Category: DIY or Hire a Pro?

Call an emergency plumber immediately for burst pipes, no water to the whole house, sewage backing up into fixtures, gas leaks near plumbing, or water leaking near electrical fittings.

For most Melbourne homes, concrete or terracotta tiles remain the dominant choice for longevity (50+ years) and thermal mass.

Home warranty insurance (also called domestic building insurance or builder’s warranty) in Victoria is mandatory for residential building work over $16,000.

Getting quotes from tradies doesn’t have to be confusing. The key rules: get at least 3 quotes in writing, compare like-for-like (same scope, same materials), ask about licensing and insurance upfront, and never pay more than 10% deposit before work starts.

In Australia, most general maintenance tasks — painting, tiling, patching plasterboard, garden work and basic carpentry — are legal to DIY.

A pergola is an open timber or steel structure with no roof covering. A verandah is an attached, roofed structure along the side of the house. A patio is a ground-level paved area, which may or may not have a roof.

To find a good tradesperson in Australia: check their licence on the VBA register, get at least three written quotes, ask for references from recent similar jobs, and never pay more than 10% upfront.

DIY if the task is legal to do yourself, you have the right tools, and a mistake won’t cause safety risks or costly damage.

In Australia, most general maintenance tasks — painting, tiling, patching plasterboard, garden work and basic carpentry — are legal to DIY.

DIY ceiling insulation is legal and can save $300–$800 in labour costs, but it requires working safely in confined roof spaces and forfeits government rebates (which require accredited installers).

Cleaning a split system air conditioner yourself takes about 30–45 minutes and costs nothing beyond a can of coil cleaner ($10–$15 from Bunnings).