Tips from a renovation expert, builder and carpenter in Brisbane

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If you want to avoid a DIY disaster, it’s always best to take advice from a renovation expert and if they are a builder and a carpenter in Brisbane as well, then you have hit the jackpot!

After many years of operating a building & renovation company, the team at JEB Built have put together three questions to ask yourself, before you head down the path of DIY.

1. What’s the purpose of the renovations?

If you want to renovate your own home, then you will have a different budget and different priorities compared to renovating an investment property. For your own home you will want to focus on comfort and style, for an investment property you will likely focus more on budget. Your budget and focus will help you to decide whether to contact a renovation company or attempt a DIY makeover yourself.

2. Do you have the experience?

Not everyone is a renovation expert and you don’t want to spend a lot of good money on a DIY renovation when you end up having to call in the professionals to finish the job. If you have renovated properties successfully before, then you might be able to tackle this renovation as well. However as you can imagine, you will need to set aside a considerable amount of your time to complete the renovations in a timely fashion.

3. Can you project manage the job?

With little renovation experience, you might think that you can save some money by project managing the job yourself. The problem with this approach is that you need to source all of the trades yourself, including an electrician, builder and a carpenter in Brisbane, as well as source all of the materials, organise and schedule the trades, and arrange permits etc.

Taking on all of this work and continuing with your day job, can be hard work – so how are you going to manage? You may as well save yourself the worry and engage a renovation company to do it all for you. Everyone is different and you might relish the challenge of a DIY renovation, however it makes much more sense to hire a renovation expert, especially if you are short on experience and time.

Looking for a reputable renovation company? Call JEB Built on 0431 065 019 or get a quote online today.

7 Trends for the perfect kitchen fit out in 2018

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Are you imagining the perfect kitchen fit out for your home or restaurant business? If you are organising kitchen renovations for your Brisbane property this year, then you might be interested in the latest trends that focus on timelessness, a style that never goes out of fashion.

Whether for a residential or a commercial kitchen fit out, you are sure to find at least one of the following seven trends suitable for your renovation.

  1. Open plan kitchens: Ideal for socialising and entertaining, open plan layouts are just as useful for a quick family breakfast, as they are for hosting a dinner party at home. A commercial kitchen fit out can also benefit from an open plan kitchen in the restaurant, where customers can watch as their food is prepared.
  2. Quartz benchtops: For low maintenance and a sophisticated kitchen fit out, quartz stone ticks a lot of boxes. There is no sealing and polishing and you don’t need to worry about budgeting for more expensive granite countertops.
  3. Large kitchen islands: These became popular with open plan kitchens and are still one of the most preferred options for kitchen renovations in Brisbane homes. A large expanse of quartz not only looks timeless, but it is extremely practical for most families.
  4. LED lighting: Available in a variety of different styles, every residential or commercial kitchen fit out needs to have adequate lighting. LED lighting is more cost-effective and eco-friendly than other types of lighting and is definitely a trend that is here to stay.
  5. Integrated appliances: The focus is more on cleverly designed and stylish cabinetry, rather than appliances that are on view. So consider integrating your fridge/freezer, as well as your dishwasher and wine fridge, and keep smaller standalone appliances in purpose built cabinetry. Integrated appliances are a growing trend in many of our kitchen renovations in Brisbane.
  6. White is timeless: A white kitchen is always sophisticated and elegant, but it doesn’t have to be all white! Consider navy cabinetry and dark timber flooring, mixed with white walls and quartz countertops for a timeless trend that will never go out of fashion.
  7. Deep, soft closing drawers: Deep drawers give your kitchen increased flexibility for storage and soft closing drawers are just divine!

To talk to a professional builder about your new kitchen fit out, you can call us on 0431 065 019 or get a quote online today.

Pros and cons of a freestanding bath by a renovation expert

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As a renovation expert in Brisbane, many of our clients ask us to install a free standing bath during their bathroom makeovers. Ten or twenty years ago, no self-respecting renovation company would consider a freestanding bath for their clients, but with so many reality shows promoting them as luxury items, it’s a difficult choice for renovators.

If you have engaged a residential construction company for your bathroom makeover and are considering a freestanding bath, here are a few of the pros and cons that should help you to make your decision.

Pros of a free standing bath

Without a doubt, a free standing bath will look absolutely fabulous in your bathroom, so as far as aesthetics goes, a free standing bath is the bomb! Another factor in support of these baths is that they don’t need additional framework surrounds or tiled walls and grout, cutting down your costs to the renovation company.

