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Building an extension for my mother-in-law

I love my mother-in-law but I never planned on living with her permanently. I have been enjoying her living with us now that we have kids but I feel like we all need some extra space so I am getting a granny flat built at the back of our block. This should allow us to have some extra space to make sure everyone has the privacy that they need whilst we can still be a family. This block has some tip on the process of building a granny flat including how to choose a contractor and how to get the council approval for the build.

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3 Advanced Tools Used By Plumbers to Clean Drains
A clogged drain can embarrass you, especially when you have visitors over at your place. This could portray a bad image to your guests. You would not want to go through this experience at any point. Therefore, to avoid such a moment, you should always have your drains checked regularly and maintain them properly. You should not also ignore any drain problem that arises, no matter how slight it would be.

Common Causes of Leaking Showers and How to Repair Them
If your shower is leaking, there could be a number of reasons. Here is a guide to some of the common causes of leaking showers and how to repair them. Faulty handle If your shower is leaking, first check that the handle is fully turned off. Remove the front part of the handle and then take out the cartridge with a cartridge puller. You can purchase a cartridge puller and cartridges from a hardware store.

Three Central Planning Tips for Building a Custom House
Building a custom home requires planning. If your design and construction plans are not detailed, the success of your project could be compromised. In simple terms, the house building process could become more expensive than expected, and the additional costs could affect your financial well-being. Also, poor planning could mean numerous delays during the construction project. The assumed timeline for completion could be adversely affected. Here are some simple planning guidelines to help you prepare for the construction of your custom home.

5 Things That Can Start Earning You Money As Soon As You Buy Them
As the cost of living rises across Australia faster than most of the rest of the world many of us are looking for extra ways to earn a bit of cash. While there are safe, long term options that can earn you a passive income like the stock market or renting out a spare room, many people are looking for more immediate returns on their investments. Here are 5 items that you can buy and immediately begin making money off.

3 Security Standards That Every Security Screen Door Must Meet
You must have experienced one of those hot and stuffy summer afternoons that force you to stay indoors. As the heat inside the house ramps up, you question whether you are going to last another ten minutes of summer. However, since you want to keep your energy bills at a minimum, turning up the A/C system is not an option. Therefore, you are left with one choice in such an instance: to open the doors and windows.

Join It Up: Blend Function and Form with Decorative Concrete Joints
While concrete is a very versatile and durable material, it can sometimes struggle in the intense Australian heat. It expands and contracts with the temperature changes from day to night, and this is likely to lead to cracks over time. It's not possible to entirely avoid this problem; cracks are part of natural wear and tear. However, your concrete floor should last for up to 25 years if cared for correctly, and making sure that it's installed correctly in the first instance should help to extend its life to this full potential.

How Are Tree Stump Removal and Tree Stump Grinding Different?
Whilst you may sometimes hear the phrases "tree stump removal" and "tree stump grinding" used interchangeably, they're actually two quite different things. If you have a downed tree and you want it off your property, your tree removal service provider will ask if you prefer tree stump removal or tree stump grinding to eliminate the stump. Here are the differences between the two to help you make the right choice.  

The Different Types of Construction Surveys
Construction surveys have been in existence for thousands of years. They are an integral part of any construction project and should be done meticulously to ensure the success of a construction project. Today there are many, varied types of construction surveys that help construction & contractors in the building industry. Some of these surveys include; Quantity Surveys Quantity surveys mainly deal with costs and ensuring a construction project remains within budget at every construction stage.

Get More Out of Your Roof With Timber Trusses
Are you planning to build a new property or are you re-roofing an existing home? How much thought have you given to the roof of your building? It can be tempting to think of the roof as simply something to keep the rain out. If you have been thinking in that way, it's time to stop. Getting your roof right allows you to get so much more out of your property and to maximise every aspect of the building and not just the floor space.

3 Ideal Conditions To Construct Tennis Courts
The demand for tennis courts is growing as more people take up the sport for leisure and exercise purposes. The high demand has also been facilitated by the availability of tennis courts that are made using artificial grass which is cheaper to install. Below are several conditions which are ideal for the construction of tennis courts for homes, hotels or institutions. During the summer Many clients prefer concrete tennis courts which are very cheap to maintain.

Carpet Cleaning Between Tenants: 3 Things to Know
If you are a new property owner, then you may not have dealt with the cleaning and maintenance tasks that come after a tenant leaves. Before a new tenant moves in, you will need to take on some cleaning tasks. One of those is carpet cleaning. Here are some things you need to know before you hire someone or take on the task yourself. These key points relate to the safety of you and your tenants.

Electrical contractors provide important electrical services
As technology continues to become the center of our daily lives, the use of electricity is now essential for many different applications. Electrical contractors deal with the wiring and fitting of premises for the proper functioning of electrical devices. Electrical installations are commonly done in residential, commercial and industrial locations. All these places are in need of properly functioning electrical equipment. It is, therefore, important to have the best electrical contractors to prepare your premises for its required functions.

