Frequently asked questions

The Ecoliv Display Centre is located at The Gurdies, Victoria which is a scenic coastal drive under two hours south from Melbourne CBD. We welcome you to visit us so we can walk you through our display homes and discuss your site and project requirements. We invite you to make an appointment so we can make the most of your visit.

Our Ecoliv ranges include a combination of modules which are typically up to 4.5m wide x 15m long and 3.8m high. These standard dimensions ensure transport costs are minimised. We can customise the modules to suit a specific design requirement, however this will influence construction and transport costs.

If the standard floor plans on our three ranges don’t meet your living requirements, we can design a custom home to suit your site and project requirements. To achieve a minimum 7-star energy rating our expert designers will provide site specific advice on siting and orientation.

We can assist with large single storey extension projects over 100m2 with a simple connection to an existing structure. Utilising modular construction ensures minimal site disturbance including noise pollution and halves the construction time of a traditional ‘on site’ construction.

Extension projects are applicable in Victoria only and are custom designed to suit the site and existing structure. Any works required to the existing home for module connection is assessed and estimated following design resolution.

The design stage of your home will vary depending on your selection of a standard range floorplan or a custom design. Your site will also dictate aspects of collating and documenting all that is required for approvals. Approvals times can also vary depending on the complexities of the project requirements.

Generally, our construction times for standard range designs are approximately 20 weeks.

Footings for single or multiple level configurations on sloping sites can be designed specifically to suit the gradient in the site. During the Pre-construction phase our building designers assess the property orientation, site contours, and soil type to create a module configuration that is both energy efficient and suited to your location. A benefit of building with modular homes for sloping sites is that an engineered footing system is installed prior to module delivery which minimises site impact and neighbourhood disturbance making the installation process quick and easy.

Due to the size constraints of our modules for transport and delivery our homes are perfect for narrow sites. Our homes have been delivered on a number of narrow inner-city sites and each project is specifically tailored to the unique needs of the land, location, local planning guidelines and client lifestyle. Additionally, every Ecoliv home has smart, efficiently designed spaces which provide the functionality of a much larger house than its actual footprint.

We have a range of energy efficient systems to suit your location and climate. The minimum 7-star energy rating of our homes maximise natural heating and cooling processes so additional artificial temperature control is only necessary during extreme weather periods.

We are committed to creating homes that employ materials harvested from sustainable resources or recycled content from companies that focus on responsible production practices. Sustainability is ingrained within every fabric of your Ecoliv home so you can invest in the best and treasure it forever. Environmental credentials of materials have been assessed for the following:

• Resource efficiency e.g. energy, water, materials
• Waste reduction including re-cycled content
• Efficiency in processing and manufacturing
• Minimising embodied energy
• Preservation of biodiversity and the natural environment
• Social and cultural heritage issues
• Toxicity e.g. indoor air quality
• Support of local suppliers and Australian owned companies

Our three refined and timeless Ecoliv interior styles are a distillation of oceans, cities, mountains and deserts, complex in light, colour texture and form. They have been curated as an adaptable canvas to reflect your location and lifestyle so it tells the story of who you are and is a reflection of what you love.

We’ve designed each Ecoliv home with a philosophy as ‘sustainable as standard’ to include solar and water tanks so each home minimises impact on the environment. There may be situations were upgrading the standard system to suit usage requirements or remote locations is required to enhance the liveability of the home.

Our service connection upgrade options mean you can invest in systems to create a home that’s comfortable and versatile for your needs.

Your new home should include everything your lifestyle needs and add long term value to your investment. Our optional upgrades can end up saving you time and money in the long run and make your home that little bit more practical and fun to live in, so are well worth considering. Options include carports, outdoor and indoor entertaining units, electric car charging, plunge pool, home power and water monitoring, mobility packages and more.

Our standard allowance is footings is “M class” soil composition with stumps to 400mm high. A suitable footing system will be designed to suit the site and design requirements of the module configuration. This is ascertained after a soil test is completed and your design is confirmed during the Pre-Construction phase.

Solar panels can pay for themselves within 5 to 10 years after installation. Depending on the solar system specified, power can be fed back into the supply grid and not only reduce your power bill significantly, but provide rebates from electricity suppliers. If you can produce more energy than you consume, it’s money in the bank.

The term off-the-grid (OTG) can refer to living in a self-sufficient manner without reliance on one or more public utilities. A true off-grid house is able to operate completely independently of all traditional public utility services. Solar panels and sufficient water tanks are essential if you’re thinking about living off the grid. Our standard solar systems can be upgraded to include battery storage for off grid operation.

We engage an accredited Thermal Performance Assessor to assess each project to provide an Energy Rating under the National Home Energy Rating System (NatHERS). The energy rating report provides feedback on how effectively your building can maintain a comfortable living temperature. By implementing passive solar design to suit each site we achieve a minimum seven-star energy rating for our Ecoliv homes; however, we always aim to attain the highest possible rating for each home.

We are committed to creating sustainable buildings, so we integrate site sensitive passive solar design principals including correct orientation, double-glazed windows, insulation, sealing and appropriate shading for each home design.