They are also very easy to replace, because you don’t need to dismantle the framing and reframe around the new bath, and even possibly re-tile and regrout the walls. A final tick in the box given by our resident renovation expert for installing a free standing bath is that it can fit anywhere in your bathroom, even in the middle of the room. This makes these baths a very flexible addition to your bathroom, particularly if you adore having a bath.

Cons of a free standing bath

One of the biggest problems with these baths is their cost, because these free-standing baths can run to thousands of dollars. Your residential construction company can most probably source one of these baths from their network of suppliers, but you will still be looking at a bigger cost than a regular bath.

Another big problem even a renovation expert can’t get around is the weight of these baths, because many of the more luxury free-standing baths are made from stone. After all, if you want a statement bath, you don’t want it made from plastic – because you will know it’s not real stone! This additional weight of stone baths means that the floor might need to be reinforced, adding to the costs of your bathroom renovation.

Other negatives include nowhere to put your essentials, such as the shampoo, conditioner, and soap, except for in a bath caddy, handy stool or chair, even a window sill.

If you are looking for a residential construction company for your bathroom makeover, call us on 0431 065 019 or get a quote online.

Actions to a successful commercial fit out in Brisbane

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A successful commercial fit out in Brisbane is an essential step for the growth and expansion of many businesses, regardless of industry. However, it’s important to understand that a commercial refurbishment takes time and can’t be achieved overnight.

This is because there are a number of steps in the process, from preparing the initial briefing to the final handover of the fitout. In Brisbane, we project manage a range of different commercial fitouts, and we find that the one mistake often made by commercial business owners is that they don’t leave themselves enough time for the fitout.

For a complete commercial fit out in Brisbane you will need at least 90 days, starting from the conception and design stage. This 90-day timeframe includes a number of different steps, each which must be completed before we can move forward with your fitout in Brisbane.

Initial considerations: First, you need to prepare a brief of the parameters for your commercial refurbishment, for example retail spaces, offices, store rooms, meeting rooms, open work areas, and so on. This brief will help you to select the right space for your business and give you a design outline to discuss with your contractor.

Select your contractor: This is one of the most vital steps in the entire process, because picking the wrong contractor can jeopardise the quality and completion time of your fitout in Brisbane.

Exchanging contracts: A contract is required to protect both your interests and those of the contractor. This should outline everyone’s obligations, time frames, costs, payments, insurances and dispute resolution procedures for a commercial fit out in Brisbane.

Design details: This is the point in the commercial refurbishment process where you finalise the designs for your contractor and gain all necessary approvals – building regulations, council requirements, fire and safety, and approvals from the landlord of the property.

Construction phase: Your contractor should keep you informed of the progress of your fitout in Brisbane, resolving any new issues and incorporating any new changes you require. Once the construction phase has ended, you will compile a list of any problems that need to be rectified and once these have been resolved with your contractor, your commercial refurbishment is completed and handed over to you for occupation.

For more information on commercial fits out in Brisbane, call us on 0431 065 019 or get a quote online.

Four of the latest trends quality residential builders are using this year

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Residential builders and carpenters in Brisbane, need to keep up to date with the latest trends in the building industry, so that they can offer their clients the very best and latest designs and products. As a renovation expert, Jeb Built has always kept our ear to the ground looking for new ideas, designs and products that we can introduce to our clients. Here are the latest trends we have picked up:

  1. Steel frames for homes: Used frequently in the commercial building industry, residential builders have been much slower incorporating steel frames into their new builds. This is starting to change, because homeowners now realise that a steel frame is resistant to termites and non-combustible, which is ideal for bushfire regions. Steel frames also reduce the depth of walls, making them perfect for maximising space, as well as providing opportunities for innovative roof lines and other design features. Any renovation expert knows that maximising internal spaces is a sure winner with home buyers and a steel frame does this much better than timber.
  2. Render board cladding: This is a lightweight pre-finished product that is environmentally friendly, strong and durable, and even comes with insulation already fitted. With a tongue and groove system, they are simple to fit together and go up very quickly. Renovation experts appreciate the simplicity of render board cladding, because they don’t crack or peel like traditional concrete renders and save time because they are already pre-painted.
  3. Composite timbers: Another environmentally friendly product that is easy to work with and long lasting are composite timbers and even carpenters in Brisbane appreciate the durability of this product. Unlike hardwood timbers, these composite equivalents don’t weather or rot, can’t be eaten by termites, and don’t need oiling or other time-consuming maintenance. This is another product that any time strapped renovation expert with an eye on the profits will find fits the bill nicely.
  4. LED lights: For energy efficiency, you can’t go past LED lighting, as it uses up to 85% less energy than either halogen or incandescent bulbs and can be fitted to most lighting fixtures. As residential builders, all our homes are now fitted with LED lights, because homeowners appreciate the energy efficiency and lower power bills.

