With the new year settling in, now is the perfect time to pull out those plans to add that much-wanted, and special new living space, from a conveniently accessible and personalised Home Office or Granny Flat, to an exceptional Backyard Cabin, and everything in between.

Creating a personalised, pre-designed space initially sounds like a lot of work, however with IdeasWood, it’s a seamless and exciting experience that will save you time, money and make 2023, your year of simple living.

Brian Best, Australian Building Expert, and owner of IdeasWood, welcomes new clients. Make 2023 the year to put your customised pre-made home plans into action, and let IdeasWood design and create that special space you’ve always wanted.

“With IdeasWood’s custom-space construction process, we help customers through the entire process, making it easier for them,” says Best. “In addition, we can provide flexibility to the designs, making sure that personal requirements are included,” he adds. “Most importantly, our customers are supported by experts in the field,” says Best.

From that fun-filled weekend camping house, to that compact granny flat with all the perks and personalised specialities, the possibilities are indeed endless with the IdeasWood team. However, it starts with a simple action of preparing that design layout or plan as meticulously as possible beforehand.

We encourage our customers to identify what they want in their new space and discuss these with the IdeasWood team to ensure that the final design incorporates and accommodates everything on the wish list. In the long run this saves time for both the customer and the IdeasWood team and negates the need to go back and forth during the construction phase.

“Size plays a big role in a customised space, as ultimately, customers want their personalised design to be spacious, comfortable and versatile,” says Best. “At IdeasWood, we foresee spatial queries to ensure that we can construct a well-sized environment that meets the need of the customer,” Best adds.

Time is a valuable currency in the construction process for both parties. Many competitors take multiple months to complete a customised pre-made space. However, depending on the  design, IdeasWood can usually reach completion and hand over the keys in an amazingly short time-frame.

“Our holistic assessment and consultation processes are pivotal in the development of both standard and customised projects,” says Best. “At IdeasWood we take pride in our ability to develop a solid communication platform with our customers and help them to design their ideal space,” he adds.

As 2023 gets off to a start, so should the momentum of getting closer and closer to the construction of that dream space. It starts with a call, or an email. So, contact the experienced minds at IdeasWood, and let them get your personalised space created in good time.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News 

Having good materials for one’s dream space is one thing. Having quality material that’s environmentally friendly, durable and reliable is even better. Tight Grain Timber and Kiln Dried Wood are excellent examples of these.

Australian building expert and owner of IdeasWood, Brian Best, discusses the finest materials, like Tight Grain Timber and Kiln Dried Wood, for homeowners to use for kit homes.

When referring to Tight Grain Timber, it is important to explain what wood grain is. Wood grain is the arrangement of a wood’s fibres, resulting from the growth of a tree. When a tree is cut, fibres reveal a visual pattern of relatively darker and lighter wood, commonly known as the grain or, more precisely, the ‘figure’. Wood grain also affects the texture of a piece of sawn timber.

Appearances of sawn wood pieces are affected by the size, arrangement and type of these fibres. Different ways of sawing can reveal different grain patterns, with the most common method known as quarter sawing, when a log is cut into even boards that form parallel plains.

Due to the way in which wood grows, each piece of timber has its own unique grain pattern. There are no identical pieces. With over 60,000 types of tree in the world, there are a phenomenal range of different figures, grains and textures.

“In particular, ‘Tight Grain’ is also referred to as smooth grain or fine grain by wood specialists. Tight is the ideal selection, not only because of its aesthetic properties, but tight grain timber has durability and strength, along with working abilities and benefits to create any design imaginable,” says Best.

In terms of ‘Kiln Dried Wood’, the kiln process focuses on the drying of the wood, done in a chamber, in which air circulation, temperature and humidity are controlled so moisture content of the wood can be reduced to a particular point without drying defects. Kiln drying prevents the wood from warping and cracking over time as well.

