Top Home Improvement Investments

The bathroom is FINISHED!

They say that a picture speaks a thousand words. My bathroom is finished, but rather than tell you about it, I thought I'd just show you the pictures. I am really very pleased with it. Read More...

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Productive days on bathroom renovation project

It's been a productive couple of days on the bathroom project. After a couple of days puttering around under the floorboards with no visible progress being made things suddenly seem to be leaping ahead. Read More...

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Bathroom renovation not quite going as planned...

Kirsten tells us about the trials and tribulations of materials delaying projects and how companies should NOT manage problems. Read More...

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To renovate your bathroom, first you must destroy it...

Kirsten's bathroom renovation project continues - check out the 'before' photos and the beginnings of the destruction. Read More...

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Training courses for tradies: Sustainable trades

The Victorian Climate Change White Paper released last month included many plans for reducing the impact of climate change. One of the items included in that white paper was that the Victorian Government wanted to provide a central, authoritative source of knowledge about climate change and sustainability. They've done this with the launch of the Climate Communities website. Read More...

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Tools of the Trade: Why builders should love your utes!

One of our staff members recently went on holiday to Morocco, and took this photo... What is the building trade like in Morocco we wonder? Read More...

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My next project - a new bathroom

I’ve finished both the bedrooms, I’ve painted the hallway, there’s only one room left for me to tackle and then the whole of the upstairs is finished. The problem is that room is the bathroom. Now I thought about refinishing it rather than redoing it, but my bathroom is in an utter state. Read More...

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The realities of home improvement

I stumbled across this picture of home renovation realities and had to post it up for our readers - so funny, so true! Read More...

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When the finish is important - get in the professionals

Galvanised by finishing off the front room, I decided that I wanted the living room done too. Of course you don’t always get what you want. I knew from the schedule of works I’d done, there was no point in doing the floors in the living room until the kitchen and bathroom were finished. But, I reasoned, I could do everything else. Read More...

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Woman vs House: Tearing another room to pieces

Kirsten attacks the front room, rents a rubbish bin, hires a builder to fit a fireplace and paints skirting boards. Read More...

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Giving up and calling in the professionals - why hanging doors is hard!

Kirsten McCall's men tried to hang the door but failed. It's much harder than it seems. Read More...

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What does the Climate Change white paper mean for the trades industry in Victoria?

Businesses are really just a collection of people, and so many of the changes experienced as individuals will be experienced by trades businesses, especially with the extension of the Energy Saver Incentive scheme to small and medium businesses (previously only for households). But there is also a further effect to businesses who work in trades related to the actual delivery of the goals outlined in the white paper. Read More...

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Replacing my fireplace - more destruction!

As I'd found the original Victorian hearth tiles under the horrible laminate flooring I decided that the only thing that would do in the living room was an original Victorian fireplace. This is how I put the new fireplace in - much easier than I thought! Read More...

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The second massive mess: Woman vs laminate

Dogs + laminate don't go. To protect my space on the sofa the only thing to do was to pull up the laminate. Lucky it was so ugly anyway... Read More...

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Can't get the sofa in? Just remove a wall. Sensible.

One of the very first things I did after taking possession of the keys to my new purchase was start to tear it apart. I picked up the keys yesterday and now it has one wall less than it did when I signed the papers. The problem was that I can't get my beloved sofa in the living room, the angles are wrong and it wouldn't go through the doors despite being taken to pieces. So rather than take the easy way out and buy a new sofa that would fit, I decided to take the wall between the hallway, stairs and living room down. Sensible. Read More...

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Home renovation: One woman, some power tools and a whole bunch of mess

Introducing Kirsten, our new guest blogger. As the title suggests, Kirsten's a woman with a mission to create a home out of a house - and will eliminate anything (including walls) that stands in her way. Read More...

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Oven and hob features that make your Masterchef life easier!

Technology can bring you to tears with millions of appliances stacked away in your cupboards taking up space, or you can concentrate on one special appliance - your oven and hob. Here are some of the features you might want to investigate when you're next having your kitchen renovated or buying a new oven. Read More...

