Here at Find-a-builder we are the timber decking specialists who can create all sorts of decking solutions in your Brisbane home to increase your space and enhance your outdoor lifestyle. But before you can get your home fully decked out with a stunning new deck, there are some requirements to building a deck in Brisbane which we share in our latest post.

Some decks in Brisbane need planning approval while most others will not. Decks that are classified as ‘self assessable’ and do not require planning permission include those that are in council’s preferred locations which are:
•    Low density residential zones

•    Low-medium residential zones

•    Medium density residential zones

•    High residential zones

To find out the exact facts about your block of land visit the Brisbane City Council’s key property facts tool. This allows you to know if there are any zoning requirements or constraints for building with your property, or if your block of land is small lot (less than 450 square metres) which can affect the rules for building a deck.

Decking designs that don’t need building approval

•    Decks that are no more than one metre above the ground

•    No more than 10 square metres in size

•    No more than 2.4 metres high with an average mean height of  no more than 2.1 metres

•    Not exceed 5 metres in length on any side

•    Is complaint with safety as outline in the Queensland Development Code.

If your decking design does not meet these five requirements you will need to have the plans assessed by a building certifier. Find-a-builder can arrange this on your behalf or comply to government requirements to create a deck that is self assessable (does not require building or planning approval.) If you are looking to attach the deck to the rest of the home or cover it with a permanent roof there is more chance the plans will need to be approved by council.

The beauty of a deck and the associated benefits are something you are your family are sure to enjoy for years to come and a deck built by the our tradespeople will definitely add value to your home.

Wanting to know more about building a deck in Brisbane? As the decking specialists Find-a-builder can help you with everything needed for an end-to-end decking solution that takes everything including building permits and local planning laws into account. Call us today on 1300 166 101 to learn more about your options to deck out your home this summer!

Kitchens are one of the areas of the house that receive the highest use, and also the most foot traffic. Over times these areas can become worn and dated faster than other areas of the house, so it’s no surprise that a little attention will go a long way. For your next kitchen renovation contact Find-a-builder. We are the Brisbane trade team who supply the best tradesmen in the business and today we share 4 areas to refurbish in your kitchen to make a big impact in both functionality and style.  

1)    Countertops and Benches

Homeowners wanting to replace their kitchen benches or create more surface area have a range of materials to choose from including laminate, stainless steel, and solid surface countertops. Laminate is generally the most affordable option and is composed of different layers, while solid surfaces benches like Avonite are made with one material throughout and generally middle range in terms of price. Classy stone and stainless steel surfaces make up the top end choices for kitchen surfaces. Most of these surfaces are available in a range of colours to complement existing décor and colour schemes.

2)    Splashbacks

Whether you stick with traditional white tiles, or go for something a little bit more adventurous, renovated splashbacks including glass and acrylic materials can add the ‘wow’ factor and make a huge difference when creating contemporary, stylish kitchen. Since splashback areas can appear worn and even grubby over time, refreshing this area with new easy clean and modern options will a big impact in terms of the looks of your kitchen.

3)    Tiles and Flooring

New flooring options can go a long way to bring your kitchen into the 21st century, with a range of different options available depending on budget. When looking to renovate flooring it pays to invest in durable, easy clean and moisture resistant surfaces in this highly used area of the home. Other considerations include the underfoot comfort of the flooring and of course the looks and style you are looking to achieve. Hardwood flooring, laminate and tiles are the most popular flooring options used in kitchens.

4)    Cabinets and Fittings

Kitchen cabinets represent a fantastic opportunity to increase the functionality of your kitchen with cupboards that are deeper, have more shelves, or simply including fittings with more drawers. If you are happy with your existing layout and space, replacing doors and handles instead of entire fixtures can go a long way to overhaul the appearance of a kitchen for a fraction of the cost of entirely new cabinets. Other options for kitchen fittings include deep large drawers for oversized pots and pans, and above-stove exhaust fans installed above the cooktop.

To transform a tired and tatty kitchen consider starting with these four areas of the kitchen, where a number of approaches that can be taken depending on your personal taste and budget. Get more out of your kitchen with the help with the help of Find-a-builder, the trade supply team who coordinate and create functional and stylish renovations across Brisbane. Call us today 1300 726 806

Everyone who is renovating, extending or building a new home should have the best experience possible looking after their projects, but unfortunately the reality is that not all builders and tradespeople are created equal. Since it takes a good builder to recognise one, our team of tradespeople in Brisbane have put together a checklist of questions to ask and things to look for so you can avoid the building blues on your next project.