If you’re searching for an experienced residential builder or a Brisbane carpenter, why not call JEB Build, the renovation expert in SEQ on 0431 065 019 or get a quote online.

5 Trends to incorporate into your 2018 office fit out in Brisbane

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If you are considering a new office fit out in Brisbane over the next 12 months, then to be on top of your game, you need to consider the latest interior design trends that focus on style, comfort and practicality. For some of these trends you will need the services of a skilled carpenter in Brisbane and others you will need a building contractor.

Here are 5 of these trends that you might find useful for your next fitout in Brisbane.

  1. Include bold colours: Gone are the days of bland and uninspired white walls and furnishings, instead an up-to-date office fitout needs to make greater use of colours than ever before. Consider using dark green or navy on the walls, matched with either contrasting or tonal colours in the furnishings and flooring. Remember, bold colours tend to promote productivity, far more than insipid, dull colour schemes.
  2. Add natural greenery: Bringing nature into your office is a well-known strategy to make people feel happier and improve concentration, so select a few well-chosen plants or even a vertical wall of living plants for your new office fit out in Brisbane. If you have an outdoor space, then consider filling it with comfortable outdoor seating mingled amongst a forest of greenery.
  3. Open spaces: Collaboration and large open work areas have now superseded the old hallways of closed offices. An experienced carpenter can easily retrofit your work space to make it more open plan, encouraging teamwork and a sense of community at your Brisbane office.
  4. Flexible spaces: Casual meeting rooms, hot desks, quiet zones and multi-purpose rooms that can be changed to suit a multitude of purposes is very cost effective and practical for today’s businesses. Taking advantage of this design trend for your new fitout in Brisbane will give your employees more options for how they accomplish their work and more satisfaction in their roles.
  5. Comfortable spaces: We have all heard of how Google has transformed their work spaces and now this has become a growing trend for many smaller businesses. In the same vein, you can consider including bike racks and showers in your office fit out in Brisbane, as well as communal kitchens and ‘chill out’ zones or recreational areas.

If you are looking for a skilled carpenter or a new fitout in Brisbane, why not get a quote online today with Jeb Built?

Newest trends in residential construction

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Apart from open plan living, you might not think that there are any real trends in residential construction. Of course, there are trends in interior design and the choice of colours, but generally, these don’t tend to make any real difference to residential building construction.

So you might be surprised to learn that there are in fact trends that residential builders do pay attention to and one of these major trends is the increase in multiuse spaces. Within this main trend there are quite a few options available, so let’s take a look at a few of these now.

Multiuse spaces in residential construction

Garages: More and more Australians are turning their double garages into multiuse spaces with room to park a car, but also space for a sofa and a TV, gym equipment or pool table. Whilst most people can agree that our garages have long been used as a workshop, there is a growing trend to use them more as an extension to our living spaces, rather than for storing tools. For residential builders, this trend may involve sheeting the walls to make the garage more comfortable, rather than just leaving the bricks exposed.

Pocket offices: Not many of us have the extra room for a home office, so pocket offices have started trending in Australia. Most of us need to use a computer at home for online shopping, banking and paying bills at the very least, so quite often all we need is a small designated computer area or studio at home, instead of an entire office. As far as residential construction is concerned, the ideal spot for a pocket office is in an alcove near the entrance of the home, so you can drop your keys and briefcases when you arrive home and pay the bills at the same time.

Wet rooms & pet rooms: Having a dedicated wet room and pet room is a huge help to many families and is one of the more popular trends in residential building construction. You do need to include extra space in your home design to accommodate this room, but when you need to bath the dogs or everyone is coming in wet and bedraggled (including the dog), having one of these rooms is awesome!

If you are interested in new build residential construction, why not get a quote online today?

Do all commercial kitchen fit out companies handle the design aspect?

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Are you in the market for a commercial kitchen fit out? If so, do you have your design worked out yet? The design for your kitchen fit out can be quite simple or more complex, it all depends on the size of the kitchen needed for your business.

