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Robin
You refer to 'master builder'.........I did not
realise that you can become a 'master builder' without any
qualifications.....but I better not go there.
KTm
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, 6 May 2003 21:33
p.m.
Subject: Re: [sharechat] investing in
building disasters by macdunk
Actually, I would have to say that building in New Zealand
suffers and benefits as much from the Kiwi "character" as anything else. The
ephemeral perspective of pioneer psyche remains ingrained in Kiwi thinking.
Contrast with the UK, where a lot of building is fundamentally solid (let's
not talk about interiors or finish, ok?) in terms of structure and integrity,
but has a look that would drive Rodney Dangerfield to suicide.
In
general (of course there are exceptions, and times, they are a changin'),
quality, or endurance are not sought-after attributes of housing, or anything
really, in NZ. People will save a buck here and there, get a mate to do this
and that even though it might not be perfect, skimp on the fundamentals and
spend money on fashion. If you want something to look like a Spanish villa,
you'd better figure out why it's built that way and uses the materials it
does, before thinking that it will survive in your particular climate. And
because NZ has so many climates, what works in Auckland might be a disaster in
Queenstown.
The fencing-wire mentality has a lot to answer for. "She'll
be right" becomes a badge of honor amongst people who can't be bothered
finding out how to do things properly.
However, if all you want to pay
for is a "master" builder, or a mate from down the road, then you'll get what
you pay for ... unless you've got MacDunk for a mate, as then you'll be able
to kick back and enjoy a solid, long-lasting non-leaky house
:O)
Cheers
Robin
(B.Arch)
On Tuesday, May 6, 2003, at
02:54 Europe/London, Duncan MacGregor wrote:
The people that buy property as
an investment or even as a roof over there head most of them in my
experience it is the blind leading the blind. NZ building codes at the
moment are going from bad to straight out stupid. We will have a great
shake up only after thousands of more innocent people find out there house
is only good enough for a match. How to rectify it is
simple. All materials and regulations get back dated to
1983 any new systems from that date or new materials to be proven
tested before allowing its use. The problem is the people
setting the rules don't under stand the basic principals of
construction. EX a plaster type wall over a timber frame is a
complete disaster regardless of who the builder is. The basic reason
is it is supposed to be water tight that means air tight. The air
pressure outside the wall is greater than the pressure inside, and that wall
will even suck water uphill. Add to the fact the down pipes are
screwed with clips through this shell and there is the first leak.
Timber must breathe was the first thing I was taught as an
apprentice. They choke the wall up with insulation
like it was the artic circle when in actual fact most of the heat is lost
through the windows double glazing is more sensible. The real disaster
comes with the sealant breakdown Its only good for ten years
max, and all it takes is a pin hole for water to be sucked in to rot
untreated timber. Dry and wet rot plus other fungus
health hazards take over after that.
What to do about it is simple if you
own what I have described, sell it before it happens because it will before
to long. Simple rules to follow brick veneer is best followed by
weatherboards after that it is dangerous territory
There is going to be
lots of finger pointing, so share holders beware it will hit the fan in a
big way.
I predicted this in 1990 and refused to build eggshell
buildings much to the disgust of would be clients who thought and even told
me to get real and move with the times. Building inspectors were the
worst almost demanding that I change and use untreated wood. Who
is most to blame. I would point the first finger at the master
builders who are dumb enough to allow it to happen in the first place, lets
face it If they didnt know better than that, and try to stop it like myself
and a few other builders I know then what good are they and why have
them.
CHEERS
MACDUNK
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