Why? To ensure you are not burnt, let down or financially ‘taken for a ride’

Not so long ago, a new client shared with me their story, of how a company made promises, took their money & then rode off into the sunset. I don’t know how people can do this – how they can sleep at night, but yet it obviously still happens.

Use these points below to assist you; & it could be in many different aspects – a new bathroom or landscaping, to ensure that you get exactly what you are looking for.

PS – Always make sure that you have a written contract that has everything described, included & spelt out in terms of what will be happening.

Questions You MUST Ask….

What are the top questions you must ask & points you need to address when designing your new outdoor living area to ensure that you finish up with a great looking addition?

1. Not comparing “apples for apples”

When comparing another companies quotation versus our proposal, ensure that the products are not only the same size, but of comparable quality.

Are they using Colorbond steel or a cheaper overseas equivalent? Can engineering be supplied so that you can rest assured that your construction is designed correctly?

2. Are they backed by successful & reputable suppliers?

Can they provide you with a factory backed guarantee? If not, why not?

3. Do they have relationships with trusted companies which can add further value to your outdoor living area?

Use our introduction with trusted, local & established companies such as ‘Beacon Lighting’ and ‘Amber Tiles’ can assist with transforming your construction to another level & add that ‘wow’ factor.

Do they have relationships with other trusted companies that can assist your project?

4. Are they familiar with local council & Building Code requirements?

Or are you hearing, “Don’t worry about it. She’ll be right?”

Don’t run the risk of the local council ranger stopping in on the site to issue a fine.

5. Can you receive a maintenance program?

Are you being provided with a maintenance program that will see your outdoor living area looking as great as it does once completed for years to come?

6. Always taking the cheapest quote or “middle of the road option”

When renovating, sometimes quotations can vary significantly depending on whether you use a builder with a proven track record or a single operator. Sometimes, this choice can lead to inferior products, service and workmanship.

Invest in quality.

7. Always ask for referrals

Is there any work that they have completed which you can view? Talk to their clients.

Can they provide you with referrals?

8. Is the company you’re dealing with established?

Do they have a successful track record?

How long have they been in business? Are they a ‘fly by nighter’?

Enjoy our current edition of ‘The Outdoor Update’ for Autumn 2013.

The answer is yes, well sometimes. It is all so confusing!

We have come to the end of Summer for another year, during which the country has experienced quite wild & extreme weather conditions, ranging from floods for our friends up north in Queensland, through to out of control bushfires right across the country. As a result I thought it was the perfect time to briefly outline/describe what is often a common question to us in the office & also can be a confusing topic for some clients.

Your level of risk associated to your property is measured by a ‘Bushfire Attack Level’. So I hear you ask what is a BAL?
A BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) is a means of measuring a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact, in a bushfire event. It is a basis for establishing the requirements for
construction to improve protection of building elements from attack by bushfire. Bushfire zones or attack levels are divided into six (6) sections, ranging from mild to extreme locations. These are listed below:
• BAL LOW
• BAL-12.5
• BAL-19
• BAL-29
• BAL-40
• BAL-FZ
Basically the higher level your property is in, the more restrictions are placed on your building construction; climaxing with a BAL40 & ‘Flame Zone’; both of which do not allow any exposed timer such as decking boards & the like.

You can firstly determine if your property is located in a Bushfire zone through your local council website. Most Local councils have a Bushfire map, which highlights areas/properties which are located within a zone. However please note, that this map does not indicate exactly what level zoning you are in – which is the critical point. Why? As the BAL zone will determine how your outdoor living area can be constructed & thus designed and thus will impact your budget. I have included links below to a couple of our most commonly used councils (sorry I couldn’t get them all in!)

