The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

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GUEST OBSERVATION
A new study has shown that high frequency vibrations can cause bricks to self-assemble into a larger 3D object, a finding that may one day help do away with the need for factory assembly lines.
The findings, published today in the journal Scientific Reports, signal a key advancement in programmable self-assembly, which was previously thought to only be possible using one dimensional or two dimensional objects.
The research team, led by Dr Ido Bachelet from the Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, used an algorithim from the Computational Geometry Algorithm Library (<a href="https://www.cgal.org/">CGAL</a>) as part of a design that allowed 18 tetrahedral bricks to self-assemble into a larger 3D cylinder.
“Assembly rules are encoded by topographic cues imprinted on brick faces while attraction between bricks is provided by embedded magnets,” the researchers said in their paper. “The bricks can then be mixed in a container and agitated, leading to properly assembled objects at high yields and zero errors.
“Improved designs inspired by our system could lead to successful implementation of self-assembly at the macro-scale, allowing rapid, on-demand fabrication of objects without the need for assembly lines.”
Natural self-assembly
The ability for life to self-assemble is something that continues to puzzle scientists: proteins, viruses, living cells and multi-cellular organisms are all examples of systems in which parts are bonded to each other through attraction to form a structure or pattern.
Hamza Bendemra, a Research Engineer at the Australian National University, who was not involved in the study, said the research of 3D printed assemblies is remarkable.
“The algorithm was inspired by the molecular assembly of the DNA,” he said. But he added that more research was needed to address challenges of time, space and safety for the model to be more efficient at forming and remaining together.
“In the study, a two-brick assembly took less than a minute to self-assemble. However, an 18-piece assembly required over two hours to perform the same feat."
“The components are subject to high vibrations and collide over and over again until they fit in the right combination. It would be a challenge to implement such a method with materials with low strength and poor impact tolerance without causing damage.”
The future of construction?
Bernard Meade, Head of Research Compute Services at the University of Melbourne, said that while the initial research is limited to building small objects, future demonstrations combining other techniques, such as embedded electronics, could make the rapid construction of larger devices viable.
“For example, ordering a smart phone with specific components, automatically assembled and shrink-wrapped with a protective coating, might take only a few minutes –- and no longer require thousands of phones to be pre-made. Perhaps furniture scale production might be possible in future – imagine flatpack IKEA – but I think it would be hard to get to something the size of a house.”
The next step in developing this study for construction and manufacturing industries is to use both magnetic forces and adhesives to ensure the assembly stays in place.
Bendemra agreed, saying that “the researchers did a great job at adding topographic cues to ensure a unique combination only would lead to the pieces locking in. Their footage clearly shows that pieces that collide in a non-desired formation detach until they lock-in as planned."
“The number of pieces involved in the assembly and the nature of the materials being used (including the magnet) in more complex assemblies could limit the use of such a method.”
Eliza Berlage is editor at The Conversation and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/team" target="_blank">here.</a>
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Self-assembling house bricks now a reality

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The ABS quarterly survey “Building Activity” provides detail on the non-residential building sector. Here we reassess conditions and prospects for the sector, with a greater focus on the private segment, which accounts for 78% of activity. Hereafter ‘building’ refers to ‘non-residential building’.
In summary, the strengthening of private building activity in recent years will be punctuated in 2015 by a relatively modest downturn. Approvals took a step lower in 2014, but have stabilised more recently, with falls in offices, retail and industrial, following a wave of projects and against the backdrop of mixed domestic demand conditions. The looming near-term slowing of building activity will be uneven, with declines greater in the mining states of WA and Qld, where the spill-over effects of the mining investment downturn will be most felt.
Activity: Total building activity advanced by 1.3% in the March quarter, to be 0.7% above the level of a year ago.
Private building activity has been in an upward trend for four years, with gains as follows: +9.9%yr in March 2012; +2.7%yr in March 2013; +3.8% in March 2014; and +9.6%yr in March 2015.
In the March quarter, private work expanded by 3.5%. This rise was supported by the sizeable work pipeline and was despite the recent softening of commencements. Activity is unlikely to be sustained at the current $6.9bn per quarter, which is 12% above the level of commencements.
Public works have eased back to more normal levels in the aftermath of the Federal Government’s 2009/10 fiscal stimulus package. In the March quarter, public works declined by 5.5% to be 22% lower than a year ago.
Total commencements were valued at $7.4bn in the March quarter, continuing the softer tone evident since the second half of 2014.
Private commencements were $6.1bn in the quarter. If there is a similar outcome in the June quarter, then commencements for the 2014/15 financial year will be down 16% on 2013/14. That is broadly in line with the weakening of approvals, which in the six months to May 2015 were 18% lower than at the start of 2014. 
The sizeable pipeline of work outstanding is being gradually reduced. For the private sector, the pipeline declined by $1bn over the past year, to $18.3bn, as work progressed on office, retail, health and industrial projects - partially offset by a lift in the pipeline for social infrastructure, such as entertainment. 
The pipeline of work for public works is currently $4.9bn, down from $6.6bn a year ago.
<a href="/images/2015/07/23/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-23%20at%2012.47.12%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/23/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-23%20at%2012.47.12%20PM.png" alt="" width="800" height="603">
 
<a href="/images/2015/07/23/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-23%20at%2012.49.04%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Andrew Hanlan is senior economist for Westpac and can be contacted <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-hanlan/3/222/430" target="_blank">here</a>. 
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Australia's non-residential building sector 2015 Q1: Andrew Hanlan

