Tag: home improvement

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Decorating 101 DIY Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

When not to DIY. And when it’s ok!

Stuart Tucker, Chief Customer Officer at hipages, talks about when to DIY and when you really need to hire a tradie.

As a nation, we are obsessed with renovating and research from hipages has found that Australians have been spending an approximate $70 billion each year on trades to complete jobs around the home. While we are all homebound, now is the perfect time to get onto those home maintenance items lingering on the to do list.

We understand that some homeowners may be weighing up what they should and shouldn’t get done around the home based on what they can reasonably manage themselves and jobs that would require a tradie’s expertise. Before you strap on a work belt and dust off your power tools, it’s important to know the limits of your capabilities. According to our research, Aussie homeowners spend $3.53 billion annually on hiring tradies to fix DIY gone awry.

My tip is to ask yourself the following questions before you tackle a DIY project:

  • Do I have the necessary tools and expertise? Always do your research upfront before you get started to ensure you have the right tools, materials or expertise required.
  • How risky is it? Projects involving plumbing, electrics or working at heights are risky. Aside from putting yourself in harm’s way, you may also cause costly damage to your home. Always assess the risk and err on the side of caution.
  • How much time and space will it take? Jobs like painting may seem like a great idea but consider how long the project will take from start to finish and the space required. If it’s going to cause an inconvenience, it’s best to delay till another time.

There are still a number of jobs both inside and outside the home that are great DIY projects.

Inside the home: Interior styling – consider what you don’t like about a room, or what isn’t ticking the boxes for you anymore. You can then look at simple, effective solutions to meet the functionality of the space or room. This could include bringing in new furniture or furnishings, like cushions and decorations, or changing up the room layout.

Outside the home: Gardening is something that can be tackled by a DIYer, from sprucing up existing garden beds or creating new and inviting spaces in your backyard. Though we may be spending more time indoors, it’s worth giving your outdoor area a makeover so you have an alternative space to relax in and enjoy.

With that said, there are a number of jobs that should never be DIY’d including plumbing, electrics and home extensions and renovations. A licensed professional should always be hired to complete these works:

Plumbing jobs Although simple plumbing jobs such as unclogging a drain or fixing a leaky tap can usually be tackled by an amateur handyman without any problems, larger repairs or installations should never be attempted without the help of a professional plumber.

Electrical jobs Electrical work should never be attempted without the help of a properly licensed electrician due to the high risks associated with DIY-ing electrical work. In fact, in some states you’re required to use a licensed tradie even to change your lightbulbs!

Home extensions and renovations When it comes to DIY projects, the onset of reality TV renovation shows has given people a false perception of the work involved and the potential for costly mistakes. Registered builders are well versed with the building process and understand how to keep a build on schedule with quality control in check, while maintaining safety standards.

Repairing property damage Property damage may range from clogged drains to leaky roofs and water damage, so when considering whether to tackle a job yourself or bring in a professional, you’ll need to look at the scale of the job, the risks involved, and what sort of time commitment would be required.

If you are looking to hire a tradie at this time, it is essential to follow the recommended advice of health authorities. This includes adhering to social distancing and limiting face-to-face contact. Utilising technology is the best way to do this, from quoting a job at the outset through to end of job payments.

Typically the quoting process would involve a tradie visiting your home so they’re able to see the space or job you want done. A great alternative is sharing photos or having a Facetime call with your tradie so they can virtually view the job and provide a quote before they arrive.

Technology can also aid with contactless payment at the end of a job, avoiding the need to handle cash on either end. The hipages platform allows you to make payments directly to your tradie at the completion of a job. Many tradies also have credit card payment facilities.

These are some simple ways that allow homeowners and tradies to continue getting jobs done around the home.

*Data according to LEK Research conducted in 2018

hipages provides a better, smarter way to connect tradies and consumers and get the job done well.

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DIY RENO ADDICT Shopping

Intergrain’s revolutionary phone app will change the way you renovate

As timber continues to be an iconic feature in the Australian home, leading wood care company Intergrain have launched a revolutionary new iPhone and Android app, allowing DIYers and professionals alike to preview finishes before a project has even started.

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The first-of-its kind in the Australian DIY market, the app aims to change the way renovators plan for furniture, flooring and decking projects, with timber finishes able to be selected and tested virtually. The app’s ‘visualiser’ function allows you to choose from different types of timber or upload a photo of your own timber to see how an Intergrain finish will transform it.