Hornsby Shire Council:
http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/planning-and-building/planning-controls-and-studies/bushfire-prone-land-map

Ku-ring gai Council:
http://www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/About_Ku-ring-gai/Land_and_surrounds/Bushfire/Bushfire_prone_areas

The Hills Council:
http://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Bushfire-Prone-Land-Maps.html

Pittwater Council:
http://www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/council/community_engagement/community_consultation/consultation_projects/natural_environment/draft_pittwater_2012_bush_fire_prone_land_map

Warringah Council:
http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/plan_dev/bush_fire_prone_land.aspx

How is the Bushfire Attack Level determined?
1. Determine vegetation types surrounding your home
2. Determine the distance between your home & the bushland
3. Determine the slope of the land.
4. Match all of the above information to determine your BAL
All sounds a little complicated doesn’t it? A good designer will be able to evaluate your surroundings to give a estimation of your BAL & therefore provide you with a better understanding of how your outdoor living area can be designed. However the best way forward & to give you a definitaive answer as to your BAL you need to engage a qualified bushfire consultant who will assess your property & provide you with a written report. If you think you would like to arrange for one of these – just email us on info@patiolandhornsby.com.au

Some Frequently Asked Questions:
“I know that I am in an extreme Bushfire zone, I have an existing treated pine timber deck that needs significant repair & I also want to extend it. Can I still use timber?”

Normally in these instances, we find that due to wood rot or incorrect construction, most cases require the deck to be demolished & to start from scratch. In the event of extending the area, local authority conditions such as distances to boundaries & Exempt & Complying Development conditions will have to be considered. I would say that if you believe your home is located in a higher level bushfire zone, you wouldn’t be able to use any exposed timber.

“What materials can I use in a flame zone for my deck?”
Remember no exposed timber. So ideally your framing will be steel & you could use tiles as a covering or the “Knotwood” aluminium decking boards which are durable, look great & give the affect of timber.

To sum up……
1. The closer you are to the bush, the greater chance you have that you will need to strongly consider your material & design options for your outdoor living area.
2. Use a trusted company/builder who will give you sound advise & has expertise in dealing in this area.
3. Don’t cut corners. In the event that a bushfire comes through & the outdoor living area isn’t approved and/or hasn’t been constructed using the correct materials; your home insurance policy will be affected.
Would you like to find out more about what your options are for your outdoor living area? Drop us a line & we would only be too happy to give you a obligation free consultation.

I was at a home yesterday & there was a foot high small tree growing out of their guttering! Needless to say that I am guessing that their drainage wasn’t working that well.

What does this mean for you?

• Your gutters won’t last as long, they will hold water & rust out – so long term, a bill to replace all of your gutters & downpipes; and
• You risk potential damage to your home’s structure through water penitration – which ultimately, through wood rot can result in a significant bill after a structural failure;
• Leakage – what is the use of a patio cover if it leaks??

Nine times out of ten, when there is a leak we often find the gutters are full of leaf debris. Don’t forget your downpipes too – sometimes something as simple as a tennis ball can block it up & cause trouble. If in doubt you can get your local plumber to clear your drainage pipes of roots & the like with an electric eel which we have also found in the past can assist with cleaning up drainage issues.

So, before Winter sets in & it gets cold & rainy – take some time this weekend to clean your guttering.

Remember to do this safely as we want you to enjoy a beer or glass of wine or whatever your pleasure is after with your family.

Until next time…..Cheers

Does this sound like you or someone you know?

We require an experienced fitter to construct top quality metal patios, external flooring carports & the like. We need the best job completed. We have a great team need the right person to be apart of the team, so top rates are paid in return. All of our work is based Northern suburbs, North Shore, Northern Beaches areas. Must be Pty Ltd.

Need to find out more? Phone: Jeff on 0405-791-028

Or email your resume through to jeff@patiolandhornsby.com.au

Happy New Year! I am hoping that you & your family had a great Christmas & New Year break? Haven’t we had a few hot days of late!

With all of the entertaining over the recent weeks the discussions in the Patioland office have been about friends, family, BBQ’s & outdoor entertaining – and that’s where the idea grew from.

• Do you picture the family enjoying the outdoors, comfortably all year round?

• Are you looking for extra room – somewhere that you would have the capacity to entertain?

• Would you like that versitile, extra space – indoor/outdoor experience? If so, read on…..

We believe that every deck needs a partner – which is logically a patio cover. A cover that will still enable you to enjoy your extra space & comforts all year round without you feeling hot & bothered. They are like Burke & Wills, salt & pepper, Romeo & Juliet, Simon & Garfunkel – you get the picture. So a deck without a patio cover is like a “pie without sauce”.

