- Articles
- COMMENCING A NEW HOME BUILD OR RENOVATION
- Garage Storage Solutions
- COLORBOND VS TILE ROOF – WHICH IS BEST?
- How long does a termite treatment last?
- Painting Kitchen Cupboards
- How to Tile a Bathroom
- WHAT IS THE TRADE-OFF WITH PAINTING YOUR BATHROOM TILES?
- HOW TO FIX A CRACK OR HOLE IN A PLASTER CEILING
- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LAND ZONING IN NSW
- Unexpected Build Costs
- Repaint a room in a weekend
- Spring Gardening Tips
- HARDY SUMMER GARDEN PLANTS IN NSW
- Current Solar Rebates in NSW
- What Should A Building Inspection Report Tell Me?
- CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLOORING FOR YOUR HOME
- ASBESTOS – WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ITS REMOVAL
- EASY TIPS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW BEFORE BUILDING A NEW HOME
- RENOVATIONS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Cork Flooring - 4 Reasons to Love It!
- The ABC's of a Builders Contract in NSW
- The Tender Process
- Building Inspections: An unregulated industry, what does this mean for you?
- Deciding which upgrades are worth it
- Versatility of a Mud Room
- Preparing for a new home colour and fixture appointment.
- The Building Stages: What to Expect
- Landscaping: Ways to stick to your budget
- Cover your tile floor with this fuss free finish
- Tips to Help Make Spring Cleaning a Breeze
- Choosing the best window treatment for your home
- Hot Tips for Cooling Your Home
- Things to Research Before Installing a Pool
- Creative Ways to Organise Your Home
- Butlers Pantry - the solution to open plan kitchens
- Choosing the Builder That is Right for You
- Simple Water Conservation Tips
- Butler’s pantry – the solution to open plan kitchens
- Giving Your Home Curb Appeal Without Breaking the Bank
- 10 Ways to Make Your Build Easier
- Regularly Forgotten and Unknown Things Before a New Build
- How to Make a Floor Plan Work for Your Block
- What to DIY and What Not to DIY!
- Caring for Wooden Decks
- Preparing your home for winter
- Preparing Your Home for Winter
- Solar Options Available
- Veggie Patches: What’s in Season
- Renovating or Extending Your Home? Think About Obtaining a Dilapidation Report
- How Stage Construction Inspections Protect Your New Home
- What to Look for When Buying or Building a Home Near the Beach
- Timber Frame vs Metal Frame
- Brick vs Cladding
- Properly Insulating & Sarking Your Home
- Converting Your Roof Space to Storage
- How to Handle a Builder Dispute - Northern Territory
- Bushfire Zone Standard Building Code
- Top Building Tips to Assist with Ventilation and Air Flow
- Standards and Tolerances. What’s reasonable when building?
- Skylights - Creating space and light
- Building a new home? Our top tips!
- Veggie Patches for Small Yards
- Smart Wiring – Cost vs Convenience
- What’s the Perfect Tile – Terracotta or Porcelain?
- When and Why You Should Consider Double Glazing
- Water Hammer: What is it?–How does it Happen?
- Smoke Detectors / Alarms – It’s the Law
- Painting Bathroom Tiles – Affordable Renovation Option
- Wallpaper – Amazing Effects are Now Possible
- Building on a Sloping Block
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections27 Nov 2022
COMMENCING A NEW HOME BUILD OR RENOVATION
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new home build. The thought of choosing your fixtures and finishes is something to look forward to, rather than contracts, builder checks and insurances. However, excitement aside, this build/renovation gu
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections29 Dec 2021
Garage Storage Solutions
In an ideal world, everyone would have a neat and tidy garage, with personal items stored away whilst still allowing room to park a car or two! Yet, it rarely happens.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections29 Dec 2021
COLORBOND VS TILE ROOF – WHICH IS BEST?
Your roof is one of the most important architectural elements of your home. You want to ensure that you are choosing the right roofing option as your roof is first in line with the elements of harsh seasonal weather.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections14 Jan 2021
How long does a termite treatment last?
There are many variants to this question, so without sounding dismissive, it does come down to a number of factors. The chemicals used, how it is applied and who installs your barrier treatment are all factors that contribute to the longevity of your bar
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections07 Dec 2020
Painting Kitchen Cupboards
Buying a new home can be an expensive exercise and it’s not always possible to get everything on your wish list. Usually, you will compromise on a kitchen or bathroom rather than the number of bedrooms or location.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections07 Dec 2020
How to Tile a Bathroom
Adding tiles to the bathroom is a superb way to add a little colour, character not to mention style. Aside from the practical element, If you can do the tiling yourself, the whole project will be a lot more affordable
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections25 Mar 2020
WHAT IS THE TRADE-OFF WITH PAINTING YOUR BATHROOM TILES?
