Home Design Guides: Tradies and professionals
How to hire a kitchen designer
Once upon a time - not all that long ago - kitchens were arranged on very basic terms by people who didn’t particularly know (or care) how they’d be used.
Choose the right builders and contractors
We'll keep saying it till we're blue in the face - hiring the right builder is easily one of the most important decisions you'll make when building your home.
How to find a home automation professional
A professional integrator can ensure your home automation system works seamlessly every time.
Window installation
While it’s most likely your windows will be installed by a professional, there are a number of precautions it’s useful to be aware of during this process.
Pre-installation care for windows
When building or renovating a home, your windows will often need to be stored securely prior to installation. Windows can be an expensive building component, especially...
Window installation tips
Although most consumers will never personally install a window, there are checks that can be undertaken to ensure your windows are fitted properly. Poorly installed windows...
Asbestos sheeting
Asbestos sheets, when broken, can cause cancer. They are often found in older houses, where they were used for insulation purposes.
How to check an air conditioner installer's licence
It's important that you only have licensed technicians do work on your air conditioners. Find out about the different types of air conditioning licenses.
How are electrics installed?
An overview of a typical electrical installation in a home from the local pole transformer, to the service fuse and to your switchbox.
Door framing and installation
Door installation needn't be complicated, but if you're retrofitting or moving doors, it pays to know what options are available, and what's involved with installing a door.
Common problems with solar installations
The Federal Government’s generous REC scheme and high feed-in tariff rates, although reduced in Victoria and abolished in New South Wales, have been responsible for the installation of numerous solar PV inverter systems. But many of them are not necessarily up to scratch, writes Phil Kreveld.
Gas installation and use
There are special laws and regulations in place in Australia that control to how gas appliances should be chosen, who can install them and who can maintain them. Here's what you need to know.
Plumbing regulations
While you're not expected to know all of the regulations inside and out, understanding the basics can definitely help you ensure that your plumbing's what it's meant to be.
Solar panel designer / installer accreditation and warranty support
In Australia, there are certain laws and regulations that exist to ensure that only accredited tradespeople do certain parts of an installation. Find out who needs to install your solar system, and why.