Get It Right With Undercover Architect

Hello! And welcome to 2018 and the first episode this year on the "Get it Right" podcast. And the first episode of Season 5: Mistakes Many Make.  Is renovating or building your home on your agenda for this year?   Well, you know Undercover Architect is packed full of useful information so you can get it right. And what's in store this year is no exception. I have some fantastic content planned for you, and loads of great things to share.   Today's episode is all about helping you save time.   Do you know, time is the only finite resource we really have? It's like that saying - "We all have the same 24 hours as Beyonce". Which actually cracks me up, because I think that 24 hours in the life of Beyonce would look markedly different to 24 hours in my life ... but that's not really the point of the saying is it?   What it's trying to say is that, we all have 24 hours a day ... and how we use them then determines what our days look like, wh

In this episode, I wrap up 2017 on the “Get it Right” podcast, and share what’s coming up in 2018.  I thought it would be worthwhile, so if there’s anything you want to go back and revisit or refresh, this can act as a reference and an index for you.   There’s a LOT of information, ideas and inspiration that gets put out each year in Undercover Architect, so this last episode for 2017 will help you find quickly what will be useful for you.  Believe it or not, this is Episode 59 of the Get it Right podcast. Just over a year ago, the very first episode was sent live, and every week since then, there’s been a fresh episode every Tuesday morning. I’ve been told that only 2% of podcasters get to episode 100, so we’ve still got a little way to go to that benchmark!  Listen to the podcast now to hear more, and also learn what’s coming up in 2018. And head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/waitlist to l

I get LOADS of questions … some on the blog, some via email, some on social media and lots and lots inside my online courses.   I find inside my online programs that with everyone in a community, asking questions (and getting my answers), it’s incredibly useful in everyone learning far more collectively than they would 1:1. It’s amazing.  And I also regularly run a survey to understand more about you, as a member of the UA Community. If you’ve ever opted in for one of my free PDF guides, you may have seen me ask you “What is your single biggest challenge when it comes to building or renovating your home”.   I ask people to be as specific as possible – and get some fantastic questions or challenges described … which then help me help you more with what I do in Undercover Architect.  You may have these questions as well. Or perhaps these are questions you haven’t got to yet, or haven’t even

How do you get started on planning a renovation or building project?  And how do you avoid procrastinating for so long that you never actually get started?  I love this quote by Christopher Parker ... “Procrastination is like a credit card: it's a lot of fun until you get the bill.”   We can, and often do, dress up procrastination as 'planning'. And often what it actually is instead fear, confusion and overwhelm.  So, my aim with this episode is to help you recognise if you're procrastinating. And to help you move instead into PREPARING and PLANNING your project.   In this episode, I show you how you can tell the difference between preparing and procrastinating ...   I share with you how "preparing" feels ...   and then what can go wrong and might make you slip into procrastination ...   and then how to get it right so you can be productive with your time ... &nbs

Trying to make the decision whether to renovate, or to knockdown-rebuild can prevent people from starting their project for months, or even years, as they juggle all the options and are unable to choose one way or the other.  If this is you, and you’re trying to make the decision whether to renovate your existing home, or to start again and build a new home, this podcast will help you choose.   I share 3 deciding factors you can use, if you’re juggling whether to renovate or demolish your existing home and build new. Here’s a sneak peak:  Deciding Factor #1: Is knocking the house down to build a new one even an option in your area?  That can be a super fast way to determine if building a new home is possible at all for you.  Deciding Factor #2:  Is the orientation of the existing home is generally workable?  If your home doesn’t work for the movement of the sun, and getting it to do this will require h

If you're listening to this around its time of release, it's late November, and there's less than 5 weeks until Christmas. And even less time to the start of school holidays! AArrrggh - where is the year going hey?   So, if you're planning some work on your place over the holidays, I want to share with you some tips. Because NOW is the time to get ready.  And if you're not listening at the time this episode was released, and it's say, August or some other month ... then these are still good checks for you to do before you hit 'go' on any project at home. Whether you're planning anything big or small, these tips will help minimise the headaches in getting it done.  So let's dive in! Let me share 7 tips to help you get sorted, so you can use your time effectively, to get work done this time of year. Because now is the time to get yourself ready.  Tip #1:  Check who else will be on holidays  So you don't get caught out like I did and have to scramble fo

Let’s dive into the role of Builder on your project. Duayne Pearce is a Brisbane-based licensed Builder, with over 20 years experience.   Now Duayne is someone, like me, who is passionate about helping educate homeowners about how to get the best outcomes from their building or renovation project. So, Duayne and I first connected on social media and I’ve followed Duayne for a while now. He creates these great short videos that he shares on his facebook page to show things to be aware of and mistakes to avoid in your project – usually shot on site as he uncovers previous work that’s not been done well. This is the first time Duayne and I have met in person, so it’s great to have him joining me on this episode.  So Duayne is half the force behind D Pearce Constructions, which is award-winning construction company based in Scarborough, Queensland. That’s on the outskirts of

