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Tradies and professionals

How to find a home automation professional

A professional integrator can ensure your home automation system works seamlessly every time.

How to consult with an architect or building designer

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.

How to choose an architect

How to choose an architect

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.

How to request building quotes

How to request quotes from builders

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.

Architect vs building designer vs draftsperson

What's the difference between an architect and a building designer?

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.

Interior designer vs. interior decorator

What’s the difference between interior designers and interior decorators?

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.

How to hire a bathroom designer

How to hire a bathroom designer

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.

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Choose the right builders and contractors

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.

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.

Window care

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

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.

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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.

Who installs smart homes?

Who 'installs' smart homes?

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.

How to identify and deal with asbestos

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.

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.

DIY solar hot water: not worth the risk!

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

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

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.

What do plumbers do?

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.

What does plumbing involve?

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.

How is plumbing installed in houses?

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.

DIY vs. professional insulation

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.

How solar panels are installed

How is solar power installed?

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.

How to install a wind turbine

How to install a wind turbine

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.

DIY solar: is it worth it?

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.

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.

How to hire a plumber

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.

How to choose an electrician

How to choose an electrician

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.

How to find the right tradies

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.

How to hire a lighting designer

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.

How to hire a kitchen designer

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.

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