PROFILE
THE BUILDERS CHOICE profile
Big River Group Providing Solutions to Al Fresco Living With access to nature on our doorsteps, it’s no surprise that Australian’s love spending time outside. An increasing demand to enjoy outdoor living at home has turned the humble backyard into an al fresco lifestyle dream. Homeowners investing in this multifunctional space are finding it offers a variety of benefits that provide a long-term contribution to their property investment and, more importantly, their lifestyle.
As with most home improvements, before you set about installing a new deck it’s a good idea to investigate whether or not you’ll need council approval. Following this comes the planning, think of your outdoor space as a blank canvas. Installing a timber deck will allow the area to be used in most weather conditions. Considering your deck’s purpose will help you decide its size. How many people will it need to accommodate, and will you be adding a barbecue, furniture, and some pots? Look for timbers that are designed for exterior use, remembering, the better quality the materials, the greater the longevity of your deck. There are two choices when selecting the best timber for a deck:
softwood or hardwood. The decision is dependent on budget, required lifespan and quality of finish. Spotted Gum and Merbau are the most common hardwood decking options in Australia and, with regular maintenance, should last 20 plus years. Treated pine is the preferred softwood option and is a good value option. When deciding on the timber, colour, texture and the environment can play an important role. Durable hardwoods are easy to stain or oil to complement an outdoor colour scheme or can be left raw to create a natural, weathered look. Merbau timber requires much less maintenance than some other hardwoods and is known for its beautiful rich reddish colour and wavy grain design, as well as its high
Creative outdoor rooms provide an additional entertainment space as well as a fun environment for children to play safely. Marrying the indoors and out with clever decking, whether it be a smaller side deck, pool decking or a big, classic back verandah, provides a seamless transition between these two spaces. If you plan it right, this new space will become the favourite area for family and friends to reconnect. ■ Feasibility & Detailed Cost Planning ■ Bills of Quantities/Schedules of Works ■ Pre and Post Contract Construction Cost Advice ■ Assets and Portfolio Valuation Assessments ■ Contract Administration ■ Contract Services and Dispute Management ■ Serving the State of Western Australia
QUANTITY SURVEYING & COST CONSULTANTS
76 Thomas Street, West Perth WA 6005 Integrity
Service
22 The Builders Choice Magazine – March 2021
‘‘Providing financial advice on the built environment’’ info@chrysalisqs.com Trust
www.chrysalisqs.com Respect
Phone 08 6141 3319 Accountability