The benefits of kiln dried wood are great in building wooden furniture as kiln dried wood does not crack and dry out. Kiln dried wood prevents mould and mildew as mould or mildew spores are killed by high temperatures during the heating process. Kiln dried wood is also resistant to pests and insects due to the high temperatures in its preparation as well.

Kiln dried wood can save homeowners money as well. If kiln dried wood is used in the first instance, repairs are less likely because of the quality of the wood.The wood’s lifespan may be extended, however it is important to know that the natural colours of the wood may become affected, so speak to the IdeasWood team for solutions on ways to retain colour on the wood,” says Best.”If painting kiln dried wood, it is important to clean the area with soap and water to “remove any dirt, power wash, then dry the wood completely. Once the wood is completely dry, apply some primer on the areas. Once the primer has cured, apply two coats of latex paint,” adds Best.

There are multiple materials of great quality that can be utilised for building. One cannot forget solid materials like the Nordic Spruce Timber, which has a fine and even texture, a European softwood that can be used for cladding, window frames and general carpentry. Contact IdeasWood on their website for more information on ideal building materials for your next project.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News 

Having a well-rounded distributor network is an amazingly rewarding benefit for companies. It does take time and training to equip distributors with the vision of what the organisation aims for in their service to customers.

Expert Australian builder and owner of IdeasWood, Brian Best, discusses pivotal points on developing and connecting to a strong distribution network through his company’s approach that will benefit companies keen on joining his distribution network.

“Each and every IdeasWood licensee must live and breathe our core values, adopting them as their own, without exception. Simplicity, affordability, honesty, creativity and convenience. As the IdeasWood family, we integrate these imperative core values into all our tasks, ensuring happiness and satisfaction for all our families across Australia and New Zealand,” says Best.

A company’s set of core values stand as the foundation of every distributor’s purpose. As stated by Brian, core values are essential. They direct the organisation’s performance and ideals, more importantly though, they also enable a focus on customer experience. “Here at IdeasWood, each core value aims to accommodate our customer’s needs and comfort, and this should be considered by companies in general, to be accommodating to customers and their choices, it strengthens their relationship with the company,” says Best.

In terms of the benefits and advantages, at IdeasWood, distributors do not need to attend specific support programmes. Distributor training can be simple and minimal as long as the key points of the company’s goals, expectations, and relationship with distributors stand as the focal aspects.

Ultimately, IdeasWood provides distributors with distributors’ choice, recognition and responsibility. Distributors’ Choice – distributors and licensees can choose if they would like to take part in IdeasWood’s niche marketing system to generate ongoing business. Distributors’ Recognition – IdeasWood’s construction marketers will maintain and uphold the uniqueness and personality of each independent construction business. Distributors’ Responsibility – IdeasWood uses a plethora of pathways to communicate, market, educate and ultimately service all offerings to clients. These are provided to IdeasWood distributors and licensees alike, as part of their License Arrangement to practice.

These offerings are the standard requirements for companies interested in developing their business. “It is imperative that communication channels are open and ready for both the organisation and the distributors throughout the process,” says Best. “In addition, ensuring that distributors have all the resources necessary for their services is of utmost importance, and should be discussed thoroughly during training and ongoing briefings,” Best adds.

As stated by Best on his company’s website, “IdeasWood offers its independent construction licensees/distributors something unique during our current and highly competitive commercial environment.”

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News 

The craft of home building has transformed drastically throughout recent times. With homes either being pre-designed and pre-made, to modular homes that are made on site (traditionally built) with technological improvements.

Brian Best, highly skilled Australian builder and owner of IdeasWood, discusses both pre-made home and modular home building, identifying both the pros and cons of each building speciality.

Both styles of home-building are great, and provide a great deal of advantages and disadvantages. “It is important, however, to mention that recently, homeowners have been awarded the privilege of imagining and re-imagining how their spaces should look,” says Best. With floor to ceiling windows, vaulted ceilings, and much more, the infusion of modern technology has definitely helped in the development of both pre-made and modular home building.

Pre-made homes arrive pre built, which means that these homes are built in a factory before they are assembled on a construction site. “They arrive in several varieties, both standard and bespoke, depending on the customer’s preferences,” says Best.