While it is possible to spray paint bathroom tiles it is important to consider the aesthetic results. Unless you are prepared to tape the grout spaces between the tiles, resurfacing bathroom tiles using paint will result in a uniform colour
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections25 Mar 2020
HOW TO FIX A CRACK OR HOLE IN A PLASTER CEILING
Most plaster ceilings have cracks and sagging over time. It could be likely your ceiling is old; therefore, gravity and vibrations are loosening the plaster.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections28 Feb 2020
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LAND ZONING IN NSW
Whether you are planning to buy, sell, or build in NSW, land zoning is an important part of the process. Understanding the area surrounding your home or desired home will give you insight into your future.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections23 Jan 2020
Unexpected Build Costs
What are your expectations of your new build? Do you think that you will get along with your builder? Are you expecting that life will soon settle down according to the build schedule?
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections23 Jan 2020
Repaint a room in a weekend
Do you hate the thought of painting even a single room in your home? Painting can be one of the most laborious DIY tasks if you don’t know what you’re doing.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections23 Jan 2020
HARDY SUMMER GARDEN PLANTS IN NSW
Are you searching for hardy plants for your summer garden? With temperatures on the rise and water restrictions in place, it makes sense to choose plants that can survive hot, dry weather and soil conditions.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections23 Jan 2020
Spring Gardening Tips
If you are itching to start your spring gardening after the long winter, the wait is over. It is time to get your tools together and your green thumbs at the ready. Spring has arrived and there is work to be done.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections15 Oct 2019
Current Solar Rebates in NSW
You may not benefit as much by having solar panels on your home as you would have in the past. However, as a New South Wales homeowner, incentives still exist.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections15 Oct 2019
What Should A Building Inspection Report Tell Me?
If you have a property that you want to buy, it is important not to rush the process. You will want to gain insight into the condition of the property before agreeing to the purchase. A building inspection will give you the information you need.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections31 Jul 2019
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLOORING FOR YOUR HOME
If you are thinking of changing your floors, the good news is there are plenty of choices. The problem is, knowing whether those choices are suitable for your needs
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections31 Jul 2019
ASBESTOS – WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ITS REMOVAL
If you want to remove asbestos yourself, there are a few things you need to know. First of all, DIY removal is only permitted in New South Wales when dealing with a maximum of 10 square metres of bonded asbestos.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections09 Jul 2019
EASY TIPS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW BEFORE BUILDING A NEW HOME
Building a new home can be an exciting but at times, stressful experience. Whilst your builder has built many new homes and knows the process inside out, in most cases, it’s a relatively new experience for any home owner.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections09 Jul 2019
RENOVATIONS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
When renovating or building in New South Wales there are certain building regulations with which your project must comply. To avoid unnecessary stress, it is important to ensure you acquire all the relevant approvals for your build or renovations.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections28 May 2019
Cork Flooring - 4 Reasons to Love It!
It is no surprise that cork flooring is emerging as a popular choice in Australia. Better manufacturing techniques and technologies have lead to greater applications in flooring. Cork as a flooring material has long suffered from being limited in style an
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections28 May 2019
The ABC's of a Builders Contract in NSW
Before you even begin building a home or completing a renovation in New South Wales, you have the builder’s contract to contend with. According to the Home Building Act 1989, you may need a building contract depending on what’s involved in your project
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections12 Mar 2019
The Tender Process
When deciding to build a new home, it’s an exciting but expensive process. Once you’ve selected your builder and the design you want to build, you’ll go through the tender process. This gives you formal pricing for your new home, including any upgrades yo
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections27 Feb 2019
Building Inspections: An unregulated industry, what does this mean for you?
Just like your Accountant or Doctor works in a regulated industry, you would expect the same from the inspector carrying out an inspection on your new home you’re buying or building, right?
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections27 Feb 2019
Deciding which upgrades are worth it
Have you thought about value-added upgrades for your new build or renovation? One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make is treating added features as an afterthought; or, things to consider once the build is complete.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections27 Feb 2019
Versatility of a Mud Room
Has the idea of building a mudroom being playing on your mind? Mudrooms are typically used as an additional entry way to the home where backpacks, sports gear and other assorted items are stored away from the main property.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections06 Feb 2019
Preparing for a new home colour and fixture appointment.