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The best type of ovens to be a Masterchef: Gas, Electric, Multifunction or fan ovens

Your choice of oven can make or break your budding career as a Masterchef. Knowing the ins and outs of each type of oven helps you to compensate for the quirks when using someone else's oven, but also helps you pick the best type for you! Read More...

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Staircase design marvels

When it comes to stairs, usually they are built for safety and practicality. Check out some of these stairs designs that are absolutely amazing! Read More...

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Getting SAD? Install a skylight

Skylights have had an interesting past and many different uses in different countries, but passive solar building design is one of the main movements that's keeping the skylight industry going these days. Read More...

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Best renovation books: List of top-rated renovation books

Renovating is a task that requires a lot of preparation, planning and knowledge. Your tradies will help and advise you along the way but if you're managing the project, you'll need to spend a significant amount of time planning. So, a book with advice, processes, tips, checklists etc can help you along the way a lot. Here are the best rated books on renovations, some from Australia, some from the rest of the world. Read More...

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What colour should you paint your house?

Choosing what colour (or colours) to paint your house can be one of the biggest decisions you'll make about your home. Want a colour to make a statement but not annoy the neighbours? Want to have a house with personality but not an ugly one? Want to take a risk but not a risk guaranteed to fail? Here are 10 things to think about when choosing colours. Read More...

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What kinds of renders are there?

Lots of different brands of render, but there are three main types. Cement, acrylic and solid plastering. Read More...

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How is rendering done?

Rendering is a process that should be done by a professional. Unfortunately, rendering isn't really something that you can really patch up if part of it isn't quite right, and it's tricky to get the consistency and application done right. Steps involved in rendering... Read More...

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What is rendering?

Everything can be rendered. You can render a graphic image, render lard, and render results. Rendering is also used in film-making, but most importantly it's also a substance that's applied to brick, concrete, stone, earth or cement surfaces - often to hide imperfections and add aesthetic appeal. What are the benefits of rendering? Read More...

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What is Leadlight?

Leadlight is decorative panels or windows made with small sections of glass housed in lead. What's the difference between leadlight and stained glass? When was leadlight popular? Read More...

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What do land surveyors do?

Land surveyors measure and draw the earth's surface, including land, air space and water. Read More...

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What do Landscapers do? The kings of the garden...

A common misconception of landscapers is that they only do big projects - designing a new garden and implementing it for you or with your help. But commonly landscaping companies offer a range of services. Some landscaping businesses also specialise in a specific area. Read More...

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Irrigation tactics - to water or not to water?

Water restrictions make it difficult for all of us to have perfect gardens easily. But it's still possible, especially by choosing the right plants and the right irrigation method. Many landscapers and gardeners are irrigation experts, but you can also choose to go direct to a specialist for advice - especially if you have a large plot or farm. Read More...

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Storm chasing roofers and tips to avoid them..

Crime and opportunity go hand in hand, and although storm chasing isn't a crime some tactics employed by roofing companies after storm events are just criminal! Storms across Australia in 2010 - have you been approached, and if so here's some tips to avoid getting into trouble. Read More...

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Broken windows or inefficient glass - call a qualified glazier!

Many older homes in Australia have exceptionally thin windows that are easily broken and do absolutely nothing for the insulation of your home. Replacing the glass in your existing windows can be reactive to a broken window pane or a proactive step against future cracks that can be dangerous to your family. Plus, with a better grade of glass in your windows (or doors) you can be sure that your home will be better insulated against extreme weather conditions. These older glass windows really suffer in the rain and hail storms of late, and when the glass breaks you're looking at more than just replacing the glass as water damage often occurs once the window is broken. Read More...

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Waterproofing your bathroom

So waterproofing is not just sensible, it's also governed by the Building Code and Australian Standards. But how is it done and what do you need to know about it? Read More...

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Carpentry prices: Costs for carpentry work

Carpentry jobs can vary from large to small - building a deck or houseframe to installing a hand rail or refitting a wooden window. How much can you expect to pay for this work? Read More...

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What are sliding doors?

Sliding doors are frames that slide along a track, and they can be made of any material - glass, wood, PVC, plastic, paper. Sliding doors can be used internally and externally, and you'll choose your sliding doors based on your budget and use. What kinds of sliding doors do you get? Read More...

