Daniel's Building Projects

23/04/2025

A recent modern style bathroom and powder room renovation completed in early 2025 for my clients new home.

21/10/2024

A bathroom renovation completed at the end of 2023 for a client in Reservoir.
The Client contacted me in 2023 after being referred by a friend describing the renovation as an "out there idea" for a bathroom, laundry and toilet area renovation struggling to find a builder that would or could install an open step-less shower with commercial vinyl, tiles and make them a one off small custom timber window.

Upon hearing how passionate the client was with their design and plans for styling;
I conducted some research into different vinyl manufacturers and consulted with Choices flooring Thomastown by Lamberts I was able to organize a quote and completion of this "out there idea" to the clients designs.

During the renovation the client asked me to wait before posting any online photos as they wanted to be the first to do so.
Being messaged by the client the other day for the anniversary of the project and for some advice on other future project ideas.
Was a nice prompt to finally post some photos of the renovation.

22/08/2024

A recently completed house renovation / reinstatement on a 98 year old home that was struggling to make it to 100 years without some help.
The house required a full internal demo, re-stumping, re-leveling with some new improvements added before the rebuilding could start.
To modernize and improve on the old design making it ready to be a home for the new owner.

In mid to late 2023 my client decided to choose me to demolish the inside of their newly purchased house.
So it was ready for their re-stumpers to re-level and replace every single red gum stump in the house which had rotted and snapped over time.

After the re-leveling and re-stumping was completed my client decided to have me organize the reinstatement along with their new design plans for their dream home.

During the set out stage the power company decided to terminate the power to the house as the old power lines had deteriorated over time and were a potential fire hazard.

To keep the renovation going and minimizing delays I invested in more battery operated tools charging the batteries via solar panels and using a generator where power-tools were necessary.

By the time the power was reinstated with the clients electrician doing everything they possibly could to get the power reorganized.
All the set out and internal framing works were completed, services rough in completed, plastering started and permits from the local council had been approved to start the outside building works.

We also found a possum dubbed Jeffery had made a home inside the ceiling.
Once Jeffery was found we sealed off the roof space leaving a one way trap door for Jeffery to exit while modifying the work schedule waiting for Jeffery to leave and make a new home somewhere else.
Ensuring that as a native animal Jeffery had the least disruption possible in its life.

On the topic of native Wildlife.
Wildlife rescue and rehab. - statewide is an amazing charity dedicated to helping injured wildlife which was able to provide excellent information on how best handle the situation.
If you find injured wildlife or wildlife trapped in your home they will likely be able to help you organize a rescue / relocation.

15/04/2024

Repair and replacement to a local schools external stairs and ramps during the School holidays enabling the school to continue operating safely for the following term.
Other works completed were repairs to timber balustrades, repainting of handrails, posts and some general maintenance.

10/02/2024

When and why to hire a registered builder in Victoria.
Who registers builders in Victoria and how do they do it.
What to do if you engage an unregistered builder.

WHEN DO I NEED TO ENGAGE A REGISTERED BUILDER?

If a business quotes a building and construction job for you at your home and the cost is over $10,000 including labour and materials they must be a registered builder and create a Domestic building contract for the job.
They can not start the work until the contract is signed and the cooling off period has finished.
Some exclusions do apply such as painting and carpet laying only not requiring a contract.

A person my also require registration to carry out certain types of work such as re-stumping regardless of cost.

https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/home-renovation-essentials/engaging-builder

https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/building-and-renovating/plan-and-manage-your-building-project/contracts

Common types of industry standard contracts are per-purchased from Master Builders, HIA or obtained from consumer Affairs

WHAT CAN I DO TO CHECK IF SOMEONE IS REGISTERED?
When you engage a builder to complete a task it is advisable to check if they are registered on the VBA website.

All builders also are issued identification cards with their photo and license number unless they are a company.
If the person claiming to be a builder cant or wont show you their card they may be impersonating someone else.

https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/building/renewals-other-requirements/registration-certificate-id-card

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE A REGISTERED BUILDER?

