{"id":29122,"date":"2026-03-26T02:03:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T15:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.buildxact.com\/au\/?p=29122"},"modified":"2026-03-27T08:15:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T21:15:36","slug":"tradies-tech-delivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buildxact.com\/au\/blog\/tradies-tech-delivers\/","title":{"rendered":"A Business Opportunity That Can Save Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aussies are staying put\u2014whether the property\u2019s in a flood zone, a cyclone belt or bushfire country. And plenty of buyers are still chasing coastal and lifestyle areas, even when the risk\u2019s rising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cotality<\/a>\u2019s data shows that by 2050, around 1.5 million Australians could be exposed to sea-level rise, impacting up to 2.6 million homes. Coastal, inland and regional areas could all see big hits to value\u2014and tougher, more expensive recovery after major events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What that means on the tools:<\/strong> more than 1.6 million homes are already at moderate to high climate risk, and that\u2019s tipped to hit 2.6 million by 2050. Coastal and inland regions could face devaluations topping $600 billion by 2050. Up north and along parts of the coast, properties can cop multiple risks at once\u2014heat, cyclones and bushfire\u2014so the demand for practical retrofit and resilience upgrades is only going one way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 55% of Australia\u2019s housing stock is now 30 years old or more\u2014around 6 million properties showing their age. While national averages are patchy, regional figures point to homes averaging about 32.7 years in Tasmania and 38.7 years in WA. That\u2019s a massive pipeline of renos, repairs and upgrades. In South Australia, 63.7% of homes are over 30 years old, and in NSW it\u2019s 60.3%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hardening homes: steady work for tradies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A brick home in Australia generally lasts about 88 years, while timber homes typically last about 58. On top of that, people are holding onto their places longer\u2014average holding periods have almost doubled over the last 10 years, with houses now held for around 11.3 years. Longer ownership means more maintenance, more upgrades and more appetite for resilience work that protects the asset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBushfire projections have increased in frequency,\u201d said Jamie Knippen, senior product manager at Cotality<\/a>, a property data analytics firm. \u201cDrought conditions are driving more fires in places we\u2019ve never seen them before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better mitigation is starting to link directly to insurance outcomes. If you can help a client reduce risk with sensible upgrades, it can translate into real savings\u2014Knippen notes proactive protection can deliver around a 20% reduction in premiums in some cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insurance implications (and why clients are asking more questions)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Home insurance premiums in Australia have jumped by more than 50% in the five years to October 2025, with the average policy sitting at roughly $2,938 a year. Higher rebuild costs, more frequent natural disasters and rising reinsurance costs are all pushing prices up. Premiums are highest in North Queensland and the Northern Territory, and plenty of households are feeling the squeeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The increased frequency and severity of floods, cyclones and bushfires have led to $22.5 billion in damages over the past five years. According to the Actuaries Institute, insurance affordability stress is on the rise, with roughly 15% of Australians finding premiums unaffordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tradies can help cut risk with smarter design and well-scoped upgrades. In high-wind areas, details like hip roofs, quality roof tie-downs, sealed sarking and reinforced garage doors can make a real difference. Metal roofing can last longer and handle wind better, though it\u2019s a bigger upfront spend. In bushfire-prone areas, specify non-combustible roofing and cladding where possible, fit ember-resistant vents, seal gaps where embers can get in, and use toughened (tempered) glass for exposed windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Landscaping matters too\u2014low-flammability plants, clearances and ongoing fuel-load management all help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other solid wins include trimming back overhanging branches, lifting electrical and critical services above known flood levels where practical, upgrading drainage, and allowing for backup power (generator or solar + battery) for essentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plenty of builders are also leaning into panelised and modular builds designed for tougher conditions\u2014stronger connections, repeatable detailing and faster site time\u2014while keeping a lid on costs (which can help offset rising insurance bills for clients).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On bigger jobs (or estates), it\u2019s worth thinking beyond the house. Extra water storage and smart site planning can support emergency water use\u2014like dedicated tanks, hydrant access or on-site storage designed into the landscape. That can be tricky in drought-prone areas, but it\u2019s a practical conversation to have early with designers and clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Today\u2019s technology helps tradies deliver<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Knowing and implementing all if this to be effective in practices isn\u2019t easy, but technology can help. Buildxact\u2019s Blu Estimate Review tool can help you pick up missing line items and notes\u2014especially where you\u2019re quoting or estimating in flood, cyclone or bushfire-prone areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Blu on a custom home in a wildfire prone area, delivered these considerations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n