Notes on building well

Plain-spoken writing on high-performance building, pre-construction, cost and the decisions that shape a good home.

All Cost Process Renovations High performance Heritage Pre-construction Approvals Planning

Process · 14 September 2026 Why we don’t tender The lowest tender is rarely the lowest cost. Here is why we join projects early instead — and what that means for your budget. Renovations · 4 September 2026 Adding a second storey to an older home Going up can add space without losing the garden. What decides whether it works — structurally, in the streetscape and while you live there. High performance · 29 August 2026 Healthy, high-performance homes: the case for building better Comfort, running costs and durability are decided by a handful of early decisions. Why performance should be designed in, not added on. Heritage · 22 August 2026 Renovating a heritage home in Newcastle Heritage homes reward patience. What to check first, what approvals involve, and how to add comfort without losing character. Pre-construction · 8 August 2026 Pre-construction: where sustainable builds are won Sustainable by design, not by label. How accurate pre-construction reduces waste, cost and risk at the same time. Approvals · 1 August 2026 DA or CDC? Approval pathways for NSW homes The two main approval pathways for new homes, alterations and additions in NSW — how they differ, and how to know which applies to you. Planning · 18 July 2026 Knockdown rebuild or renovate? A cost-intelligent way to decide between renovating the home you have and starting again on the site you love. Planning · 10 July 2026 Choosing a builder for an architecturally designed home Price matters, but it is the last thing to compare. The questions that reveal how a builder will treat your design, your budget and you. Renovations · 26 June 2026 Living at home during a renovation It is often possible to stay. What to plan for, which stages are hardest, and when moving out is the better choice.