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What is services location?

Avoiding digging up or damaging pipes or lines when you're extending your home or landscaping your garden should be your first priority. Not only for safety but because it'll delay work and could be a very expensive mistake to make! Read More...

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How should you fix skirting boards to the wall?

There are a couple of methods of fixing skirting boards to walls, once the corners have been cut to shape. It usually depends on what finish you want on the skirting boards as to which method you use to fix the boards. If you want to stain or varnish the boards then the best bet is to attach the boards using a glue or adhesive. Read More...

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How to cut and fit skirting boards

Skirting boards are one of the weird things that you don't notice until you don't have any. Generally skirting boards are there to protect the bottom of the plaster and to hide any gap between the floor and the plaster, providing better insulation and protection from dust. Fitting skirting boards can be tricky and is something that the less experienced renovator might want to call in a carpenter to help with. Read More...

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What's the best kind of tradesperson to install new doors or windows?

When looking at installing new doors or windows, here are a few tips to decide what kind of business is best for your job. There are definite overlaps in the types of jobs that might come up, and therefore the kind of tradesperson that's the best for your job. Read More...

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Curtains or blinds?

Wow. That's a big question. The problem is, you can't decide one way or the other across your whole house, as there are different things to consider. Read More...

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What do concreters do?

There are lots of different specialities of concreting but you'll find that most concreting businesses are either very specialised (for example putting decorative concrete garden borders in) or offer full service concreting. Concreters also often work as part of the building team, given that concrete is often an integral part of new home builds and extensions. Here's a list of all the services that a concreter can do. Read More...

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What can concreting be used for around your home?

Concreting is versatile, and a quality concreter can use concrete in innovative ways to add design and structural elements to your home. Concrete also comes in a variety of textures and designs. Read More...

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What are the different types of cladding and what's the best option?

Cladding is a great way to give your home a facelift without reconstructive surgery, the Botox for homes! There are lots of different types of cladding with different benefits, so read on for your cladding options. Read More...

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Choosing local wood for your carpentry project

Taking locality and origin into consideration when choosing wood can reduce costs and your carbon footprint. Check out the Good Wood Guide. Read More...

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Two common carpentry styles

Carpenters are useful for projects spanning across a wide variety of jobs - from small jobs like getting a wooden window to open easier to massive jobs like major construction projects involving complete house frames, and pretty much everything in between. What types of carpenters are there? Read More...

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To DIY your deck or hire a professional

A deck is a relatively easy and cost effective way to add value to your home and at the same time increase your space and comfort while you live there. In my view, having a deck is the Australian dream. There's nothing quite like beers and a BBQ on a beautiful deck. Should you DIY or hire a professional to complete construction of your deck? Read More...

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Patio, deck, porch, pergola or veranda - what's the difference?

All these outdoor structures - what's the difference between them really? Read More...

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10 Easy ways to Save money and help the environment

How to be eco-friendly whilst saving money through straight forward 10 tips. Simple things that you can start today. Read More...

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Top 5 questions to ask your prospective builder

Service Central has put together 5 key questions and a bit of advice on hiring a prospective builder. Read More...

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Architects, Draftspeople or Builders - who's best for your job?

Planning an extension or building a new home, adding a pergola or car port and need planning permission - Which trade can help you most? Read More...

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When's the best time of year to get work done cheap?

Service Central's all about the competition between two or three businesses to quote your job. You'll receive easily comparable quotes and quickly be able to decide which business you'd like to complete the work for you - whether it's a quick fix for a leaky pipe or a bigger job like a landscaped garden or kitchen renovation. But one thing that all consumers should be aware of is the 'Waves of Work' phenomena. Read More...

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Pros and cons of different types of roofs

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your house, and if you're building a new home or replacing your roof, you have several options. If you are buying a new house, the age of the roof is also an important consideration. The Service Central team has gathered info from our quality tradespeople and given you some advice on your roofing choices. Read More...

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What are the benefits of double glazing?

There are many types of double glazing, and it often a really effective way to reduce your bills and be more comfortable - find out more about double glazing. Read More...