Pre-made homes have attained major popularity in countries like Canada, The United States and Australia, among other countries. An advantage of pre-made homes is that their building methods, along with their technological improvements, allow for designs to become innovative.

“Pre-made homes have been noted as cost-efficient, environmentally friendly and convenient for many homeowners when the process of construction is considered,” says Best. Additionally, the construction is faster, thus they can be more affordable and home-buyers can build these homes themselves, should they take on the construction.

“In terms of disadvantages, land costs can be a factor that home-buyers will need to consider. Utilities such as water, sewerage and electricity may need to be in place before the foundation is laid,” says Best.

Bottom line costs are possibly the biggest disadvantage one might encounter. The cost of pre-made homes will vary, depending on how much will be done by the home-owner, and how much will be outsourced to builders. Therefore, understanding how much one can complete, and how much one needs a professional trades person, can affect the final costings.

Modular homes, on the other hand, have an immovable foundation, as they are permanently attached. “Like pre-made homes, they are also able to be personalised,” says Best. Modular homes are delivered to the site, then are assembled to the specifications of the customer.

An advantage of modular homes includes flexible specifications, meaning they can be built the way you like it. Another advantage is that modular home construction is an eco-friendly process, that reduces all waste, material, transportation etc. The time taken to build a modular home is shorter, as they are factory made and assembled on site, allowing less chances for weather to interfere. The quality and control standards of modular homes allow for better construction.

As with pre-made homes, a disadvantage of a modular home is that there will be additional costs for electrical, water, plumbing etc. “The land that one’s modular home is being built on will also require a cost, if that has not been seen to,” says Best. “There are customisation limitations when modular homes are created in factories. However, IdeasWood can support homeowners to work with these limitations,” adds Best.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News 

IdeasWood continues to expand upon their range of offerings for both standard and custom kit home, office or entertaining area designs. IdeasWood owner, Brian Best, discusses IdeasWood’s kit home range, and how clients can be assisted to determine their needs and find their ideal design through IdeasWood’s checklist and Buyers Guide.

“IdeasWood’s online shop provides the most comprehensive and creative designs on the market, rivalling any competitor,” says Best. With hundreds of design options and specialised products to choose from, clients are sure to find exactly what they need and want. Clients can choose a standard design, make a few alterations or work with IdeasWood experts to custom design there kit home, office or entertaining area.

“The concept of kit home hunting is a different process for everybody,” says Best. “Every client possesses a unique set of needs that must be met, and that translates into their final selection,” Best adds. With a range of the finest grill cabins, log cabins, camping pods, sauna barrels and pods, pavilions, and villas, among other products, prospective clients have many designs to select from, and are more than welcome to provide customised specifications for their design if need be.

With the support of IdeasWood’s experts, designing your next home can be a journey to simple living. Experts can advise clients on many of the aspects of getting the kit home from an idea to reality. Once IdeasWood experts know the size of the land area, as well as the requirements of the client, they can advise on suitable designs and work with clients to ensure they are completely happy with their choice of design. IdeasWood’s experts can also advise clients on how to obtain development approvals through local councils. Each council can have different requirements for development or planning approvals and also different timeframes for approvals, so where possible, clients should check their local council website for development and planning information in the first instance.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News 

The process of building additional accommodation can be time-consuming and expensive, yet rewarding in the long run. Fortunately, with kit home specialities, the building element can be both timely and relatively inexpensive, with equal reward on property worth.

Brian Best, IdeasWood owner and kit shed specialist, talks about the benefits of additional onsite accommodation, and how it contributes to an instant increase in one’s property value.

“When one invests in additional accommodation, there are many factors to consider: generational and economic trends, as well as basic and modern requirements. These crucial elements influence and inform those enhancements based on one’s decision to add value to their existing property,” says Best.

