Imagine sitting down with your architect, planning to “sink” your home into a sloped lot so your living room opens up to a perfectly landscaped backyard. It looks great on paper. But nobody told you this would increase construction costs by more than 100 grand. A few weeks later, you get a quote from your builder…
Why You Should Not Rely On Free Quotes Embarking on a home renovation or new home build project is an exciting venture that requires careful planning and consideration. If you’re after a Fixed Price building contract, it’s crucial to obtain accurate building quotes to assess costs and select the right contractor. While free building quotes…
What’s the best approval pathway for my home renovation? When you are looking to build a new home or undertake a major renovation in Sydney, you are generally presented with two options for getting your plans approved: Development Application (DA) or Complying Development Certificate (CDC). While each option presents its own pros and cons, the…
So you’re thinking about renovating your home. I get it. It’s such an exciting experience. Not only does it allow you to personalise your living space, but it also increases the value of your property. Now that’s just living the dream! But that home renovation dream can quickly turn into a nightmare. In fact, there…
Been busy dreaming of your renovation during lockdown? Maybe you’ve been dreaming of that perfect new kitchen or bathroom, or perhaps an extension to your home that you’ve been planning for years? The Covid-19 pandemic has most certainly made renovations difficult for homeowners and investors alike. But as they are beginning to lift, now is…
Unexpected costs when renovating a house are unfortunately a fact of life. You really cannot know the true condition of your floors, walls, roof until they are revealed, and unless you have easy access this may not be until you start demolition. However there are also some sneaky unexpected costs that seem to pop up…
Are you looking for a great renovation bible? That you can flick through to confirm a reno stage, read in depth or get your pen out to make notes? I’ve just received my copy of The Happy Renovator and I love it! Clear, concise, packed full of valuable information. It’s also fun to read (super…
So much work goes into a bathroom renovation; many trades from the builder and carpenter to plumber, electrician, waterproofer and tiler. There are so many stages where work can go wrong, however I find its right at the finishing line where tiny hiccups in tile placement or grout colour can really make or break how…
Space can be tight in Sydney to squeeze in a swimming pool! This month Renovating Mums chatted to Jess Canabou about how she went installing a small plunge pool in her back yard in the Northern Beaches. To help her budget Jess managed her pool installation as an Owner Builder…read on >>> Installing a small…
The approvals process for a renovation or build can be a minefield of confusion; does my project need a DA? Or can I submit a CDC? Or is it even Exempt Development? And what do all of these actually mean?!! Renovating Mums chatted to Gregg from Rapid Plans on what each of the different development…