Know the NO’s when it comes to Asbestos
Asbestos was a very popular building product widely used in Australia for decades. Asbestos fibers are much finer than human hair, they can float in the air not visible to the naked eye and can easily be inhaled.
Read moreDesigning your dream kitchen
If you like to cook, having your dream kitchen can make a huge difference to your quality of life. Keep the following tips in mind when designing kitchen you always dreamed of.
Read moreShade Sails
Shade Sails (also known as Sail Shades) and awnings are a great solution for providing protection from sun, rain and wind in outdoor areas. There are many commercial properties such as cafes, pubs, clubs, schools, day care centres, hospitals and nursing homes utilizing their outdoor areas with overhead coverings and private companies providing outdoor space for their staff to use for coffee and lunch breaks. They are now also more and more homes and private residences with shade sails and awnings.
Read moreRevive your roof
Most Australians are house proud. Regardless of the size and style of our homes we like to keep them well maintained, clean, neat and tidy. But sometimes our roofs get overlooked. Particularly if the house is two or more stories, or has a flat roof. It could be a case of out of sight out of mind. It only takes rain and wind to create leaks into our ceiling to make us realise that it’s time for some much needed roof maintenance.
Read moreHome 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 moreHouse Inspections: Uncovering Hidden Problems and Potential Solutions
A qualified building inspector often holds certifications from recognized industry bodies, ensuring they follow standard procedures and guidelines. For example, in Australia, inspectors may be licensed by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) or hold accreditation from the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors. These certifications validate the inspector's expertise and ability to provide a thorough, reliable assessment.
Read moreThe Right Way to Solving Summer/Spring Pest Problems Easily
One of the best parts about moving into a new home is the opportunity to make new friends with your neighbours. This will also help you get information on any previous issues the property had in regards to pests. The first people to know when a pest control is conducted are the neighbours and if there has been a history of pest invasion, it is most likely that the neighbours will be able to give you that information.
Read morePros and cons of some of the common home security alarm systems
We all want to feel safe and secure in our homes and to know that our property is protected, so for many, a home security alarm system is the answer. There are both positives and negatives to installing some of the common home security alarm systems available, which are outlined below. Before looking at the pros and cons, read this article to understand how the two basic types of home security alarm systems work.
Read more6 secrets a building pest inspection report can reveal
Mould can be a big problem at home. More often than not, it’s an indicator of a graver problem. Sometimes poorly ventilated parts of the house can bring about a patch of mould. However, if you see fungal decay in the timber or black mould in and around your house, this won’t leave you at ease. It’s important to look out for these in the nooks and crannies because it usually means there is water or moisture within the structure.
Read moreWarning signs of pest infestations to look out for while house hunting
Check open spaces for anthills, window frames for wasps nests, trees for termite nests, and sheds and trees for possum nests. Be on the lookout for other evidence that pests are living there such as droppings under trees and the skin being eaten off lemons on fruit trees. Secondly, observe greenery in the area. If there are damaged plants or patches of grass pests may be to blame.
Read moreWorking with building designers and interior designers
Building a house or an extension, or a planning a renovation requires extensive knowledge of building design, engineering, codes, regulations, and requirements. By starting your building or renovation with a clear plan, you can create a home which perfectly suits your style, needs, and ideas. Interior designers can work together with building designers if your plan requires it, and work with builders to fit out the house with appliances and permanent fixtures.
Read moreGet Protected - Making your home more secure
Earlier this year Perth Newspapers reported crime statistics in Western Australia for 2014 and 2015. These statistics were alarming with a staggering 9% increase in home burglaries.
Read moreRenovating? Time to think about you outdoor additions
Australians traditionally love the outdoors. We love to take advantage of the abundant sunny days and warm evenings by entertaining outdoors. Outdoor rooms and outdoor kitchens along with verandahs, decks, pergolas, patios, cabanas and gazebos provide us with a space to extend our living into the outdoors. Relaxed, informal entertaining these days is a very popular way to catch up with family and friends. You would be hard pressed to find an Australian home that does not have some form of outdoor living space.
Read moreHow to design your perfect backyard
Designing the perfect outdoor area in Australia is often influenced by climate and lifestyle. Not only do you need to consider what kind of design will keep you feeling comfortable, but what design will allow your plants to survive, and to thrive. There is no perfect formula. Each garden is as unique as the land, house, and people who live there. However, it’s always a great idea to plan sustainably, and a water-saving garden is never a bad choice!
Read moreBringing your bathroom back from disaster
If I had to say what my favourite room in the whole house was, I would have to say that after the bedroom (because of the sleeping, silly), it’s the bathroom for me. I love having super long, luxurious, decadent showers. I also have a collection of shower gels and soaps that many people would deem unnecessary, but then, I have no time for such haters in my life.
Read moreA homeowner’s guide to cleaning the fireplace
There are few things guaranteed to warm the heart (and the limbs) faster than a beautiful open fireplace. As a design feature, it is delightfully sophisticated and wonderfully stylish. While many of the traditional Georgian and Victorian fireplaces have now made way for more contemporary shapes and forms, Australian homeowners still love the crackle and heat of real wood fires.
Read moreChoosing timber flooring
When it comes to flooring which is remarkable, long lasting, timelessly beautiful, and natural, you can’t go past timber. However, there are many different types of timber floors to choose from, and it can become confusing if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Solid, hardwood floors made from new or recycled timber are traditional and remain popular, however floating and engineered floorboards and parquetry are also great options.
Read moreA wallet-friendly guide to transforming your house into an eco-friendly habitat
When it comes to trying to make the shift into living a greener life, many are under the impression that the changes they have to make to their lifestyles and homes will absolutely break the bank. Whilst this can indeed sometimes be true, on the flipside, there are actually a large number of ways you can transform your home into an eco-friendly household without busting a hole in your pocket. Have a look at our wallet-friendly guide to transforming your house into an eco-friendly habitat.
Read moreBlinds on the inside
Considering blinds for your windows? Well you will be bowled over by choice. Here is some information to get you started.
Read moreOutdoor Kitchens
The 21st Century has brought us lots of new innovations to simplify our lifestyles.The formal dinner parties of the past have declined to make way for a more relaxed, casual style of entertaining and none more popular than dining Al Fresco and cooking in an Outdoor Kitchen.
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