“For example, when it comes to outdoor entertainment areas in particular, many, if spatially permitted, will design and install villas, pavilions or outdoor decks that can extend one’s living area, and promote great household leisure, which automatically contributes to additional property value,” adds Best. “Furthermore, including either a log cabin, granny flat or cottage for the older or younger generations to stay in, or simply to generate some extra income, translates to relative property value growth,” says Best.

“As the costs of purchasing a home continue to climb steadily, many families opt to renovate or include additional areas around their current home, saving them time and money,” says Best. The inclusion of additional feature areas that serve a purpose also adds to the aesthetics of one’s home.  IdeasWood ensures that every design proposal meets the requirements and standards set out by the client. For example, an IdeasWood exclusive 9.2 m gill cabin with a 2 metre extension, a central luxury BBQ and fitted and benches, double-glazed windows, extendable luxury chimney and double glazed hexagonal door windows, topped off with an overall internal area that can host 12-15 people,  will certainly increase one’s property value.

“Other ideas to increase the value of one’s property include ensuring flooring and walls are well-maintained, going ‘green’ where possible, allowing natural light to enter the home and using neutral colours,” says Best.

IdeasWood cabins and extensions can also provide families with extra leisure space while adding to the property value.  How about a man-cave, a rumpus room, play house or a theatre room? “If executed smartly, families can have a range of facilities at home, thus saving them travel time and additional expenses of leisure pursuits outside the home,” says Best.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News 

Airbnb, bnb, or short term accommodation options, provides a viable and beneficial way of receiving additional revenue, particularly during these tough economic times. They also provide the traveller with hotel-calibre services at an affordable price. Brian Best, builder and owner of IdeasWood, discusses short-term accommodation options such as pre-made multipurpose spaces or versatile camping pods.

“IdeasWood can provide versatile, convenient and comfortable accommodation options that provide the traveller with the necessities such as bedroom space, lounge area, bathroom and small kitchen area,” say Best. “Furthermore, this style of accommodation can be ‘lock up and go’ spaces to enable tourists the opportunity to explore and travel without worrying about the security of their possessions,” adds Best.

A great option to consider is IdeasWood’s unique Bed and Breakfast package offer. “This special consists of easy-to-maintain, self-contained camping pods, complete with large glass doors to enable visitors the opportunity to take advantage of any picturesque views of their holiday destination,” says Best. For an even better experience for the traveller, why not include one of IdeasWood’s saunas or hot tubs for those cool mornings? The ultimate benefit of providing travellers with an incredible accommodation experience and promoting tourist satisfaction, is the generation of extra income.

Specifically, IdeasWood’s 3×5.9metre camping pods consist of a french-style double glazed door and opening windows, along with a compact bathroom space. Their 2.4×1.9metre sauna pods include pinewood floorboards, double-glazed windows, portable foot rest benches and heat resistant plates for the stove or heater. “These are just some of the many options available to provide a great short-term accommodation experience,” says Best.

Ultimately, short-term accommodation providers strive to make travellers’ accommodation experiences as comfortable as possible, and much of that experience is based on the venue’s services. Thus, the inclusion of simplistic, yet sophisticated and innovative spaces that serve the needs of travellers speaks volumes. IdeasWood’s website contains a range of standard and customised camping pods, essentially meaning that clients can tailor their designs to create unique and versatile spaces for travellers. “The more creative the design, the better the chance of a great return on investment,” says Best.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News 

With the Covid-19 pandemic shifting the landscape of the working environment, many companies have adapted to the new regime of working remotely, even while the pandemic subsides from time to time. Prompted by this, many people have built or renovated to accommodate their work from home needs. For some, however, there have been notable challenges including privacy, noise, and spatial clashes with other family occupants.

IdeasWood owner Brian Best discusses how to make working from home an easy and time-saving experience through the excellent craftsmanship of a personalised home office or craft office that is both separate from the main home, and designed to stimulate one’s work productivity.

According to the Australian Financial Review, “Working from home is here to stay, and employers will need to consider cutting back on redundant office space. As countries continue to relax their rules and curfews, there are still many individuals apprehensive about returning to the office, and preferring to continue working from their homes,” says Best. “This is the particular market group that we can appeal to within Australia and New Zealand,” Best adds.