It comes down to budget

A professional kitchen designer will charge you a hefty fee for designing your new kitchen, then on top of that you will need to pay a construction company to put it all together. This avenue is often better suited to very large commercial kitchens that have big budgets.

For a small to medium sized commercial kitchen fit out, you are much better off going with a construction company who specialises in commercial fit outs in Brisbane. With all of their experience, they will be able to guide you through the design process, pointing out the best configurations for your fittings and the mistakes to avoid.

After all, the design of your kitchen will be limited by the size and shape of the space, so there will only be a few optimal layouts that will be suitable.

What are the components of a good kitchen fit out?

  1. Cleaning and washing: This includes sinks, drying racks and commercial dishwashing machines. These should ideally be located close to the kitchen entrance, so servers can drop off dirty dishes quickly.
  2. Storage: You will need both cold storage and dry storage in your commercial kitchen fit out, as well as non-food storage areas. Keep the non-food storage area separate from the other two storage areas and try to locate the cold and dry storage as close to the delivery area as possible.
  3. Food preparation: Ideally you want separate areas for preparing raw meat and for vegetables in your kitchen fit out, locating them as close to the storage areas as possible for easy access.
  4. Cooking: The best location for your ovens, stoves and grills is as close to the service area as possible, as this cuts down on the time the food is left waiting to be served.
  5. Service: This is the area where the servers pick up the food, so in your new kitchen fit out it needs to be located right next to the entry of the restaurant into the kitchen.

For more information on commercial fit outs in Brisbane, why not get a quote online today?

5 Tips on kitchen renovations in Brisbane that add to your home

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As we all recognise, professional and high quality kitchen renovations in Brisbane can significantly increase the value of your home. The emphasis is on ‘professional’ and ‘high quality’, because unless you are a renovation expert, any changes you might make on your own, might not lead to the increase in value you anticipated.

The budget for your kitchen fit out shouldn’t exceed a maximum of 6% of your home’s market value, otherwise you could overcapitalise and not get a good return on your investment. For example, if your property is worth $500K then your maximum budget for kitchen renovations in Brisbane would be $30K. As a comparison, the budget for a commercial kitchen fit out can easily reach $100K or more.

If you want to add value to your home with a new kitchen fit out, here are the JEB BUILT top 5 tips.

  1. Selecting your colours: If you want your kitchen to stand the test of time you will need to keep to a very simple colour palette. You will need to avoid trendy colours, such as bright red cabinets or a lime green bench top, instead kitchen renovations in Brisbane need to keep to neutral colours that you will still love in 5 years.
  2. Open floor plans: Whilst open floor plans have been extremely popular for many years, some home owners now find that they prefer some separation between their living spaces. Make sure that the design style you select for your new kitchen fit out will still work for your family in a few years, as well as today.
  3. Spend on bench tops: It pays to spend your money on a quality bench top, because this is one of the biggest and most noticeable areas in your kitchen. Whatever type of material you chose for your bench tops, make sure that they are hard wearing and heat and stain resistant.
  4. Spend on appliances: Good quality appliances, such as your stove, oven, fridge/freezer, and dishwasher will last you for years – if you buy quality items. So spend well on your big appliances for your kitchen fit out and save money on not buying trendy gadgets that you won’t ever use more than once.
  5. Increase storage: One of our biggest tips is to maximise the amount of storage you have during your kitchen renovations. You can never have too much storage in a kitchen, so consult a designer and go big on storage.

For a professional commercial kitchen fit out, as well as quality kitchen renovations in Brisbane, get a quote online today.

What are the most common office fit out mistakes in Brisbane?

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Since we take on many office fit outs in Brisbane, we see plenty of mistakes that have been made during previous renovations. It’s fair to say that when you are ready for a new office fitout in Brisbane, it’s always best to hire a renovation expert, rather than tackle the design yourself.

This is because there are five common mistakes that we see far too often and which could have been avoided, if a professional had been involved in the design and implementation of the renovation.

