Thanks - You're now subscribed to the BUILD newsletter.
Latest newsletters
07 December 2015
As a Kiwi, I'm surprised that New Zealand architecture doesn't get more publicity over here on the big island. I'm a little biased, but New Zealand puts up some forward-thinking, well-designed houses – especially around the rugged, beautiful coast.
With that in mind, we've featured three stunning Kiwi beach houses with inspiration that could easily be applied here in Australia.
Sydney also features pretty heavily in this issue with top tips for creating light in terrace homes and an amazing renovation of a waterfront cottage.
24 November 2015
In a week it will officially be summer. If you haven't prepped your deck, BBQ and backyard now is the time to do so! We've got some articles below to help you get motivated.
If you're thinking of renting your place out on Air BnB or some other online renting website, you'll want to read the blog post on house insurance misconceptions.
And lastly, there's an blog post from a home automation company who have helped a quadriplegic man gain independence within his own home.
Happy reading!
10 November 2015
Hello and welcome to the new look BUILD newsletter!
We thought it was time for a refresh, but rest assured, it's only the appearance that has changed. We'll still bring you the best blogs and articles from the BUILD website every fortnight.
This issue is all about getting ready for summer - from decking and outdoor entertaining through to how to choose the right air conditioner.
27 October 2015
In this issue we visit the winner of the HIA GreenSmart Custom Build Award, a small (and stylish) home in Gippsland, Victoria. The house is designed with passive principles in mind and keeps itself warm in winter - so much so that the owner was in t-shirt and shorts when the judges came to call in April!
We also feature a builder who has had his registration cancelled and been fined $10,000, providing a wakeup call for home owners to know their rights - and not be afraid to assert them.
13 October 2015
The placement of a window in exactly the right place can really make a home. But what if that window could change to suit the moment? That's what our feature article looks into today - windows that can transform to take advantage of extra light, cooler air or simply amazing views.
In our other articles, we have advice for home owners looking to improve their energy usage and also those looking to take things into their own hands - whether that's hiring the right tradesperson or fixing that hole in the wall themselves.
29 September 2015
With many people's renovation focus being on living and entertainment areas, the poor humble bathroom is getting smaller and plainer. In this issue we present five sure-fire ways to bring the glamour back to the bathroom and make washing up a relaxing, enjoyable experience.
We also have a range of 'Getting Ready for Summer' articles - from waterproofing your deck to keeping the family cool to maintaining your pool.
15 September 2015
The breadth and diversity of the Australia landscape is amazing – and so are the homes that we build within these environments. For this fortnight's feature story, we looked at bush homes. As the bush can mean many different things around the country, we took a house from each state (as well as NT).
In our more practical articles, we look at bathrooms, decks, termites, builders' quotes, and permits - and remember, this is but a small sample of the articles BUILD has on on offer!
26 August 2015
As urban density increases, people need to be more creative in the way they use the space available. One way to get more out of your home is to go down and create a sub-floor area for storage or habitation. This fortnight's feature story can help you decide if a sub-floor area is right for your home.
And, as usual, we have a range of other stories to inspire and educate you along the building and renovation journey.
18 August 2015
Building or renovating can often feel like a never-ending list of questions. In this issue, we look at some of those questions.
With so many questions, it's hard not to have moments of doubt. Questions like 'why are we going this?' start to creep in.
At these moments, it's best to go back to your original inspiration and research and assure yourself, both emotionally and rationally, that you're doing the right thing.
04 August 2015
For many of us, our first discovery of building or decorating came from treehouses or playhouses.
My dad built our first treehouse from plywood in the paddock next to our house. I can still remember my sister and mine's wonder that our Dad could build a house - a small house, admittedly, but a whole house nonetheless.
Now buildings are my day job, but I still find myself lost in wonder at them sometimes - especially the likes of the treehouses we feature in this fortnight's newsletter.
21 July 2015
We see a lot of build and renovation photos here at Build.com.au, so it takes something pretty special to impress us. The Hawthorn renovation we feature today did just that, by maintaining the original charm of the home while modernising the living space.
Our big news of the week is that we have updated our blogging interface to make it easier to include photos, headings, and links. It's now simpler to make your blog look amazing - so why not give blogging a go today?
07 July 2015
The largest part of any build or renovation is making decisions. Design decisions, material decisions, budgetary decisions.
The best way to make the right choice in any circumstance is to be well-informed - and that's what we do at Build.com.au. We provide you with all the information and advice you need make the decisions that are best for you, your family, and your home.
If you ever feel like some aspect of the build or renovation process is missing from our website, please feel free to get in touch.
23 June 2015
At the centre of any good build is quality materials.
A new report, however, has Australians questioning whether their building materials are up to scratch. We look into the review of the National Construction Code and tell you everything you need to know here.
While you're thinking about buidling materials, our featured blog looks at three homes that have used an old building material and made it new again - all while creating liveable, enjoyable homes.
09 June 2015
We head underground this week and discover not all spaces beneath the earth's surface are dank, dark holes! We look at five homes from around the world.
On a more serious note, we cover the recent report from the Victorian Auditor-General's Office on consumer protection in the domestic building market. The report is unashamedly critical of the quality of services and in the ability to seek compensation for poor work.
While we wait for legislative change, we look at what consumer can do to protect themselves.
26 May 2015
The average Australian home is now among the largest in the world. In the past thirty years, the floor area of our homes has increased by a half.
For many people, this is great - there's more space for raising kids, engaging in hobbies, and entertaining friends and family. Others, however, are resisting this trend and building incredible small homes - we've featured five of them in this fortnight's blog post.
Whether you want a large or small home, today's articles will provide advice and inspiration.
12 May 2015
Renovating and building are a strange balance of letting your imagination run wild and keeping a myriad of practical considerations in mind.
This fortnight's newsletter reflects that balancing act. We have three concept homes you'll wish were real and nine backyards that you simply won't believe are real. We also look at waterproofing, one of the most practical and necessary tasks in any bathroom or kitchen build, and put the spotlight on our useful checklists, to ensure your build progresses as smoothly as possible.
28 April 2015
Is there anything more cosy than a crackling fire? It warms the body and soul. Our feature article this fortnight looks at stylish fireplaces from around the world. We also have plenty of practical advice to get your own fireplace up and running.
Additionally, we have information on laundry redesigns, the most efficient hot water systems, asbestos removal and four essential tips for renovations - just a taster of the library of information available on the BUILD website.
14 April 2015
The recent cold snap has sent people scurrying indoors and reaching for the heater. Is your family ready for the cold snap? And how much will the coming of winter add to your power bill? We have all the answers on Build.
31 March 2015
Easter is upon us! In Australia, there's two ways to approach this longest of long weekends: complete relaxation or full-on productivity.
Our featured blog post is for those like to lie back and enjoy themselves. It looks at five beach getaways that show the Australian beach shack is all grown up and showing definite signs of style and class.
For more productive people, Easter is a great opportunity to get stuck into bigger jobs and take the time to research upcoming projects. We've highlighted some of the most relevant tasks for this time of year.
17 March 2015
Thinking about the way energy's used in houses (and in building houses) is a fairly new thing - and it's a real feast for the mind when you begin to look at some of the ideas and technologies in the pipeline - a lot of them will absolutely change the way we live. This week's blog post focuses on just a few of the ways our houses are set to change...
Pages