
What is a Sinking Fund? A Comprehensive Guide for Body Corporates in Australia
July 4, 2024
Body corporates have long employed sinking funds to allocate monthly money towards the settlement of outstanding debts or bonds, offering a greater capacity to lessen the financial impact when the debt comes due. By adopting a sinking fund strategy, properties can also prepare for infrequent capital expenditures or sizeable acquisitions, eliminating the need to resort… ... continue reading

Granny Flats Are Now More Affordable in Victoria
June 20, 2024
Granny flats, also known as secondary dwellings or backyard studios, have become an increasingly popular housing option across Australia in recent years. As house prices continue rising out of reach for many families and the cost of living crisis makes its mark, granny flats provide a more affordable way for multiple generations to live together… ... continue reading

Why is Estimation Important in Construction in Australia?
May 2, 2024
As a professional in the Australian construction industry, you know that accurate estimation is crucial to the success of any project. But if you’re not sure what this entails, in a nutshell, estimating is the process of predicting the costs, resources, and time required to complete a construction project. It’s also a critical skill that… ... continue reading

Bill of Quantities vs Schedule of Rates
April 18, 2024
Accurate and thorough documentation is what keeps construction projects on track and on budget, steering every phase from the initial blueprint to the project's completion. Two popular documentation choices for streamlining project management are the Bill of Quantities and the Schedule of Rates. Though similar, their most fundamental features make them better suited to their… ... continue reading

What is a Contract Administrator in Construction?
April 11, 2024
Let’s imagine you're in the hustle and bustle of your latest construction project, and the weight of preparing contracts, budgets, and timelines begins to feel like a skyscraper bearing down on your shoulders. What you need is a contract administrator in the construction world to bring all the elements seamlessly together. Let’s take a look… ... continue reading

7 Renovation Estimation Mistakes We See Too Often
April 4, 2024
Whether it's updating your home or improving the features of your rental property, a new renovation project is always an exciting undertaking. Unfortunately, it can also come with many potential pitfalls, especially if you don't have experience in this area. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. Our specialists at Duo Tax are here to… ... continue reading

How a Construction Tender Submission is Reviewed
February 26, 2024
If you’re like many of our construction estimation clients, chances are you’re pondering the thrilling yet challenging task of submitting a tender. You're probably even a bit lost about where to start or what the process entails. Well, let us assure you—you’re not alone. Understanding how a construction tender submission is reviewed can be the… ... continue reading

Why You Need a Construction Cost Consultant
February 16, 2024
The construction industry is booming in Australia. As both public and private spending on infrastructure and building projects continues to increase year after year, more individuals and companies are looking to take on new construction projects. However, undertaking any type of construction project requires careful planning and cost estimation to be successful. Going over budget… ... continue reading

How a Cost-Plus Contract vs. Fixed Price Contract Works
January 21, 2024
When embarking on a construction project, one of the most important early decisions is selecting the type of contract to use. Construction contracts provide the legal framework for projects. They outline payment terms, responsibilities, change order processes, and more. The specific type of contract used also significantly impacts both parties' incentives, costs, and financial risk.… ... continue reading

What are Fit Outs? (& How to Estimate Them)
January 3, 2024
A fit-out refers to the process of fitting out or outfitting the interior of a commercial or retail space to make it suitable for occupation and business operations. Whether you're opening a new retail store, restaurant, office, or medical clinic, fit-outs are crucial to properly establishing your brand, improving functionality and workflow, and attracting customers… ... continue reading

Estimator vs. Quantity Surveyor: What’s the Difference?
November 30, 2023
Two key roles often need clarification in the construction industry: the estimator and the quantity surveyor. Both are crucial to successfully completing construction projects but perform different tasks. So, how do you know which professional might be the right fit for your project? Here’s what you need to know about their distinctive roles, responsibilities, and… ... continue reading

How Much Does It Cost to Build a House?
November 16, 2023
“How much is it to build a house?” is a question many Australians are asking these days, especially in today’s soaring housing market. Building your own house from scratch is an exciting prospect, as the cost of buying a pre-existing home becomes increasingly out of reach, but it comes with many considerations and factors that… ... continue reading

NSW Government Introduces Mandatory Embodied Emissions Reporting
October 19, 2023
The NSW government is taking a big step towards sustainability by introducing Mandatory Embodied Emissions Reporting. This requirement applies to residential and non-residential developments and is a big change in the construction industry. Quantity surveyors now have to consider the carbon emissions from building materials. What are Embodied Emissions? Embodied emissions, or embodied carbon, are… ... continue reading

Why is Estimation Important in Construction?
October 14, 2023
Understanding why estimation is important in construction takes us to the heart of successful project management. It's more than just crunching numbers; it's about aligning resources, managing expectations, and ensuring that projects are delivered on time and within budget. So, here’s why you should consider getting an estimation before your next project. What are Construction… ... continue reading

Ep.07 Understanding the Role of a Quantity Surveyor for your Construction Project ft. Quoc Duong | The Property Blueprint Podcast
August 3, 2023
Welcome back to The Property Blueprint Podcast! If you haven't already, we encourage you to explore our last week's captivating episode, where we delved into the process of achieving cost-effective and well-designed buildings, highlighting the significance of space planning and shedding light on the latest trends, including the shift towards more innovative and budget-friendly options.… ... continue reading

Ep.05 | What You NEED To Know About Landlord Insurance
July 20, 2023
The Property Blueprint Episode 5: What You Need To Know About Landlord Insurance In addition to the fascinating discussion on the podcast, we've created a brief guide on what you need to know about landlord insurance. What You Need to Know About Landlord Insurance As an insurance partner dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complex… ... continue reading

The Latest Construction Costs Update Across Australia
May 1, 2023
Construction Costs in Australia for 2023: What to Expect and How to Manage Them If you've been dreaming of building your own home in Australia, you know that labour cost and building materials within a larger supply chain is one of the biggest considerations. The past three years have been a rollercoaster ride for the… ... continue reading

Are you considering knocking down an existing property to build an investment property? Things to consider
March 12, 2020
Although depreciation is never the primary reason why you build a new investment property, it certainly has quite a bearing on the cash flow of your property that you cannot overlook. A qualified Quantity Surveyor will help assist with all the necessary reports that are involved in the building of an investment property. The most… ... continue reading

What is a Quantity Surveyor Report? Why Quantity Surveyors Can Turbocharge Your Tax Deductions
August 7, 2017
Frequently we are asked why I should get a Quantity Surveyor to assist me with assessing depreciation on my investment property when it seems like an accountant can figure out? A quantity surveyor is a tertiary-qualified professional that is degree qualified in the Science of Construction. This person as part of their education has completed… ... continue reading