  1. Forgetting to liaise with your landlord: This is a big problem we see far too often, when the business owner is ready to start renovations, but it all comes to a screeching halt because their landlord disagrees with one of their decisions. Common problems that can occur are that the contractors can’t work during normal business hours and they can’t use the lifts to bring up their materials for the office fit out in Brisbane.
  2. Not setting a firm budget: As we are all aware, the costs of a fitout in Brisbane can escalate for a variety of reasons outside of anyone’s control. This is where you need a renovation expert on board, so that you have enough money for the building work, the fitout itself and a contingency fund.
  3. Not selecting the right contractor:  Not all building contractors are equal, some are more experienced with particular types of renovation projects than others. It’s essential that you talk to any potential contractors and find out whether they have experience in the type of office fit out you need, as well as asking for testimonials and examples of their work.
  4. Forgetting to consider data points: One of the biggest mistakes we see in office fit outs in Brisbane is that the business owner doesn’t consider their future needs, as far as power points and data outlets are concerned. This might seem like a simple oversight, but over time it can become a real stress to the ongoing success of your business and the productivity of your staff.
  5. Not hiring a project manager: Not all contractors and renovation experts are project managers, an issue that you most probably won’t discover until a major problem surfaces. Always ensure that your contractor can take on the project management role and ask or testimonials and evidence.

If you are in the market for a fitout in Brisbane why not get a quote online today?

How long will my commercial refurbishment take?

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There is a lot of work that goes into a commercial refurbishment, so the completion date can depend on a lot of factors. The preparation time for a fitout in Brisbane, and before construction commences, can actually take a large chunk of your time, sometimes even longer than the construction period itself.

This is because you need to finalise your design brief, discuss this with your building renovation expert, and then obtain permission from your landlord, and quite possibly the council as well, depending on the complexity of refurbishment.

In essence, there are three stages to your commercial refurbishment: the design stage, the approval stage and the construction phase. There are no fixed time frames for the first two stages, but with the design finalised, your renovation expert will be able to give you a fixed completion date for your commercial fitout in Brisbane.

The design stage of your commercial refurbishment

This is where you engage a designer to create your new commercial space. You will start with the existing floor plan and put together a workable design for your business, taking into consideration your business needs, number of staff, and your budget. Once the initial design is finalised, plans will need to be drawn up that include all electrical and plumbing work, IT wiring, joinery details, elevations, etc. The design stage can easily take you 8 weeks or even longer.

The approval stage of your commercial fitout in Brisbane

You will need these plans to obtain your landlord’s permission for your new fitout, to apply for any council permits, and to give to your building renovation expert who will actually take on the construction. This stage depends on the time it takes for your landlord to agree to your refurbishment plans and for the council to issue you with any necessary permits.

Council permits for commercial fitouts in Brisbane can be fast tracked by your building renovation expert, but it is sensible to expect a 2 to 3 week lag time.

The construction phase of your commercial refurbishment

The time frame for construction depends on the size of the space and the complexity of the design. For example, small refurbishments (200m2) with an open plan design can easily take 4 weeks to complete, whilst larger refits (2000m2) can take up to 10 or 12 weeks.

JEB BUILT are building renovation experts, call us on 0431 065 019 or get a quote online.

3 Tips on designing commercial interiors and office fit outs in Brisbane

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As commercial builders in Brisbane, we understand how overwhelmed you can feel when faced with a new office fit out or remodel. Commercial interiors require a special type of design that is completely different to a residential design, so whilst it can be challenging, it can also be the perfect time to make a big change or even rebrand your business.

If you are faced with an impending office fit out in Brisbane this year, we have 3 simple tips that will make the entire process much easier and less daunting.

Is the space suitable for your growing business?

You don’t want to spend your capital on a new office fit out if in 2 years’ time you need to move to a bigger space. So always select a commercial space that has room to grow with your business and think about the flexibility of the space as well.

For example, if the existing commercial interior contains partitions, do you like them or even need them in your refit? Is there sufficient space to add private meeting rooms or will you need to make do with an open plan arrangement? Do you need the space to be completely rewired to suit your IT requirements and how much will it cost?

Prepare a brief for your office fit out

Commercial builders in Brisbane can help you explore many of the options within your space, discussing what you can and can’t achieve, but the final design brief will be down to you. If you still have lots of unanswered questions concerning the design of your commercial interior, don’t worry, because they will start to solidify as soon as you put together your design brief.

Obtain approval for your office fit out from the landlord

When you rent commercial office space, you need to discuss your renovations with the landlord and you might even need to obtain council approval. Commercial builders in Brisbane will know whether or not you need to obtain council permits, so once you have finalised your brief with your designer and landlord, sit down with your builder to talk about any necessary permits for the work.

If you need a professional builder for your office fit outs in Brisbane call JEB BUILT on 0431 065 019 or get a quote online.

