Home 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 moreInterior decorating tricks to put the spring back in your step
The spring has finally arrived in Australia and homeowners are starting to emerge from the depths of winter with big plans for their interiors. This is the perfect time of year for transitions and changes, so it is no surprise that so many people are investing in transformations.
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 moreWhat to look for when considering tiles and tilers
When it comes to tiles we tend to think of the wet areas of the house - kitchen, bathroom and laundries. But there are so many styles, shapes, sizes and materials of tiles available for many more uses than just our wet areas including floors and walls for living rooms, entry halls, fireplaces and stairs, not to mention outdoor areas such as verandahs, terraces, pathways, entertaining areas and pools.
Read moreSetting up a home gym
If you have ever thought about a home gym you’ve probably weighed up the cost against the benefit of having your own space and equipment. But you don’t have to go all-out to create the perfect home gym, and with the money that you save on membership fees, it doesn’t have to hurt your bank balance either.
Read moreElectrical technology for the laundry
The laundry is the working room of any home - in addition to washing, drying, and ironing, the laundry often doubles as a general storage area for linen, household items and even the kids’ sporting equipment! It needs to be a functional space where you can work safely and comfortably, and modern electrical technology can help that happen without adding to power bills. This article explores some of the options that are available, that may interest you.
Read moreDriveways make a statement
Everyone wants the front of their home to look fantastic. The driveway of the average Australian suburban house block takes up a big chunk of real estate. Your driveway needs to compliment the style of your home and landscaping. A driveway needs not only look great but has to be able to stand up to the rigors of having the ton or so of family car traversing it constantly. Other than the kids bedrooms it will take more abuse than any other part of your home
Read moreCheck your plumbing for leaks
Leaks in plumbing can be silent and hidden, but they are capable of massive amounts of damage. Ceilings, floors, walls, and the structural integrity of your home can be damaged by even a small leak, causing thousands of dollars of damage. The best course of action is to find any leaks as soon as possible and fix them before any further damage can occur. Follow these steps to determine if you have any leaks and identify their source.
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 morePest Control is a must
No one likes creepy crawling insects around the home. Mice, cockroaches, ants, spiders, silverfish, fleas and the silent assassins, termites, are all unwanted visitors to our homes.
Read moreTop tips for moving house
Moving house is rated one of the most stressful life events, but with some handy tips on forward planning and organisation it can become an easier and smoother process for you and the whole family. This article includes a detailed checklist of items to keep in mind when you move house.
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 more7 design tips for an eco-friendly home that doesn't cost the earth
Having an eco friendly home is about more than just saving money. It means that you’re doing your bit for Mother Nature. Reducing your home’s carbon footprint is a worthwhile endeavour, but sometimes the costs associated can be off-putting. But what if we told you that, with a few tweaks in home design, you could have an environmentally conscious home that’s not going to cost an arm and a leg? We’re not kidding, so read on to find out seven design tips that will transform your place into an efficient and green household.
Read moreGabion retaining walls for flood control
If you have a home located along a river or by the sea, or you have a creek running through your property, erosion control is an important factor in protecting your property. Heavy rain and flash flooding are becoming more frequent causing land to wash away and it is important to maintain, stabilise and repair your river or stream bank.
Read moreStart the New Year with a spring clean
Christmas is a faded memory and a New Year has begun and what better way to start the New Year than with a spring clean and maintenance of your home and garden. Have you let all those little odd jobs mount up during the past year while you kept telling yourself that you will get around to fixing them. So hire a handyman and kick the year off with a good clean, repair and rubbish removal.
Read moreHow fencing can add value and appeal to your home
The first thing to know when considering a fence to add value and appeal to your home is that a fence will not necessarily add value. The result depends heavily on your individual property and the decisions you make. You need to consider whether a fence would add to or detract from your home, and what type of fence you may need.
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 moreEnclosed elegance: 4 steps towards preparing your house for guests
With Christmas right around the corner, it won’t be long until you start making plans for the holiday and the most important meal of the year. In fact, you might already have begun. Some families like to get organised early and know exactly who is staying where and in which house to find the turkey.
Read moreProject Managing the building of your new home or renovation
Whether you are building a brand new home or renovating and extending an existing home it is well worth considering the services of a Project Manager, also referred to as a Construction Manager or Site Manager
Read moreThe importance of selecting the right shower screen
Bathrooms are an integral part of any new home build or renovation and an important aspect of any bathroom design is the type of shower screen to be installed. The amount of space and size of your budget will be things most likely to influence your choice.
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