
• providing a list of suppliers of energy efficient products and energy management services
• providing student resources and a reference collection.

Energy Advisory Service
Web: www.env.qld.gov.au

Some key pointers we can plan into your home design are

1) Insulation

2) Double glazed windows

3) Water tanks

4) Solar powered water heating

5) Direction and layout of home to optimise natural light, cooling, circulation, heat capture/minimisation.

All of our homes come energy rated and insulated which is the first step, we offer all other energy saving options as options on Nu-Steel homes for builders and owner builders.