The expert team at IdeasWood welcomes and accommodates concepts and design layouts for potential home and/or craft offices provided by clients. As an option to consider, IdeasWood has released its latest range of log cabins that can serve the requirements of working from home.

Specifically, IdeasWood has launched its 44mm Linus 6×5 cabin, with double half glass doors that allow in natural light, along with a tough and durable gale roof and a one metre front overhang, providing adequate shade when one needs to step out for a break.

The 28mm Alva 3×4 cabin also has a front overhang which provides an extended amount of shaded space. Approximately 10.3 square metres internally provides a spacious environment for one to incorporate their working needs and resources.

The 44mm Linus 5×5 cabin has great features and is worthy of becoming one’s next craft or home office space. With double doors and a one metre roof overhang that’s sure to provide both convenience, comfort and simplicity, this office-to-be delivers on all requirements and expectations, providing space, privacy and a stimulating environment for productive workflow.

These log cabins, along with many more, are available on the IdeasWood website. Now is the time to put those home office plans into practice, and get those creative juices flowing to ensure that the best craft or home office one envisages, becomes a rewarding reality, preparing for any uncertainty in the working environment’s landscape.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News 

When the search begins for the most comfortable and cost-efficient accommodation for seniors to settle into their golden years, the options can be financially daunting. From retirement homes to nursing facilities, these, for many, prove to be too costly and out of reach.

Luckily, there is a range of inexpensive solutions that can provide comfort as well as safety and support. Brian Best, IdeasWood owner and shed kit expert for over three decades, suggests kit homes that are inexpensive, quality-driven and compact enough to be built next to the family’s home, reducing travel time and providing instant attendance to older family members.

“With the advancements in kit home development, both structurally and technologically, a whole new frontier to safe, secure, and supportive accommodation has opened. The range of kit home designs with eye-catching features from log cabins to granny flats and pods, can be modified to meet the client’s living requirements,” says Best. “For example, wider doorways, double french doors, extra handrails, slip resistant floors and rounded counter tops can be installed,” adds Best.

Single level, one or two bedroom log cabins are predominantly built of timber and are a low-carbon and environmentally friendly option to consider. They are easy and quick to build and are both cost and resource efficient. Log cabins can be built on 300mm concrete slabs if there is a concern about termite infestation.  Additionally IdeasWood engages pest control services prior to, and after construction.

Pod homes are compact, yet functional. Standing as a blank canvas, clients can incorporate a multitude of design features. “Bespoke additions can include a wide range of options such as furniture and finishes, large arch-shaped windows, and well insulated walling. Pod homes are great for older individuals looking for an ideal lock up and go kit design,” says Best.

Granny flats, like pod homes, are very versatile and when combined with a pod home design, they can provide clients with a wide range of features. These mini-homes can be extended to a size of 180sqm and accommodate up to three bedrooms, providing that extra space, should the grand kids want to stay over.

As discussed, all kit home options can be modified to ensure the final design meets the client’s living requirements and budget. “The three kit home options suggested above, provide great accommodation as well as safety, support, and solace for those seeking a peaceful home environment, while still being close to loved ones,” says Best.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News 

With the scarcity of Australia’s rental accommodation, the cost of renting a house, as of April 2022, has soared to 21.2% in capital cities, according to The Guardian. Thus, the national rental crisis continues to burn holes in the pockets of consumers.

On the plus side, a worthy alternative is a granny flat. Granny flats are ideal for both older, and younger individuals. With a range of both family and financially specific benefits, a cosy, spacious and convenient granny flat has great advantages.Young adults who want to move out of their parents’ home can utilise granny flats as a cost-effective alternative to the ever-increasing rental accommodation rates.

Brian Best, owner of IdeasWood and kit shed expert, discusses the benefits of granny flats. “Major benefits include convenience and security.  Older or young family members can still reside within the family property where they can be monitored and cared for, if necessary, yet still retain their independence,” says Best.

