PLANNING
Before you start
Understand what you want done, which information is still needed and what decisions should be made before pricing or construction starts.
HOMEOWNER BUILDING & RENOVATION ADVICE
Practical Advice Before You Build, Renovate or Repair.
Planning work around your home can raise a lot of questions. Dial-a-Contractor Advice gives homeowners practical information about building, renovations, repairs, quotations, costs, plans, materials and common problems before the work starts.
✓
Building & renovation advice
✓
Quotes, costs, plans & materials
✓
Repairs, leaks & common home problems
START WITH BETTER INFORMATION
Understand the job before spending money on it.
Whether you are adding a room, renovating a kitchen, fixing a leaking roof or working through home repairs, understanding the basics can help you make better decisions before the work begins.
QUOTATIONS
Understanding building quotes
Learn why two quotations can differ substantially and why scope, materials, allowances and exclusions matter as much as the final price.
COSTS
What affects the cost?
Size, materials, access, existing conditions, finishes and the amount of work involved can all affect what a project costs.
PLANS
Plans & approvals
Understand when drawings, approvals or professional input may be needed before residential building or alteration work proceeds.
BUILDING & RENOVATION GUIDES
Advice for the work homeowners most commonly undertake.
The Advice section will grow into a practical library covering the building, renovation and home-improvement questions homeowners regularly need answered.
BUILDING
New homes & building work
Understand plans, building quotations, materials, structural work, approvals and practical issues before construction begins.
RENOVATIONS
Renovating an existing home
Learn about hidden conditions, living through the work, changing layouts, opening walls and dealing with unexpected repairs.
EXTENSIONS
Adding space to your home
Understand how a new room or extension connects to the existing structure, roof, services, finishes and approvals.
KITCHENS & BATHROOMS
Kitchen & bathroom renovations
Get practical information about layouts, plumbing, electrical work, waterproofing, cabinetry, tiles, fittings and finishes.
REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE ADVICE
Understand the cause before repeatedly repairing the symptom.
Leaks, damp, electrical faults, plumbing problems and deteriorating finishes are not always as straightforward as they first appear.
Waterproofing & damp
Understand why water can appear far from where it enters and why repeated coating or patch repairs do not always solve the problem.
Roof leaks
Learn about flashings, gutters, roof coverings, previous repairs and why finding the source of a leak can take investigation.
Plumbing problems
Understand visible leaks, concealed pipework, drainage problems, geysers and water damage around the home.
Electrical problems
Learn when tripping, damaged fittings, failed circuits and other electrical problems need proper investigation.
QUOTES & COSTS
Do not compare only the number at the bottom.
A cheaper quote can sometimes be genuinely better value. It can also simply contain less work. Understanding what is included makes it easier to compare prices properly.
Check the scope
Make sure the quotation actually covers the work you expect to be completed.
Check materials
Product quality, quantities and specifications can materially affect both price and the completed result.
Check exclusions
Understand what has deliberately been left out so that those items do not become unexpected costs later.
Check allowances
Provisional amounts may change once final selections, quantities or actual site conditions become known.
BEFORE WORK STARTS
A few practical decisions can prevent expensive changes later.
Building and renovation work becomes more difficult when important decisions are only made after the relevant trade has already started.
Decide the layout
Room layouts, cupboard positions, sanitaryware and major fixtures can affect several trades.
Select important finishes
Tiles, flooring, fittings and other materials may affect price, dimensions and availability.
Understand what is being removed
Renovations can reveal concealed services, damage or previous alterations once existing finishes are stripped out.
Allow for changes
If the work changes after pricing, understand the additional work and cost before simply proceeding.
COMMON HOMEOWNER QUESTIONS
Questions worth asking before spending money on your home.
Do I need plans?
It depends on the work. New construction, extensions and some alterations may require drawings, approval or professional input.
Why are quotations so different?
Contractors may be pricing different scopes, specifications, materials, quantities and exclusions even when the final descriptions look similar.
What if additional work is found?
Existing buildings can hide problems. Additional work should be identified and discussed rather than automatically treated as part of the original price.
Can I start before everything is decided?
Sometimes, but unresolved decisions can affect pricing and progress. Important selections and layouts are usually easier to deal with before the relevant work starts.
NEED THE WORK DONE?
Tell us what you need help with at your home.
If you are planning building work, a renovation, home improvement or repair, send us the basic details and we can establish the next practical step.