3 Tips for the perfect office fit out in Brisbane

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If you are ready for a new office fit out in Brisbane, it is a good idea to poll your employees and find out how you can improve their working conditions. After all, happy employees are more productive and the end result is an increase in profits for your company.

Of course, a commercial refurbishment will take a sizable budget, but you might be surprised at how little it costs to keep your employees happy at work. So before you look for a contractor to take on your commercial fit out in Brisbane, consider the following 3 areas that might put a smile on your employees’ faces and improve productivity as well.

Lunch rooms and breakout areas

As interior fit out contractors, we know that having a sink and small fridge in the storage room isn’t going to thrill your employees. Many large businesses now have ‘breakout’ rooms, where employees can gather and relax together during the working day. These areas can include comfortable sofas, TVs, pool tables and even video games, and whilst you don’t need to go that far, it is worth giving your employees somewhere they can relax and put their feet up during their break times.

Shower facilities make for happy employees

Have you considered adding shower facilities to your next office fit out in Brisbane? Lots of employees now bike or jog to work in the morning, and some go for jogs or to the gym in their lunch hour as well. Giving them somewhere to store their bike and shower at work is a very effective way to boost morale and increase productivity.

Is open plan right for your employees?

Sometimes, an open plan environment isn’t always best for productivity. Many employees prefer their own personal space with 4 walls around them, rather than being right next to another employee with all of the distractions that entails. Whilst you might not be able to include private offices for everyone in your next commercial refurbishment, consider adding a few private offices for meetings or for when someone really needs a quiet space to work for a few hours.

So why not ask your employees what ideas they have for your next office fit out in Brisbane and get a quote online today?

Checklist for organising a successful commercial fit out in Brisbane

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Are you in the market for a commercial fit out in Brisbane? Jeb Built are specialist builders who can project manage your new shop renovation, office or kitchen fit out from conception to handover.

We always come in on time and within budget, so if you are ready for a commercial fit out in Brisbane, here is a quick list of steps that will keep your project on the straight and narrow.

Write a comprehensive brief for your commercial fit out

In Brisbane, it is vital that you write a comprehensive brief for your new commercial fit out or shop renovation. This will cover the functionality of each area within the building or leased space, and might include the number of employees, office spaces, public areas, storage rooms, kitchens, front of house areas, and meeting rooms.

A detailed brief is important for all industries, but particularly in the hospitality trade where you need a commercial kitchen fit out, as this brief will help you to organise a realistic budget and give potential contractors the ability to give you a firm quote for the work.

Find the right contractor for your new fit out

Always ask around your business network for recommendations and check out their websites and references. Once you have found a number of contractors who are experienced in the type of fit out you require, whether that is a shop renovation, an office or commercial kitchen fit out, this is where your brief comes into play.

It is important that you provide each potential contractor with the same brief, along with time frames and deadlines. This way you can make equitable comparisons between their proposals and make the best decision for your business and your budget. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ensure that all proposals include a detailed outline of expenses and exclusions.

Keep in contact with your contractor

Regardless of whether you are undergoing a complete commercial kitchen fit out, a simple shop renovation or an office fit out in Brisbane, you will need to have regular meetings with your contractor during the building phase. Any issues will need to be highlighted and dealt with immediately, so that your commercial fit out can remain on track.

Why not call us at Jeb Built and get a quote online for your next commercial fit out in Brisbane?

What does it cost for a commercial kitchen fit out?

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A kitchen fit out can be an expensive undertaking, easily requiring up to 75% of your budget for a new establishment. The cost of your commercial kitchen fit out of course, depends on the size of kitchen and on the quality of the equipment you need. On this basis, larger commercial kitchens will cost a lot more and need more heavy duty equipment than a small corner café.

At Jeb Built, we offer professional kitchen renovations in Brisbane that are both affordable and completed within your time frame. In general, the cost of a complete kitchen fit out can range from around $15,000 to $100,000 or more, according to your specifications. Let’s look at some of the costs involved in fitting out commercial kitchens for both new establishments and for renovations.

  • Design and project manager: The layout and design of commercial kitchens can have a big impact on the success or failure of your business, so it can be worthwhile employing both a designer and a project manager to keep everything on track. Poor layouts, overblown budgets and extended time frames can cause you no end of problems, so it is usually safer to bring in the experts at the start. Expect to pay at least 15% of your budget on hiring these professionals.
  • High quality equipment: A designer will help you to select the right equipment for your kitchen fit out, giving you a number of options at different prices and enabling you to stay within your budget. Installing top of the line equipment in a small family run business that simply needs an updated commercial kitchen fit out can sometimes be counterproductive. Expect to pay at least 70% of your budget on purchasing top of the line equipment.
  • Electrics and plumbing: We all know that trades can be expensive, which is why it is sensible to engage a builder who has their own trades and who is experienced in project managing commercial kitchen renovations in Brisbane. Expect to pay at least 15% of your budget on hiring trades for your kitchen fit out.

