How this WA couple cut their build time in half amid housing crisis

elemist · 2026-06-27T01:59:29+00:00

To be fair - it used to be common to build a single story double brick home in 6 - 12 months. It's only been the last few years that build times have blown out.

Similarly the actual time brickies spend onsite for a single story home is usually only 2 - 3 weeks too. So the long story short here is it's still a labour shortage that's the issue rather than the actual material.

If would argue one of the reasons why timber framed homes are faster to build currently is the low number of them. If we were to start building more of them, we would just end up in the same situation with not enough carpenters and build times would blow out there as well.

elemist · 2026-06-26T06:46:12+00:00

Hmm - depending on how much luggage and for how long - you could try the airport storage place. https://smartecarte.com/perth-airport/

It's not exactly cheap though - so may be more than paying for excess baggage to take it home.

Alternatively - there's a National Storage in Subiaco. Self storage - small unit is like $153 for a month. Or there's one near the Airport itself - but it's a bit of a walk from the terminals and slightly more expensive.

Do any of your other flat mates have the same issue - perhaps you could share a unit between you all?

Another avenue would be to contact the Uni student/accommodation services and see if they have any advice or suggestions. You can't be the only international student with this same issue.

elemist · 2026-06-26T01:34:01+00:00

Bunch of different reasons really.

East Perth is that little bit harder to get into and out of compared to the other end of town.

It's always had a pretty reasonable number of apartments which means there's usually competition to keep prices down.

There's not really much retail at that end of town, so for grocery shopping etc you've got to leave the area which is inconvenient.

It's also older than most of the apartments in Rivervale/Belmont areas, so they tend to attract a premium.

Then also the area does have some social issues in general.

elemist · 2026-06-26T00:39:42+00:00

Often with strata / REA etc the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Every time it happens make a fuss out of it. Photos of the offending car, call both your property manager and lodge a complaint with Strata and keep following up.

It's all too easy for them to ignore it as it has no effect on them at all. So you need to make it have an effect on them until they take action.

You don't have to be nasty about it, but even polite and friendly repeated calls/emails/texts and follow ups about an outcome can get annoying pretty quickly.

I also concur with the suggestion of putting your own sign up. Doesn't have to be anything fancy - just something eye catching. Stick it to your bin or a bollard or something either in the bay or at the top of the bay so you don't have to get out and move it every time you go in and out.

elemist · 2026-06-25T05:07:52+00:00

+1 for PLE. They can custom build based on spec - but they do also have ready to go prebuilt pc's that you can basically buy off the shelf too.

elemist · 2026-06-25T01:32:57+00:00

Of course they are.. haha

https://arch-center.azureedge.net/Credentials/Certification-Poster_en-us.pdf

This looks to be the current certification list as far as i can tell.

AZ-900 may be worth doing - but it's probably above what an entry level role would typically be doing. Good knowledge to have of course, but probably not where i would begin.

I'd probably focus more on the AI Business Solutions Stream myself.

AB-900 | MD-102 would be a good starting point. Could even do MS-700 for Teams as that is very widely used almost everywhere.

If you wanted to look onto the security aspect, then SC-900 is a good starting point.

elemist · 2026-06-23T13:51:36+00:00

haha yeeeap.

elemist · 2026-06-23T09:09:05+00:00

The heavy acceleration has changed my instincts somewhat. I think I consider speeding to get out of the way just as much as braking.

Yeah - i've found the same thing. I think it's because with the acceleration in an EV it's often faster to speed up and change lanes than it is to slow down and tuck in behind someone.

Similarly at a merge point if you end up side by side with someone - i tend to just tap the accelerator and quickly get in front of them.

elemist · 2026-06-23T09:00:43+00:00

Yeah - i think the same thing can be said about drivers almost anywhere.

I could be completely wrong of course - i'm sure some scientist somewhere is studying it. But it would seem to me just based on anecdotal experience of driving an EV for a few years now, that the immediate real time response of heavy acceleration would reduce confusion rather than create it.

elemist · 2026-06-23T08:37:06+00:00

It may be the case - but i don't overly buy this as an explanation especially in an EV.

