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Understanding Healthy Homes Standards in New Zealand

Since their introduction in 2019, New Zealand’s Healthy Homes Standards have set the benchmark for creating safe, warm, and dry rental properties. These regulations are designed not just to improve living conditions for tenants but also to protect landlords’ investments in the long term. With the final compliance deadline approaching on 1 July 2025, it’s essential for landlords to ensure their properties meet these requirements.What Are the Healthy Homes Standards?The Healthy Homes Standar...

Navigating New Zealand's New Code of Compliance Rules – Why DIY Work Still Needs Expert Approval

New Zealand's building regulations have always prioritised safety and quality in construction. With recent updates to the Code of Compliance (CoC), it's crucial for DIY enthusiasts and homeowners to understand the implications of these changes, particularly the necessity of having DIY work reviewed and signed off by a qualified expert.Understanding the New Code of Compliance Rules: The updated CoC rules in New Zealand are designed to ensure that all building work, whether done by a professi...

Understanding Asbestos in New Zealand: A Comprehensive Guide

Asbestos, once hailed for its durability and fire-resistant properties, has become a significant health concern worldwide. In New Zealand, the legacy of asbestos remains evident in many older buildings, prompting ongoing efforts to manage and mitigate its risks. This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive overview of asbestos in New Zealand, including its history, health risks, regulations, and safe management practices.What is Asbestos?Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous miner...

Carbon Dioxide: The Unseen Home Invader!

Welcome to the breathlessly exciting world of "Carbon Dioxide: The Unseen Home Invader"! It’s time to embark on a quirky journey through the ins and outs of CO2 in our humble abodes, a tale where invisible gases play the villain, and houseplants wear superhero capes.Act 1: The Rise of the Invisible FoeIn the left corner, weighing in at a molecular mass of 44.01 g/mol, we have carbon dioxide (CO2) – the gas that's quietly crashing your home party without an invite. Unlike the uninvited relati...

Homes through the ages - The Roaring 20s

Every era of home is a new kettle of fish! And there are specific things you should look for, depending on when the home you're looking to purchase was built. So we're starting a new blog series called - "Homes Through the Ages" and we're starting with The Roaring '20s! Homes in the Roaring '20s showcased the era's optimism and innovation, blending classic architectural styles with the emerging comforts of modern living. But these days, they aren't always up to the grandeur they may once have ha...

Pumping out some cold air with your air conditioner this summer?

As we enjoy those warmer summer days, yet there's nothing quite like a cool and comfortable home when the sun really starts to set in. So we're here to help ensure you're getting the most out of your AC unit, with a focus on whether to keep them running continuously. Know Your AC UnitIdentifying the type of air conditioning unit you own is the first step towards efficient usage. New Zealand homes commonly feature split systems for single rooms and ducted systems for entire homes. Understanding ...

What Can Go Wrong During House Renovations?

House renovations can be complex projects, and several things can go wrong if not properly planned and executed. Here are some common issues that can arise during house renovations:Budget overruns: One of the most significant challenges is exceeding the planned budget. Unexpected expenses, changes in design or materials, and unforeseen structural issues can lead to cost overruns. It is crucial to have a detailed budget and contingency plan in place to account for unexpected expenses.Delays: Reno...

Embracing Summer: Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Home

Welcome to the warm and vibrant days of summer! While we enjoy the sunshine and longer days, it's essential to ensure our homes remain healthy and comfortable. At QSPlus, we believe your home should not only look good but feel good too. In this blog, we'll share some key tips to keep your home healthy this summer.1. Ventilation is Vital: Summer heat often brings humidity, which can lead to mold and mildew in your home. To combat this, ensure proper ventilation. Open windows early in the morning ...

Unlocking Peace of Mind: The Invaluable Importance of a Building Report

In the realm of real estate, where transactions involving large investments and dreams of homeownership converge, the value of knowledge cannot be overstated. Among the arsenal of information that safeguards these aspirations, a building report stands tall as a vital document. A building report, often underestimated in its significance, is a repository of insights that can potentially save buyers from unexpected pitfalls and elevate the selling process for homeowners. Let's delve into the profou...

Maintenance Reports: Your Guide to Proactive Home Maintenance

Maintaining a home is an ongoing responsibility that helps preserve its value, prevent costly repairs, and ensure a safe living environment. To stay on top of maintenance tasks and keep your home in excellent condition, utilising maintenance reports can be immensely beneficial. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of maintenance reports, how they can help you stay proactive with home maintenance, and provide guidance on creating an effective maintenance plan.What Are Maintenance Rep...

DIY vs. Professional House Inspections: Pros and Cons

House inspections are a critical step in the home buying or selling process. They provide valuable insights into the condition of a property and help identify potential issues that may require attention. When it comes to house inspections, homeowners often face the choice between conducting a DIY inspection or hiring a professional inspector. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of DIY and professional house inspections to help you make an informed decision.DIY House InspectionsP...

