Your house frame is the skeleton of your dream home, keeping everything supported and in place. Although timber was basically the only show in town not too long ago, there really is a choice now. So steel frame vs timber frame – which is best? What’s in the frame? Firstly, it’s important to recognise that the … Read More Steel Frame VS Timber Frame Houses – 6 Things To Consider >>

Whether building, extending or renovating, it’s crucial to get every single aspect of your dream home just right. But it’s still surprising how little people seem to think about the house roof design they want. We all know that as well as being your dream home, where you live is also the ‘roof over your … Read More 5 House Roof Designs For Your Dream Home >>

We all know the lyrics to that M People song: “Movin’ on up / nothing can stop me!” And when it comes to adding a second storey to a house, that’s definitely the right attitude. The decision of having a one-storey vs two-storey house can be a tough one, but choosing to add a second … Read More Second Storey Extensions: Adding A Second Storey To A House >>

Thinking about adding a room to your home or investment property? Adding a bedroom, bathroom or home office are great ideas for a growing family or changing needs. Our Melbourne building designers focus on extending and renovating homes. So from that experience we’ve put together the most popular new room addition ideas to help you get started. … Read More Adding A Room To Your Home For Lifestyle Or Profit! (Infographic) >>

If you’re looking to get some serious home extensions or renovations done or even building from the ground up, you’re going to need assistance with building designs, council permits and more. So who are you going to call, an architect or draftsman? To help you make the right call, here’s the ‘draftsman vs architect’ run-down: 1. Training … Read More Do You Need An Architect Or Draftsman? >>

It goes without saying that everyone’s tastes are different. But when it comes to the place you want to call home, people who prefer an older dwelling over a shiny new one are normally of a particular nature: romantic, nostalgic, true individuals – and probably already full of renovation ideas for old homes. But beyond … Read More Renovating old homes from the 1960s >>

It could be one of the hardest and most important decisions you will ever make: do you renovate or do you relocate? Perhaps it’s been bubbling in your mind for some time – in its existing configuration, your house just isn’t working for your family and your needs. So maybe you’ve been browsing those real … Read More Renovate Or Relocate? How To Decide >>

The Building Code of Australia Australian Standard AS1657 The revised Australian Standard AS1657 for fixed ladders plugs some serious holes. Guard rails made of rubber, for example, are now explicitly unacceptable. While absurd, rubber guard rails technically complied with the 21-year-old AS1657 and the example shows just how sorely an update was needed. Changes to … Read More Building Code of Australia >>

Building Costs Contingency Budget Establishing a budget is one of the first steps in planning a successful construction project. Setting a plan for where to spend the money (building costs), and budgeting for all the work takes experience, attention to detail and a detailed project scope. However, there are often times where additional work, unknown … Read More Building Costs >>

House Construction Stages When you build a house, extend or renovate your home you sign a building contract (approved by the Housing Industry Association) with the builder. Once the builder has given you a domestic building insurance policy and certificate of currency for your property you pay the deposit to the builder. Once house construction begins … Read More The Stages of House Construction >>