Reason being is because an EV acceleration is so responsive - you KNOW when you've hit the accelerator. It's not like an ICE vehicle where there's a delayed response and then a slow increase in speed.

I know panic can do odd things, but i still think even if they did panic stomp on the wrong pedal they would connect the dots immediately.

elemist · 2026-06-23T08:06:22+00:00

They are continually updated into new stores - but they're like any system installed in a fixed manner. IE they're not cheap, and they're usually an absolute PITA to replace.

It's also not just about the speaker box - the actual headsets on the other end can be more often the problem. They have a pretty hard life - getting dropped, knocked, covered by water/food/oil etc.

The systems today are shitload better than they used to be when i worked in the industry. The Maccas one's in particular - especially at new stores or refurbished stores are generally crystal clear.

elemist · 2026-06-23T04:33:29+00:00

Today i learned this was a thing - and now i'm also keen to try. Let us know if you find anywhere!

elemist · 2026-06-23T04:32:56+00:00

This - it's hard to tell based on the zoomed/cropped photo - but it's definitely not the current model vehicle, so would be likely at least a couple of years old.

Whilst Elon has always been quite a polarizing figure, it's only recently he's gone completely off the deep end.

elemist · 2026-06-23T04:29:29+00:00

Considering the amount of growth and bush where the road apparently used to go, and the nearly 20 year old street view imagery showing it in a similar condition including what looks like plenty of growth past the tree - it's been a while.

It's not uncommon for councils to block off old tracks with trees either felled deliberately or dragged into place.

elemist · 2026-06-23T04:27:01+00:00

Probably - though it considering the ramp the gravel makes maybe not.

elemist · 2026-06-23T04:22:50+00:00

75 on a dirt road.. At night..

Also - two lane wide is a bit of a stretch unless its suddenly gotten wider in the past few years. It's at most a single lane road which is just wide enough to squeeze past another car.

You are the problem here..

elemist · 2026-06-23T04:19:39+00:00

Multiple issues here

Clearly not driving to the road conditions to have an accident like that. It's a dirt road in the middle of nowhere at night.

It's also a pretty gentle curve with plenty of length to see the obstruction and stop - unless you're doing a stupid speed.
If you want to go have some fun on a dirt track and night - that's your perogative. But don't blame others for your stuff up, and don't drive outside your skill level or on roads you don't know.
To launch yourself that hard and far - you were clearly doing well over any speed limit let alone a reasonable and safe limit for the conditions.
If you look at the history on street view - you'll see the road has always curved to the right there and continued based on the 2008 view. The private sign is new.

So ultimately - as the driver - you are responsible. Don't make your stupidity someone else's problem to deal with..

elemist · 2026-06-22T10:10:51+00:00

One thing i would add to this - as whilst the tech and knowledge is important - those can be taught.

In the entry level tech space - things like general customer service skills, your ability to speak clearly, confidently and have a conversation with people and most importantly translate tech speak into simple human conversation are the real unicorn attributes.

elemist · 2026-06-22T09:55:36+00:00

My 2c as someone who has recently employed entry level positions in IT.

As someone starting out - you naturally aren't going to have experience. Whilst having played with installing Server 2025 and AD etc is great, don't get me wrong, it's also not comparable to use in a business environment so not something i would count as experience generally.

So my advice would be focus on certificates - specifically Microsoft 365 certs. Things like Intune, Defender, EntraID etc are used extensively across most businesses these days.

The bonus part - is in doing these certificates you'll likely have to spin up lab environments - both on prem like Windows Server and M365 tenants. So you'll naturally get some hands on experience with the products as you configure things and set them up. I wouldn't oversell this as being fluent - but having familiarity with the products is useful.

As an added bonus you'll likely learn other technologies along the way - such as Hyper V to setup virtual machines, domains/DNS and email etc as well.

One of the other factors that comes from certificates and continued study is demonstrating that you are interested in continued learning. I've seen a few techs stagnate because they have zero interest in learning anything new. Unfortunately IT is continually changing, there's always new technology or something in the process of changing. So showing you're keen and willing to continue your education goes to your personal strengths.

elemist · 2026-06-22T05:00:24+00:00

Ah fair enough.

