Getting the best price on products for a builder has always been a priority, but now more than ever we are seeing builders look to Wesbeam’s engineers and estimators to optimise their floor systems for total installed cost and ease of build.
General Manager of Fairhaven Homes, Modern Living Division, Mark Collins had a clear vision for this 34-unit townhouse development project in Officer, Victoria. Ultimately, he wanted to create affordable yet architecturally designed townhouses only 45 minutes from the Melbourne CBD.
Using Wesbeam LVL was the only material of choice for this build he says, “It provides a number of cost and time savings benefits including ease of installation and versatility on site. Wesbeam engineers were able to specify LVL products throughout the design, whilst achieving a large cost saving to the final build. Not only is Wesbeam an Australian, family business backed up by passionate staff, their engineering capabilities are excellent.”
Mark and Wesbeam Major Account Manager, Adam Coombes-Pearce worked together to deliver an in-depth design brief to Wesbeam’s Design Centre engineers. The team then reviewed and redesigned the Modern Living Townhouses floor plans to eliminate the costly structural glulam beams, replacing these with e-beam throughout. The benefit of this process provided an overall cost saving of $20,000 for Fairhaven Homes.
The ability for Wesbeam customers to save costs has always been a priority, and this has been highlighted further during COVID concerns and the overall impact it may have on the residential construction industry. Wesbeam have never compromised on quality in the process and all products meet or exceed the requirements of relevant Australian Standards.
Adam says, “Mark has a passion for timber and building, and high attention to detail so he was able easily understand that Wesbeam were not compromising on the quality of his build to deliver a cost reduction.”
Earlier this year Mark visited the Wesbeam factory and pine forest in Perth, WA where the LVL product is harvested and manufactured.
“The best part about working with an Australian company is the pricing stability and the fact their products can be manufactured in WA to the specifications that we need.” Mark says.
He continues to say, “I enjoyed the visit to WA. Seeing the process from the forest to a finished product was something not many suppliers can do. The forest and factory tour really showed the company’s passion for long term sustainability and quality of their LVL product. It provided me with reassurance that working with an Australian company is hugely beneficial because of the complete control of process. The factory is very impressive.”
This multi-residential development is currently underway with stage one of the first 17 townhouses due to be completed by December 2020. The final stage and remainder of the townhouses will follow three months later.
Wesbeam’s e-joist and e-beam products are being used throughout with aluminium cladding applied to the exterior, integrating seamlessly with the architectural design.
More information on Fairhaven Homes can be found here. To speak to us about how Wesbeam can help redesign your plans and save you money contact us here.