When you are choosing materials for your home, preparing for a new colour and fixture appointment is the first logical step. You are going to discuss your vision for the build or renovation with experts.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections06 Feb 2019
The Building Stages: What to Expect
When you are building a new home or simply adding to your existing home, there are general building stages you should expect. It is important to understand these stages so that you are always in control of the build.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections06 Feb 2019
Landscaping: Ways to stick to your budget
A budget should never be a haphazard. When you create a budget the first thing you need to keep in mind is that it should be itemised and well organised.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections07 Jan 2019
Cover your tile floor with this fuss free finish
New flooring is a great way to completely change the look and feel of your home. If you have tiled floors here is a great way to lay new flooring with minimal fuss just by covering your existing tiles.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections13 Nov 2018
Tips to Help Make Spring Cleaning a Breeze
Do you spend hours thinking about spring cleaning because you don’t know where to start? If so, you’re not alone. When you set out to take on the monumental task of spring cleaning it is with the view towards sprucing up your home.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections25 Oct 2018
Choosing the best window treatment for your home
Choosing effective, attractive, durable and affordable window treatments is not as easy as it sounds. There are cheaper options that last and look great, expensive options that let in the cold and come apart quickly, and then there is everything in betwee
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections25 Oct 2018
Hot Tips for Cooling Your Home
Are you sick of feeling the heat when you know the only solution is to throw money at your ever- increasing air-con? A ceiling cavity can reach 70 degrees+ on a really hot day, which means all that heat is trapped inside your home.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections23 Sep 2018
Things to Research Before Installing a Pool
You have decided to embrace the dream of installing a pool. The next thing to consider is what you need to research before beginning your project. Installing a pool is a major renovation which can go south quickly if you don’t follow the right steps.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections23 Sep 2018
Creative Ways to Organise Your Home
If you are like a lot of other homeowners and never seem to have time to organize your home, Houspect has some suggestions for attractive ways to get back on top of your game.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections15 Aug 2018
Butlers Pantry - the solution to open plan kitchens
You may be renovating your kitchen or planning a new build and considering the most effective kitchen layout. Once a separate space, kitchens were designed firstly to be functional, now the focus is on open-plan, making the kitchen an integral part of the
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections15 Aug 2018
Choosing the Builder That is Right for You
A new home or renovation is a valuable commodity. You should always check credentials and references to ensure you make a wise and informed decision when choosing the right builder for your project.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections15 Aug 2018
Simple Water Conservation Tips
Conserving water in New South Wales is a challenge for homeowners – especially during a drought. We use water in so many daily activities and chores that it’s often easy to forget that, as a resource, it is not always readily available.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections27 Jul 2018
Butler’s pantry – the solution to open plan kitchens
You may be preparing to design a new kitchen and considering the most effective layout. Once a separate space, kitchens were designed to be functional, nowadays the focus is on open-plan living making the kitchen an integral part of the design plan
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections27 Jul 2018
Giving Your Home Curb Appeal Without Breaking the Bank
Curb appeal is the catchphrase you will hear most often when selling a home. The term is often associated with spending money to make a property look more appealing to potential buyers.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections27 Jul 2018
10 Ways to Make Your Build Easier
Building a home can become complex, with a multitude of factors to consider. The reality is, there are more than ten ways to make a build easier, however, these tips will help you navigate the process and help you achieve your dream home.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections26 Jun 2018
Regularly Forgotten and Unknown Things Before a New Build
You’re building a house: this is your opportunity to make one of the greatest investments of your life, whether you intend on retiring in your new home or eventually selling at a profit.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections26 Jun 2018
How to Make a Floor Plan Work for Your Block
Whether you like it or not, you can’t just drop your dream home on any block and hope that it works. There are so many factors to consider that it takes multiple different construction professionals working together to make an impactful home design a real
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections21 May 2018
What to DIY and What Not to DIY!
