Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first thing I should do once I have decided that I want to renovate my home?

This is an excellent question, as the building industry can be so confusing. There are so many different trades, all being required in a specific order (architects, draftspeople, the local council, builders, engineers to name a few). The first thing we recommend you do is to email or call us. The link to contact us is at the bottom of this page. We can arrange a time to sit down with you and discuss your needs and the order in which things will progress. Every job is unique and so there is no set answer. There is no obligation to sign contracts with me - this is a free service. Additionally, we are able to help you think through your design ideas, what you are hoping to achieve with the project and we can discuss with you rough costs. Depending on your job, you may need plans drawn up, engineer reports or approval from your local council to do the job. In any case, it is best to liase with a builder to get these things done, and you will probably need to add your builder’s name to the council forms.

Why should I sign contracts with Uplift Building when there are so many other builders working in the Sutherland Shire?

Uplift Building is different because of many factors:

1. We do not turn down any opportunities to quote work. This means that if your job is not a lucrative as others, or if it involves more skill or is less enjoyable work for a builder, we will not discriminate! We feel privileged to be contacted for a quote and treat all work prospects the same.

2. We value integrity above all else. Whether it be an employee or sub-contractor from Uplift Building, they will be 100% honest with you, tidy, punctual and polite.

3. We have loads of experience. Whether it is building expensive, intricate detail in high end houses, maintenance on older houses, or extensions to meet the needs of your growing family, we have done it! Decks, bathrooms, kitchens, granny flats, laundries - we have done it all and can work in with your budget. If you want a quick cheap build, we can work to suit you. If you want a top quality job with premium finishes, we can do that too!

4. We will give you the Uplift Quote Guarantee

How long will the building process take?

This is such an excellent question and the answer varies depending on what renovation you are requiring, what materials and hardware you choose and how organised you are. The usual building process does take time - it requires materials to be ordered, often made to custom sizes, various trades to be coordinated and there is always the weather! Oftentimes the initial stages of the build appear to progress quite quickly while the final touches seem to drag on. Here at Uplift Building, we pride ourselves on our organisation, efficiency and seamless processes and should you feel like the process is taking a long time, rest assured that almost all other companies would likely take even longer!

How can I save money?

The best way that you can save money is by employing the services of a fantastic architect or draftsman who can design you a building that is affordable on so many levels. A good architect can specify affordable materials. They can design a home that requires less materials and less labour to be used in the building. They can design a home that meets BASIX in a cost effective way.

Alternatively, an inexperienced architect can cost you dearly. The house they design is the house you must pay for. An architect who does not know the cost of materials or how much labour is needed to build their designs is likely to design something that is needlessly expensive. I cannot emphasise this point enough - invest in a good architect and they will save you money in the long run.

Another way to save money is to plan ahead - work out what you want at the design stage and do not make changes to your plans along the way. Changes to the plan end up costing a lot more money than if they were part of the initial plan.

If you hire Uplift Building you will save money. We aim for a fast build, and that saves you money on rent. We have competitive rates and do a high quality job first time. Ask us for a free quote.

What is BASIX?

The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) is a NSW Government initiative that aims to deliver equitable, effective water and greenhouse gas reductions across the state. BASIX is one of the strongest sustainable planning measures to be undertaken in Australia. Each new dwelling needs to comply to assist in reaching their sustainability targets for water and energy.

Why do quotes vary so much?

It is always a good idea to get multiple quotes. It relieves the feeling of being ripped off and it keeps builders accountable. If the prices you have obtained from different builders vary significantly, then you will need to look at what has been included. Comparing quotes from builders can be like comparing apples to apples, but more often than not it is like comparing apples to oranges.

To ensure you are comparing apples to apples, rule out all variables. You can do this best by providing each of the builders who are quoting for you with a specification list. The more information you give us, the more accurate the price we can get for you.

Some quotes are sneaky and significantly underestimate the cost, or entirely omit huge items like excavation or formwork in order to win jobs.

Can I still live in the house while renovations are on?

Yes, provided that the area being renovated can be partitioned off. The space that Uplift Building is working on, by contract, is the responsibility of the builder during the course of the renovation. This is due to Workplace Health and Safety Laws.

Can I access the building works while renovations are on?

Yes, but you will need to check the details in the contract as this is a potential WHS issue. Site visits are usually typically with the builder.

Can I live in the building while renovations are on? 

Yes, but you will need to check what is in the contract. There is a chance that you can live in one section while building is happening in another section of the house. It is vital that you don’t go into the area where the building work is being conducted for WHS reasons. If you would like access, it is likely simply make a request/appointment with the builder.

Why don't you include a Builder's Clean in your quote?

I have lived in the Shire all my life and I know Shire people. Generally, Shire Residents want to save money. Residential building is very different from commercial builds because clients are not generally renovating their homes to make a profit. Most clients for prefer to keep costs as low as possible. So to keep quotes as low as we can, we do not include the price of a clean. If you would like a Builder's Clean to be included in the quote, please do not hesitate to ask and the price can be added to your quote. We will, however, endeavour to keep the worksite relatively clean, ordered, and clutter-free at the end of each working day. Not only is this good for the client but it allows our workers a chaos-free environment to work it, resulting in a more efficient building process.

Can I use my tradespeople or suppliers?

Yes absolutely! Your tradespeople and suppliers may definitely be used. It must be noted, however, that for the project to continue seamlessly it is vital that each of your recommended tradespeople are managed by Uplift Building.

If you are interested in getting your own trades in with the aim to save money and avoid paying the builder’s fee, this is not advisable. The reason is because to avoid the builder’s fee you will have to manage the tradespeople yourself. We understand the desire for saving every dollar, but we have done this and it can become quite confusing with respect to responsibility and insurances. When utilising Uplift Building’s insurances, we must manage trades, deliveries and everything else on site. We make sure we maintain certain safety standards, perform job specific site inductions and communicate necessary details for each trade. This is why it is vital for Uplift Building to manage your tradespeople and suppliers and for you to pay the management fee (builder’s margin).

Should you insist on managing your own tradespeople and suppliers, there are other options available to you:

1. You can employ Uplift Building to do their work and when it is complete you can bring in and manage your trades.

2. You can become an Owner Builder, in which case you will not need Uplift Building, but can get all of your own trades.

Here are a few reasons why we do prefer to use our own subcontractors:

The tradespeople and suppliers who are employed by Uplift Building are loyal to us. By loyal, we mean that our tradespeople will prioritise their time to us and fit our work into their busy schedules. By loyal, we also mean that they will give us an excellent price and an excellent service. They are loyal because they know they will get more work in the future, they know that when they work for Uplift Building that they will always be paid promptly and because we have a good rapport with them. We invest a lot of time looking after our tradespeople and suppliers because we know that they will reciprocate it when need be.