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“This revolutionary app from Intergrain arms consumers with the confidence to select the highest performing finishes early on in the project planning phase,” explains Intergrain brand manager James Fisher. “The new app also allows users to estimate the amount of product required, save different visualised colours and easily share their timber project vision with friends and family at the click of the button, making the entire process simple from start to finish.”

The new Intergrain Timber Finishes app can be downloaded for free by visiting the Apple iTunes store or Google Play.

For more information.

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RENO ADDICT

New home improvement website makes renovating easier in NSW

Renovators will be able to save time, money and stress, thanks to the new one-stop home improvement shop launched by the NSW Government’s Department of Planning and Environment.

hub_home

The new PlanningHub, which is a collection of ePlanning tools, aims to slash red tape. Making it easier to understand whether adding straightforward features to your home needs planning approval, or you can just get straight into it.

So, whether you want to update your bathroom, add another level to your home or build a deck, the PlanningHub will make understanding the complying development options, a lot easier.

For more information.

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Architecture Design Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

The Harwyn Pod: the perfect alternative to renovating

Home ownership has always been the Australian dream and our passion for home improvement has reached fever pitch. Renovating is the go-to solution for anyone who is looking for extra space, however the ups and downs of the renovation rollercoaster have become popular fodder for dinner party conversations.

front harwyn reno addict

Less talked about are the alternatives, in particular, the option to extend your space rather than renovate. You may have heard of people converting shipping containers to home offices, teenage retreats, yoga studios or even houses, however there is an option available that takes this concept one step further – introducing Melbourne company Harwyn.

Rather than trying to work within the constraints of a shipping container, Harwyn has conceived its prefabricated pods from the ground up, creating architecturally designed, self-contained modular living spaces that deliver endless possibilities of an additional room for home, business or recreation.

We put the Harwyn Pod head to head with a traditional renovation to see how it stacks up.

TIME

Traditional Renovation

How long will the renovation last? Type it into Google and you will get some wildly predictable answers, all centred around trying to be realistic. One month is a great outcome; four to six months is more realistic depending on the size of the project.

Harwyn Pod

A Harwyn Pod is installed within 6 weeks of choosing your colours and finishes in the showroom.

back harwyn reno addict

PRICE

Traditional Renovation

A renovation can start off on time and on budget until the first floorboard is ripped up, exposing skeletons that seem like they would have been best left unearthed. Like the certainty of taxes and death, unexpected surprises await you in every renovation and with them come blown out budgets.

Harwyn Pod

The price of a Harwyn Pod is decided once the final finishes and colour are chosen in the showroom. At the same time, everything is determined including the site preparation required. This provides a lot of certainty and no creeping costs.

SHARING YOUR HOME

Traditional Renovation

Seasoned renovators are all too familiar with living through the noise, the dust and what seems like hundreds of workman sharing your home for the better part of six months, sometimes longer.

Harwyn Pod

Harwyn pods are built in our factory and the only contact clients have with our workers is when we prepare the site, which usually takes around four hours and another hour on the day of installation. This means the peace and tranquillity around your home will not be disturbed for a lengthy period of time.

the Harwyn reno addict

DECISIONS

Traditional Renovation

What materials to use, how will the finish look, should there be more power points, will the space feel right? There are many decisions that need to be made in a renovation and more will crop up on a regular basis throughout.

Harwyn Pod

Harwyn’s architects and designers have put more than 45 years experience in to making most of the difficult decisions, such as choice of construction material, placement of elements and finishes, for our clients. Leaving just the final decisions on the customisable options, such as size and colour, to be made by the client. Also the Harwyn Pods can be viewed in our showroom so clients can see clearly what minor changes will look like without trying to imagine it.

Watch this video of a Melbourne yoga studio owner using a Harwyn pod, which was craned into her existing premises:

 — Jason Fremder is the managing director of Harwyn, the makers of beautifully designed, prefabricated studio pods, ideal for those who are serious about creation and recreation.

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Expert Tips

Five ways to spruce your home up before it goes on the market

Many people selling their home underestimate the importance of making necessary improvements and adjustments before listing it on the market. However, what may seem like minor aesthetics can make a real difference to the number of people that read or click on your listing and attend the inspections. Many sellers write this process off as too expensive or too time consuming, but making a few repairs and improvements is sure to boost the selling price on your home.

