Hia feature

HIA AWARDS

THE HOUSES THAT WIN HEARTS What do the judges look for in the Housing Industry Association’s annual awards? My Weekly Preview finds out.

T

he Housing Industry Association’s prestigious housing award’s program on the Sunshine Coast is on again, and this year promises to be the best ever.

The awards celebrate the achievements of the local residential construction industry, which continues to deliver new levels of quality, excellence and innovation in the design and construction of homes, renovations and kitchen and bathroom projects.

One of the strengths of the local awards is that it enables industry participants, including builders, developers, designers and contractors, to compete against their peers across a range of building categories from custom built homes to renovations, and everything in between.

But what makes an award winner? And what benefits does it provide to the builder?

My Weekly Preview has asked the experts to provide our readers with the inside story on the Coast’s most respected building awards.

Grant McDonald Homes, Custom Built Home

“The awards celebrate the achievements of the local residential construction industry, which continues to deliver new levels of quality” Craig Cleary, Custom Built home $300,001 – $500,000

BRD Group, Apartment Complex

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HIA AWARDS

FRANK BARRETT, HIA AWARDS JUDGE Are there any mistakes people should avoid when entering their projects into the awards?

When entering a project for judging, make sure you can provide proof of value so the project is valued in the correct category. If the build was a contract (most are) make sure the owners are part of the process. We judge the end product, the degree of difficulty in the construction process is not considered, except in extreme circumstances.

Are there any buildings that stand out in your years of judging?

We have seen some amazing houses over the years. I am looking forward to seeing a project that is so well designed and built at a median price which is capable of winning the overall prize as House of the Year for the Sunny Coast. What I mean by that is say a $480,000 build is as a good as a $2,500,000 house that wins its category but is not necessarily House of the Year. An item that stands out to all the judges is the emerging talent among the 26 to 36 year-old builders on the Coast.

Not everyone will buy an award-winning home – but are there attributes from

these award-winning homes that everyone can think about when they build their own home?

Buyers of new homes or those seeking to renovate can be confident that the winner of the category does good work. The strong competition on the Coast ensures that the high standard is carried down the line. Most of our good builders have heavy work bookings, some will happily refer clients.

The best way to find a good builder is to ask for recommendations from HIA or a friend who had a project completed and is happy with the outcome.

Simple and Savvy, Property Styling

SX Constructions, Renovation Project

Ultraspace, Interior Design

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L U X U R Y H O M E S P R I C E D F R O M $457,900

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HIA AWARDS

DEBBIE JOHNSON, HIA AWARDS JUDGE How long have you been a judge on these awards?

I started judging at a local level in 2008 and at a national level around 2010.

What changes have you noticed over the years in the entries?

Every year from a design perspective, we see new trends driven by market influence however, increasingly projects have embraced passive design principles, water and energy efficiency.

Clients and practitioners are very well educated in the benefits that this brings from a liveability perspective through to cost savings for the home occupier.

As a judge, what are you looking for when considering the difference between a good entry and a winning entry?

Judges comment on the skill and passion that our builders exhibit through their work.

The judges are afforded an intimate appreciation of each project by the builder, which is indeed a privilege.

While everybody has their own unique preferences when it comes to building and design, the judging of our entries is carried out in quite a clinical fashion to achieve the fairest and most transparent selection of a

winning project.

Typically each entry is scored individually by three judges against specific weighted criteria that is relevant to the category of entry i.e. Custom Built Home, Spec Home, etc.

The key aspect of the project that affords the entry the most marks is the workmanship, construction detailing, degree of difficulty and choice of materials.

Bearing in mind these are builders’ awards, the design of the building can contribute to the appeal of a project, however the builder is not always in control or even involved in the design.

Rather, the builder is charged with delivering on the design.

However, where the builder has clearly contributed to this aspect, it allows bonus points.

Other areas that contribute to a final score are the ‘green’ credentials, value for money/cost effectiveness, market demand and innovation.

Are there any mistakes people should avoid when entering their projects into the awards?

The awards program is a celebration of everything that is good in our industry and

Sunland Group, Townhouse, Villa of the Year

Quality with a difference

“SX Constructions were our first choice. The results speak for themselves with the level of detail and exceptional finish.”

Lizie Clifton, Owner, Little Cove

Building on the Sunshine Coast for over 20 years Custom Built Homes • Complete Remodelling • Interior Design

Multi Award Winning Builder. Small Team, BIG Results No middle management Deal direct with the builder Visit our online gallery of works sxconstructions.com.au or call Steve on 0437 733 102 42 My Weekly Preview | September 30, 2016

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Specialising in: New Homes Renovations Knock down and rebuilds The Sherwood 224 comprises 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, double garage and a separate multi purpose room perfect for a teenager/parents retreat. This home is built to suit the requirements of today’s modern family.