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Tools of the trade: Using Google Maps to quote from your office

You'll remember our blog about Google Maps, the free online map service. But two of the features of Google Maps have far more benefits for some tradespeople than just a simple map. Here are some ideas on how to use the this free service to improve efficiency in your business. Read More...

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Pergola price: How much does a pergola cost to build?

Pergolas can be purchased 'out of the box' or made specifically for you to a unique design. How much do they cost? Read More...

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Pricing for decks: How much does a new deck cost?

Pricing decks before designing the job or seeing the terrain is virtually impossible, because not only are there many options in terms of materials, but also lots of different things can affect the cost. But, this guide should give you an idea of which options are more expensive and a very basic idea of the cost. Read More...

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What is Vibration White Finger (VWF)?

Also known as dead finger and hand/arm vibration syndrome, Vibration White Finger (VWF) is an industrial injury that is usually caused by ongoing use of vibrating handheld tools. Read More...

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How to tell if an internal wall is load bearing

Load bearing walls are walls that can support their own weight as well as the weight of the additional structural loads placed on them. Most importantly, they have additional support underneath them, as they also need to be able to carry what are called 'live loads' - furniture, people, carpets etc. While they may look the same as non-structural walls they aren't. Removing these walls without replacing them with RSJs or some other method of transferring the load will compromise the structural integrity of the property. Read More...

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Save Water around the Garden

Looking for ways to save water around the garden? This helpful article will give you some great water saving advice, from choosing the appropriate plants to landscaping ideas to using greywater and rainwater Read More...

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Restoring a Cement Tile Roof

Restore your cement tile roof to its former glory. This simple guide explains the process a roof restoration professional will undertake to make your cement tile roof look like new Read More...

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Advantages to installing a Colorbond Roof

What is colorbond? What are the advantages of using colorbond over traditional tiled roofing? When would you use colorbond? All these questions and more are answered in this handy little information article Read More...

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Terracotta Roof Restoration

Make your terracotta roof beautiful again with the help of a professional roof restoration. This article outlines the process involved in restoring a terracotta roof Read More...

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Roof Restoration - What is it and why do it?

Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Well at least we’ve still got a roof over our heads’? Well, roof restoration makes sure that the roof over your head stays there, as well as ensuring that it’s in good condition. Read More...

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I Want to Replace my Roof!

Unhappy with your current roof? This informative article will give you information on the differences between replacing and restoring your roof as well as some advice on which would be right for you. Read More...

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How to hang a door

Hanging doors is notoriously difficult and time consuming, although irritatingly a professional carpenter will make it look very easy and quick to do. For the sake of your blood pressure it is usually a good idea to let a professional handle this task. However if you decide that you want to try taking on this job yourself... Read More...

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Gardening and Concrete: How to use concrete to improve your garden

Concrete has a bad reputation in home improvements - it’s mainly considered as something to be used for driveways and pavements and is often seen as a low maintenance option over grass. Correctly used however concrete can offer solutions that are both attractive and cheap. Landscape gardening is just one example where concrete can be the perfect solution for your renovation requirements. Read More...

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Timber flooring price: How much does a wooden floor cost to install?

For many years home owners have chosen wooden flooring to give their home's warmth and charm without forsaking durability. Today there are loads of options for all budgets - laminates that just look like wood, engineered 'floating' wood floors that have a layer of wood veneer over cheaper materials, or completely solid wooden boards. Other types also include bamboo and cork. Read More...

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Tiler's price: How much does hiring a tiler cost?

When you're hiring a tiler their hourly rate will usually cover the cost of labour and materials such as grout/adhesive but not the cost of the actual tiles. Tiling is a skilled job and it's a good idea to have a look at some work that they've done previously. Read More...

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How to fit door handles

Door handles are finicky things to fit, but if you're careful you'll be fine! Read More...

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Roof ventilation and un-vented roofs

Somewhere in the region of $12 billion is spent every year on new roofs. Three quarters of this work is caused by water damage, which is everything from soaked insulation, rotting wood and condensation, which can be so bad you think your roof is actually leaking! Some of these things are really easily preventable too and can be prevented or fixed by roof ventilation. Roofs need to vented properly and remember that not all ventilation is good ventilation. Read More...