A Professional Approach

Despite popular opinion from some people, tradespeople including builders should always maintain professionalism on the job. Dealings should be business-like and professional, despite the informal setting. Professionalism means always sticking to appointments, returning calls and keeping promises. These are all hallmarks of a building team who have a professional approach to support their on the job trade skills.

Good Communication Skills

A building process is always going to go smoothly if the building team have good communication skills and understand the importance of keeping their clients in the picture. This means that you’ll be able to understand the process and you’ll know what to expect which help bring a mutual understanding between all parties.

Membership of Professional Association

A reputable building company should always be a member of industry associations like Master Builders Australia or HIA. To retain these memberships companies must also comply with strict regulations, so if the builder you choose does not have any evidence of membership, this can raise a red flag in terms of their skills and workmanship.

References from previous work

Good builders should always be able to provide references to similar jobs and have people who are willing to attest to their skills and quality workmanship. Additionally a good builder should be able to provide some examples of previous work so you can see it for yourself. Ideally a good builder will also have experience working on different types of projects, but have a style which they specialise in.

Efficiency and Deadline Driven

While sometimes delays are inevitable due to supply hold-ups or bad weather, a good building team will be managed well by a foreman and have a deadline-driven approach. A good builder will always strive to adhere to timeframes and understand the need for efficiency.

Here at Find a Builder we don’t want your dreams to be delayed, we’ll always be up-front and honest, we maintain professional standards and we’re members of all the industry associations that you would expect from a quality builder. Plus we’ve worked on all types of projects across the Brisbane area. To find out more don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to find out more and say goodbye to building blues on your next project. For quality tradespeople for your next project, Find-a-Builder is the only name you need to know.

The numbers definitely don’t lie and when it comes to the official figures it’s clear that Aussies and Queenslanders were definitely tuning in. We’re talking about the rating juggernauts of both My Kitchen Rules, and channel Ten’s long running MasterChef which according to projected figures for 2013/2014 from the Housing Industry Association (HIA), have inspired people to get excited about food again and head back into the kitchen.

Like most workspaces, to work effectively you need a well-designed space to work in from the outset. When it comes to the kitchen this means having adequate bench space to prepare different meal components at the same time, while at the same time paying attention to the way you can move around the area.

Here at Find a Builder, kitchen renovations continue to be one of our most common and popular renovation projects after many people look around their existing kitchen and realise that they could be getting more out of it. Combine this with the fact that many Aussies are getting inspired about food again, perhaps due the popularity of high rating cooking programmes, and we’re seeing even more of a demand for kitchen renovations in Brisbane.

Updating your kitchen can mean many things depending on your tastes and preferences. As well as updating the look with more modern fixtures and fittings, there should always be a focus on increased practicality in your new kitchen space.

We encourage all our clients thinking about kitchen renovations to consider what their current limitations are in their kitchen space which we can advise the various options to correct this. Kitchens are one of the most important and frequently used areas of the home, this means that they need to work well for you. Do your meals justice in a space you look forward to working in!

So stop searching for the right people to help with your next renovation project – you’ve found them.  Find a Builder in Brisbane have access to some of the best tradesmen in the industry, with extensive experience in kitchen remodelling and renovations. For more information call our friendly team on 1300 166 101 today.

Should you extend your home add more space as your family and needs change, or do you sell your home and upgrade to something larger? This is a question homeowners ask themselves regularly, and at the end of the day, only the homeowner can answer this because there are often more factors than just extra space to consider. Sometimes there are a number of reasons why you’d like to move into a new home, but other times adding more space if you like the area can be not only a cheaper but a more practical option. Find-A-Builder supply the team of ‘go-to’ builders in Brisbane for building extensions and new homes, and it today’s article we give some questions to ask yourself to decide whether an extension is the best option for you.

What will cost more?

It pays to do your research with this one and not go on gut instincts. Depending on the area you are looking to move into, upgrading a larger home may be cheaper than extending your existing home. Get a reasonable quote for an extension from a reputable company –can we suggest Find-A-Builder?  Compare this to the cost of buying a new home in a desired area that is larger. Don’t forget to include other incidental costs that relocating can incur such as greater commuting distance plus moving costs.

How much more space do you need?

If you are looking for a couple of extra bedrooms, a larger kitchen and a bigger living room trying to extend all these areas will not only start getting costly but also time consuming and could tip the scales back in favour of buying a larger home. However if you are after only a modest increase in space, an extension is often the more viable and affordable option.

Will an extension add value to my home?

