Get It Right with Undercover Architect

Hello! This is Episode 221, and in it, I’m going to be sharing one of Year 2’s most popular episodes and continuing our celebration of 5 years of the “Get it Right” podcast. This episode was from Season 5 of the podcast, which was called “The Mistakes Many Make”. Here at Undercover Architect - on this podcast, on the blog, on social media and definitely inside m...

Hello! This is Episode 220, and in it, I’m going to be providing an update to our last episode and continuing our celebration of 5 years of the “Get it Right” podcast. Our last episode was a reboot of not only the most popular episode of Year 1 of the podcast - it’s also the most popular episode in the entire podcast’s 5 years.  If you haven’t listened to t...

Hello! This is Episode 219, and I’m back!! Thank you for joining me again after the break we’ve had. I’m really excited to be here and spending this time with you, and looking forward to some awesome episodes that we have coming up. This episode marks the beginning of my 5th birthday celebration for the “Get it Right” podcast. Can you believe it? The podcast is 5 year...

Hello! This is Episode 218, and in it, I’m going to take a slightly different direction. This is very different to the episode I had originally planned for Episode 218. I was going to share a list of checklists every renovation or new build project needs - and don’t worry - I’ll still mention them so you have the info, so stay tuned for that in this episode. However, there’...

Hello! This is Episode #217, and it’s the last of four episodes where I’ve been discussing in more detail the four phases of building or renovating your family home. In this episode, I’m talking about the Build Phase.  If you haven’t listened to the previous three episodes, I’d really encourage you to do so. In them, you’ll learn about the other three phase...

Hello! This is Episode #216, and it’s the third of four episodes where I’ll be discussing in more detail the four phases of building or renovating your family home. In this episode, I’m talking about the Pre-Build Phase.  This is the phase between Design and Build, and for many, it’s a frustrating time of impatiently waiting for construction to start. Yet, it is the po...

Hello! This is Episode #215, and it’s the second of four episodes where I’m discussing in more detail the four phases of building or renovating your family home. If you haven’t listened to the most recent episode (Ep 214) about the mistakes to avoid during your Pre-Design phase, be sure to head back and catch up on that episode.  Even if you’ve already moved through th...

Hello! This is Episode #214, and it’s the first of four episodes where I’ll be discussing in more detail the four phases of building or renovating your family home. In this episode, I’m talking about Pre-Design, which is an essential stage to set the framework for your overall project journey, and ensure you have all your ducks in a row before you dive into designing your future...

Hello! This is Episode #213, and in it, I’ll be helping you see how to review your construction drawings, and what to check as you look through them. Your construction drawings are a significant gateway to determine how you’re communicating the outcome you want on site in your renovation or new build, and the experience you want to have during that construction too.  Drawings with...

Hello! This is Episode #212, and in it, I’m going to help you understand how to check your drawings during your Design Phase. And I’ll also be sharing how you can know that you’re getting the right amount and quality of information from whoever you’re working with, before you sign off your design and commit to it being fully documented in the next stage of your project. The...

Hello! This is Episode #211, and in it, I’m going to be talking about the design of your outdoor entertaining area or alfresco.  And specifically, I’ll be sharing what to consider when it comes to your roof design over this area, so it doesn’t diminish the feeling and functionality of the space, or the interior of the home. This is a question I get a lot from homeowners. Oft...

Hello! This is Episode #210, and in it, I’m continuing on from the last episode, where we’re answering the question: How do you know you don’t just need a draftsperson or building designer, but you should use an architect instead? And when should you definitely use an architect vs other industry professionals? Or when you can use a draftsperson, or even go straight to a builder?...

Hello! This is Episode #209, and in it, I’ll be answering a common question I hear from homeowners. How do you know you don’t just need a draftsperson or building designer, but you should use an architect instead? And when should you definitely use an architect vs other industry professionals? Or when you can use a draftsperson, or even go straight to a builder? Many homeowners want to...

Hello! This is Episode 208. In this episode, we’re discussing the topic of roof colour, and more specifically, dark roof colours vs light roof colours, and whether your selection really matters to the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of your home. Roof colour is something I’m asked about a lot. Does it really matter, and how much does it matter?  For many of us who know what...

Hello! This is Episode 207. In this episode, you’ll learn from architect, Antony Martin of MRTN Architects, how you can think about the Pre-Design Phase of your project. Often when homeowners start their project, their priority is to think about the floor plan design, how it will get created, and who will help them. And, if you’re planning on working with a design professional such as...

Hello! This is Episode 205. In this episode, we wrap up our little mini-series on the PAC Process, or Paid As Consultant Process, with a fantastic conversation I really think you’re going to enjoy. I’m speaking with Bec and Glenn, who recently completed a renovation of their Queenslander home in Brisbane, and used the PAC Process during their design phase. After working with me to crea...

Hello! This is Episode 204. In this episode, I am speaking with a builder who only uses the PAC Process in his residential construction business. He no longer does tenders and quotes, and will only work with clients right from the initiation of their project, so he can be Paid As a Consultant and get involved during the design phase. For him as the builder, the PAC Process is the best and only way...

Hello! This is Episode 203. In this episode, I speak with a building designer who is using the PAC Process with his residential clients to improve the design process, and the client experience in their project. You may recall Aaron Wailes, who featured as our Building Designer in Season 4 (Know Your Team) here on the podcast. Aaron Wailes is the Founder and Owner of GreenCoast Building Design, a r...

Hello! This is Episode 202. In this episode, I’m continuing the conversation about the PAC Process, where you bring a builder on board your design team and they’re Paid As a Consultant during the pre-construction phase. In the last episode, I shared some information on why this process can be a great way to commence your project, and what you can achieve with it, plus some key things t...

Hello, this is Episode 201. If you’re frustrated at hearing all the stories about those who spend loads of time on their home design, only to find at the point of getting quotes that they’re significantly over budget, you’re going to love this podcast episode. You can create a custom new build or renovation that’s on budget and simpler to build - you just need the right pro...

This is Episode 200. Can you believe it? Sometimes I pinch myself that I’m here, that you’re here, that we’re on this journey together and it’s now 200 episodes in and almost 4.5 years old.  And so, in this episode, I want to celebrate this journey with you. Consider this my very sincere and possibly corny, love letter to you, my gorgeous podcast listener.  And, p...

This is Episode #199. In this episode, I’m continuing on with information about what to consider if you’re planning on supplying your own fixtures, finishes and fittings when constructing your renovation or new build, and excluding them from your contract with your builder. This is Part 2 of this topic. So if you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, it’ll make a lot more sense i...

Hello! This is Episode #198, and I’m diving into the topic of supplying your own fixtures and finishes for your renovation or building project. Many homeowners seek to save money in their building project by extracting specific supplied items from the building contract. They organise to do this with their builder, and sign a contract that doesn’t include these items.  This means t...

This is Episode #197, and in it, I’ll be talking about using a Design Construct Builder or Company for your new home or renovation.  Design Construct builders or companies can seem like a great way to manage cost and still get a custom design approach inside a one-stop shop, with a single point of contact.  However there are a range of reasons why it may not work for your project,...

This is episode #196, and in it, I’m going to share with you how to create a comprehensive and effective design brief for your renovation or building project. This is something EVERYONE needs to do - whether they’re renovating or building new - and so, it’s worthwhile learning what to include, and the kinds of things to think about, plus specific topics to discuss with anyone els...