Placemate News and Information Blog

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Mar} How to choose an architect

Like any new relationship, choosing the right architect is a combination of well-matched chemistry and due diligence to reassure yourself that all boxes have been checked and ticked. Here are some ideas to get you started: Choice magazine’s check list Australian consumer advocate Choice published an excellent article in the November 2017 edition of Choice… Read more »

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Feb} So, you’re ready to renovate… Is an architect really necessary?

When what you want is obvious – say, a kitchen refit, a bathroom update and a deck out the back – the next step many people take is to start talking to builders. But what if every builder comes up with a different solution, what then? At PlaceMate, we’d say that sends a clear signal… Read more »

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Feb} Can we live at home while it is rebuilt?

Staying at home will save a lot of money on rent, the hassles of moving, or of putting up with your in-laws. It is a great way to appreciate daily construction progress and to get to know the tradesmen who are creating your new place. However…

A building site is hazardous. Even the tidiest site will have small sharp objects on the ground, power tools and climbable scaffolding. It is an unacceptable workplace, health and safety risk for your builder, should anything happen to your child. Unless you can guarantee that you can completely separate off the construction zone with its own access, don’t even consider it.

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Jan} Renovation architects: What do we really do?

Don’t feel like you’re the only one wondering, “What exactly is a renovation architect?” It’s not a service used as regularly as your traditional architect or a builder, but it certainly ﬁts a niche for people looking to renovate with care and forethought.

We live an age where home owners are looking to keep the original heritage of their properties, but update them for modern practicalities. That’s where renovation architects come in.

It’s not a service used as regularly as your traditional architect or a builder, but it certainly ﬁts a niche for people looking to renovate with care and forethought.

We live an age where home owners are looking to keep the original heritage of their properties, but update them for modern practicalities. That’s where renovation architects come in.