[leslie]

dont want to ruin everyones fun, but as someone who lived by a major body of water (fresh at that) and loves the sea, those sea views mean more than higher prices.

life by water is cold and windy the majority of the year. house require much higher maintenance as well. shame - it seems so idyllic.

[RoadRunner]

house require much higher maintenance as well
Really? Mostly exterior maintenance like paint? Anything else?

(If you don't mind me asking:) Since you've had that experience, do you plan to look for a house in Auckland that has an ocean view?
RR

[Timbo]

Nz are far ahead of the uk when it comes to coating technology. They have paints specially formulated to cope with both the extreme UV factor and the sea air.
I am not suggesting for a minute that a sea front property will not need maitenance, just that if you get things done right from the offset, then will reduce ongoing costs.
Not only are NZ products generally better at coping with prevailing conditions, they also tend to be more environmentally friendly. IE water based as against solvent based for instance.

[leslie]

nz might be ahead but we still wont be ocean-side!

hub is gasping to find out about nz tech advances - he's sure they have many - so he'll be happy.

[Carol]

[quote="Timbo"]Nz are far ahead of the uk when it comes to coating technology. /quote]



Do you reckon that's why paint is at least 4 times the price here then?
:eek :eek :eek :eek :eek

[leslie]

sorry roadrunner

loads can go wrong.

hub did a fab beachhouse in sussex that was pretty much glass and timber. foundations like a moated castle, every last treated baord and roof tile was screwed on to within an inch of its life, special pool cover, solarised toughened glass, coated metals etc. think panic room by the sea.

the windows came from germany. v high tech product perfect for the job. yet the local contractor, the one chosen by the client to build the project as he was cheapest, installed several incorrectly and they only found out when the wind blew water straight into the house. contractor having already doubled the build time and driven the archies mad, the client now had a wrecked the floor, curtains, windows required replacing etc. imagine if you'd shut up for 6 months and gone away?

ironically the client is a big developer who 'specialises' in 'unique' high-end property.

[Diny]

Had the windows been installed correctly would they have stood up to the coastal weather conditions?

Diny

[leslie]

absolutely. windows dont just keep wet out, they also help with climate control. prop installed good windows should last a v v long time and can mean the diff between needing/ not air conditioning.

we have 2 flanks of solarised glass sealed rooflights with some gas inside (me being technical) in our house - each measuring 18 ft by 5 ft. if you sit under them you enjoy the sun/ stars. when the sun comes from a lower angle and strikes the original upvc windows they abutt you FRY. if we were staying the upvc would be history. while the new units are also insulating, the upvc are drafty as can be. and they look hideous.

[Timbo]

Carol. If the paint is 4 times the price compared to uk, do you think I will be able to charge 4 times uk rates to apply it. :hopeso :laugh

[Carol]

Carol. If the paint is 4 times the price compared to uk, do you think I will be able to charge 4 times uk rates to apply it. :hopeso :laugh


Well.........yes if the going rate is anything to go by.
My neighbour in my old house paid $10,000 to have the outside of her house repainted!!! (including paint of course!)
:eek :eek :eek :eek



You could make a fortune!
:nice1

[Timbo]

10k is a lot of money, but obviously it has to be seen it relation to how long the job took + materials.
I carry out a fair number of re-decs to externals in my area that come to around that figure and then some. Given that a house is the biggest investment most of us ever make, it makes sense to look after it properly, and doing things properly costs that little extra wherever you are.
Are NZ trades men pretty fair and honest on the whole? Do you still hear horror storys about the "builder from hell" ?

[leslie]

agree with mr t.

doesn't sound unduly if timber clad structure and includes paint. its a harsh job. we paid £10,000 to have front done in w9 and it was peeling away a month later. lets not go into the various stresses caused by the talent themselves (management agent set it up). good workmen cost more up-front but it pays in the end.

[Timbo]

:roll: :uhoh OUCH!! Peeling after a month Leslie. I would definately have got the contractor back to put things right.
If personal recommendations are not available for tradesmen, it is very much worth contacting the likes of Dulux Select. I believe a similar org. exists in NZ.
Membership of DS means that the contractor HAS BEEN VETTED, and so long as work is carried out in accordance with Dulux directives, they in fact guarentee the job.

[leslie]

unfortunately we couldn't control situ as it was management agent and they fudged it a bit - became serious fraud case in end. being diplomatic for the sake of gentle readers ears. to get our own back we sold the place to a canny lawyer! and we will never ever ever buy leasehold again!!!

[leslie]

incidently, we just went through the pain of painting the internal side of upvc windows (black - they work like a picture frame - at night they disappear). they look amazing - was a bit worried - could have been a huge mistake. have you ever done external frames?

[jonSE]

Not sure about paint being 4x the UK price. Even here on Waiheke the paint prices seemed to be on a par with the UK. And that is judging by the price as a % of weekly pay not by exchange rates.

Jon

DIY store was the first shop I went in to.

[leslie]

you must think i am a total hypocrite if you read my raglan posts! it just occurred to me that i have clearly stated we intend to buy/ build a beach house when we find it/ can afford it!!!

time to qualify - there is a huge difference living by the sea and being there by choice for a limited period - largely in good weather. there is something horrendous in staggering out of the house on a wet, windy winters day to battle your way to work. and pay a premium for it. the sea is nice when you have options and a low maintenance building! like anyone else am delighted with the idea of visiting the sea on a beautiful day...