First upgrade complete, hundreds to come

The first major upgrade to 400 South Australian publically-owned houses has been completed in Elizabeth Grove.

The upgraded home in Elizabeth Grove, which belongs to Housing SA within the Department for Families and Communities, welcomed new tenants last weekend.

Lodge Construction and Building was contracted to upgrade this home and three others in the area. The project has created work for Lodge’s in-house carpenters, as well as for suppliers, electricians, plumbers, landscapers and concreters.

To meet the demands of these projects, Lodge has employed an extra person, fulltime, in addition to retaining its existing staff. Lodge’s two trainees have also gained expertise by working on these projects.

Lodge Construction and Building director Don Belperio said: ”These projects have supported our business during challenging economic times.”

The work included:

• Repairing or renewing electrical services such as stoves and smoke alarms.
• Upgrading plumbing services for bathrooms and laundries.
• Repairing or replacing roof plumbing and stormwater, ceiling and cornices, cupboards, doors, door frames, skirtings and other carpentry items.
• Supplying and installing rainwater tanks, tiles for bathrooms, baths, vinyl screen safety doors and new fittings such as taps, dual flush cisterns and low flow shower heads.
• Repairing wall fractures, re-pointing brickwork and renewing windows.
• Treating all properties for termites.
• Completing internal painting.
• Removing rubbish from garden and landscaping.
• Renewing fencing and driveways.
• Installing verandas and window canopies.

Stage One of the construction program is well underway, with more than 90 per cent of the 248 dwellings to be built having been allocated a builder. Work has started on 35 dwellings and all work is expected to be completed by 30 June 2010.