Call Jeb Built on 0431 065 019 or get a quote online today and we will make sure that your new commercial kitchen fit out is perfect .

3 Common mistakes Brisbane builders make on shop fit outs

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A shop fit out is a lengthy and expensive undertaking for retailers. If you are in the market for a shop renovation, you need to engage a renovation company that has the right experience and can get the job done on time and within budget.

One of the problems with a shop fit out is in finding reliable builders for the project, and one of the best ways to do this is to ask around your network in the retail trade for the names of a few good builders. Just picking a renovation company at random is not the best strategy to use, as this can result in an overblown budget, poor workmanship and extended time frames.

Let’s take a look at some of the more common problems builders can make when they work on a shop fit out, so you can understand why finding an experienced builder is your number 1 priority. ·

  • Inaccurate time frames: When you own and operate a retail store, you will have a fixed time for the start and completion of your shop renovation. Time is money and the longer your store is out of business, the more money you will lose. So when the builder doesn’t turn up on the start day, runs over time, and is on-site one day and not the next, it is your livelihood that is in jeopardy.
  • Hidden costs: When you have a strict budget, you want all of the building and renovation costs for your shop fit out itemised and finalised. You don’t want to hear about hidden costs that were not included in the original quote, suddenly rearing their head once construction has commenced.
  • Poor consultation: The majority of these problems, including overpromising on what can’t be delivered with your budget and time frame, could all have been avoided with a full and complete consultation. Too often, builders have their own ideas of what the client needs, which doesn’t actually gel with what the client wants! A comprehensive consultation will assist both the renovation company and the client to have a successful build that is on time and within budget.

JEBBUILT have a solid reputation within the industry for starting and completing a shop fit out on time with no hidden costs. Call us today on 0431 065 019 or get a quote online today.

Builders in Brisbane draw inspiration from international construction trends

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Traditionally, builders in Brisbane have made changes to their building and construction methods, based on regulatory changes. Lately however, innovation has started to drive these changes, driven by increasing manufacturing and construction costs, innovations in digital and home automation technology and a greater focus on sustainability.

JEBBUILT is always searching for new technologies, materials and construction methods. This means that we can offer our retail clients the very latest shop fit out designs. We can also offer our home owners the best in home automation and energy efficiency and for our commercial clients, the most sustainable building materials on the market.

As a professional builder and carpenter in Brisbane, these building and construction innovations are not only exciting, but will help pave the way for more sustainable buildings in the future. Let’s take a look at some of these innovations that will have a positive impact on builders in Brisbane and subsequently, on how we build for a sustainable future.

Design flexibility comes with innovation

Modular designs using pre-fabricated components offer a low cost and very flexible housing option for many Australians. These are flat-pack homes that can be raised fast and can be jam packed with energy efficient technology.

Concrete panel construction is another fast building process that is taking off overseas. Buildings can be raised much more quickly with this type of construction, than with traditional building methods. Up until recently, concrete has not been the most eco-friendly of materials, however new standards for sustainable concrete production now mean that builders in Brisbane can now reduce your carbon footprint, by using concrete that has been certified as sustainable.

How about 3D printing your new home? There are actually houses across the world that have been built using 3D technology, offering sustainability, low cost and environmental friendly construction that is super-fast. Whilst builders in Brisbane are unlikely to be using a 3D printer to build your home this year, since NASA has plans to build a Mars colony using this technology, it won’t be too far into the future.

Modular homes, concrete panels and 3D printing are just some of the innovations that will begin to drive the building and construction industry in Australia and JEBBUILT intends to stay at the forefront of this movement.

Call us at JEBBUILT and get a quote online today.

5 Questions to ask your home kitchen renovator

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The team at JEB BUILT are well-known for our high quality kitchen renovations in Brisbane. So if you are looking for the best builder in Brisbane, here are 5 questions to ask your potential builder.

1. Can I improve my kitchen’s layout? 

If you already have professionally designed plans for your kitchen renovations, then you can skip this question. Otherwise, it is worth asking the builder’s opinion, because many of them have a good eye for design and know what will and won’t work in your space.