Julia Levitt and Fiona Ericsson are the team behind Sticks and Stones Landscape Design, and in this episode, we’re talking about what a Landscape Designer does, and how they can help your renovation or new home.  Now, as we near the end of Season 4, we’ve had some amazing professionals sharing incredibly useful information with us about what they do, and how their role can help you in your project.  And in Episode 6, Luke Jones of Larc Collective talked through the role of a Landscape Architect in helping you with your outdoor areas and exterior landscape design.  Landscape Designers are another discipline, or profession, that can assist with the design and construction of your garden and outdoor areas.   So, I’m really excited to sit down in this episode with Fiona and Julia from Sticks and Stones Landscape Design.  Sticks & Stones Landscape Design is a Sydney-based dynamic and contemporary young business with an ambitious and energ

Today we’re talking about what a Building Certifier is, and why you need them – in fact, in most cases, they’re essential to any building or renovation project. They can also be known as a Private Certifier.   Mick Tyrell is a Brisbane-based licensed Building Designer, with over 15 years industry experience.   Mick is someone I’ve known and worked with for many years. I actually worked with his brother for many years at Mirvac – he was on my project team documenting the homes we were doing in Bulimba in Brisbane. So, it’s been a family affair!   Mick was the Private Certifier on my own most recent renovation, and was an essential team member in helping us see that project through.   In addition to being a Building Certifier, Mick is also a registered Queensland Structural Engineer. So, in his all his work, building safety is his priority. And this combination of skills – certification and

I speak with Matthew Willis of Bushfire Planning Services. Matt is a Bushfire Consultant, and will be sharing with us when you require this role in your renovation or building project.   Now before you think: Bushfire Consultant? Why would I need a Bushfire Consultant? I don’t live near the bush, I don’t have any bush nearby, and fire isn’t an issue for my property.    Wait.  Surprisingly you don’t need to live right near a large area of bush to be impacted by a bushfire risk.  In fact, I first connected with my guest for this episode when looking at a suburban home in Sydney. The Bushfire risk come up in my early council searches, even though this home didn’t look like it was anywhere near any significant bush.   However, the site did back onto a narrow reserve. And then that reserve was this thin sliver of treed area than gradually connected into larger bush area, and then National Park. And that posed a bushfire risk to this propert

This episode is all about Interior Designers, what they do and how they help you.  I know this is an area where homeowners can get confused. I see some homeowners using an Interior Designer to simply choose soft furnishings like cushions and fabrics … through to getting their help for the overall vision for the internal colour and material palettes … extending through to being a partner, working alongside them in their project in the design of interior elements like joinery and fitout of their home … and even through to designing whole extensions and renovations. It’s a wide pool of work isn’t it!  So, Melissa Wittig of Healthy Interiors is joining me in this episode to share her knowledge about how an Interior Designer can help your project, and some key tips to help you along the way.  Now, Melissa is a “health focused” Interior Designer. What does this mean?   Well, Melissa can explain that a little more, but basicall

In this episode, we head outside … and into the gardens and exteriors of our homes.  When we’re renovating or building our home, we are often seeking a big improvement in our lifestyle at home. This can mean enlarging our home, or building a bigger one. And generally it means creating fantastic living / kitchen / dining spaces, that then flow to outdoor entertaining areas and functional gardens.   Our connection with nature, with our environment, can make a big difference to how we feel, and how our homes feel. Creating gardens and outdoor areas that are safe, secure and that add lifestyle to our homes, can make a huge difference to our finished project.   BUT … and it’s a big but …   Often they get left off the budget altogether. Or cut off at some point during the project when money gets tight. Or set aside as a DIY job with some Weekend Warrior, Backyard Blitz action planned … that never quite happens like we plan for it.  And

In this episode, we’ll learn all about how a structural engineer will help you in your project, and why you need one.  Josh Neale is a Structural Engineer. He’s also the NSW Office Manager and Structural Project Engineer for Westera Partners.  Westera Partners is a highly respected Australian consulting engineering firm that has been practicing on the Gold Coast since 1981, Brisbane since 1998 and Northern New South Wales since 2009, in both structural engineering and civil engineering.   The company has extensive experience residential housing, higher density projects such as townhouses, and apartment buildings … right through to factories, warehouses, aged care facilities, retail, office buildings and schools.  Westera Partners seek to provide educated and informed feedback to minimise construction costs and reduce construction times. Their service ensures every project is designed or supervised