Granny flats can provide a quality and conveniently constructed kitchen area, along with one or two versatile bedrooms and a well ventilated bathroom area. Other features include sound-proof and thermally efficient walls for those cold days, as well large windows to bring in the much-needed breeze on hot days.

Tight, grain timber is usually the best construction material, particularly for the walls. It’s entirely natural, sustainably sourced, solid, easy to paint and available in abundance in Australia. “If individuals reside within a fire prone environment, they can apply fire paint as a precautionary measure,” says Best. “If need be, the IdeasWood team can Colorbond clad the exterior of the granny flat. They can also provide a corrosion resistant steel-based roofing with either a matte or metallic finish to enhance the look, as well as meet all roofing requirements,” adds Best.

IdeasWood specialists provide a wide and varied range of granny flat design options that can be customised by clients to meet the needs of occupants. For example,  multi-purpose rooms that can be utilised as a bedroom, study or home gym. IdeasWood specialists are particularly helpful when designing for the older inhabitants and can provide extra handrails as necessary, step-less entries and exits and wider doors and hallways designed for wheel chair accessibility.

Granny flats, in comparison to many modular homes, provide economical and adjustable features for any occupants on a budget. Building approvals are often quicker to obtain, thus saving time, and the delivery of the granny flat usually takes place within weeks, depending on the custom design.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News

Eco-friendly buildings in general have attained widespread recognition over the past few years. With a range of benefits, eco-friendly constructions have become a primary choice in the global aim to reduce carbon footprints. Kit homes have jumped aboard the eco-friendly express and, in doing so, can provide a selection of environmentally-conscious materials, designed to cater for clients’ living needs, while putting the planet first.

IdeasWood owner and veteran kit shed specialist, Brian Best, discusses the importance of utilising eco-friendly materials for kit home development.

Recycled and renewable building materials can reduce the environmental footprint. “Eco-friendly kit homes emit fewer carbon emissions, reducing the stress on landfill and utilising less of the global natural resources,” says Best.

Conventional building materials are inclined to attain moisture buildup, leading to mould and toxic mildew. This can result in serious health-related issues from respiratory problems to cardiac arrests. “When selecting eco-materials, one can ensure that their kit home is free of potential environmental pollutants and harmful chemicals,” says Best.

Building an eco-friendly kit home can save people time, energy and money. “With a huge reduction in on-site construction hours and a faster completion process, coupled with the use of energy-efficient alternatives like photovoltaic cells and solar panels, can ensure savings for kit homeowners,” says Best.

Sustainable eco-friendly materials such as aluminium and fibre glass batts are also ideal energy efficient options for kit home building,” says Best. They stand with various eco-friendly items such as ceramics, timber, glass and steel, all of which promote high energy efficiency in a kit home.

In terms of ventilation, kit homes are often designed with wide hallways, and high ceilings. Sliding stacker doors and windows located on all sides of the house serve to promote natural airflow and circulation. “The use of eco-friendly window furnishings is also beneficial to promote natural air circulation,” says Best.

“Smart” homes have also become a notable force in the kit home industry, ensuring eco-friendly living and efficiency. “Sophisticated thermostats are installed to stabilise water temperatures and, with smart water-saving gardening capabilities and smart shower heads, help reduce water bill costs and water consumption,” says Best.

“Kit homes provide the exceptional choice and opportunity for eco-friendly living, primarily because kit home development has advantages over traditional and mainstream building techniques,” says Best. With mass-produced pre-cut materials that fit well, kit homes can be built faster, refraining from unexpected weather delays and therefore saving money.

Innovative, bespoke designs for cabins, villas, children houses and many more kit home options, combined with simplistic living conditions are easily attained when the selection is an economical and environmentally conscious kit home. At IdeasWood, customers are invited to design their eco-friendly kit home with the help of experienced and friendly staff.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News

The kit home experience is one that accommodates various lifestyles, with convenience, simplicity and quality. As opposed to modular homes, kit homes are the ultimate time saver, transferring one’s dream design into a stress-free reality in an amazingly reduced time frame. What is strikingly surprising is that kit homes were once plain old sheds with minimal style. So it’s important to best understand the interesting history of facts about kit homes, and how far they have come.

