Get It Right with Undercover Architect

This is episode 190 of the Get it Right podcast. In this episode I’ll be talking about those who are DIY’ing their design, and know that soon they’ll be on the hunt for a builder to make it a reality. There are many, many homeowners who design their own home from scratch, and then go straight to a builder. They see it as a means of maintaining full control on the process, and getting what they want in their future home.  But there’s some key things to pay attention to if this is your approach, so that you don’t end up making mistakes, or just overlooking the things that can make your home truly special and enjoyable to live in.  SHOW NOTES: If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you. Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.  Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses, including the transcripts of this season (all packaged in a downloadable PDF E-Guide). When I practiced traditionally as an architect, I had no idea how many homeowners fully designed their own new homes and renovations. I knew that people drew up sketches with ideas for their future homes, but I thought that was where it stopped … and then they found a designer or an architect to continue the process. Since starting Undercover Architect in mid 2014, I have learned just how many of you do design your homes from scratch. As in fully design them: deciding on the floor plan, the elevations, the interior design. And even go so far as to learn software like SketchUp to be able to model them in 3D and really push and play with the design. Some homeowners just really want to do it this way.  Be it because they have a love of design and have always been really passionate about creating their own home.  Or they’ve had a bad experience with a designer in the past, and feel they want full ownership of things this time.  Or because they just feel that to maintain control and get what they really want, they need to be the one creating the design themselves. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-diy-home-design Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is episode 189 of the Get it Right podcast. In this episode I’ll be covering the kick-off stage of your project.  This is where you’re past the ideas stage, and know you want to get going, but you’re not sure about who to hire or next steps, and who you should speak to first.  We’ll be covering the mistakes to avoid, the key ways to get it right in this stage, and an action step for you to make great progress in the right direction. SHOW NOTES: If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you. Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.  Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses, including the transcripts of this season (all packaged in a downloadable PDF E-Guide). I’m super excited to be diving into this episode, where we’re talking about your first steps in kicking off your project.  This is the stage where you’re past the ideas stage, and know you want to get going, but you’re not sure about who to hire or next steps, and who you should speak to first.  We’ll be covering the mistakes to avoid, the key ways to get it right in this stage, and an action step for you to make great progress in the right direction. If you’re heading somewhere you’ve never been before, and all you’re doing is figuring out the next step as soon as you’ve made the last one, it won’t take much for you to get lost, bamboozled or taken advantage of. So, there’s two parts to this.  One is getting an understanding of the roadmap ahead. The steps you’ll need to take to get from your kick-off stage to that completed home that’s ready to move into - and even beyond, as you navigate defects liability periods and warranties after the builder is gone. Knowing this roadmap, the step-by-step process, is so critical to your success, because it means you can always anticipate what is coming up next, and who you’ll need to help you. And it means you can streamline things overall, rather than dealing with one bucket of tasks and work, and having a big gap in time before you find out what’s next. Or worse still, having to trace back over previous work because you didn’t do all the things you were supposed to do before you moved forward. The second part is about not only knowing your roadmap, but also knowing your strategy. Knowing your strategy is about making sure you start the right project, or choose the right approach to your design, your planning approvals, your overall project.  There’s loads here to help you kick-off your project with the best first steps. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-first-steps-renovating-building Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is episode 188 of the Get it Right podcast. In this episode, I’ll be helping you learn how to get it right if you’re at the stage in your project where you’re dreaming up ideas, and scrolling Pinterest, Houzz and Google. SHOW NOTES: If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you. Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.  Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses, including the transcripts of this season (all packaged in a downloadable PDF E-Guide). In this episode, I’m talking about the initial phase that homeowners enter when they know a renovation or new build is on their horizon, but they’re not taking any active steps forward into their project planning just yet. This is the stage where you’re dreaming up ideas, scrolling Pinterest, Houzz and Google, and generally getting inspired about what’s possible for your future home. Now, if you’re already past this stage, don’t tune out - because understanding what generally happens here, and what should be happening at this stage … well, that will help you ensure you haven’t missed anything you need to cover in your overall project journey. So what does this stage look like for a homeowner? It can look a few different ways. First is, you may not be even living in the property you plan to renovate, or you may not have yet bought the land you plan to build on.  