Back to basics

Below are five simple and inexpensive ways to spruce your home up before it goes on the market:

  1. Back to basics

When buyers look at your home, they will instinctively imagine what their own furniture and items would look like in it. Bold colours and styles can be off putting and have the power to quickly eliminate potential buyers. Make it easy for buyers to picture themselves living in your home by sticking with neutral colours and styles. Consider repainting the walls a tone of magnolia/white, or having bright patterned couches or cushions recovered with a plain fabric. If spending this money or effort doesn’t seem worth your while, there are a number of adjustments you can make that won’t cost a thing. For example, remove table cloths to showcase plain surfaces, replace personal ornaments with a vase full of flowers or a fruit bowl, or swap family photos for a simple artwork.

  1. Cull the clutter

Clutter or an overload of personal bits and pieces can also make it tricky for buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. Go through the items on display and only leave out the ones that complement the look and feel of your home. Pack away overly personal items or those that take attention away from the room itself. Do the same with your furniture — clutter is off putting and taking out excess pieces will make rooms look more spacious and inviting. Pack the items away in a storage area or hire storage space if necessary. Avoid packing them away in the cupboard or drawer of a room that buyers will be passing through, as they are bound to want to look at the storage space available.

  1. Focus on the front

Sellers often get caught up on fixing up the rooms or the backyard of their home and neglect the front of the house. However, the front section should be your priority. Potential buyers, particularly those driving past the ‘for sale’ sign, will inevitably judge your home by what it looks like from street view. A good way of testing first impressions of your home is to put yourself in the shoes of the buyer and to see what needs to be improved or removed. It’s easy to get attached to your home and look beyond its flaws, so ask a friend or your agent for a second opinion. While it may seem pricey at the time, consider having the outside repainted, particularly if you think the colour has the potential to put people off. Make sure the lawn is mowed at all times and any weeds are removed. In the same way as the rooms, clear the front entrance of unnecessary items and invest in decor that will make it look more inviting, such as pot plants or a new front door mat.

  1. Clean and repair

Failing to do a proper clean of your home before holding inspections will jeopardise your chances of a quick sale. The property market is far too competitive to skimp on this part of the process, so make sure you spend the necessary time to give it a thorough clean top to toe and pay extra attention to the kitchen and bathroom. Consider hiring a professional cleaner before you take people through your home to ensure it will look its best and touch up on it daily so that you’re prepared for any last minute inspections.

In the same way, failing to get around to repairs before the inspections will decrease your chances of selling your home. The last thing that buyers want to worry about is costly repairs and while the jobs may seem avoidable, they only give buyers another reason to walk away. Make sure you take care of all obvious repairs — a broken doorbell or loose floorboard — and look out for any you’re not aware of — door handles, light fittings, cracks in the walls or ceiling, dripping taps and leaks, or broken fly screens/ windows.

  1. Go green

Making the most of your home’s outdoor areas will work wonders for your home and will make it far more inviting for buyers. Along with mowing the lawn and eliminating weeds, consider rearranging any outdoor furniture or items to make the garden look as spacious as possible. If you don’t have any outdoor furniture, it may be worth investing in a small table and chairs or a hammock, to make it look more enticing. If your home doesn’t have a garden, consider investing in pot plants or hanging plants for the entrance or balcony and buy flowers on inspection days to place in vases in the main living areas. This will give your home a natural and airy feel and will inject some colour into the space.

Go green

 

Consider taking these five tips on board to spruce your home up and make it look its best for buyers. Make your efforts worthwhile by spending the necessary cost to hire a good photographer for your property listings. This stage of the selling process is not worth skimping on;  it’s key to drawing a crowd to your inspections. Any investment in time or money you make here is certain to pay off in the long run.

–Zoe Pointon is the co-founder of real estate ranking and review startup OpenAgent.

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Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

How to choose an architect: questions you need to ask

Photo source: design studio 22

By Craig Gibson

Are you looking to renovate, build or extend? Chances are you may be looking to use the services of an architect to make your dreams, pencil sketches and magazine cuttings a reality. Knowing what to expect of the relationship can not only ensure your experience is a smooth one, but that your project turns out how it should.

Photo source: design studio 22
Photo source: design studio 22

Here are some questions to ask yourself, and prospective architects, to help you to make a rather important decision.