So what is the offer? Purchase any External Flooring; whether this be hardwood timber, steel framing or even our “Knotwood” aluminium decking for over $25,000 & at the same time choose to include a patio cover – Patioland will contribute $2,500 towards any styled patio cover to make your deck perfect.

Don’t wait to do the project in stages – you will drive your partner bonkers & it will sit there for an eternity, unfinished. Take advantage of the Patioland No Interest Ever!* Payment Plan which can see you pay off your new outdoor living area in installments over a 3 year period. To find out more click through to our website – http://www.patiolandhornsby.com.au/ezi-pay-express/

Remember our new “Knotwood” aluminium decking boards, which gives you the look of timber without the on-going maintenance. To find out more click through to our website – http://www.patiolandhornsby.com.au/our-products/exterior-flooring/knotwood-aluminium-decking/

This is the first time that we have ever made an offer like this & as you can appreciate it can’t be around for ever. This will end on Monday 18 February, so don’t delay, take the steps now to create that inspired outdoor lifestyle that you have always dreamed of.

The main focus was to provide not only an outdoor entertaining area that could be used all year round, but a covered area so the kids can play, but also to maintain the natural light into the rear of the home & internal living areas.

By using the ‘Eclipse’ opening roof along the rear wall, we were able to give a flexible area that maintained the light without blowing the budget. The inclusion of the bulkhead running through the middle provides the perfect area for our downlight feature.

With no previous cover, the deck was left bare. With the flexibility of the ‘Eclipse’ opening roof, the area can be trasnformed no matter what the weather conditions.

Are you looking for something similar? Are you looking for a flexible outdoor area?

Email usat info@patiolandhornsby.com.au or call p: (02) 9481 0486 to find out more information or organise an obligation free site assessment of your outdoor living area.

Following these three important steps before you start is the easiest way to the perfect outdoor space.

Step 1: Consider why you want to renovate.

Understanding exactly why you want to transform your outdoor space is the perfect place to start.

• Is your outdoor area impractical or does it not meet your needs?
• Is your outdoor space out-dated, requiring a refreshed or updated design?
• Has your existing structure dilapidated over time, requiring significant repair?
• Are you looking to increase the value of your home and invest in the future?
• Is your family growing (or perhaps receding) requiring a change in needs from your outdoor space?
• Or perhaps you just don’t have an outdoor area to entertain your guests or enjoy some time to relax?

Each reason is subtly different. Taking the time to consider the motivation behind your renovation makes it easier to design and build the perfect space that meets your personal budget and needs.

Step 2: Give yourself a realistic budget.

Knowing how much you have to spend is important. Home renovations often cost more than people expect, so cementing your budget early will avoid unwanted surprises as the process develops.

What will help you with your budget?

• Know in advance how much you have to spend and be honest about that figure.
• Be up-front about your budget so that your design is planned around your boundaries.
• Be aware of all the aspects involved in your renovation before you commence your build.
• Use the experience of a professional team to eliminate unforeseen expenses and make your budget work for you.

Step 3: Think about what you really want from your outdoor living space and why.

Here are some simple but important tips to know about your outdoor space.

Consider the size and function of your outdoor space before you start your design.

• What will you be using your space for?
• How often would you like to entertain?
• How many people would you entertain?
• How big does your table setting need to be?

Think about how your space will work.

• Remember that the chairs are pushed back from the table as people use them.  This impacts on your space.
• The BBQ area is often the place where men meet and talk.  Consider the social role it plays so that the area does not become crowded or unsafe.
• Design your entertainment space larger than you think to accommodate all (not just some) of your guests.
• If your outdoor area is beside a pool, allow enough distance to avoid being wet

CLEVER TIP:

Struggling to picture how big your area needs to be?

1. Refer to an existing room of your home which you are familiar with – such as your living or rumpus room.
2. Measure this room size & transfer these measurements to your outdoor area.
3. Mark the outside boundaries of these measurements.
4. Stand back & consider if this size really meets your requirements?
5. Adjust as required.