Or you may be hatching plans for a rental property you already own. Or, it may be an intended renovation for the home you’re currently living in. I know I’m at this stage with our place. I’ve been in this stage for a while. There’s definitely plans to renovate, but what that looks like, how big a renovation it is, when we get started, what we do and how much we spend - well, that’s all still a bit up for grabs. It doesn’t stop the dreaming though does it! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-dreaming-about-future-home Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is episode 187 of the Get it Right podcast. In this episode, I’ll be talking about getting serious about your project, and how this can be THE pathway to having real fun whilst you design, build and renovate your family home. SHOW NOTES: If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you. Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.  Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses, including the transcripts of this season (all packaged in a downloadable PDF E-Guide). I’ve really been a little nervous about publishing this episode, and sharing this information with you.  However, there’s been something I’ve especially come to realise over this past year, and I think it speaks volumes about the kinds of homeowners who end up inside the Undercover Architect community, and especially inside my online programs, that it’s worth chatting about.  Because, in sharing this information, it lets you know whether this place, this podcast, my business, the UA Community … whether it’s the place for you, and what you’re looking for. The kind of help you’re seeking for your new home or renovation.  Then if it’s not, you can sign off and not waste any more time here.  And if it is, we can double down and really get things done together. I know it can seem seductive to just pursue the fun stuff. The light-hearted stuff. To focus on the pretty parts, the bits that involve where we shop for styling items or we pick all our colours and finishes, and to pick a ‘name’ for our style and all that stuff.  But … what I’ve come to realise after all this thinking, reflecting and really diving into it, it this: When you want to do serious stuff, and get serious stuff done, you want people around you who take it, and you, seriously too.  But, that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun as well. Because we do. We definitely do. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-how-to-enjoy-your-renovation-new-build Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season is all about helping you take action. This season is going to help you, whatever stage you’re at, take your next best steps. To avoid the mistakes many make, and have some goals to aim for, and clear action steps to achieve them. And in this episode, I kick off this season by sharing the story of how Undercover Architect all began, and the confronting lessons I had to learn in order to bring it into reality. Listen to the episode now, and stay tuned for a fantastic season! SHOW NOTES: If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you. Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.  Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses, including the transcripts of this season (all packaged in a downloadable PDF E-Guide). This is the 186th episode of the podcast! I can’t quite believe it.  Those 4 years have flown, and over the course of that time, I’ve been able to share a huge amount of information and awesome people with you here on the podcast.  I’m not stopping anytime soon.  I’m making plans for 2021 on the podcast, and the what and the who I’ll be bringing you over the year ahead. It’s super exciting to think of a fresh new year, and what’s ahead.  So stay tuned, tell your friends, and know there’s lots more good stuff on its way here on Get it Right. Before we jump into those episodes though, I’m spending this episode talking more generally about Undercover Architect.  I’ve realised that, even though I’ve shared in lots of other places the how and why Undercover Architect began, I’ve never really shared it here, on the Get it Right podcast.  So, tune in, as I share some nitty gritty details on how and where Undercover Architect began, and some tough lessons I needed to learn to bring it into reality! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-about-undercover-architect-amelia-lee Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m super excited to be bringing this episode to you. Because in it, I’m going to share with you some really fantastic news if you’re designing, building or renovating your future home, and share with you some great insight into what will ultimately create that feel-good home you can’t wait to live in. SHOW NOTES: Since I started Undercover Architect in mid 2014, I’ve been able to help thousands and thousands through the website and this podcast.  In fact, the podcast is now at over 750,000 downloads, which is incredible.  And through Undercover Architect’s online programs, I’m directly helping, and have been able to personally help, over 1,600 homeowners with various aspects of designing, building and renovating their family homes. I’m always looking for what creates true enjoyment and success in residential projects. Whatever the scale or size, budget or location, what is it that really matters and makes not only the experience of building and renovating an enjoyable one, but that also creates a fantastic, feel-good, family home at the end of that journey. I’ve come to realise that it comes down to four key ideas. There’s 4 things that make designing, building and renovating your family home do-able, enjoyable, worthwhile, and save you time, money and stress along the way. Before I dive into these 4 things, these 4 key ideas, I want to briefly mention my exciting news - and be sure to stay tuned until the end of this episode, because I’ll share more detail. So what is this exciting news? Well, it’s this. We’ve made some big changes to how you can work with me more closely in your new build or renovation project. Announcing, The HOME Method. (Head here to learn more >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/) The HOME Method is available to join now, and it offers incredible value for you to get such comprehensive support and help in your project.  As well as accessing these much-loved online programs, I’ve also increased our Q & A’s to fortnightly so I can provide more regular help and input to member’s projects.  