Brian Best, owner of IdeasWood and a 30-year shed kit specialist delves into the kit home facts that one should know and should familiarise themselves with to best understand the history and development of this extraordinary building type.

The first kit home was manufactured in London in the early 1800s, and was erected in Australia. With all the prefabricated material being shipped and reassembled, the very first cottage was created, attaining popularity and in essence, providing the foundations of the Kit Home industry in Australia. “With nearly two centuries of kit home presence, the designs of pre-cut houses or catalogue homes evolved and began to arouse the interest of the rest of the world,” says Best.

After the first World War, kit homes became popular in America as a means for the middle class to purchase and construct homes in affordable stages as mortgages were not readily available. Kit home orders officially commenced in the 1920s via mail in where one could order the entire kit home from a catalogue, and then have all the pieces delivered for assembly, thus, the name “Mail-order Homes” was coined.

Kit homes were originally comprised of non unique designs that reflected the architectural styles of its particular time. “The only additional touches that kit homeowners provided were extra windows, fireplaces and general colour scheme adjustments,” says Best. Kit Homes have now evolved into various custom-made designs and styles such as granny flats, log cabins, sauna pods, pavilions and an endless list of even unique kit home designs to cater for the human living experience conveniently and resourcefully.

As technology progressed in both building methods and materials, it led to a massive resurgence in kit home popularity. With an abundance of tailored designs, particularly in Australia, kit home manufacturers like IdeasWood specialise in taking a client’s design and giving them exactly what they desire in a kit home.

Kit homes have been expertly designed to be cyclone, termite and fire resistant, while still being environmentally friendly, and suitable for all climates. “Kit home materials have been designed with versatility to combat even the harshest, most turbulent and unfavourable conditions of their surroundings,” says Best.

The Kit Home industry has evolved into a multi-million dollar industry. For homeowners, it is budget friendly and enables the client to have creative freedom over designs, and reduced labour costs due to the availability of prepared materials that can positively affect construction timeframes. Overall, the emphasis is on simplicity.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Syndicated by YDMA News

Taking up kit home building is an exciting, yet eventful and challenging process, particularly if both the planning and construction are done by the potential kit homeowner. Like any D.I.Y. construction process, expert advice is always welcomed to best equip and help one on their construction ventures, in this instance, kit homes.

Brian Best, owner of IdeasWood and shed kit specialist for over three decades provides kit homeowners with key kit home D.I.Y. tips to best simplify and facilitate seamlessness in the creation of one’s kit home vision.

The first and foundational tip is to select a kit home design appropriate to the setting and size of the land on which the home is to be built. “Land, with an extensive and spacious outlook, would require a decent-sized villa, backyard cabin, garden office or camping pod depending on one’s kit home choice, allowing the potential kit homeowner to capitalise on their property’s space,” says Best. Thus, it is important that the envisaged kit home design best suits the building space.

The next tip is to understand and assess exactly what your skills are, and what tasks you prefer undertaking. “Many kit homeowners generally enjoy acquiring new skills, while a few people would assign specialised tradespeople to work on other specific and more complex tasks,” says Best. Should the task provide more than one can undertake, hiring skilled tradespeople to tackle tasks like roofing, Plumbing and Electrical etc. should be considered.

The following tip is an important one regarding the building materials. Ensure that a secure area is designated for all the kit home materials to be placed in. Ideally a sheltered venue, like a garage or outhouse would accommodate such materials. If one does not have either, covering all materials thoroughly will act as a decent substitute. “The reason for securing all materials is important in gathering and maintaining the current quality of each piece so that when the time arrives to construct the kit home, all materials are located in a nearby vicinity, both safely and untouched,” says Best.