You can save approximately 30% on running costs each year across power usage for heating and cooling, lighting and appliances. That’s equivalent to 58 trees planted, 946 litres of petrol avoided and 1095 kg of avoided coal burnt. This is just with our standard inclusions for the EcoLiving range. On average, our clients save a considerable amount each year in running costs with noticeable difference in their electricity bills.

Our EcoGeneration range is operationally carbon neutral and therefore a self-sustaining home that creates the same amount of renewable energy that it expends.

An eTool Life Cycle Assessment has been undertaken on our EcoGeneration range, calculating the greenhouse gas emissions over the whole life of the home due to materials manufacture and building operations. The test case was awarded an optimal Platinum Rating for Life Cycle Assessment, that indicates a 90 per cent overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when compared to the Australian benchmark.

The design of Ecoliv modules takes advantage of standard building sizes and lengths in common building materials to minimize material wastage. Using prefabricated factory-built modules can reduce overall construction waste by up to 52%. In accordance with our Waste Reduction Plan any excess materials are recycled or re-used.

Town planning/Development approval

If your project requires town planning or development approval; you may elect to submit the required documentation and oversee the application independently or engage the services of an external consultant to project manage the process.

A significant component of the documentation council require will be the town planning or development approval drawings. These drawings will detail your proposed project in relation to your site and will address the Council set of controls or overlays regarding siting and design requirements.

Building permit approval

A building permit is mandatory for all constructions. Following receipt of Council approvals, Ecoliv will collate all the relevant documentation and submit your Building permit/Construction certificate application to the relevant Building Surveyor/Certifier. Detailed construction issue drawings will be prepared which detail the structural elements required to comply with the NCC (National Construction Code) and form part of the Building Permit application.

Subdivision is a town planning issue and remains at the discretion of your local council. We can advise on your course of action and provide general advice for subdivision.

It has been mandatory for many years to have a soil test for every home site. Soil testing will assess the soil moisture and composition to determine if the soil can withstand the forces applied to it, such as determining the footings required for the building weight. Each site is different and a soil test will ensure the appropriate footing system is designed for your new Ecoliv home.

A Bush Fire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment is required for bush fire prone areas. All developments on land that is designated as bush fire prone have a legal obligation to consider bush fire and meet the requirements of Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006 and AS3959 – 200. To find out if you live in a bush fire prone area, information is available from your local council.

If your BAL rating is higher than 12.5 alternative design and materials considerations may apply for your Ecoliv home.

Yes, each new home requires an energy rating. The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a national framework for the purpose of regulating how Australian homes are rated for their thermal performance.

The costs and environmental impacts of heating and cooling a home can be reduced through good design and construction of our homes. Assessment of a building’s thermal performance at design stage by a NatHERS accredited assessor can identify simple, economical ways to make it more comfortable and save energy.

Given that we deliver modules across Australia, delivery time will vary, but the majority of on-site installation is completed in a single day. Modules are connected and made water tight before services are connected to make the modules operational. For customised or complex projects, onsite works may take a little longer.

Our standard footings system replaces the need for extensive earth moving or leveling equipment. The footing locations are determined by the design and modules are delivered and fastened to the footings. We consider the design closely to minimise disturbance of any existing flora or fauna.

Transport costs are dependent on the distance of travel required and the size of the modules. An estimate is calculated early on at the preliminary estimate stage. The cost is estimated at approximately $1,000 per hour per truck from our construction facility to your site. For remote locations there may also be additional costs to accommodate trades for the duration of the delivery.

Crane hire is applicable to projects with access issues and multiple storeys. Crane hire can be up to $15-$20k for the day of delivery. Following a site investigation, a cost is provided at the preliminary estimate stage.

We have the knowledge and experience to deliver your modules anywhere in Australia – even over water to Tasmania. Your modules are safely and securely attached to a truck and transported to site.

Yes, Ecoliv modules can be designed to suit any climate in Australia. Each home will be designed to harness the site-specific features of each site. So, if you are in a tropical climate materials and design will focus on ensuring the home is cyclone compliant and has the ability to facilitate cross flow ventilation and shading. Homes within an alpine region will require maximum insulation to ensure thermal comfort.

Yes, we can easily add additional modules as needed or relocate an Ecoliv home that is already installed on-site.

Connections to electricity, water and waste water are made available at the perimeter of the building following module delivery.

If mains connection is available for your site, you may elect to arrange a local contractor to connect the home to mains. We can discuss the options available for upgraded service connections and off gird systems to suit your site and usage requirements during the Pre-construction phase.

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is a national scheme funded by the states and territories and administered under their own legislation. Under the scheme, a one-off grant is payable to first home owners that satisfy all the eligibility criteria. For more information on legislation in your state visit www.firsthome.gov.au.

We have a three 3-month rectifications warranty on every construction. This means we will fix any problems within identified within this period at no cost to you. We also include the industry standard seven-year builders’ warranty.

The builder’s warranty is designed to protect consumers from financial loss arising from defective or incomplete works. In this period, a builder must return to the insured property and repair any defective works. We have found that a strong relationship with our clients means they have an excellent understanding of their construction project, so they can confidently communicate anything they feel is important.