Discussion Forums / GENERAL ITEMS / Home Renovations

Should I talk to professionals before I start my DIY ‘makeover’ project?

daveyd — Thu, 03 May 2007 11:00:52 GMT

I am totally re-designing my garden should I be getting professionals on board as advisors or just jump right in and do it all myself?

I'm by no means a gardening expert but figure with the countless number of online resources out there it can't be too hard.

What have other people's approaches to DIY projects been and how did your project turn out?

Ready Made Blinds

Cheapablinds — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 23:49:33 GMT

The truth has to be revealed that ready made blinds are an enormous threat to the blind manufacturing industry in Australia.

Did you know it is very common for the most expensive custom made blind to have equally the same amount of problems in the long run as a ready made blind, the average life of most blinds is between 5–7 years.

Possibly the largest secret blind manufacturers' in Australia do not want you to know when they are trying to sell you a custom made blind, is that every part of every blind is actually made in either China, Taiwan, Indonesia or Vietnam, to name a few.

For example, let us take a look at the componentry. These are the parts that are used to manufacture custom made blinds i.e. tilters, cord locks, rollers, pins, plastic end caps, brackets, fabrics, screws, cords, string ladders, chains the list goes on - but every one of these parts will be an imported product.

This means that every blind manufacturer in Australia is really an assembler and every custom made blind in Australia is actually made from imported parts and fabrics. When you come across an advertisement saying, our blinds are Australian made, you will know that this statement is far from the truth.

Purchasing custom made blinds will cost any where in the region of 50% - 300% more than ready made blinds and if you look after ready made blinds they will last just as long as custom made blinds.

So why are custom made blinds twice as expensive as ready made blinds? The answer to this question are the costs involved in assembling blinds in Australia and of course the high mark ups major suppliers put on to blind makers.

The reason I write this article is to dismiss the myth that ready made blinds are somehow inferior compared to made to measure blinds. The fact is ready made blinds have been subject to a lot of scrutiny from Australian manufacturers suggesting imported blinds will warp or fade. This is basically a sales ploy to discourage customers from buying imported blinds.

The reason blind manufacturers will want to discourage their customers from buying imported blinds is the fact that imported blinds is a multi million dollar business and more Australians are now buying these blinds as the industry becomes stronger and stronger every year due to the imports becoming better quality.

It does pay to research ready made blinds before you make your purchase. You will be surprised how many suppliers do not carry parts in case something may break.

A few companies such as Lincraft, Freedom Furniture, Bunnings, Kmart or any 2-dollar store do not carry spares so if you happen to break a tilter mechanism in a timber blind there may be not a lot you can do.

Diablo

Need a Painter Decorator - Sydney

juleskingy — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:50:18 GMT

anyone know a good painter and decorator or just anyone who knows their way around a paint brush and needs a few days work. moving into a place in rose bay, 2 bed unit, need it painting week of 25th august, probably 3-4 days work. Will pay cash.

got quotes from fancy eastern suburb painters and cost so high, so wondering if someone interested in some work for a few days.

thanks
Julie

Painting with roller

zanderch — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:03:14 GMT

I have painted our hallway and meals area with primer as a darker colour was used previoulsy.I am obviously doing something wrong as my paint work is patchy and uneven and I have bought new roller pads and good paint.Can you tell me could this be the roller itself, that is the problem because of the uneven application.Advice would be appreciated

ANY OLD TIMBER

nannakaz — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:23:44 GMT

I am looking for any old timber - sleepers, fencing posts/rails, used corrogated iron roofing, pallets......to decorate my yard in a rustic/farm theme. Will dismantle!!!! Can anyone help in the Brisbane area??

Anyone need a house painter

saraya79 — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:50:00 GMT

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Is anyone interested in FREE garden Pebbles?

ucforsh — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:30:45 GMT

We have a front garden full of garden pebbles which we would like to offer to anyone free - only catch is that you have to pick them up.. Pick up is Mentone in Vic

Has anyone painted Ply-wood/board walls before?

gem1916 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:06:33 GMT

Does anyone know if painting ply-wood/board walls can come up nice? I have been told that by painting them a special way they can come up nice. Does anyone have any photos they can send me or give me a discription of how they did it?

BATHROOM VANITY

SHANTI77 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:07:44 GMT

I AM TRYING TO FIND A VANITY FOR MY BATHROOM THAT IS NOT MODERN, NOT EVERYONE IS INTO THAT MODERN STUFF!!!!

I AM LOOKING FOR A COUNTRY STYLE ONE, AS MY HOME DECOR IS COUNTRY. TIMBER CUPBOARD AND BENCH TOP WITH RECESSED BASIN AND GOLD VINTAGE TAPS. REMEMBER THOSE!

IF YOU HAVE ONE FOR SALE OR KNOW WHERE I CAN GO IN MELBOURNE METRO TO GET ONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

I AM OPEN TO A SECOND HAND THAT IS IN GREAT NIC, OR NEW

FROM MS FRUSTRATED

THANKYOU

Building a deck - permit required?

octagonal — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:44:29 GMT

Does anyone know what the regulations are about building a deck? Do you need a permit, or does it depend on size or which council you are located in?