Get It Right with Undercover Architect

This is episode 187 of the Get it Right podcast. In this episode, I’ll be talking about getting serious about your project, and how this can be THE pathway to having real fun whilst you design, build and renovate your family home. SHOW NOTES: If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your...

This season is all about helping you take action. This season is going to help you, whatever stage you’re at, take your next best steps. To avoid the mistakes many make, and have some goals to aim for, and clear action steps to achieve them. And in this episode, I kick off this season by sharing the story of how Undercover Architect all began, and the confronting lessons I had to learn in or...

I’m super excited to be bringing this episode to you. Because in it, I’m going to share with you some really fantastic news if you’re designing, building or renovating your future home, and share with you some great insight into what will ultimately create that feel-good home you can’t wait to live in. SHOW NOTES: Since I started Undercover Architect in mid 2014, I’ve...

This is a special episode where I’ll be sharing how to choose the right builder and some of the mistakes I see homeowners make when it comes to selecting the builder for their new home or renovation project. SHOW NOTES: Before we jump into the episode, I want to mention a mini-course that I created a little while ago and have been super excited to see well over 100 beautiful people jump into...

Hello! I’m back with Part 2 and more of my recap of the Australian Bushfire Building Conference.  There was a consistent theme to the conference about the role you as a homeowner, living in your home, can do to ensure its bushfire resistance - that can actually have a more significant impact than its construction. Something that’s not just about its construction.  So in this...

Hello! It’s been an amazing season on the podcast so far, and it’s been great to hear from those of you who have found this information helpful.  And thanks to those of you who have been reviewing the podcast so it can reach more people, and also sharing this resource with others who need to hear it. I’m so, so grateful that you’re getting this podcast out there, and t...

Hello! It’s the last part of my conversation with David Keane from Solve My Claim, in what’s been an amazing interview (over 5 episodes) full of such helpful information and insights into home and contents insurance, insurance claims, and how to ensure you’re protected when you need to be. Solve my Claim provides expert support and assistance to anyone struggling with their insur...

Hello! In this episode, I’m back with more from David Keane, Solve My Claim. Solve my Claim provides expert support and assistance to anyone struggling with their insurance claims.  David is an expert on all things home and content insurance, and he’s going to help us understand and decipher the differences between insurance policies, and what to check so we know we’re cover...

I’m back with Part 2 of my conversation with Amy Beattie, Mortgage Broker and owner of Good Green Home Loans. We’re covering more info about financing your new build or renovation.  This will include talking about some of the many factors that banks and lenders consider to determine your viability, and the fact that banks can put black marks on postcodes or specific criteria that...

I’m looking forward to this episode and introducing Amy Beattie to you. Amy is a Mortgage Broker and owner of Good Green Home Loans, a mortgage broking business that puts sustainability at the forefront of its lending decisions. This is part 1 of my conversation with Amy, and in it, she shares loads of helpful information about borrowing for your renovation or new build. And especially what...

Hello! This episode is Part 2 of my conversation with Andy Marlow and Dick Clarke from Envirotecture. In this episode, we’re talking about Passive House, and specifically discussing the opportunity it provides to protect your indoor air quality. The bushfires and smoke pollution that many areas in Australia suffered from really tested the air filtration capacity of the Passive House system.&...

Hello! This is the first of 2 episodes where I’ll be sharing my conversation with Andy Marlow and Dick Clarke from Envirotecture, a building design and architecture practice in Sydney specialising in sustainable and passivhaus homes. This conversation is packed full of fantastic advice and insights into how you design a home that is affordable and sustainable, and what to do if it also needs...

Hello! This episode is Part 2 of my conversation with architect, Julie Firkin. In this episode, we’re talking about Bushfire Community Centres, working with architects in the recovery efforts, and what it means to help someone after such a traumatic event. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of my conversation with Julie Firkin where we discussed the Bushfire Homes Scheme, pause this pod...

In this episode, I’ll be talking about what’s been done in the past to help homeowners with the design of their homes when rebuilding after bushfire. I’ll also be sharing some specific resources you can access if you need design help with your rebuild. And I’ll be introducing architect Julie Firkin to you. She’ll be sharing some insights about bushfire home design, an...

This episode is Part 2 of my conversation with Jeff Dau, from Ember Bushfire Consulting.  In this episode, I’ll be talking more with Jeff about building and renovating in bushfire prone areas, or on land that has a bushfire overlay.  Specifically, we’ll be discussing how to manage a BAL 40 or BAL Flame Zone rating, understanding distances to vegetation, sprinkler systems, and...

In this episode, we meet Jeff Dau, who is a bushfire consultant.  If you have a bushfire overlay, or discover any type of bushfire requirements on your land’s zoning, a bushfire consultant will be an essential team member to help shape your design, and your approach to building well. This is part 1 of my conversation with Jeff Dau, and is packed full of helpful know-how and insights.&nb...

This episode is Part 3 of my conversation with David Clarke from Solve My Claim. In it, David will be helping us understand some specific terminology in your insurance policy, and also how to protect yourself when making your claims. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 or Part 2, pause this podcast, and head back do that now. We’ll be here when you get back.  Otherwise, let’s...

In this episode, we’ll be talking with David Keane, from Solve My Claim. We’re specifically talking about insurance claims, and what might happen if you don’t want to rebuild what you lost, or have only suffered partial damage to your property. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 , pause this podcast, and head back do that now. We’ll be here when you get back.  Oth...

Hello! In this episode, I’m kicking off a 3-part episode conversation with David Keane from Solve My Claim. Solve my Claim provides expert support and assistance to anyone struggling with their insurance claims. And having gone through this personally, I’m so glad to introduce David Keane to you. If you ever need to purchase insurance for your home, or need to make a claim on your poli...

Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channel for video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild Welcome to the first and introductory episode of Season 12, Rebuild + Build Better. This season of the podcast is a range of conversations with some fantastic experts and professionals.  And we&r...

Hello! This episode is a one-off I’m doing to catch you up on a few things that have been happening behind the scenes at Undercover Architect and to also share news on what’s on the horizon. I’ve got some super helpful info in this episode, so stay tuned. SHOW NOTES: It’s been a very strange time (COVID19, preceded by fires, floods, and where we live, plagues of insects). I...

This, believe it or not, is our final episode for what has been an epic season called “Interior Design Basics”. So, stay tuned, as I do a wrap-up for the season, give you some extra tips and ideas for your home’s interiors, and share some other great info with you. SHOW NOTES: As I said upfront, Interior Design Basics has been an epic season … with this episode being Numbe...

We’re back this week with the gorgeous Jessica Bellef, freelance stylist and author of the amazing book “Individual: Inspiration for creating a home that is uniquely your own” .  This is part 2 of my conversation with her, so if you haven’t listened to the last episode and Part 1, then stop now … and go back to do that straight away. We’ll be here when you...

This is the first in a 2-part interview with Jessica Bellef, freelance stylist, and author of “Individual: Inspiration for creating a home that is uniquely your own” . I’m super excited to be bringing Jess to you, and sharing all her amazing insight and tips for creating a home that truly suits and reflects you. Let’s dive in. SHOW NOTES: A showroom is no place to live. It&...

My guest for this episode is Craig Thomas, Managing Director of Caribou. With over 20 years in the industry, he is SUPER passionate about lighting and the impact it can have on how our homes look, feel and function. He’s got loads of helpful tips to share with you. SHOW NOTES: Homeowners often create their lighting design through early conversations with their electrician. By then, you can a...