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Guide to hiring a Project Manager

A Project Manager or PM is the person who is responsible for the planning and management of a building venture. Their scope covers everything from the initiation and project plans right through to the day-to-day management of the work. The PM will deal with costs of the project, the safety and all contractors working on the project. Read More...

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Service Central helps repair storm damaged Melbourne

Melbourne has turned to Service Central to help repair the damage done by the massive storms that hit the city this Labour Day weekend. Service Central's army of tradespeople have helped Melbournians repair their hail damaged homes, fix leaking roofs, and mop up all of the water left after the weekends deluge. Read on for the full details. Read More...

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Video: Paving Tips

An Australian video filled with quality paving tips. Read More...

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VIdeo: How to render a wall

An Australian video on how to render a wall. Read More...

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Video: How to replace a window screen

A video on how to replace a window screen. Read More...

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When you need a subbie fast who do you think of?

A great story on how a builder turned a customer complaint into a revelation. When Bruce Ahchow, CEO of Service Central, chased up a customer complaint about a builder taking too long to complete a project he found out that a sick renderer was holding up the whole project. Learn how he solved the problem in 5 minutes and left both the customer and the builder happy. Read More...

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Questions to ask a Tradesperson

A tradesperson's answers to your questions can give you a good sense of whether you could work with him or her. Here's a list of questions to help you work out which tradesperson is best for you. Read More...

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Top Home Improvement Investments

Considering a home improvement? Check out the top 6 home improvements across Australia. Read More...

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DIY: Recoat your deck in a day

Bring your deck back to life in a day in just 3 easy steps. Read More...

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And the Top 10 Services for 2009 are ....

The results are in. Drum roll please ...... In 2009 Service Central generated 48,665 new jobs, read on to see which services were the most popular! Read More...

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Home Energy Guzzlers

A number of appliances around your home may be consuming too much energy, making your energy bills (and carbon footprint) higher than they should be! There are three main appliances that are responsible for the majority of people's energy costs, but with a few simple ideas you could notice big savings in your energy bills. Read More...

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Keep Your Cool (and Save Money) This Summer

Many people find it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature in their homes during the extreme heat of summer and many notice a spike in electricity use due to expensive air-conditioning systems. Find ways to improve your comfort in summer and save money to boot! Read More...

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Preparing for Christmas

Are you ready for Christmas? Hosting Christmas at your place can take months in preparation, especially if you're home isn't up to it. Is your kitchen big enough? Can your oven cook a Christmas meal for 20 people? Do you need a 2nd or even 3rd toilet? Is there somewhere for everyone to go outside? All these questions and more and addressed in this guide to preparing for Christmas. Read More...

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Summer Renovation Ideas

As the first sunny days appear and winter fades into the distant past we're reminded of the hot summer days ahead. How are you prepared for this summer? To help you out Service Central has put together a list of summer renovation ideas for your home. Read More...

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Advantages of Artificial Grass

Why is artificial grass becoming so popular? Because there are just so many advantages. From saving time to saving money, artificial grass can improve your lifestyle and here's why. Read More...

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Preparing for and Laying Synthetic Grass

When it comes to installing your synthetic lawn it is really best done in the hands of professionals who can measure the area, supply the turf and then install it. This is a guide for those interested in the process of laying an artificial lawn. Read More...

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Preparing for and Laying Turf

Turf is probably best being installed by professionals, however it's good to understand the process - especially if you want your turf to stay looking its best long after the installation. Read More...

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Turf Renovation in Three Minutes

Sometimes the easiest way to understand something is to watch how it's done. This great little video on turf restoration is only three minutes long but it shows all the stages, from tearing up your old lawn to planting the next and watching it grow. Read More...

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Garden Lighting Tips

Wanting to transform your garden into a night time wonderland but not quite sure where to start? Strategic use of garden lighting such as downlights, up lights and path lights could be exactly what you're looking for. Read More...

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Planning a Landcaping Project made Easy!

Wanting to transform your garden into your own personal paradise but not sure where to start? Don't be scared off by the unknown! We've put together a few key ideas you should have in mind when planning your next landscaping project. Read More...