Are they like-minded?

Trust and communication are a large part of any successful architect/client relationship. This means being on the same page on the design solution appropriate for your project. So, if you do not click when you first meet an architect, perhaps think twice. Ideally, you should also have fun while you see you dreams become reality. That means having a sense of humour, particularly when things are perhaps not quite going according to plan.

What is my budget?

It is important to know realistically what you have to spend on your project. Architects will roll their eyes at the champagne-taste-and-beer-budget mindset. They will be able to help you detail all the costs associated with your project — including some you may never have even thought of.

What is your style?

All architects have a distinctive style that you need to be comfortable with. Looking through their portfolio, or better still, viewing their portfolio of previous work, will give you a good idea if you share a vision. You also need to match their area of specialisation with your needs. On a practical note, if you have a heritage listed property, then you need to have an architect well versed in all the regulatory aspects associated with this type of job.

How much do they charge?

Architects typically work on a flat fee sliding scale based on anticipated costs and required services, but they may also charge an hourly rate. It is therefore imperative that you have complete clarity before work gets started, and have this detailed in your written terms of engagement or client/architect agreement.

Are they qualified?

Don’t forget to check that any architect you engage is appropriately qualified and registered with the relevant local or national regulatory body. They are not allowed to advertise their services without this accreditation.


– Craig Gibson is online editor of hipages.com.au, the most visited site in the building, renovation and home improvement sector. If you have a dream project that requires an architect, simply post your job and three local architects will be matched to your project.

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The Block

The Block All Stars is filming in Bondi

Word on the street is that The Block All Stars has started filming the next series in Sydney’s Bondi. Have you spotted them yet? According to previous reports, heritage cottages in Tasman Street have been earmarked for renovation. This week, the Block All Stars lineup was announced.

I’m very excited to have the show on NSW ground again!

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Interiors Addict

Masters launches Australia’s biggest online home improvement store

Masters is attempting to revolutionise home improvement with the launch of masters.com.au, offering a huge range of DIY products for home delivery at the click of a mouse.

With more than 10,000 products available to buy at the same low prices you find in store, it means customers right across the country can take advantage of Masters’ range.

“This is a great step forward for competition. Overnight, Masters will become a truly national brand, bringing choice and low prices to home renovators from Weipa to Wangaratta,” said CEO Don Stallings.


Masters.com.au will launch with a great selection of popular home improvement products, including lamps, wallpaper, rugs and outdoor furniture, to hardware items such as power tools, plumbing, building supplies and cement.

Products available online include: kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, tools, hardware, homewares, appliances, electrical, outdoor furniture and BBQs, plumbing, paint accessories and more. All are available at the same price as you’ll find in a store. Stallings added: “We know from other home improvement retailers around the world, including our partner Lowe’s in the US, that more and more customers are opting to buy home improvement products online or to use online sites to compare prices and product information. Customers have the power at their fingertips and Masters fully intends to cater to every customer, regardless of how, when and where they want to shop with us.”

The growth of the online store will complement the rollout of the physical store network, which is on track to launch 15-to-20 stores a year for the foreseeable future.  There are currently 13 Masters stores open across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia and 12 under construction.

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Interiors Addict

1 in 4 Aussies regret attempting renovations themselves

An independent consumer survey has revealed one in five wished they hadn’t bitten off more than they could chew when it came to house renovations.

“DIY home renovations have become highly accessible following the explosion of renovation reality shows, booming hardware market and popularity of online DIY forums where people can learn from each other’s experiences. However, 17% of survey respondents feel they jumped in at the deep end and wished they hadn’t taken the reins themselves,” said Rebecca Logan of Canstar Blue, who commissioned the survey.

“Males were more likely to regret attempting house renovations at 19% of respondents, however females weren’t far behind, with 14% feeling a pang over DIY renovations.

“Overall, the results show the vast majority of DIY consumer experiences are positive, as Australians take a greater interest in adding value to their properties instead of buying new homes given current cautious levels of consumer confidence.”

Business research firm IBIS World recently forecast Australia’s DIY market would grow by more than 22.5% in the next five years.

When it came to which brand in the competitive $40 billion Australian home improvement market has the happiest customers, it was market leader Bunnings that topped the Canstar Blue list. The recently launched home improvement chain Masters didn’t qualify for the survey because of low responses rates due to their brief time in the marketplace.