Yes, but only if it is an extension that is well planned and makes the best use of existing land. This is why you need to go with a trusted builder who a familiar with residential extensions and use the skills of an architect or building designer who can advise on extensions that will add resale value to your property

But I already like the area that I am living in…

If you already like your neighbourhood, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to move to another area simply to buy bigger. Think about redesigning the way you are living, making some compromises and possibly extension either living space or bedroom space makes good sense.

Are there any other options to consider?

If you are on a budget and still want extra living space to take advantage of, decks and outdoor entertaining areas are a rewarding and are a fraction of the cost compared to a full-blown bricks and mortar extension. Find-A-Builder also can create innovative patios and timber decking that flows with the rest of your property and adds a considerable amount of living space.

When it comes to building and extending your home, go with the builders who want the best for you and your home. Find-A-Builder can give you honest and helpful advice and offer transparency on all of our costing. Call us today to find out what we can offer you when it comes to extensions or renovations in your Brisbane home.

One of our most popular projects here at Find-a-Builder is our bathroom renovations that we carry out throughout Brisbane. When it comes to renovations in the bathroom, there are lots of different ways to tackle tired and tatty looking fixtures and fittings. The three essentials of renovating involve the processes of renewal, restoration, and refurbishment to give your bathroom the makeover it’s been waiting for since the 90s. In today’s news article we look at some handy tips to assist the homeowner in choosing a renovation that will suit their needs, style and tastes and breathe life back into this often worn and dated area of the home.

Refurbish tiles in the Bathroom

Congratulations! You’ve decided to refurbish your bathroom with different tiles. After all, those brown and light orange tones from the 70s really don’t do the bathroom justice in the twenty-first century.  When choosing tiles, larger tiles will be generally easier and less time-consuming to keep clean since they have less grout. In the bathroom people generally choose lighter coloured tiles since they brighten up the area and can make smaller bathrooms feel more spacious.

Renew Vanities and Fittings

That chipboard vanity looked decent enough when it was installed 20 years ago, problem is chipped corners and waterlogged wood has rendered your bathroom vanity in need of a major overhaul. Fortunately a new vanity can completely change the look and feel of the bathroom without too much hassle or expense. Important considerations to make include the amount of storage and bench space you are likely to need. While looks are important, functionality is the key consideration to make with bathroom fixtures and fittings work for your family.

Restore Mirrors, Glass and Windows

Often bathrooms feel tired and dated due to availability of light in the room. Adding mirrors, or changing frosted glass sliding shower doors to just a single panelled glass door can open up the area and create more light. If you have good privacy outside your bathroom window increasing the number or size of windows will also help to renew the look and feel of your bathroom and help to make the most of the available space, without costing a fortune.

Whether it’s a complete overhaul of your existing bathroom, or just some new equipment and fittings to bring it into the modern era, our team of builders available at Find-a-Builder are experts in all types of renovation projects, including the always-popular bathroom restorations. For more information about what is possible when it comes to revamping your bathroom, give us a call on 1300 166 101

With property sizes getting smaller, many people are looking towards creative and cost effective ways to increase living spaces without the cost of an arm and a leg, like a full blown extension.  Outdoor decks provide this to homeowners while combining other lifestyle benefits, and as such the popularity of timber decks throughout Brisbane has soared in recent years.  Find-a-Builder construct high finish, quality timber decking solutions for all property types and can bring the benefits of a large or small outdoor deck in Brisbane to your home. What benefits you ask? Let us explain:

Increases living space

With an enviable climate in Queensland for most of the year, outdoor living areas are a desirable feature in any home.  Timber decks also make entertaining guests and alfresco dining easy while also allowing homeowners to take advantage of cool breezes as they spend time enjoying the benefits of outdoor living.

Increases the usability of backyard

Many Brisbane properties are built on sloping terrain which makes enjoying the outdoors sometimes not as practical as it could be. Timber decks can be built on all terrain types and can have different levels for a range of outdoor activities in different areas. One level could be used for barbecuing, while another level could be used for a hot tub or an outdoor lounge.

Visually appealing and adds value to a property

The symmetry of a deck catches the eye, and designing a deck gives the homeowner many options to add character and truly make it their own. They also provide a fantastic opportunity to design an outdoor garden of potted plants, water features and accessories to make it a key feature of your home and a place where you’ll want to spend time.

As well as the obvious lifestyle benefits of an outdoor deck in Brisbane, there are a range of other advantages this kind of extension can bring to your property including the timeless appeal of timber, its low maintenance and high durability and in particular it’s affordability when compared to other home extension options. For more information about a deck for your Brisbane home call the building supply specialists at Find-a-Builder and get your home all decked out today. 1300 166 101.