2. Do you have any customer testimonials? 

It is important that you have confidence in your builder, and one of the ways this can be achieved is to read testimonials from previous clients in Brisbane. Kitchen renovations are a serious financial investment, and these testimonials will help to give you a clear indication of how well you might work together with this builder.

3. Do you have any before and after photos? 

Before and after photos of kitchen renovations in Brisbane homes are vital to helping you make your final decision. When you look at these photos you want to see a range of renovations of different styles and sizes. If all you see are the same design repeated over and over, then if this doesn’t gel with your design style, you might want to look elsewhere.

4. Do you have a network of suppliers? 

Any builder that has been in the industry for a few years will have built up a network of suppliers for their building materials and for kitchen fixtures. As these will be at wholesale prices, employing a builder can help to keep your renovation costs down.

5. Is the quote the final price? 

You need to be confident that the builder will not leave anything out of their quote, costing you even more money, after you have signed the contract. Of course, any changes you make after the contract is signed will involve further costs, but you don’t want to be surprised with paying extra for something that you thought was included in the quote.

If you want the best builder in Brisbane for your kitchen renovations, you can get a quote online or call us on 0431 065 019.

Steps to ensure a smooth process for your shop or office fit out in Brisbane

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As most business owners are aware, an office or shop fit out can either run smoothly or can be inundated with problems. This is why it takes a fair amount of planning and discussion to finalise your plans, before you can actually commence your shop or office fit out.

In Brisbane, the team at JEB BUILT have a solid reputation for professional and high quality fit outs, and over the years we have put together a number of tips that will make your office or shop renovation run smoothly. Here are three of these tips that should help you to create a space that is suitable for both your employees and your customers.

Ask for employee input into your office or shop fit out

It is a good idea to ask your employees if they have any suggestions for your new fit out. After all, many of them will have been working in the space for a number of years and might have some very valuable suggestions that will help you to design a more workable space. Some of these suggestions for your office or shop fit out might not fit in with your design or your budget, but nevertheless, you might be surprised at the type of improvements that can be included.

Consider a multiple use space

A multiple use space is usually more suitable for an office fit out, and one of the best ways to achieve this type of design is to have an open plan space. This gives you the ability to add, subtract and alter the configurations of your workstations, as well as designing a communal tech hub area for your printers, fax machines etc.

Create a realistic time frame for your renovations

With a shop or office fit out in Brisbane, we usually find a few teething problems with a new design, which, depending on the cause, can interrupt the operation of your business. This usually means that it is safer to add an extra day or two to your estimated downtime in order to make sure that your new renovations are totally complete and your business is ready for operation once again.

If you are planning for a shop or office fit out in Brisbane, you can get a quote online or call us on 0431 065 019 to have a chat about your new renovations.

What does a commercial refurbishment in Brisbane typically cost?

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When you need a new commercial refurbishment for your business, you want to find the best price possible. The problem is that whether you need a shop renovation or an office fit out in Brisbane, there are fixed costs which your contractor cannot avoid.

Let’s take a look at these fixed costs and also at some of the other costs involved in your commercial refurbishment, where you might have some room to negotiate.

Fixed costs for your commercial refurbishment

The fixed costs for any shop renovation or office fit out in Brisbane are concerned with the payments the contractor makes to his or her employees. Whoever the contractor employees to work on your commercial renovation will expect to receive the going rate, which is why a contractor can only negotiate their overall costs down to a certain point – they have to pay the tradies!

Negotiable costs for your commercial refurbishment

There are a couple of areas where you might negotiate your costs down for both a shop renovation and an office fit out in Brisbane, but even so, many contractors give you a fair quote, which doesn’t leave them much wiggle room. The first costs you can negotiate are the materials, because if you can source these cheaper than the contractor, then obviously, this is a win-win situation.

Remember however, that the contractor has built up a network of wholesalers and suppliers, so you might not be able to beat his prices. The second and final area you might be able to negotiate a lower price is the contractor’s profit.

As you can appreciate, every builder or contractor needs to make a profit or else there is no point in being in business. So how much you can reduce the overall costs of your commercial refurbishment, depends entirely on the goodwill of your contractor and how much profit he is prepared to lose on your project. Many builders already work on a fine profit margin, so you might not be able to lower your costs very much at all.

At JEB BUILD we always give you our best quote upfront, and you can get a quote online for your shop renovation or office fit out in Brisbane today or call us on 0431 065 019.