We’re Changing the way home repairs and maintenance are done This is why we’ve introduced a fixed fee repair and maintenance service to your most important asset. Here’s how it works: You book us we get in and start investigating and fixing what we can. We fix problems before they turn into major issues, saving you money on bigger and potentially more costly repairs down the track.  We inspect your home thoroughly, create a detailed home maintenance manual — kind of like your car’s logbook — and highlight maintenance items critical to safety and the longevity of your home. &nb ..read more

So you’re about to embark on a building or renovation project, and wondering what it involves. We get it — that’s our job. We do this all the time, so we understand your fears and frustrations. Here’s what we’ve discovered works.  1. Focusing on objectivesThe first step is to truly understand the objectives of your project. By making sure we know your purpose and key objectives right from the start we have the clarity to understand what will lead to project success. 2. Comprehensive project managementWe look after the entire project life cycle from the initial design concept right throug ..read more

As someone who appreciates architecture, it’s always disappointing to see a fine period house demolished or gutted and modernised beyond recognition. That’s one of the reasons we enjoyed working with clients Vicki and Michael on a recent project in Pymble. The couple loved their 1960s modernist-style house and wanted to preserve it, but it was impractical. The kitchen was tiny, and they love to cook and entertain family and friends. You couldn’t see or access the pool from the kitchen, and they wanted to create a connection between the living areas and outdoor areas. At the same time, they wa ..read more

Every child loves a secret space they can escape to; an adult-free zone where their spirit and imagination can flourish. When you see your kids engaged in imaginative play it’s truly inspiring and beautiful. I fondly remember some of my childhood secret spaces and I have no doubt it helped make me who I am today. Now that I have (sort of) grown up and have kids of my own, I think that these spaces are not only for kids, but they can also add significant value to a home. Sales agent Matt Hayson from Cobden & Hayson Balmain says when selling a home an interesting play area like a loft helps ..read more

If floor space is a challenge in your home and you’re not sure what to get your kids? Ballast Point has the perfect solution for you. Where we’re challenged with space think Vertical with additional play space, work space or storage space in a loft Step 1 Identify a vertical opportunity - this may not always be obvious and may involve getting into tight spaces. It may involve getting a detailed measure to check viability. Step 2 Find ways to enhance adjacent spaces by combining the volume of the loft with either an existing living space, bedroom or corridor. Step 3 Find ways to get natural ..read more

From navigating structural changes to gaining strata approval and concerns over upsetting neighbours, the prospect of renovating an apartment may seem daunting. But with the right team and knowledge, these transformations are not only possible but can be surprisingly straightforward. We’re setting out to debunk some myths and provide a different perspective to help you transform your living space and lift the value of your apartment. (1) Load bearing walls can be moved If you can show the owners corporation (also known as the body corporate) that the work will not adversely impact the buildi ..read more

Building costs have exploded during Covid but they have disproportionately affected smaller projects with difficult access and complicated builds. This is because both the cost of labour and timber has accelerated a lot more than other things driving the cost of a typical extension in the inner west on a small site up by over 50% since the start of 2020. We’ve mobilised to meet these costs head on and have laid out the following design strategies in our war on building costs in a quest to construct cost-effective buildings without sacrificing quality. The greatest cost savings are inevitabl ..read more

Knowledge and experience of planning law, council machinations and the approval process is a fundamental of development approval success.  Here are 7 ways to help your application succeed: 1.Quality of documentation There is no doubt that making information clear and concise, making drawings look great, emphasising great heritage, community outcomes, development mitigation and demonstrating compliance is the key. But also making the plans and documents easy to navigate and understand doesn’t hurt your cause. Making the job of the assessment team easier makes them feel better about your a ..read more

“So one thing that we do is a design consultation where we can workshop approval strategies with you and answer any questions. “ Understanding a Complex System Getting a project approved by the council can often feel like navigating through a labyrinth. The process is intricate, with various pathways and strategies at your disposal. Understanding this complex system is not just about ticking boxes; it's about actively engaging with the council, using the right levers, and sometimes, knowing when to split your application, leave things out, cut your losses, and move forward. Here's how to str ..read more

You’re stuck in council.Let me guess, you’ve heard nothing for months, and you don’t know what’s happening. Explanation: Council planning departments can be dysfunctional and under-resourced bureaucracies. Council planners have a complicated job of working with multiple planning instruments, many vested interests, and conflicting and slow information from consultants within the council. Solution: Demand a meeting with the council. If the planner refuses to meet, don’t hesitate to contact the GM at the council. But... be courteous and patient, work in a positive manner, and try to understand t ..read more