Looking forward to Summer ....
Summer is coming....Did you know we build Decks, Arbours, Outdoor Rooms and more. Call us for a quote today.
With the Sun finally starting to show itself after a long cold and Wet Winter here on Phillip Island our thoughts turn to Summer. Like many people, a great deal of time is spent outside with family and friends gathered around a table sharing food and great stories.
Did you know we build Decks and Arbours and outdoor rooms - Why not call us for a quote?
The outside room is a thing that is included in many new home designs. However, like us, many people have purchased an existing house and are wanting to renovate and update their small slice of paradise.
The big inspirations at the moment are Breeze Blocks, Beautiful Timber Posts, Rusty Rio trailed with Grape Vines with Pizza ovens and BBQ's built into our outdoor spaces.
Breeze blocks are a fantastic way to create a break in a space without cutting it off from the rest of the room.
View a range of Breeze Blocks here ; Austral & Cubic Products
Breeze Blocks bring back memories of endless summers from our childhood
The Pizza Oven and BBQ have become part of our outdoor lifestyle. It doesn't have to be thousands of dollars. There are plenty of DIY Pizza Oven Guides around heres a great one.
The Perfect Pizza oven - why not build one yourself?
Renovations - Big & Small - Kitchens, Bathrooms & More
Recently we have been very busy with clients wanting to transform their homes and beach shacks into more contemporary, clean and practical spaces. Many have had the original timber panelling, Asbestos Cladding, Old drafty windows and dark interiors. We have loved the transformations from Dark to light. Closed to open living. Cold to warm.
We build all our own kitchens & bathroom cabinets in house. We have access to the latest Laminex, Caesarstone, Real stone, Blum & Hafele fittings - Soft close, push to open automatic cupboards, Servo mechanisms that make opening drawers and over head cupboards a breeze. Whether its 2 pack spray painted cupboards, beautiful organic warm wood tones, contemporary ply or a combination of these and many others. Doing things in house makes it easier to accomodate your designs and speeds up timelines.
Because we are fully licensed and registered builders we can take out windows, replace beams, waterproof and tile, knock down walls and make sure the cabinets and interiors and exteriors all look beautiful but most of all comply with building code & come with proper permits and all work is insured. The advantage is that we see it through from design to finished product & we are able to be flexible with your needs. If you want that cupboard or drawer layout slightly different then we can accomodate your wishes. Contact us to see whats possible.
Changes to Building Laws - Consumer Alert - September 2016
As a fully registered and Insured Building Practitioner, Ashley stays up to date with the latest building regulations and rules on building a new home or renovating existing ones. The Industry is in the process of being overhauled and we applaud the State Government for getting tougher on those unqualified tradespeople building illegally and undercutting those who work hard to stay registered, insured and qualified to carry out building works. Those signing up consumers as "owner builders" will from September face serious fines for carrying out work without registration and without proper notification to the VBA.
From 1 September 2016, builders entering into a major domestic building contract will be required to provide owners with a Domestic Building Consumer Guide approved by Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) before the contract is signed.
The Consumer Guide provides information to owners of their rights and responsibilities, the role of the builder and the requirement that the owner appoint the building surveyor.
The CAV check list that must be included in all major domestic building contracts has also been updated to ensure that the appointment of the building surveyor is done so by the owner. You should not enter in to a contract without the owner first appointing the building surveyor.
Builders must give owners a copy of the Consumer Guide and the owner should complete the check list prior to entering into a major domestic building contract.
HIA is currently in the process of amending its standard contracts to include the Consumer Guide and updated check list.
For further information about the Consumer Guide and the checklist, and to obtain copies of these documents, please visit the CAV website at:
https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/buildingguide
Other changes from 1 September 2016
A number of other changes from the Bill will commence from 1 September 2016. These include:
The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) being responsible for the registration of builders, replacing the Building Practitioners Board.
Builders will need to renew their builders’ registration every 5 years.
A new show cause process for disciplining builders will be implemented which gives the VBA the power to immediately suspend builders for serious misconduct.
OWNER BUILDERS
From 4 July 2016 the VBA's inspection powers will be extended to include owner-built sites. The powers include:
entering land and/or dwellings under certain circumstances to examine work for compliance
requiring a person (including an owner-builder) to produce certain documents on request
making copies of documents
requiring a person (including an owner-builder) to provide certain information on request.
The new domestic building dispute conciliation process is not expected to commence until early 2017. This reform will include powers for dispute resolution orders to be given by a government official to resolve the dispute.
For further information please contact your Workplace Adviser
on 1300 650 620
CONTEMPORARY COASTAL DESIGN FOR THE MODERN FAMILY
Our owners brief was they wanted a quality home that suited their close to ocean location, was comfortable for their growing family and friends and was robust enough for fit their active lifestyle. They got it right. Designed to make the most of its close water views, the top floor features a large light filled living space and central kitchen with polished spotted gum floors and an open fire place which adds to the room’s warmth and appeal. A master bedroom with water views, ensuite, powder room and an extra big bedroom with a loft, plus a big deck that overlooks a great back yard completes this level. Ground floor features 2 larger bedrooms, polished concrete floors to entry and a second living area plus a huge studio/music room that can easily double as a fifth bedroom. The home has a large tandem double garage with secure entry to the home, split system heating and cooling and an outdoor shower to rinse the sand off after a surf.
Close walking distance to one of the islands best surf breaks and the kids will love the rock pool rambles at low tide around Sunderland Bay. This property is a must inspect. Contact Alex Scott Real Estate for more information
New Laminex Products
The new release of the latest finishes from Laminex have arrived just in time for our own renovation. I love using materials which are raw and natural. The new finishes are really about bringing a wider range of colours and textures into homes which create a much more affordable and practical bathroom, kitchen or Laundry and robes. The possibilities give us much more to choose from. The two distinct trends coming from the European Kitchen shows are quiet different; one being natural colours textures and tones and the other being glossy and square crisp modern with pops of new colours. The Wood grain finishes and colours are rather lovely. If you are considering updating give us a call to discuss the possibilities.
Time to Build and Scrub the Decks...
The weather is beginning to warm up. We can finally start to enjoy outdoor BBQ's and memorable gatherings with family and friends.
That means its time to get the house ready. Are the decks secure and are the posts and pergolas safe? Do you need to spray for termites, strip decks back and reseal them?
We can build or repair your deck, pergola, verandah and garden room and make it beautiful for the upcoming summer season.
A new deck can add a fantastic outdoor living space not to mention add value to your home. We recommend using Australian Timber that is sourced from a reputable and sustainable supplier. For more on responsible Timber Sources visit Ecospecifier Real Timber is beautiful. Not only do timber decks look amazing they feel gorgeous underfoot and stand the test of time.
Our local Timber Outlet in Cowes TJ's has a fantastic range of boards and can also source Landscape timber for that added Wow! Factor.
There are Local laws governing what can and can't be built and we can advise you on what the requirements are. We can give you design ideas and make you backyard and outdoor room spectacular.
Remember only use a fully registered and Insured Builder like us that understands local laws, permits and can offer full warranty protection. All work over the $5000 mark should only be carried out by a registered builder and have a contract in place to protect you. Visit www.consumer.vic.gov.au for more information.