Jackson Digney
What Does a Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) System Actually Do?
Most people haven’t heard much about heat recovery ventilation (HRV), and if they have, it’s usually framed as something complex or over-the-top. But the reality is, in any airtight, high-performing home, an HRV system is what keeps the air fresh, clean, and balanced, without wasting the energy you’ve put into heating or cooling the space. […]
Would You Pay $300 to Fix the Most Common Air Leak in Australian Homes?
There’s one part of most homes that almost no one thinks about, and yet it’s the most common air leak in Australian homes: the manhole or roof access hatch. It’s often just a loose panel sitting above your hallway. And if it’s not sealed properly, it acts like a small open window, constantly leaking […]
What Is Slab Insulation, and When Should You Consider It?
What is slab insulation, and does every home need it? Slab insulation doesn’t come up much in most builds, and it’s not something we push for every home. But in the right situations, it can make a noticeable difference to comfort and performance. If you’re doing underfloor heating, for example, slab edge insulation is […]
I Believe a Fixed Price Contract Should Actually Mean Fixed Price
In most industries, when someone gives you a fixed price, you expect that to mean what it says. Fixed. And when you sign a fixed price building contract, you should expect exactly the same thing. But for some reason, building seems to operate differently. A fixed price contract often ends up meaning “fixed until […]
I Believe Airtightness Is the Most Underrated Principle in Homebuilding
When we talk to people about building performance, airtightness usually isn’t the first thing they bring up. But in my view, it should be. Because airtightness is one of the biggest factors in how comfortable, quiet, and efficient a home is — and most people don’t realise that. Without […]
I Believe Most “Energy-Efficient” Homes in Adelaide Are Marketing Spin
It’s not a fun thing to say, but here it is: most houses being marketed as “energy-efficient” homes in Adelaide aren’t that efficient. Not really. This is part of the broader energy-efficient homes marketing spin that often misleads potential buyers. They might tick a couple of boxes — throw in some double glazing or a […]
What Does It Really Mean to “Work with Councils”?
You’ll sometimes hear a builder say they’ve “work with councils” before — as if that automatically means they’ll get your approval through faster. But here’s the truth: it’s not about the postcode. It’s about how you approach the process. Approvals depend on how complete, compliant, and thought-out your application is — and how well it’s […]
How Do You Know if a “Passivhaus” Is Actually Registered?
There’s been a big rise in talk around Passivhaus homes lately – which is great, in theory. But did you know that there’s actually passivhaus registration? The problem? The term gets thrown around a bit too loosely. And a lot of people don’t realise that not every house called a Passivhaus has actually gone […]
When Do You Want the “Oh My God It Costs WHAT?!” Moment?
There’s a point in every building journey where the real cost becomes obvious. The question is – would you rather have that “it costs what?” moment early, when you can still adjust and plan properly, or halfway through the build when things are locked in? Most people are conditioned to expect the “it costs what?!” […]