Builders and architects working together: 6 reasons why integrated design and build may be the future of home construction   Builders and architects on a construction site. Image Canva By Ballast Point director Mat Wilk When Ballast Point was founded back in 2015, it was purely a contract builder. Over the last few years, it has evolved to become an integrated design and construction company. So, what exactly does that mean? And why does it matter? Traditionally, homeowners first hire an architect to do the design and later engage a building company to build their home. Over the years ..read more

Why aren’t there more female architects?   A female architect at work. Image Canva   In the lead-up to International Women’s Day on March 8, the Ballast Point team reflects on why there are fewer women who are registered architects and in senior design roles than men in Australia When it comes to the gender of people studying architecture in Australia, the division is around 50/50. Yet research shows fewer than a third of registered architects are women. Why is this? Dr Gill Matthewson, who is co-founder of Parlour, which advocates to improve gender equity in architecture, believes ..read more

Why we chose the name Ballast Point   An aerial view of Ballast Point Park. Image Drone Headz-McGregor Coxall   By Ballast Point director Mat Wilk People often ask how Ballast Point got its name. I usually joke that it’s because the domain name was available, but obviously there was more to it than that. We specialise in building and designing properties in the Balmain area of Sydney, and we wanted a name with a local connection. Ballast Point is also the name of a park in Birchgrove, where I often hang out with my children. We have also held staff Christmas parties there. Our team ..read more

The post Street Smart, Australian House & Garden Magazine, February 2022 issue first appeared on Ballast Point ..read more

How to get your DA through council An artist rendering of a property Ballast Point developed in Balmain By the Ballast Point team There’s no doubt that getting a Development Application (DA) through council is often the most uncertain aspect of building or renovating a home. It can be a long, costly and stressful process – more so in some Local Government Areas than others. Obtaining development consent (usually) through the lodgement of a development application with, and its approval by, your local council is a major step in the process that allows you to undertake a development. DAs requi ..read more

How we transformed a poky turn-of-the-century upside down terrace into a spacious, contemporary home   The backyard of the home has a whole new look. After image: Murray Fredericks By the Ballast Point Design and Construction team Sydney’s inner-west is filled with terrace houses that were built back in the early 1900s. While charming on the outside, they are often small, narrow and dark on the inside, especially when compared to modern homes. Imagine what it would have been like living in these homes when there was little consideration for internal design – just a low-cost utilitarian ..read more

Why we favour open book building contracts – even though they reduce our profit   By Ballast Point director Mat Wilk There are generally two ways of contracting a builder. One is an open book contract, also known as a cost-plus contract, in which clients are invoiced based on the actual costs incurred, plus the agreed margin which covers overheads, profit and risk. The other is a fixed price contract, in which the builder agrees to lock in the cost of a pre-determined scope and the margin is not disclosed. We were interested to see research emerge from construction management software co ..read more

  CLICK HERE TO READ: Thinking About Our Carbon Footprint, Darling Magazine, Spring 2021 The post Thinking About Our Carbon Footprint, Darling Magazine, Spring 2021 first appeared on Ballast Point ..read more

6 apps and online tools that have helped our small business thrive   The colourful new version of Ballast Point’s logo, created with the help of Canva     By Ballast Point director Mat Wilk In this day and age, there are more options than ever before for streamlining your business. Here are six that have made a huge difference at Ballast Point in recent times. 1. Trello Trello is the thing that has really clicked for our business. This web-based, list-making application is a subsidiary of Australian software development and collaboration tool company Atlassian, which enables u ..read more

Before embarking on a DIY project, read this A couple working on a DIY project. Image Shutterstock   By Ballast Point director Mat Wilk If you’re considering building your own home or embarking on a major DIY project because you think it’s a good way to make a profit or get ahead in the property market, there are some important things you need to consider first. Of course, anyone can build a house, just like anyone can start a pet grooming business, open a café, or begin practicing law. The resources are there online, in bookshops, and there are lots of online gurus ready to help, but y ..read more