Restore your house to its former glory
If your house has been burnt by fire, there's likely lots of damage to deal with. When the fire brigade has gone, there is soot, the smell of smoke and the damaged stuff. However, once the house has been declared safe by the fire brigade, you can act with speed to salvage some of your property. The best way to start is to call a company that specializes in fire damage restoration.

What you need to know about house demolition
There are many reasons why you need a building demolished, it could be an eyesore, unsafe or you could need to remodel. Also, you could demolish your perfectly fine house so that you can build a better one. Lastly, the law might recommend that the house is pulled down for legal reasons like planning or because it failed an inspection. When you are confronted with the issue of demolishing your house, the best case scenario is to spend as little time and money as possible on the demolition.

Ways to Care For and Maintain Your Aluminium Roof
Aluminium is one of the popular metal roofing solutions that homeowners will choose due to the broad range of advantages that it provides. Firstly, this metal roofing is highly resistant to rust. Therefore, you can rest assured that it will not succumb to corrosion due to prolonged exposure to precipitation. Secondly, aluminium is lightweight, which makes it one of the metal roofing options that is easy to work with. Lastly, the high durability and fire resistance of aluminium roofing make it a great investment for any property.

Tips For Securing Your Construction Site
If you have ever had a construction site vandalized and had expensive tools and equipment stolen, you know what a mess it creates. Not only will you have to replace equipment that was stolen and file a police report, but it can delay completing the job, which also creates problems with the homeowner or building owner. Here are some tips for securing your construction site so you can avoid dealing with this in the future.

What You Should Know About Travertine Tile
If you are thinking about replacing the tile in your home, you might want to give travertine tile a try. This beautiful tile is a type of limestone, so it comes from the Earth's surface, but it goes through a heat and pressure process in order to maintain a slightly softer and lighter look. Here are some things to know about this type of tile so you can decide if it is a good option for you or not.

Asphalt: Reasons to Consider It When Paving Your Driveway
When it comes to driveway installation, most homeowners will be looking for cost-effective durability. This means opting for a material that will be sturdy enough to withstand the heavy usage that the driveway will be exposed to while still being pocket-friendly. Unfortunately, some people will place more priority on the economics of purchasing their driveway and end up basing their selection on which material was the cheapest available. Instead of doing this, you should consider asphalt for paving your driveway.

Key Qualities That Make Aluminium Products Highly Sought After in the Building and Construction World
The use of aluminium products in the building and construction industry is extensive. Aluminium can be used to manufacture windows and doors, siding, roofing products, rain gutters and downspouts, handrail systems, cladding systems, et cetera, et cetera. The main reason behind the widespread use of aluminium in the building and construction world is the many benefits that the material has to offer. Here are a number of key properties that make aluminium an ideal choice of material for manufacturing building and construction products.

When to Use Stainless Steel Pipes and Tubing at Home
Stainless steel is one of the strongest and most durable materials available when it comes to pipes and tubing; the material is often used in construction as well as the medical field, because it's so strong and resistant to heat as well as germs and bacteria. You can usually find lengths of stainless steel at any home improvement store, or even at a recycling centre. Note when it's good to use this material at home and why it can be so beneficial.

4 budget friendly ways to renovate your kitchen space
Whether it's buying new kitchen appliances, adding new cabinet knobs or applying a fresh coat of paint, renovating a kitchen not only gives you peace of mind, it also adds to the value of your house. Do you know you don't have to break the bank for your kitchen renovations? Homeowners who wish to renovate their outdated kitchen spaces should capitalize on the following 4 budget-friendly kitchen renovation ideas. You can do these upgrades on your own, but any contractor in your neighbourhood would be ready to help you with these fairly quick renovations.

Don't Overlook These Features When Choosing Bi-fold Patio Doors
Bi-fold patio doors can be a great choice for your home; they allow you to open up the entire wall for easy access to the outside and for more air circulation inside the home. This is also good for entertaining as it allows for easier foot traffic in and out of the patio area. When you are ready to shop for bi-fold doors for your home, note a few features you don't want to overlook so you know you get the right choice and are happy with those doors for years to come.

Types of Certifiers and What You Need to Know about Them
If you are moving into the real estate world as a freelance contractor who buys homes and flips them for profit, then you may already know about certifiers. You know they are required throughout the process. What you may not know is there are several types of certifiers. Before you jump in feet first to the world of house flipping and construction, you should know the types of certifiers out there and some information regarding each one.

Telltale Signs That You Need To Replace Your Gutters
Despite your gutters being the first line of defence that your residence has as protection from water damage, not many people pay much mind to them. As such, you may be unaware of their deterioration and only realise the severity of the problem once the damage is done. This is why it is essential for all homeowners to know how to spot the symptoms of gutters that are in dire need of replacement if they want to avoid exorbitant repair costs to their home.

