Barn home plans? The NCC 2022 changes are coming

Important alert

The National Construction Code, (NCC), which governs building requirements across Australia, has been making big news lately. This is because major changes are coming into effect from 1 October 2024 aimed at achieving Australia’s target of net zero emissions by 2050. Plus, our population is aging.

The changes are good news. The updated livable housing standard is a significant improvement in providing more inclusive and accessible housing options for people with physical disabilities and allowing Australians to stay in their homes longer as they age.

The changes to energy efficiency and condensation mitigation measures aim to make homes cheaper to run, improve indoor air quality, and enhance the overall comfort and health of the home.

But these NCC changes will require substantial modifications to home designs and mandatory inclusions, resulting in higher construction costs across the industry. If you’re considering building a new home, you have a limited time to act before these changes significantly impact the costs involved.

By starting your Cedarspan journey now, you can lock in current pricing and build under the existing code, potentially saving thousands.

Whether you are considering building traditionally or with a prefabricated, modular structure such as a Cedarspan barn, these changes will apply. They will impact both the core building and the internal fit-out.

So, what are the key changes affecting costs? 

1. Livable Housing  
   These changes are quite specific and apply to all new home builds. New accessibility and adaptability requirements will necessitate wider doors, step-free access, and modified bathroom designs.  

2. Energy Efficiency  
   The exact approach required to achieve a 7-star energy rating is dependent on your specific site and design. The shift from 6 Star to 7 Star energy rating may require enhanced insulation, upgraded glazing, and possibly the inclusion of solar panels.  There may also be design considerations such as position and size of doors and windows, adjustments to eaves, placement of covered outdoor living areas, building orientation and even the external colours used. 

3. Condensation Management  
   New ventilation and moisture control measures will be mandatory for all new builds to improve the internal environment and avoid future hazards caused by condensation. This includes direct external ducting for rangehoods and exhaust fans, automated ventilation in windowless wet areas, specific vapour permeance ratings for wall wraps and additional ventilation in roof spaces.  

These changes, while beneficial for long-term living, will add complexity and cost to the building process. 

Exemptions

While these changes will impact the majority of all new builds, as always, some exemptions exist, based on some very specific allotment size and shape criteria.

Allotments 10m or less
If your allotment is 10m or less wide and had a land division lodged before January 1st, 2024, you might be exempt from the new Livable Housing and Energy efficiency requirements.

Irregular shaped allotment <300m2
If your allotment is irregularly shaped and under 300m2, and had a land division lodged before January 1st, 2024, you might also be exempt from the Livable Housing and Energy efficiency requirements.

In both scenarios, it’s essential to note that you still need to plan for future grab rails and effective condensation management.

Timing is critical

We understand these changes may seem overwhelming, but your dream Cedarspan barn home is still within reach.

The key to avoiding increased costs lies in preparation and timing; the key to navigating these new challenges lies in expert assistance.

At Greenspan, we are committed to staying ahead of industry standards and providing you with the best possible value. We are actively adapting our designs and building processes to comply with the new NCC regulations while minimising cost increases. But these are unavoidable.

By securing your Cedarspan barn and lodging your development approval before the 30^th September deadline, you can lock your Cedarspan design in under current regulations and avoid the cost increases that will come with the mandatory changes.

If you’re not ready to beat the deadline, don’t worry. We’re committed to helping you create beautiful, efficient, and compliant accommodation. Our Design Solutioneers will work closely with you to ensure your Cedarspan meets all the necessary requirements, guiding you through this process, ensuring you understand both your immediate choices and future responsibilities.

Don’t delay – contact us today to start your Cedarspan journey and navigate these important industry changes with confidence!

For more information on the key changes in NCC 2022, please visit: https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-overview-key-changes-articles 

These are general guidelines and specific circumstances may cause variances. We always recommend seeking professional advice to determine your exact situation.