House Maintenance Tips from a Building Inspector

As a building inspector with years of experience, Paul at QSPlus has seen the importance of regular house maintenance to ensure the safety, longevity, and functionality of your home. Here are some essential tips to help you maintain your house effectively:1️⃣ Check your roof: Inspect your roof regularly for any signs of damage, such as missing or damaged shingles. Ensure that the gutters are clear of debris and properly attached. Addressing roof issues promptly can prevent leaks and water da...

Getting it right the first time

When it comes to building projects, accurate estimation of quantities is a critical component of the planning process. A quantity estimator is a tool that can help you accurately determine the amount of materials and resources needed for a construction project. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the benefits of using a quantity estimator for building projects.Saves time and moneyOne of the most significant benefits of using a quantity estimator is that it saves time and money. Estimating t...

10 Reasons You Shouldn't Skip A Home Inspection

After your offer to buy a home enters into contract, the process of near-endless check writing begins. There are many necessary costs, such as realtor and lawyer fees, and the total of these expenses may have you looking for ways to save money elsewhere. You may be tempted to skip the home inspection and save some money, but there are 10 good reasons why you should get one.1. It Provides an "Out"A quality home inspection can reveal critical information about the condition of a home and its syste...

What is a LIM Report?

If you’re thinking of buying a house without getting a LIM report, you might want to reconsider your game plan. The short-term gain on your wallet could lead to long-term pain!It pays to learn all you can about a property you’re keen on. A Land Information Memorandum (LIM) is a report prepared by the local council at your request. It provides a summary of the current property information held by the different departments at council on the day the LIM was produced. However, be aware that it d...

A Guide to Ventilation

Good ventilation in your home is not only important, it's now a legal requirement (if you rent). With good ventilation, your home will be healthier, drier, and a much nicer place to live.What is ventilation?Ventilation is the intentional introduction of outdoor or fresh air into a space. Ventilation is mainly used to control indoor air quality by diluting and displacing indoor pollutants, and creating a drier environment. Why does ventilation matter?Poor ventilation allows moisture and airb...

Five improvements that don’t add resale value to a home

Boosting a property’s worth with home improvement work is the Kiwi dream, but there are some renovation jobs that do not add resale value, experts say.In recent years homeowners unable to travel have spent up large on renovations, with an estimated $2.4 billion paid for consented alterations and additions alone in 2021.Rising interest rates and costs have led to a sharp pullback in renovations this year, tradie job platform Builderscrack says. Despite this, carrying out home improvements remai...

When is a crack in the house a problem?

Most homeowners will spot a crack or two (or more) in their house at some time, even those who don't live in an earthquake zone. But when is a crack something minor or a problem that needs to be tackled on a bigger scale? We've come across this article from www.stuff.co.nz...

What's involved in a pre-purchase home assessment?

It's a common requirement from banks to have a pre-purchase home assessment done on a property you're looking to purchase. We've put together this infographic to help explain what our home assessments cover. Our aim is to give you the most comprehensive report we can to ensure your peace of mind when you purchase your property....

Our New Helping Hands | Deserving Causes!

The Waikato Family Centre was a big one for us - as a small, family business, supporting those who support our local families was important! The Waikato Family Centre is here for you and your baby. Their team of qualified nurses and health professionals provide practical advice and guidance to Waikato families experiencing difficulties with their babies, from breastfeeding to postnatal support....

Doing it yourself? Tips from a Building Assessor on renovating your own home for resale value.

Trust us, we've been in your boat. We, too, have experienced the rollercoaster world of DIY renovations. And now that we're on the other side, we're here to give you a few tips on what a home assessor looks for when it comes to selling your home....

It's time to do those low-risk reno's!

With council consents relaxing for many low-risk jobs, people are getting ready to fix those front porches and build those backyard studios. The building work that comes under these new exemptions means homeowners are saving up to $18 million a year and reduces the number of consents councils have to approve by around 9,000....

Need Protection? The Facts About Meth Testing

If you're about to take the plunge and either step onto or step up the property-market ladder, you're probably feeling a slight twinge of nerve and wondering what to about it. Doing your Due Diligence To ensure your peace of mind throughout the process, you'll take the steps in ensuring your due diligence is done. This could include those pre-purchase home assessments and building reports, LIM reports and council plans if they're required. However, something is missing from your checklist that c...

Now that you've had your home inspection...

Now that you've brought your new home and had your inspection, you may still have some questions about your new house and the items revealed in your report....

Our Helping Hands | Deserving Causes initiative is spreading!​

We’re excited to see word spreading of our Helping Hands | Deserving Causes initiative! The Te Awamutu Courier has recently published an article about how QSPlus is helping our local community, so have a read of page 6! QSPlus are proud to introduce our Helping Hands | Deserving Causes initiative. As a small, local business we believe it’s important to give back to our community and those in need. So, we commit 2% of the company’s gross income to deserving causes. This means a portion of t...