Emanate & Co is dedicated to bringing friends & families together through the construction of inspiring outdoor lifestyles. We individually tailor alfresco outdoor rooms to create luxurious and spacious entertaining and relaxing zones.
How Can We Help?
Find answers to frequently asked questions or get in touch via our contact page
Who are Emanate & Co?
How long have you been in business?
We’ve been a family-owned and operated business for more than 30 years. The style, materials and techniques used to build alfresco outdoor rooms have evolved in that time, and so has Emanate & Co; however, we continue to provide the same exacting levels of customer service and quality construction as we have for each of our three decades in business.
Where do you operate?
Our family-owned and operated business primarily serves Sydney’s Northern Suburbs, including Thornleigh, Westleigh, Normanhurst, Hornsby, Pennant Hills, West Pennant Hills, Cherrybrook, Wahroonga, Turramurra and Waitara. We also work with clients across Sydney in regions such as the Northern Beaches, Lower North Shore and Inner West.
Can I read reviews or see your work?
Absolutely! We have more than 50 five-star Google reviews (a 100% track record of five-star reviews) and you can view examples of our work here or by appointment at our office in Thornleigh.
What is the typical timeline for a project from conception to completion?
Depending on the approval process, access to the construction area in your backyard, and the scope of works, we generally advise that works can commence as quickly as six weeks after you accept the proposal.
The average construction time differs depending on the project – the minimum construction period is typically four weeks and can extend to 20 weeks depending on the complexity of your design.
What kind of budget is required for a typical project?
The average budget is around $150,000–$200,000 but this will naturally vary with the complexity of your design and the elements you include within the scope of works. All of our work is individually tailored and designed so no two projects are the same.
How do I know if my outdoor area needs upgrading?
There are a number of indicators that tell you it’s time to upgrade your outdoor living area. A common complaint we hear from clients is that they feel confined when hosting gatherings, and wish they had more space to entertain and relax with their family. Safety is also a consideration for many clients: they’re dealing with an old, worn-out deck or patio cover that has seen its best days, and are concerned that one day they’ll put a foot through it. There are any number of reasons you might want to build an alfresco room, and they’re all valid!
Why do you need to carry out a detailed consultation at my house?
While our initial online meeting will give us some high-level information, we need to create a more detailed picture of your property, your needs and tastes to truly create your perfect alfresco room. At our Design Consultation, we’ll dig deeper into your style preferences and really unlock the potential for your outdoor room.
What do you do at the Design Consultation?
We’ll examine your outdoor space from every angle, discussing details like the best viewpoints, the best roof and flooring – even the size of the table you’ll need when entertaining! We’ll also carry out a detailed site evaluation, taking precise measurements so we can prepare our design.
Do I have to pay for the Design Consultation?
Yes, the Design Consultation is a paid consultation. This allows us to devote the time we need to carry out the consultation and design process properly –meaning you get a significantly better result at the end of the day.
How can I be sure that the end product will match the design?
This is where our 3D visualisation comes in. We take everything we discussed at our consultation and render it into a 3D design that shows every aspect of your new room in photorealistic detail – allowing you to see exactly what goes where, the colours of your alfresco room, and your chosen furniture or accessories. This allows us to confirm that everything is perfect before we begin construction – giving you confidence and clarity that your alfresco room will be perfect.
Do I need council approval for my alfresco room?
Most of our alfresco rooms do require approval, but you don’t need to worry about it. We’ll handle all of this for you from drafting plans and obtaining reports through to the numerous phone calls. You don’t need to get involved at all
What about using a Private Certifier?
As a part of our initial review process, we’ll evaluate the project to see if we can gain approval through a private certifier via a complying development certificate rather than through a development application via your local council.
Do I need to arrange tradespeople to come and build your designs?
No! Our complete end-to-end build process means we take care of everything: we’ll provide and manage all trades — electricians, carpenters, painters, plumbers, plasterers and more – scheduling them in the right order and ensuring they work together seamlessly to keep the build running to schedule.
Can you install bi-fold doors, an outdoor kitchen and exterior blinds?
Yes, we bring it all together for you – we’ll install new stacker or bifold back doors leading out into your outdoor room, right through to the outdoor kitchen and exterior blinds. This way it’s a complete project with no hassles for you to worry about.
Can I live in my home while you’re building my alfresco room?
Yes – we’re always conscious that you’ll most likely be living in your home while your alfresco room is being built: therefore, we ensure that our work sites are tidy and there’s minimal disruption to your daily life.
Can you build an alfresco room in a bushfire zone?
Yes! In fact, we specialise in building stunning alfresco rooms in high level bushfire zones that not only adhere to any compliance requirements but seamlessly complement your existing property.
Can you use timber in a bushfire zone?
Yes, timber can be used for constructing a deck and/or patio cover in bushfire-prone zones, but specific precautions are essential to ensure compliance. These precautions become even more critical when dealing with Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Zones 40 and Flame Zone (FZ), where the use of timber is restricted due to the extreme fire risk.
How do I find out my bushfire zone?
We’ll handle that for you as a part of our process. Unfortunately it isn’t as easy as just typing in your street address. A site evaluation needs to be completed to review the slope of the land, bush type and so on.
Can you install skylights or light panels into my roofing?
Yes, but it will depend on what BAL you are in. The higher the BAL, the more limited you are in your material selections. BAL FZ means no skylights, so getting the correct design of your alfresco space becomes crucial.