When it comes to DIY it is important to know your limitations. There are certain household projects that require expertise to ensure workmanship is of a high enough standard and meets relevant safety codes.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections21 May 2018
Caring for Wooden Decks
As building inspectors, we regularly get called to properties which have wooden decks. Whether you’re renovating or selling your house, a well maintained wooden deck can help your property stand out.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections21 May 2018
Preparing your home for winter
There are a number of areas of your home where you can make simple changes or improvements, which will help keep you warm and happy while the sun is taking its yearly vacation.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections19 Apr 2018
Preparing Your Home for Winter
There are a number of areas of your home where you can make changes or improvements, which will help keep you warm and happy while the sun is taking its yearly vacation.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections19 Apr 2018
Solar Options Available
The photovoltaic effect is what occurs when a material is able to generate electricity through contact with sunlight. Basically, it is the essential element needed to make solar panels work.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections27 Mar 2018
Veggie Patches: What’s in Season
Do you like to experiment when it comes to your veggie patches? It’s always a good idea to find out what’s in season before you start planting as this will save you a lot of time and energy in the long run
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections13 Mar 2018
Renovating or Extending Your Home? Think About Obtaining a Dilapidation Report
Before you even begin renovating or extending your home, it’s a good idea to consult with your neighbours and discuss having a dilapidation report carried out on your properties.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections13 Mar 2018
How Stage Construction Inspections Protect Your New Home
Construction Stage Inspections. How they protect your investment and reduce your stress with a new build. Having a new home built is exciting. It can also be a nerve-wracking experience, particularly when you don’t have a working knowledge of the buildin
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections12 Feb 2018
What to Look for When Buying or Building a Home Near the Beach
A beach front property is a dream for anyone buying a new home. If you find a site for sale that is within your budget, it is important that you carry out relevant due diligence weighing up the pros and cons of a particular location.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections12 Feb 2018
Timber Frame vs Metal Frame
Timber or metal frames? It’s a choice that homeowners have to make when building. Both building materials have their pros&cons so it is important to learn the pros and cons of both timber and metal before deciding which material is a better fit for yo
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections12 Feb 2018
Brick vs Cladding
Brick or cladding – which building material is better? The truth of the matter is, the choice largely depends on the architecture and location of your home and weighing up the pros and cons of each material.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections17 Jan 2018
Properly Insulating & Sarking Your Home
If you want to save money on your energy bills, properly insulating your home is the way to go. There are minimum standards required for insulation; however, that doesn’t mean you can’t go the extra mile to ensure your home is fully optimized
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections17 Jan 2018
Converting Your Roof Space to Storage
Storage is an issue for most homeowners. If you have adequate roof space, there is no reason that you cannot use it for storage. However, storing your prized possessions in your in that area requires advanced planning to ensure that it is suitable for sto
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections18 Dec 2017
How to Handle a Builder Dispute - Northern Territory
Let’s face it, dealing with a builder when there is a dispute is never easy for a homeowner. You are at a disadvantage if you dont understand construction, building codes, or the materials used. That is why homeowners need advocates to act on their behalf
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections18 Dec 2017
Bushfire Zone Standard Building Code
The BAL rating of your home determines how well protected the property and homeowner is from bushfires. When considering a new build, BAL comes into play when planning construction.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections21 Nov 2017
Top Building Tips to Assist with Ventilation and Air Flow
Ventilation is one of the most important features of any home. If it is ineffective you can look forward to paying huge energy bills while still enduring the scorching heat from the Australian weather.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections20 Nov 2017
Standards and Tolerances. What’s reasonable when building?
There are a lot of different aspects involved in new home construction, and each aspect must meet standards set forth by State and Territory regulatory agencies.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections20 Nov 2017
Skylights - Creating space and light
Most people see sky lights as feature pieces or the answer to better lighting in awkwardly designed rooms. However, sky lights provide solutions to two other problems that are common in homes. They can significantly improve ventilation and change the perc
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections25 Oct 2017
Veggie Patches for Small Yards
With Summer fast approaching, now is the perfect time to find your inner green thumb and revamp your garden so you can sit back, relax and enjoy Summer.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections25 Oct 2017
Smart Wiring – Cost vs Convenience
Smart wiring sounds like a great idea in theory, but how cost effective is it in practice? There are a number of factors to consider outside of installing this wiring system in your home.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections25 Oct 2017
What’s the Perfect Tile – Terracotta or Porcelain?
When building, or renovating a home, there is many options available when it comes to the furnishings of your new home. Whilst timber is a popular choice amongst homeowners, tiles of many kinds are also popular due to their durability and ease of cleaning
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections27 Sep 2017
When and Why You Should Consider Double Glazing
When you think of energy efficiency and comfort, the type of windows in your home come to mind? If not, you may be overlooking a crucial factor of energy conservation. For many Australian homeowners, the appeal of double glazing lies in its increased insu
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections20 Sep 2017
Water Hammer: What is it?–How does it Happen?
If your taps are make strange sounds when turned on, it’s probably not a poltergeist haunting. The most likely cause is an issue called hydraulic shock, which is more commonly known as water hammer.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections20 Sep 2017
Smoke Detectors / Alarms – It’s the Law
Having smoke detectors in your home will act as a potentially lifesaving warning system. Without smoke alarms you run the risk of not giving you and your family enough time to escape in the event of a fire.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections29 Aug 2017
Painting Bathroom Tiles – Affordable Renovation Option
When the cost of renovation is too much, a dash of paint can reinvent your bathroom. Painting bathroom tiles is a great way to change your decor at minimal cost. This is a DIY project you can complete without labour costs.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections29 Aug 2017
Wallpaper – Amazing Effects are Now Possible
When new technologies come to the fore, it often opens up new possibilities for applications in multiple industries. The wallpaper industry, especially, has greatly benefited from technologies designed to bring breath taking visions to life.
HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections29 Aug 2017
Building on a Sloping Block
A lot of homeowners avoid building on a sloping block. Doing so is a mistake. A sloping site presents the opportunity to create a beautiful home, so long as structures are secure and your landscape is properly designed.