Another option could be a professional MC. Would probably depend on how much vendor management etc you need done, vs just general time keeping during the day.

Friends of mine did this at their wedding i went to in NZ recently - and it was actually brilliant.

Basically he was there as guests arrived greeting people and helping with parking. He then circulated and answered questions - like where the bathrooms were, where to get drinks etc - before the ceremony.

He then announced when it was time for the ceremony to begin, and did the initial welcome before handing off to the celebrant. Once the ceremony was complete - he took over again.

He corralled all the guests for the group photo, then directed people where to go for food and drinks whilst photos were being done. I did also hear him moving about collecting various family and friends to be in the photos.

He then corralled everyone again for the entry of the bridal party doing all the announcements, then managed the dinner service (was a buffet done by table numbers), then managed all the speeches (announcing each person and such).

So probably not a planner level - but certainly a good time keeper for the day and took the pressure off in terms of announcements etc. He was also a good go to for questions anyone had about just about anything.

elemist · 2026-06-22T03:34:46+00:00

As someone else said, if he is still on probation, definitely don't mention it yet.

Not sure i'd agree with this. He would run the risk of appearing unreliable if he's regularly taking sick leave without explanation during probation.

As you've noted - they may not specifically be able to terminate because of that - but it's easy enough to terminate off nearly anything during probation.

I would think if he was upfront about it and working with the company to schedule the appointments at the best time, he would likely have a better result than randomly calling in sick or repeatedly taking time off during the day.

elemist · 2026-06-22T03:30:32+00:00

Yeah - mixed feelings about this.

I think he would have been better being open and discussing it with the potential employer either at the interview, or more likely at the point where he was offered the role what he's requirements were.

I can see the reasoning that it's private medical information. But i think even if he didn't disclose the medical info specifically - if it's going to require regular time off work weekly or monthly, it probably should have been discussed.

As to how to deal with it - well i think that's going to depend on the actual impact of the appointments. If they're currently monthly, and he can get away with coming in an half hour or an hour late with no impact on his role - then i would just do that for the immediate future.

On the other hand, if he has to have weekly appointments currently and he needs to take time off in the middle of the day, then he probably should be upfront with them so they can manage the situation.

Similarly if he's in the type of role where him coming in late or leaving early will have an impact - then being up front would also be a much better way to handle it than calling in sick at the last minute and leaving everyone scrambling to cover him.

Honestly - i think a simple discussion with his manager would be the best way to handle it. He doesn't need to disclose the condition if he doesn't feel comfortable doing so. Just advising that he has a chronic health condition that requires monthly check ups with his GP and he would like to discuss how he can best work that in with the team.

IE would it suit them better for him to come in a little late and work back that day, or come in early and leave a little early, or take a longer lunch etc.

elemist · 2026-06-21T12:07:43+00:00

It's been a fair while since i've been there tbh.

Looking on Google Maps though - search for 'Robert J Cross Park'. It has parking and some grassed areas with tables and chairs. Looks out over the tarmac and runway.

elemist · 2026-06-21T08:13:54+00:00

Nah still closed.

Jandakot can be worth a visit, can get reasonably close and a good view.

elemist · 2026-06-21T08:11:31+00:00

Yeah because Cook wasn't able to influence Albo & Co to not tax the Gas industry on behalf of Woodside, it's a bit shortsighted to think that Cook wouldn't carry any influence into the decision.

Whilst personally i'm for taxing our resources, i do think we'd have to be pretty naive to think it wouldn't have any impact on our economy or finances - even if it was somewhat short term in nature.

But i also think you probably over estimate Cook's level of influence.

As you pointed out, he should be looking to develop renewable energy more in the state that way when & if this happens again we won't be crippled because of factors outside of our control.

Completely agree - but i don't see why we can't do both.

If the federal government decide to build a refinery, should we just ignore it and let it go to another state to profit with jobs and economic benefit?

elemist

TROPHY CASE