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HIA AWARDS

an opportunity to get together with our peers in appreciation of the work carried out.

Winning an award is a bonus – the icing on the cake – but being a part of the awards speaks volumes to your team, the client, subcontractors and suppliers who have contributed to the project.

For the builder it’s a shout out saying, I think we’ve done a great job here, I want to put it up for an award.

Are there any buildings that stand out in your years of judging?

Yes several, but for different reasons. A few years back there was a stunning home built in Tasmania. The build cost was $700,000 and it deservedly took out the National Home of the Year.

So perhaps contrary to opinion, it’s definitely not a matter of throwing money at a project to make it a winner. It’s true of course that where money is no object, it is often an opportunity to carry out something that is truly unique.

Not all builders get this sort of opportunity in their career, but it doesn’t make them any less professional or successful.

Not everyone will buy an award-winning home – but are there attributes from

these award-winning homes that everyone can think about when they build their own home?

Quality and position are the key. Building a home should be an exciting and rewarding experience and as it is often the largest investment we’ll make, look at the care and detail in the work that your builder displays.

Ensure the home is built using appropriate materials for the environment in which it will stand, and take into account the cost effectiveness of maintaining and living in your home.

Ausmar, Custom Built Home

“Quality and position are the key. Building a home should be an exciting and rewarding experience…”

As judges we only meet happy clients who are thrilled with their builder and the commitment that is made to their project, it is very rewarding to see the builder’s get this recognition from their clients.

Nick Hayes, Custom Built Home

WINNER OF

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HIA HOUSING AWARDS

2016 FINALIST IN 4 CATEGORIES Custom Built Home $300,001 - $500,000 Small Lot Housing Renovations/Additions up to $300,000 Renovations/Additions $300,001-$600,000

Quality | Commitment | Integrity Specialising in Renovations and Custom Built New Homes For further information: www.craigclearyconstructions.com

P: 5452 7753 E: info@craigclearyconstructions.com

www.brdg.com.au QBCC: 1160937

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HIA AWARDS

HAMISH PRESSLAND, GENERAL MANAGER DEVELOPMENT – PELICAN WATERS HIA SUNSHINE COAST HOUSING AWARDS – CATEGORIES

What sort of benefits have you seen for winners and finalists in the HIA awards?

HIA awards give local builders recognition in an ever increasing world of builder competition. With the ramp up in residential housing activity across the Coast, it doesn’t hurt to stand out amongst the crowd. If the nominated and winning builders are in our Pelican Waters display village or build in our estate, it provides additional promotional benefits for us as developers also.

Do you think some people underestimate the variety of awards – and the opportunities offered by each category?

There are a wide range of categories and that’s important as there are many aspects of work that go to creating the perfect built form outcome. If a builder has won an HIA award(s) it obviously provides potential customers with a good reference point in their decision making and would provide further comfort that they have chosen the

Orenshaw Designer Homes, Custom Built Home

right builder. The promotional advantages of being an award-winner cannot be underestimated.

What advice would you give to clients thinking about entering the awards?

To go for it. We developed six waterfront villas known as Qualia, in Pelican Waters and contracted Ryan Designer Homes for the build. They suggested entering the awards and it ended up winning the HIA National Award for the Townhouse/Villa category. This award demonstrated not only Ryan’s quality workmanship and attention to detail, but also that Pelican Waters is all about quality outcomes and this is the type of product that sets us apart from other developments. It sets the high standard for this product in Pelican Waters.

Emac Homes, Small Lot Housing

Mosaic Construction – Custom Built Home over $2 million

Custom Built Home Spec Home Display Home Project Home Renovation/Addition Project Apartment of the Year Apartment Complex Townhouse/Villa of the Year Townhouse/Villa Development Specialised Housing Outdoor Project GreenSmart Energy Efficiency Apprentice Kitchen and Bathroom Kitchen of the Year Bathroom of the Year Bathroom design New or Renovated Laundry Outdoor Kitchen Small Lot Housing Outstanding Showroom Affordable Housing Innovative Housing Residential Building Designer Best use of Face Brick Interior Design Interior Decoration/Styling

Bright Life – Custom $500,001 to $750,000

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Housing Awards

The Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay HIA Housing Award winners will be announced Friday 7th October. These winners will be exhibited in My Weekly Preview on Friday 21st October.

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