The requirements for working with a Town Planner, when you’ll need one and what you’ll need one for, will vary from state to state, suburb to suburb and house to house. However, there are some key consistencies to know, and ways they can make your journey simpler overall. So listen carefully for tips for your project.  Let me introduce Nuala Dewhurst.  Nuala grew up in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and after living and working in Sydney and Broome WA, she moved back to the mountains and has raised her 4 kids there.  Nuala decided on a career in town planning after getting sick of the lack of pram ramps she experienced as a young mum in the suburbs. She’s been in the industry now for over 20 years.  With extensive experience in the Blue Mountains, Nuala specialises in character and heritage assessments and preparing Statements of Environmental Effects. These are a required document when you lodge a Development Applicati

In this episode, we’ll be diving into the role of Building Designer. Aaron Wailes is a Brisbane-based licensed Building Designer, with over 15 years industry experience.    Now, Aaron is a friend and colleague I’ve known for many, many years.   Aaron and I first met at Mirvac over a decade ago. When 5 colleagues and I set up our architectural practice, DC8 Studio, Aaron was our first crew member.    And, Aaron and I have continued to partner each other to deliver projects in our respective businesses. In fact, if you’ve checked out the Project Diary on the UA blog, where we’re following the renovation of a Queenslander cottage, you’ll see Aaron was responsible for the documentation and on site management of the project.   Aaron set up AWBD – or Aaron Wailes Building Design in 2009. He and his wife had been living and working overseas in the United Kingdom for some time,

So we’re in for a treat in this episode. The first interview in Season 04 is with Shaun Lockyer of Shaun Lockyer Architects.   Now, if you’re based in Brisbane and planning your renovation or new home, chances are you’ve already come across Shaun’s work. It’s prolific and award winning and a huge body of new and renovated homes all over Brisbane – and in fact, in other parts of Queensland and Australia … and even overseas!   Shaun Lockyer Architects (or SLa) has a huge following on social media, an enviable list of clients, projects and awards, and a great reputation for beautiful, sustainable and efficient design solutions that add value to the lives of their inhabitants.  Shaun himself has over 20 years of international design experience, including four years as an associate at SAOTA in South Africa, and nine years as Director and Partner at Arkhefield in Brisbane, QLD.   In fact that’

Are you confused about who you’ll need on your team to renovate or build your home?  Homeowners often tell me they are. They’re not sure who to speak to first, what costs to expect from everyone, how to know if they’re finding the right people, and when to get them on board.  And sometimes they also don’t understand why they’ll need a specific professional.  I’m not talking about tradespeople here. This is about all the various roles and professionals you may have on board up to the point you commence construction. And then some you need to keep on board, and some you don’t – whilst you build your home.  Some professionals are essential. For example you legally require them to get your project finished, or they’re necessary, because they perform a required role as part of you getting your project built or renovated.   And other professionals will be a choice. For example, you might get an architect, a building d

Season 4 is called “Know Your Team”, and in this season, we’ll be exploring the roles of the various professionals that can help you when you’re designing, building or renovating your home.  Often homeowners tell me that they’re confused about who they need to get on their team and which person or role they hire first. And this is the thing about the construction industry … there are loads of different specialisations and professional roles. To be honest, it can be confusing to know:  who does what  who is necessary and compulsory, vs who you might feel you need help from  who is really going to help you achieve what you want to do  what these different professionals will all cost  where to find them  how to make sure they’re a good fit for you and your needs  when you need to get them on board  and why you need to get them involved in your project

There are lots of mistakes that I see homeowners make when it comes to building and renovating their homes. Mistakes that cost them extra time, money and stress along the journey.  Some of the main mistakes – the most stress-inducing mistakes – come from how homeowners manage their communication. So, I’m referring to their communication with their team, with establishing their vision and in managing the elements of the project along the way. I have 3 key mistakes to share with you so you know what to avoid in your renovation or new home. These mistakes relate to how you communicate, and what you might avoid communicating – to the detriment of your project. What are these mistakes? They are: #1: Getting lost in the weeds #2: Giving accusations not feedback #3: Hanging on for too long. Listen to the podcast now for more information on these mistakes, and learn how they can really cause problems on your project. I also share critical ways you can avoid making these mistakes yourself.

We continue our interlude - examining how to use communication as the powerful tool it can be, to get it right in our renovation or new build. In the last episode, I took you through the first 3 Communication Tools you can use in your project to help it go more smoothly, and achieve success overall. Do you remember what they were? They were: Your team, Your brief, and Your language. In this episode, I’ll take you through 4 more Communication Tools, and explain how to use them effectively as you move towards the building stage, and during construction. These 4 Communication Tools are: Your quotes Your legals Your project management Your result Listen to the podcast now to learn more about these last 4 Communication tools so you can get it right. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.