An important storage tip is to arrange all materials in a logical order to avoid items being lost or misplaced. “The delivery team members at IdeasWood are masters in storing client’s material systematically, thus it is important to contact the team for any assistance or queries on material organisation if need be,” says Best.

The next tip is to create a realistic time frame of the kit home construction period. “Drafting a comprehensive time frame, particularly for a D.I.Y. project is important. The potential kit homeowner should consider various external factors including inconsistent weather patterns, time needed to construct each aspect of the kit home and also the required completion date, depending on the urgency of the final product,” says Best.

The second last tip pertains to roof reach and construction. Depending on how high your roof is, ensure that portable scaffold or extension ladders are within your reach, as step-ladders generally hinder one’s performance in reaching the rooftop immediately. “Purchasing extension ladders will benefit one in the long run, well after construction, specifically with wall and roof maintenance tasks,” says Best.

The final tip is to read the design plan and manual thoroughly before construction. “Reading through the design plan gives one a holistic scope on the entire kit home and where to commence,” says Best.

Should kit homeowners struggle during the construction process, they should not hesitate to contact the IdeasWood team for any queries and assistance. The team will gladly ensure that kit homeowners’ concerns and difficulties are resolved.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News

Kit homes have catapulted into the interests and preferences of the modern-day homeowner. Lower costs, flexible construction times, and the personalised creative flair one can infuse into their design and pursuit for a simple, yet stylised home, are among the major reasons for the increase in kit home ownership. However, as with all building projects, it is important that planning and commissioning laws are adhered to.

Brian Best, owner of IdeasWood and veteran shed kit specialist for over 30 years, explains and informs on the legalities and planning rules when building a kit home.

“In the initial stages of building one’s kit home, the first step in the process is to make contact with the local council,” says Best. “The benefit of this enables potential kit homeowners to understand and digest all planning rules that influence and affect the project,” adds Best.

“Every council has its own set of regulations and requirements, thus careful understanding of these can help kit homeowners to decide what is best for their chosen block of land,” says Best. He goes on to say that, “while all vital information regarding building regulations is available on council websites, it is often directed to registered builders. Therefore, it is recommended that prospective kit homeowners visit their local council to understand the building regulations and legalities which they can then pass onto their kit home specialist.”

The council’s planner can advise prospective kit homeowners thoroughly on important matters such as bushfire, flood, wind, and snow regulations, house setback regulations, environmental regulations, or any other regulations pertinent to the area in which the kit home is to be built. “For example,” says Best, “if the potential cabin or granny flat is to be built on bushfire prone land, the home’s fire resistance will need to comply with Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) in the area. This could affect the budget in the form of construction costs.”

Not adhering to council building regulations in the first instance can lead to delays in planning permissions being granted, budget blowouts and even last minute design alterations. “For example,” says Best, “situating a large kit home on a small block can often lead to site coverage issues, essentially meaning that land zoning regulations may come into play, and may lead to kit home design alterations.”

At IdeasWood, kit home specialists work with their clients to seamlessly navigate them through the design process and work with them to comply with the building regulations and legalities pertinent to the council in which they choose to build. Clients may provide a drafted outline, or even propose their idea of the kit home design to specialists directly. Kit home specialists will then utilise their arsenal of expertise to accurately allocate the acquired materials and timeframe as conveniently as needed.

It’s also important to note that IdeasWood can also assist with finance for homeowners to build their dream kit home. “At IdeasWood, finance for kit homes is offered and loans are negotiated conveniently and effortlessly,” says Best. “Our administrative process toward kit home financing is simple and time-saving” adds Best. These attributes stand as the benchmark for kit home financing and facilitate smooth transitioning into the kit home establishment process.

IdeasWood specialises in the construction, financing and licensing of kit home materials and options. Browse through their wide range of standard and bespoke affordable kit home designs and services. IdeasWood specialists are keen to work with you and incorporate any kit home ideas you have in order to design the perfect kit home for you. IdeasWood- Simple living made easy!

Written and syndicated by YDMA News.