How the quality of your home determines cost, comfort and community

It’s warm, light and welcoming, with style you can see from the street and find in every cornice. There’s solidity and comfort underfoot, spaciousness throughout, and you’ll never tire of your chosen colour scheme. And when the electricity bill arrives, it’s a fraction of the cost than usual. This is a quality home.

 
 
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A quality home isn’t just beautiful to look at, it feels better and costs less to live in too. These are simple byproducts of smart design, great materials and custom features that spare the environment and your wallet. Even the Australian Government agrees.

Keep reading to discover what quality looks like in practice, and why the minimum 6-star, custom and adaptable homes of Devonport Showground will go above and beyond.

What is a quality home?

There’s nothing extravagant about a quality home. Its comfort and cost-effectiveness comes from intelligent planning and attention to detail - standards that the Australian Government encourages every new build or renovation to abide by.
Adages like “Measure twice and cut once” and “If a job’s worth doing it’s worth doing well” articulate this approach, where a little extra thoughtfulness precedes a lifetime of enjoyment (and savings).
We spoke to an architect about what ‘quality’ means from a design perspective. Tasmanian architecture advocate Sam McQueeney says it’s a combination of factors that increase performance and liveability.

“Quality homes are positioned and oriented to capitalise on what’s free from nature; things like sunshine, rainwater and fresh air. They are built from materials sourced locally and considerately, with a higher thermal performance. They go above and beyond with insulation, and are simply more efficient thanks to passive design.”

That efficiency translates into dollars saved. 40% of the average household’s energy costs come from heating and cooling (and much more in some climates), but when passive design is prioritised - as it should always be in Tasmania - this expense can be significantly reduced or even eliminated.

By bringing lateral thinking into the planning process, says McQueeney, the inhabitants of a home gain more than just a reduction in their energy bills. They get more value from every square metre.

“Great design creates spaces that are multifunctional and adaptable, whether you like to sit by the window and admire the view, play computer games or host raucous dinner parties. In this way, ‘quality’ is about having it all without needing to spend it all on a bigger house.”

Builders and construction workers add another dimension to the definition of ‘quality’, distinguishing between generic, ‘cookie cutter’ estate houses and the high quality custom homes that will feature at Devonport Showground.

The former go up fast and all look the same, their homogeneity allowing materials to be sourced in bulk, cut to the same size, and a rapid process of construction to ensue, resulting in rows of identical houses that lack the character and flair that is fundamentally pleasing to the human eye.

They’re not all that pleasing to build either. When tradies have the chance to work on the latter, they report feeling far more engaged by the process.

These custom projects bring diversity to their days and new skills to their repertoires, looking great in portfolios and carrying a sense of pride. Ultimately, quality homes attract and inspire quality builders, sending job satisfaction through the roof.

Have your say on how we build a $75 million investment in homes, jobs, and opportunity for Devonport

Can you measure quality?

Yes. A marker of quality is the minimum 6 Star Energy Rating as part of the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), a system of rating Australian homes according to their energy efficiency. Thermal modelling is used to assess buildings and determine how much energy will be needed to heat or cool them to a comfortable temperature all year round. A star rating is given based on their performance.

Things like location, orientation, materials used, window glazing, insulation, ventilation, floor coverings and lighting are taken into account, with the goal being to build higher-star homes that are kinder to the environment while keeping the people inside them cosy.

Contrary to what you might assume, these quality features don’t cost more - quite the opposite. They save vast amounts of money on energy and maintenance over time (which is probably why 42% of buyers actively seek out ‘greener’ homes and 78% of people think that developers should include environmentally-friendly features). Sustainability goes hand in hand with sustained savings, and buyers know it.

“Often good design can reduce the amount of energy needed to keep a home comfortable with no or little additional construction cost.”

Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme

Every home in our new community will be 6 Star Energy Rated. To put this accreditation in real terms, houses of the 1990s were typically 0 Stars. When you consider the draughty, poorly insulated and energy-hungry houses you may have lived in or visited in the past, it’s nice to know that the future is not only greener, but also six times more comfortable.

Why is customisation important?

While the quality of a home can be measured in star ratings and great materials, there’s an aspect that’s hugely personal, too. The finishing touches are what make a house a home, and will have you thinking ‘I love this place’ every time you walk through the front door.
Some people want floorboards, others crave the soft tread of carpet. For taller people who’ve spent a lifetime hunching over too-low benchtops, raising them up can be a revelation. For some, the gentle click of a soft-close drawer is better than Beethoven. From the colour of the walls to the style of the taps, a custom home will bring your definition of quality to life.

If you’re investing in a home at Devonport Showground – and here’s some sound financial reasons why – you can look forward to putting your stamp on it.

Do quality homes make better communities?

One quality home is great for the people who live there. A neighbourhood of quality homes generates more benefits than you can count.

Streets of high quality homes look beautiful and give residents and passersby that feeling of being in a place that is cared for. Aesthetics matter, and can elevate everything from mood to suburb desirability to regional demand.

Cities around Australia and the world are recognising the connection between liveable homes and all kinds of things like better relationships, improved health, a shared sense of pride and a reluctance to move elsewhere, resulting in long-held ties between individuals and a deeply bonded community.

Of course, it’s easy to forget that quality homes - with their emphasis on comfort and style - are also great for the environment. By joining in the demand for these intelligently designed, higher-star homes simply because they improve finances and lifestyle, we all contribute to a better tomorrow (without having to compromise on a thing).

Would you like to share your thoughts on homes for Devonport and shape the future of Devonport Showground? Join our comprehensive consultation program that ensures you can have your say on how we build 200 homes, jobs and opportunity for Devonport. We invite you to register today.

Have your say on how we build a $75 million investment in homes, jobs, and opportunity for Devonport

 
HomesLisa White