Felicity Allen's comments

Great article. For larger commercial applications, it may also be worth considering a wastewater treatment plant, especially if you have a large remote operation with staff living onsite, or if you're in agriculture. You can more info here: http://www.tristarwater.com.au/

Good article! With people becoming more environmentally-aware, many of us are seeking a more sustainable way of life. And sustainable building is a big part of this. From insulation choices, to the use of recycled products, to renewable energy options, there are a huge number of sustainable home renovation ideas out there. You can find some examples here: https://www.instantwaste.com.au/news/sustainable-building-in-australia-home-renovation-ideas/.

Good article! One thing which is often over-looked is skip bin hire. While most builders will include this in their quote, this is not always the case. In the early days of the build process, well-before demolition / construction commences, find out from your builder whether a skip is included in their pricing. If it is not included, you'll need to do some homework to ensure you engage a reliable, responsible provider. While your main goal may be to find a cheap skip provider (such as Cheapest Skips: https://www.cheapestskips.com.au/), it's important to consider other factors, such as: Are the environmentally responsible? What do they do with your waste? Are there any weight restrictions for the skip bin? Can you choose your delivery and pick-up dates? What are their customer reviews like? A little homework can go a long way - and potentially save you a lot of time and effort down the track.

Great article! One thing which is often over-looked is skip bin hire. Most builders will include this in their quote, but not always. Be sure to find out from your builder whether the skip bin is, or is not, included in their price. If it is not included, some basic research will help to ensure you engage a good provider. Look at Google My Business reviews and also find out what customers are saying about the on other review sites. Are they reliable? Do they deliver a professional service? Are they environmentally responsible? How do they dispose of your waste? You also need to carefully consider the size of bin you'll need and a parking space for your bin, as well as pricing. And be aware of any weight limits or council permits required. You can find a list of the common mistakes people make when hiring a skip bin here: https://www.cheapestskips.com.au/blog/20-03-31_8-common-mistakes-people-make-when-hiring-a-skip-bin.

This is a good read! It's surprising how making small changes to your every day expenditure can lead to significant savings over time. Even simple things, such as cutting down on your coffees can mean hundreds of extra dollars in your bank account come the end of the year. Also, salary sacrifice is an easy way to save money - and the savings can be significant. Salary sacrifice is an ATO-approved method of restructuring your income, so that you reduce your tax and increase your take-home pay. More info on this can be found here: https://www.bility.com.au/salary-packaging/

Great article - thank you! Another easy way to spruce up your kitchen or bathroom without breaking the bank, is to paint the cabinets and replace the door / drawer handles - it can really transform the space. And shop around for your materials - there are deals to be had. You can also find some great pieces on www.gumtree.com.au, such as vanity mirrors. One thing that is often overlooked is the need to hire a skip. If you are replacing cabinetry or having a good clear-out, you will need a skip bin. Factor this into your budget and again, shop around for a good deal. But make sure they are an environmentally-responsible provider, such as Instant Waste Management (https://www.instantwaste.com.au/your-waste/private-and-residential/) who recycle most of the waste they collect.

Great article - thank you! Another way to spruce up your yard is to upgrade your fencing. A new fence can do wonders for the kerb appeal of your home, as well as increasing your security. From cheap DIY fencing panels from Bunnings, to high-quality fencing installation from specialists such as Fencemakers (https://www.fencemakers.com/), there is a huge range out there - and something to suit every budget. Just be sure to select a fencing design which suits the style of your home. And a deck is a great way to create a flat dining / entertaining area. Composite (plastic wood) decking is hugely popular as it offers a low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood. There are also a number of eco-friendly brands on the market, such as NewTechWood (https://newtechwood.com.au/). And the higher-quality products look very much like real timber. But overall, I'd say the best way to enhance your yard is to introduce natural greenery - trees and plants can have a huge impact on any space. You can transform the ugliest of walls with a creeper, such as Star Jasmine, Virginia Creeper or Ivy.

An interesting article - thank you! Another way to spruce up your yard is to upgrade your fencing. A smart fence can instantly improve your home's kerb appeal, as well as increasing your security. From cheap DIY fence panels from Bunnings, to attractive, high-quality fence installations from companies such as Fencemakers (https://www.fencemakers.com/), there are a huge range of fencing options out there. Just be sure to select a style which complements the design of your home. Decking makes another great addition, especially for creating a flat dining area. For a low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood, try composite decking. They are becoming hugely popular as they do not fade or rot. And the higher-quality brands (such as this one https://newtechwood.com.au/) look like real wood. But overall, I'd say the very best way to enhance your yard would be to add natural greenery - trees and plants create a huge impact on any space. The ugliest of walls can be transformed by a beautiful climber, such as a Star Jasmine, Virginia Creeper or Ivy.

This is a really informative article - thank you! I agree that normal detergents can clean your deck just as efficiently as specialised decking cleaners. I also found that a stiff brush was really effective in removing stuck-on debris. However, having had a traditional wood deck for years, we have recently upgraded to a composite wood deck which provides a no-maintenance alternative to traditional wood. The benefit of (a good quality) composite is that it looks like traditional timber, but does not fade, rot or scratch. We installed this product https://newtechwood.com.au/composite-decking-australia/ and are very happy with the results thus far.

Great article - thanks for the tips! I'm a big fan of upcycling and another way you can save money is to give your existing vanity unit a new lease of live, as opposed to replacing it. It's amazing how a lick of paint and new handles can transform a piece! Also, one thing which is often overlooked is the need to hire a skip bin. I've learned from experience than home renovation is made all the more difficult when you don't have anywhere to store your unwanted items and debris. In my view, it's a worthwhile investment as it saves hours in multiple trips to the local tip and helps to relieve a bit of stress. But be sure to shop around as skip hire prices can vary quite a bit. Visit a website such as https://www.cheapestskips.com.au/ to find the cheapest quote. Finally, regular maintenance of your tools and equipment is hugely important - and will save you money in the long-run. Keeping your tools and equipment in optimal working order will help to prevent breakages and breakdowns and will increase longevity. Even simple steps such as keeping turning them off at the plug and keeping them well-lubricated can help. This Australian supplier stocks a huge range of high-quality lubricants: https://www.statewidebearings.com.au/products/lubrication/. Good luck!