The Various Types of Protective Coatings for Concrete Surfaces
While concrete that is properly mixed and installed is hard and durable, the elements, such as natural air, rain, snow, ice, etc. can be hard on concrete surfaces. Over time, bare concrete will start to deteriorate because of some of its inherent qualities, including porosity, moisture content, alkalinity, water absorbency, and so on. If the surface of the concrete is not protected, the elements will easily have their way with the concrete.

Important Differences in Residential Window Films
Window film or tint can be a good choice for adding security and privacy to your home, for blocking heat and for protecting the windows from damage. However, not all films are alike, and the film you choose might not accomplish all these tasks as expected! It's good to know the different types of window films on the market today so you're sure to get the type that suits your needs.

What to Discuss With Your Contractor About a Home Extension
If you need more room in your house but don't want to sell it and leave, a home extension is a good solution. This can mean a space added to one side of the home, or a second story added to a ranch-style home. When you are ready to move forward with such an expansion, note a few factors to discuss with your contractor so you know you make the right choice.

Latest Safety Features for Tipper Trucks
Tippers can be used for commercial and nonindustrial functions, something made possible by the numerous types of tippers that are available for hire. The tipper family consists of tipper trucks, tipper tandem, excavators, and bobcats. The most common tipper that is hired is the tipper truck, based on its flexibility, efficiency and the work to be executed. However, just like most vehicles used every day, tipper trucks have been associated with several injuries over the years.

Let Timber Walls Lead You to Thermal Comfort
Your home ought to be comfortable all year round regardless of the build material. A timber framed home will help you achieve this as it tends to excel where brick and block constructions have faltered. The choice of build material, however, is set to become even stiffer as the authority tightens the noose on thermal regulation. Today the construction business has to accommodate PSI values, SAP calculations and innovative construction products in order to achieve the appropriate CO2 emission requirements.

Features to Include in Your Small Home Design
Many people today are choosing smaller homes for themselves rather than large and expansive homes, in order to cut down on the costs of their utilities and home maintenance over time. A smaller home doesn't need to feel claustrophobic or uninviting, if you work with your home designer to add a few simple touches that will make the home look spacious and welcoming. Note a few of those features you might discuss with him or her when you've chosen to have a smaller home built for yourself and your family.

Different Specialties in Urban Planning Profession for International Students
Are you an international student seeking to study urban planning but are not sure what field to specialize? You are not alone. Many international students are often in the dark regarding the array of fields under the urban planning profession. It is important to note that there is more to urban planning than just managing infrastructure and services. This article, therefore, provides information on the different fields an international student undertaking urban planning in Australia can specialize.

Construction: Siding Options for Your Dual Occupancy Building
If you are looking for ways to protect the exterior of your dual occupancy building, there are an array of siding materials that you could consider. Familiarising yourself with the different options available will make you better placed at making an informed decision on what material would suit your budget, maintenance capabilities and more. Below is an outline of the different types of siding materials that you could consider. Aluminium siding

A Few Important Tips for Choosing Patio Blinds, Shades, and Curtains
Outdoor window treatments can make your patio space much more usable, as this can mean cutting off some of that direct sunlight during the hottest summer days, and insulating the space during cooler autumn weather. These window treatments can also add a cosy, homey look to the space. When you're ready to shop for patio blinds, shades, or curtains, note a few important tips so you know you're happy with your choice.

Fix What Isn't Broken: Why You Should Be Proactive with your Industiral Cooling Tower Maintenance
With initial purchase costs so high and budgets growing ever tighter, it can be tempting to try and streamline equipment maintenance costs as far as possible to refrain from fixing something that isn't broken. Plus, there's also the frustration of losing the use of a component as you undertake that maintenance. However, there are huge long-term benefits to biting the bullet and sticking to a proactive maintenance schedule. If you can afford to do it, you should—and here's why.

Emergency Plumbing: Essential Supplies You Should Have At Hand
Owning a home inevitably means you will have to deal with a plumbing emergency at some point or another. Despite this, there are some homeowners who do not know how to deal with these plumbing emergencies and find they spend a significant amount of money on repairs as well as water wastage. The first step to being able to handle minor emergencies would be to have the appropriate tools at hand.

Strawsome: The Pros And Cons Of Using Straw Bales For Garage Construction
Straw is not exactly the most intuitive material to build a full-blown garage from -- that little piggy didn't have much luck, after all -- but in reality, using straw bales over more traditional building materials can convey a number of distinct advantages. However, while straw as a construction material has received a lot of good press lately, it is not the wonder material some make it out to be, and using it for garage construction also has a number of drawbacks.

Why a Metal Roof Might Be the Right Type for Your Home
While asphalt shingles may still be one of the most popular options for home roofs, metal roofs are also a good choice for homeowners to consider. You may not have thought about a metal roof if your current roof needs repair or the replacement of some shingles, but metal offers some distinct advantages over any other material. Note a few of those advantages here and then you can discuss this choice with a roofing contractor as needed.