Neglecting to Properly Plan

Would-be renovators usually have the right vision, but lack the required knowledge of how to schedule specific tasks in a logical order so the project travels smoothly and things are completed within set timeframes. Crucial elements are often overlooked or even forgotten about completely in the planning stage including measurements and other specifications. This can bring even the most promising renovation project unstuck before the renovation even gets off the ground.

Cutting Corners

Cheap fittings and a slap-dash approach are where inexperienced renovators run into trouble in their projects. For example, while budget laminate flooring may save money now, cheap materials won’t add any significant to a home’s value and could end up costing more money if they are not laid or installed professionally. Often cheaper materials need to be replaced sooner rather than later, defeating the purpose of a renovation that is built to last.

Practicality forgotten about in favour of looks

DIY renovators often run into trouble by forgetting about functionality in their design in favour of new fit outs and trying to achieve the latest ‘look.’ While looks are important, a successful renovation should have a functional design that makes the use of space more effective. DIY renovators often don’t consider elements of functionality in their projects.

These are just a few of many possible areas where aspiring renovators can go wrong. Often the time and stress involved in a DIY renovation project makes people wish they had hired a team of professionals from the beginning. Budget blowouts are common with DIY attempts and errors expensive to fix.
Unless you really know what you’re doing, hiring a professional from the outset will ensure you know what to expect in regard to cost, and what timeframe to expect it in. Find-a-Builder has built our business from knowledge and expertise across a variety of projects, with renovations proving to be continually popular. Let us take some of the stress out of your renovation project and gain the results you’ve been looking for – without the nasty surprises along the way. Call us today – 1300 166 101.

Refurbish tired tiles and worn flooring

That floral patterned linoleum floor looked great back in the 70s, but has since faded and the orange and brown colour palette now screams ‘headache’ like never before. Overhauling the flooring with hard wearing materials which are properly sealed is a must in a kitchen area, due to spillages and high foot traffic. Popular flooring surfaces for the kitchen include ceramic or stone tiles, natural stone and wood.  Tiled splashback areas above sinks and stoves also benefit from a refresh since after years of contact with, water, steam, heat and oil can begin to discolour and wear.

Restore benches, countertops, cupboards and cabinets

Major and minor kitchen renovations usually always involve some form of improvement to the kitchens surfaces or inbuilt fixtures. Sometimes a complete overhaul is needed with new and additional fittings to give more storage space. Other times the countertops might simply benefit from a new finish, coating or covering. Existing cupboards fixtures can also receive a new lease of life by replacing doors and handle fittings to bring a new look and feel. Important considerations to make include the storage and bench space you are likely to need. If you are currently limited space-wise looking at reformatting your kitchen or adding higher or deeper cupboards is often worthwhile. Other popular renovations include raising a section of the countertop to make a bar-like area complete with bar stools.

Renew taps, sinks and plumbing

Always wanted a double sink, space for a dishwasher, or even a garbage disposal unit?  The renovation stage is a perfect opportunity to look at the plumbing fittings and consider changing to a more water efficient and aesthetic units. Find-a-builder has access to some of the best plumbers in the Brisbane area that can install and connect all plumbing fixtures into your newly revitalised kitchen.

Whether it’s a complete overhaul to the design and layout of your existing kitchen, or just some new equipment and fittings to bring it into the modern era, our team of tradesmen here at Find-a-Builder are able to breathe life back into dated and tired areas of the home – kitchens included. For more information about what is possible when it comes to household renovations, give us a call -1300 166 101.

It is many home owners dream in Australia to own a house that has a lovely deck.  In an Australian climate, decks and patios serve as a great place to host social gatherings and entertain in an outdoor environment.  It’s quite interesting to note that while they are a relatively simple structure, it seems like everyone’s tastes seem to differ when it comes to building one themselves.

Have you taken the time to think about exactly what you plan on using your deck for?  For example, if you are only planning on sitting out there and having a coffee with friends than you will not need the same sized deck as someone who plans on hosting large barbeques out there.

Another thing to consider when building your deck is how you would like it to look.  While you can ultimately choose to have it in any shape or style that you desire, it is best to try and work in synergy with the materials pros and cons.  You must really consider if you would like to use a hardwood deck that would not be covered by a roof.  While this can be done, this will require higher maintenance than if you were to go with a different form of wood.

In today’s blog post, we have provided our readers with a few little things to think about as they start tossing up the idea of building a deck or a patio in their home.  If you would like to have a detailed chat with one of our builders, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Brisbane offices here at Find a Builder on 1300 166 101.