Home Design Guides: Tradies and professionals

Most architects and building designers will do a great job of explaining and guiding you through the process - but having a clear understanding of how to engage them from the outset can make things much easier.

To choose the right architect, you will need to understand what sort of work they specialise in, how they charge, where they work, how you'll get along with them and where best to look.

Learn how to find the right builders - and how to get things right at the quotation stage so that you avoid the most common problems with building contracts.

Not many people know the difference between an architect and a building designer. They’re both employed to design buildings – and they share many common skills and offer very similar services. Find out what the difference is.

Lots of people think ‘interior designer’ and ‘interior decorator’ are exactly the same profession. This isn’t the case though. Find out what the difference is between interior designers, decorators, stylists and architects.

Hiring a properly trained bathroom designer’s the best to ensure that you’re getting a stunning, expertly finished bathroom, and that every practical issue has been completely considered and accounted for.

Ever wonder what it takes to make a home 'smarter' - or who to call to make that happen? Learn more about custom installers, what they do and how they do it.

If you're renovating an older home, there's a fair chance you'll come across asbestos. Because it's so dangerous, laws exist about how it should be handled, and by whom.

Find out why DIY solar hot water kits are dangerous, and how they're likely to cost you much more than you bargained for.

Everyone knows plumbers work with pipes - but most people don't realise just how many pipes there are hidden around their houses, and how important their functions are to so many things.

Plumbing is much more than just fixing leaky taps. Find out what sorts of things plumbing involves, and what aspects of your home require a plumber.

Find out what steps are required to install the plumbing in your home - from the design stage all the way through to testing and compliance certificates.

What sort of insulation can you install yourself - and when might you need to hire a professional do the job properly? Find out more about what's required to install different sorts of acoustic insulation.

Read our simple guide on what to expect if you're planning on getting solar panels installed. Find out what to look for, who to talk to and how to get a deal that suits you.

If you’re considering wind power as an option, there are a few questions you'll need to be able to answer to make sure it's right for your needs, and to ensure you know what to look for.

Find out what's involved with DIY solar systems, what kinds of regulatory issues you may face, what parts need to be done by a licensed professional and how it works out in terms of costs and savings.

Depending on the work you need done, you may need to give a little thought to who's going to do plumbing or gasfitting work in your home. Read our guide on how to choose the right plumber.

There's not much electrical work you're legally allowed to do for yourself in Australia. Find out when you need to hire an electrician, and how to find the right one.

Choosing great tradies is easy if you know what you're doing. Follow these basic rules to ensure that the tradies you find are right for the job, fairly priced, skilled, reliable and professional.

If you're serious about lighting in your home, a lighting designer can work with architects or designers to create unique, captivating and functional illumination.