Registered builders are required to be insured providing extra protection in the event of an issue occurring such as spilling paint on newly laid carpet.

If you engage someone not registered and their work is non-compliant or illegal you may end up paying to fix the work yourself, even if you sell the property and the work is in the warranty period.

Note: all structural alterations and additions have a 10 year warranty period even if the house is sold and you completed the work yourself you have the same warranty period as a business.
Bathroom renovations included as they require waterproofing even if the cost is under $10,000.

WHO REGISTERS BUILDERS IN VICTORIA?

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA)

WHAT DOES A BUILDER HAVE TO DO TO OBTAIN REGISTRATION IN VICTORIA?

A builder has to make an application to the VBA showing their industry experience and qualifications.
Prove they are a fit and proper person.
They then need to pass an interview with the VBA where they get asked about a variety of matters ranging from Building law, accounting, insurance and how to actually conduct construction work.

They also need to show they can obtain insurance from the VMIA where their personal finances and work history is audited.

If they cant pass all of the above they will not be eligible for registration.

WHAT DO I DO IF I ENGAGE A BUILDER THAT IS UNREGISTERED.
Contact the VBA and consumers affairs as soon as possible.

Whether you're building a new home, adding an extension or carrying out structural repairs to your house, it's likely you'll need to engage building practitioner to do the work.

12/01/2024

An owner builder engaged myself to complete all their
Demolition and carpentry works for an internal renovation
At an existing property in Greensborough, Victoria.

The works i completed were;
Roof, ceiling, wall and floor framework including Structural steel works to remove and alter load-bearing walls.
Framing for a new skylight to give their bathroom more natural light.
New concrete stumps and pad footings.
New internal doors, skirting and architraves.
Engaging plumbers and electricians to safely isolate the gas and electrics for the renovations.
Working with the clients other trades to ensure the project ran smoothly.

A big thank you to Anthony from Spark In The Dark Electrics for being flexible in staging the electrics isolation around my clients working from home schedule, allowing them to attend meetings when needed without having their power disconnected for long periods of time.

By engaging a registered builder to complete the structural components of the renovation and having them named on the building permit.
The clients have a 10 year guarantee on the structural works.

12/08/2023

Renovation of a 1980's bathroom and toilet area to a more modern and user friendly style.
Increasing the length of the bathtub to make better use of the existing space.
Installing new niches to the bath and shower maximizing space.
Installing a new heated towel rail as an added luxury.

All Electrics by Anthony from Spark In The Dark Electrics
All Plumbing by Mario from Mars Plumbing

22/05/2022

Converting a garage into a music recording studio which can also double as a home theater room.

All framing of floors, walls, ceilings, doors and locks installed by Daniel's Building Projects

Use of adjustable joist brackets to build a level floor with an air cavity above an existing sloping concrete floor.

Ply strips cut and screwed underneath the timber sub-floor to hold the floor insulation in place long term.

A double wall with two separate doors installed at the front for extra sound proofing and security.

09/04/2022

Decking transformation in a courtyard using Thermal Oak decking boards.

Scoria rock underneath the deck to reduce moisture attracting mosquitoes.

Use of the Tuffblock footing system instead of traditional stumps due to multiple services hidden underneath the courtyard.

6 cubic meters of soil had to be dug out by hand due to no access for excavators or other earth-moving machinery.

A 23mm fall in the existing pavers required the decking joists to be scribed and planed to create a seamless transition from pavers to decking boards avoiding a trip hazard.

Deck protector installed over the joists to prolong the lifetime of the timber sub-floor also hiding the colour of the joists.

A metal root barrier installed for the upcoming garden-bed to prevent the new tree roots undermining the decking footings.

Premium topsoil installed ready for planting in the garden-bed.

08/04/2022

Tasmanian Oak hardwood floorboards installed in Gisborne, Victoria.

08/04/2022

Restoration of custom fascia's and shingles in Albert Park.