Advice

Guides from your local carpenter

Straight-talking advice on decks, timber, repairs and getting the most out of your place.

How much does a granny flat cost in NSW?

What a granny flat really costs in NSW and the Illawarra, what pushes the price around, and where the carpentry fits in the bigger build.

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Renovations

What does a bathroom renovation cost in the Illawarra?

What a bathroom reno actually costs around Wollongong, what pushes the price up, and where the carpentry sits among the wet trades.

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Granny Flats

Do you need council approval for a granny flat in NSW?

What it actually takes to get a granny flat over the line in NSW — block size, CDC vs DA, certifiers, and the gotchas that catch Illawarra blocks out.

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Decking

Deck repairs: restore it or replace it?

A tired deck rarely means a rebuild. How to tell if yours just wants a re-board and re-oil, or if the frame's gone and it's time to start again.

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Decking

How much does a new deck cost in the Illawarra?

An honest look at what drives deck cost around Wollongong and the Illawarra — size, material, height, access and slope — with realistic per-square-metre ranges.

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Decking

Choosing decking timber for an Illawarra deck

Merbau, spotted gum, treated pine or composite — what actually suits a coastal deck, by budget and upkeep.

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Decking

Merbau vs composite decking: which is right for your place?

A straight comparison of hardwood and composite decking for Illawarra homes — cost, upkeep, heat, salt air and which one actually suits how you live.

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Pergolas & Patios

Do you need council approval for a pergola or patio in Wollongong?

When a pergola, patio or carport actually needs council approval in the Illawarra, and the size and setback limits that tip you from a quick build into paperwork.

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Maintenance

5 signs your timber deck needs repairs before summer

Spongy boards, a wobbly handrail, rot at the posts. Five things to check on your deck before summer, and which ones to actually worry about.

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Advice

Carpenter vs handyman: who do you actually need?

A plain-English guide for Illawarra homeowners on the difference between a carpenter and a handyman, where NSW draws the licensing line, and how to know which one your job actually needs.

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Got a job that needs doing? Let's sort it.

Free quotes, honest advice and a tidy finish. Call now or send through the details — Dave will get straight back to you.

Call 0414 007 351 Get a free quote

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