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New South Wales (read: Sydney), Queensland (marginally), and Western Australia (ditto).
<a href="/images/2015/07/13/alsts.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/13/alsts.jpg" alt="">
 
Declining elsewhere.
No contribution to Q2 GDP to be found here.
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>. 
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
 
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Where is renovation activity increasing? Pete Wargent

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Over 1.3 million Australians 14+ (6.8%) intend to buy or build property in the next year — equivalent to over half a million homes trading hands or being built, new intention data from Roy Morgan Research shows. 
Interestingly only a quarter of all property intenders nationally live outside the seven capital cities. 
<h3>Intention to buy or build property in the next 12 months</h3>
<img src="/images/2015/05/22/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-22%20at%202.17.43%20PM.png" alt="">
Source: Roy Morgan <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/products/single-source" target="_blank">Single Source</a>, April 2014 –March 2015. 
Between them, Sydney and Melbourne are home to just under half of all Australia’s property intenders.
Perth is the next largest market (165,790), with more intenders than Brisbane (124,670) despite being a smaller city overall.
However there are distinct differences between exactly what sort of property these three cities’ intenders want to buy, which may be key to predicting actual sales outcomes in 2015 and beyond. 
The bulk of Sydney property intenders (71%) are planning to buy an established house or apartment, while almost half as many (38%) want to buy or build a brand new property. This desire for established property could signal a continued pricing boom in 2015, with house-hunters battling over the set field of existing properties. In Melbourne, the ratio is close to the national norm with 67% of intenders after an established home and 43% seeking something new. 
However in Perth, half of intenders (50%) want to buy a newly built house or apartment— or to build it themselves— while only 55% have their eyes on an established property. 
<h3>Proportion of intenders seeking established or new property </h3>
<img src="/images/2015/05/22/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-22%20at%202.19.08%20PM.png" alt="">Michele Levine, CEO Roy Morgan Research, says around 220,000 Sydneysiders and 206,000 Melburnians will keep prices high and auctioneers and agents busy this year, while developers, builders and architects will be most in demand in Perth. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Strong buying property intent to continue throughout 2015: Roy Morgan

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They call it “reality” television and shows such as House Rules, Better Homes and Gardens, and, of course, The Block, have certainly fuelled our enthusiasm for DIY. 
The recent screening of The Block, where four apartments in an inner Melbourne suburb were auctioned off, drew strong interest nationally. The popularity of DIY has increased significantly as a result of our interest in such home improvement shows – and hardware and building supplies stores are reaping the benefits. 
Business information analysts Ibisworld released a report earlier this year showing their revenue was up thanks to the increase in renovation projects and DIY.
The report said almost 6000 businesses in the sector had shown annual growth of about 3.5% over the past five years with the past two financial years in particular helped by “greater expenditure on DIY renovations and home improvement projects”.
But while these homeowners think they are adding value to their homes – and some are – there are many pitfalls for the amateur. Sub-standard DIY work can not only make a poor first impression, but have buyers worrying about what else has been badly done.
Among the problems agents say can make a notably bad impression: poorly fitted kitchen or bathroom cabinets, poorly fitted carpets, visible wiring and a below-average paint or tiling job.
But if you are planning to DIY, take care, as there’s a range of implications. Not all are financial; there’s a need to make sure that the work is safe to undertake yourself.
And even DIY done well will not add value if the home is overcapitalised – that is, more spent on it than could be recouped in a sale – or if the amount spent is more than people are willing to spend on homes in the area.
Work must be done well, which means being sure you have the skills and experience for the tasks and, if not, hiring professionals to do it.  It is not cost-effective and is potentially dangerous to attempt work such as wiring and major plumbing jobs.  While this may seem expensive, it can boost the price of your home.
Before starting, it’s worth researching the price of renovated homes in your area that are of a similar size, to check on the potential value of the renovation. Then you’ll be able to proceed, and ensure that you make a significant return on your investment. 
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Reality television renovation: Enzo Raimondo

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The Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 looks to improve standards, introduce a new dispute resolution procedure and create a Building Consumer Protection Fund to protect property buyers from insolvent or dodgy builders.
The Victorian Parliament has been urged to pass these new laws by Consumer Action chief executive Gerard Brody.
Currently, those who have an issue with a builder are covered under the home building warranty insurance scheme.  However, this scheme only covers them in the case of an incomplete or dodgy build if the builder is dies, disappears or becomes insolvent. It does not cover them for if they are deregistered, have their registrations suspended or when a rectification order is issued.
This new Bill aims to cover the shortfall, explained Brody, noting that the law has been in development since 2012.
“Home building warranty insurance has long been referred to as junk insurance because it’s so hard to claim. Not only do consumers have to spend thousands of dollars to be successful at VCAT, they then have to take action to wind up a builder before any claim can be made,” he said.
“The proposed new fund would ensure consumers have a remedy when there is uncompensated loss as a result of a building dispute.”
The success of the proposed law depends on the Victorian Building Authority’s (VBA) willingness to take enforcement action.
“The proposed law would mean independent inspectors from the VBA could make binding Rectification Orders to settle disputes. This should mean that consumers don’t have to go to VCAT, which has proven to be an expensive and inappropriate forum for many building disputes,” he said.
“The current system is broken—dodgy or insolvent builders can leave families with unsafe or unfinished homes and there is very little that can be done about it. Often they’re tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket and are left with an uninhabitable house.”
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