Call Paul. He answers his own phone.

Questions we get asked

The things worth knowing before you ring anyone

What areas of Sydney does Renovate8 build in?

The inner west (Annandale, Balmain, Birchgrove, Leichhardt and Rozelle), the eastern suburbs (Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Woollahra) and the northern beaches (Balgowlah, Clontarf, Collaroy, Manly and Seaforth).

Should I get a builder involved before I lodge my DA?

Yes. The most common and most expensive mistake we see is a development application submitted before anyone has costed the design. The approval comes back, the job gets priced, and the owner cannot afford to build what has just been approved — then pays their architect again to redraw it. A preliminary price before you lodge is far cheaper than revised plans afterwards.

Do you work on heritage-listed houses and homes in conservation areas?

Yes. Heritage work is governed by heritage controls as well as the ordinary ones: what can be removed, what has to be kept, what has to be reversible and what has to be matched is decided before you start. We have restored original sandstone and its jointing, matched floor levels between hundred-year-old timbers and new ones, and fitted lofts into attics never designed to hold one.

Is a fixed price or a cost-plus contract better?

It depends on how much you know at the start. Fixed fees suit a job you can specify to the last nail from day one. Cost-plus suits a job where you will still be choosing finishes while the work is under way, because those cannot honestly be costed in advance. If you change your mind about something already costed, and it has not been bought or can be returned, the money is credited back to you.

How do I compare quotes from different builders fairly?

Always get more than one, and make sure every builder is quoting for the same thing. Ask each one whether the quote covers exactly the materials specified by your architect, engineer or interior designer, and whether any substitutions have been made that were never discussed with you. That single question separates the comparable quotes from the ones that only look cheaper.

How will I know what is happening during the build?

Any project lasting more than a month comes with a written monthly progress report covering work done, red-flag issues, the critical path, site safety and variations. There is always someone on site running the job, and you are welcome to visit any time — we only ask that you let the site manager know you have arrived before you walk on, for safety.

What happens to my money while the job is running?

Every Renovate8 project has its own set of accounts, its own bank account and its own credit card. It is common practice in this industry to use funds from one project as a float for another, which means one job in trouble can slow yours down. That is not how we work, and you are always welcome to see what was spent and on what.

Can I speak to people whose houses you have built?

Yes. You are welcome to speak to current clients or, if you prefer, to clients who have been living for years in houses we built or renovated. The second conversation is the honest one — the real test of a build is how it wears.