Home renovation costs: when to save, when to splurge
Undertaking a major home renovation and extension is a large investment in your family home, and in your family’s future. There is a myriad of decisions and selections that need to be made, and overarching it all is a budget that you are determined to work within. This advice will help you decide if you should spend or splurge.
Read moreHow long does it take to paint a house?
When you paint a house, it's important to prime it first.It takes half a day for one coat. Then you can paint the walls with another coat.In the end, your painting job must look nice. One important thing to remember is that it's interior or exterior painting. So it's always best to try and do the prep work yourself if possible. It means filling holes in plasterboard, sanding down surfaces to be much more easily painted, and cleaning surfaces.
Read moreTiling - should you DIY or use a professional?
Are you considering tackling a tiling project at your place, it's a lot more complicated than it looks, here's some points to consider before deciding whether to DIY or call in an experienced Tiler.
Read moreHome heating options in a nutshell
There are several options when it comes to heating your home, and the right choice will depend on your individual circumstances. Before you even consider which type of heating system will be right for you, consider how you can make your home more efficient at retaining heat. Overlooking this step could cost you dearly in the long run, resulting in the need for a more powerful heater which perpetually struggles against cold draughts and escaping heat.
Read moreGuide to Bathroom Lighting and IP Rating
Starting with the technical details, safety is key when choosing your bathroom lighting. To identify whether a light is safe for your bathroom, all lights are given an IP Rating (Ingress Protection rating) which measures how resistant the light is to both water and dust particles. IP Ratings can be determined by reading the first and second digits following the initial ‘IP’.
Read moreMid-Century Lighting
Mid-century lighting is more than just a trend; it's a testament to the enduring power of design that speaks to both functionality and artistic expression. Its ability to seamlessly blend into various interior styles while adding a touch of retro elegance is what makes it a cherished choice among homeowners and designers alike.
Read moreInstalling a new hot water system
Installing a new hot water system can be a daunting task if you aren’t knowledgeable about your options. But because hot water is such a large part of your power bills, it’s worth doing your research. Here we’ve described each type of hot water system and storage options. Contact an appliance repair and installation company to discuss installing your new system.
Read moreDo you have a leaking Pipe?
When leaks occur in pipes in the walls, ceilings or floor, there are usually noticeable water staining marks in the area of the leak. Vermin can chew through plastic piping in roofs and walls, causing small leaks that can be tricky to hear and see.
Read moreBuilding Inspections – Know What You are Buying
If you are seriously considering buying a property it is essential that you get a qualified building inspection before you make that big investment. We can get caught up in the excitement and perhaps emotion of our new purchase and overlook an inspection and end up buying a whole lot of trouble, not to mention the expense of costly repairs that may be way over your budget.
Read moreHow to clean your solar panels
If you have installed a solar power system in your home or workplace you have invested a considerable amount of money, so it’s important that your return on the investment is as large as possible.
Read moreRelocating to a new home
Moving home can be a very stressful and emotional time in your life. Moving downtown, across town, interstate, overseas, downsizing or upsizing it’s a big job that requires a lot of thought and planning. Being organized and well prepared will make the whole process much easier.
Read moreMaintaining your Stone floors
Natural stone floors are an investment that can last a life time if cared for properly. Stone floors add a wow factor to any home and should be maintained regularly
Read moreInsulating Your Home
Insulation is essential to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. By installing insulation you will effectively keep your heating and cooling bills down and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Read moreTop 10 Scandinavian Lighting Ideas for a Dining Area
Choosing your lights should involve a mix of both practicality and personal preference. Ambient lighting is designed to create a warm and welcoming mood in your kitchen.
Read moreExterior Window Coverings
We all like a little ambiance and privacy at home by dressing our windows with curtains, blinds or shutters. Did you ever consider external window coverings? The European roller style block out shutters have long been a common way to provide protection not only from harsh sun, wind, rain and hail but also they act as a security shield and reduce the level of external noise all while providing complete privacy. Block out roller shutters will also help protect your home and stop windows from shattering during a bushfire.
Read moreTips for creating the ideal nursery
If you have a baby on the way there is a lot that you need to do, with one of the most important things being to set up a decent nursery.
Read moreLaminate Floor Cleaning – Quick 4-Step Guide to Save You From Disaster!
Understandably, people naturally use water when cleaning flooring surfaces, but the problem with laminate flooring is that water is its enemy! Moisture warps and weakens it. Often the lamella is only 5mm thin and it has MDF backing. This is like chipboard so the slightest gap between planks, or unsealed edges, will cause it to swell, lift and buckle.
Read moreUpdating your existing pool
It’s time to bring your existing pool into the 21st Century. Just as we renovate, redecorate, paint or update our homes we should do so for the swimming pool. Just as a bathroom or kitchen needs remodeling so does a pool. No pool will last a life time without modifications, so if your pool is looking tired and dated now is the time to act.
Read moreGarden irrigation systems in Queensland
Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast can be very hot and dry places. Often gardens in these areas of South East Queensland struggle to survive through periods of intense weather patterns. Most people love an inviting, thriving garden and have invested a lot of time and money into their lawns, plants and landscaping only to lose precious plants due to insufficient water.
Read moreGreen plumbing tips
Water is the world’s most precious commodity. We can be blasé about our usage and consumption of water during the wet months or when there are no apparent shortages and our dams are at a decent level.
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