Often we tell our clients to "slow down" so they can achieve a better result for their new Outdoor Living Area, so we've put together this quick 3 min read to give you the top 3 tips.
Watch the video below...
#1 “You don’t know what you don’t know”
We do this every day, but you might only tackle a project like this once every 15-20 years.
So, do your homework & understand your options.
You not only have to understand your material options – blackbutt vs merbau, 'Velux' skylight vs a Nature Lite; but you have to feel comfortable with your builder. As this is a relationship that you will have for a decent period of time & you should enjoy the process.
#2 Work on a master plan
Don’t let your backyard look like a patchwork quilt. Think about the bigger picture.
Do you ultimately want to include it?
- A Pool,
- Decking
- Landscaping,
- Paving,
- Retaining walls, or even an
- Outdoor kitchen??
All of these items, work hand in hand. So if that’s the case that you should engage a landscape architect.
This doesn’t mean that you need to do every item on the list today – in fact, the opposite. It will give you clarity & it will give each of the trades a ‘master plan’ so everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet
It will also enable you to pick through the most important items or the areas that you can initially afford to do first & to budget the remainder for a later date.
#3 Understand your council obligations
Don’t fall for the “Don’t worry, it's only a deck – she’ll be right”.
She won’t be. More often than not a large backyard renovation can cost well into the six figures, so don’t risk it.
Sometimes you can build to the boundary line, but more often than not you can not. So it's best to know what you can & can not do early, rather than try & unscramble the egg later when it all hits the fan.
If you would like to know more about the approval process & download the 'Exempt Development Checklist - have a sneaky look here