And you still get access to our great member benefits as well. So, if you’d like to learn more and join us, then head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ for more information. Ok, so I’m going to dive into these 4 things, these 4 key ideas that improve your project experience, and the type of home you create. And I’m going to take you through them one-by-one. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-the-home-method   To learn more about The HOME Method, head here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a special episode where I’ll be sharing how to choose the right builder and some of the mistakes I see homeowners make when it comes to selecting the builder for their new home or renovation project. SHOW NOTES: Before we jump into the episode, I want to mention a mini-course that I created a little while ago and have been super excited to see well over 100 beautiful people jump into already. It’s called ‘Choose Your Builder’, and it’s designed to give you actionable and practical information so you can be more confident when researching, interviewing and selecting your builder.  (Head here to learn more >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder/) Inside, you’ll find my video workshop, “The 5C’s to Choosing Your Builder” where I give you a simple framework to remember and use as you’re looking for, and speaking with builders - plus I outline all the right questions to ask. I also have a series of short videos outlining the common mistakes many homeowners make when choosing a builder, and working with them in their project - so you can totally avoid these in yours. There’s also some helpful resources curated for your builder checks, and a PDF download you can use to interview your builder, and remember all the questions I want you to ask them … because this is how you get the answers you need to make an informed decision. And, when I created this program, I ran it live and we had one of the most epic Q & A sessions that went for 90 minutes … and that’s also included in the mini-course. We covered so much ground, so many varying topics in that Q & A, your questions are bound to be answered in there too. All of this is packaged up and ready to dive into, and move through at your own pace, and make it super easy to get informed, plus the resources you need to make a confident decision about your builder. Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder/ to join now. A fair few weeks ago, I posted a question in my instagram stories. It said: “What makes you nervous about selecting a builder?” It was great to see the responses I received, and they were all very common nerves that I’ve heard from homeowners many, many times before. They included worries such as: Unexpected costs  Whether they’ll be there for the entire project Integrity of the company Transparency Being ripped off The builder claiming to be able to build just to win the job That their workmanship will not be of a good standard Plus lots more along similar lines. And really a lot of these nerves boil down to this: Can I trust this builder? Can I trust them to do a good job of building my home, to do what they say they’ll do, to be honest and have integrity in the way they run their business, build my home and the way they take care of me? So, I want to share with you 3 really useful things to remember when you’re choosing your builder so you can find one you can trust, and then work with them really well in your project.  And don’t forget, if you want to dive into this in much more detail, then the ‘Choose Your Builder’ mini-course is a great way to do that. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-how-to-choose-the-right-builder To learn more about my Choose Your Builder mini-course, head here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! I’m back with Part 2 and more of my recap of the Australian Bushfire Building Conference.  There was a consistent theme to the conference about the role you as a homeowner, living in your home, can do to ensure its bushfire resistance - that can actually have a more significant impact than its construction. Something that’s not just about its construction.  So in this episode, I’ll be talking about that. Let’s dive in (and check resources for more helpful links and the transcript to this episode). SHOW NOTES: In my research for this ‘Rebuild + Build Better’ season, I saw a lot of examples where properties were only saved because someone had been there to defend them.  There was a vivid example from the recent fires where a woman returned with her family to find her home was still intact - and she was shocked because so many others were lost. As she surveyed her home, she found an area of charring on the back of the property, up the rear wall, but that was the extent of damage.  Later, she crossed paths with a volunteer who had stayed and walked the streets with other volunteers to help defend from the fires. And this volunteer, on finding out where this woman lived, said that she had seen flames ignite the home, but she’d been able to put them out before they took hold of the home.  When I attended the Australian Bushfire Building Conference in September, I was really interested to hear a lot of discussion about this topic: focussing on the importance of defence in any bushfire building strategy.    In the last episode, I shared a lot of the information that was focussed on what we can do in regards to designing and building for bushfire prone sites, or in bushfire prone areas.  In this episode, I want to take you through what was discussed in regards to active defence, and its role in protecting your property and home in the event of bushfire - or any fire for that matter.  So, let’s hear more. Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channel for video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-rebuild-australian-bushfire-building-conference-part-2  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! It’s been an amazing season on the podcast so far, and it’s been great to hear from those of you who have found this information helpful.  And thanks to those of you who have been reviewing the podcast so it can reach more people, and also sharing this resource with others who need to hear it. I’m so, so grateful that you’re getting this podcast out there, and to know that homeowners all over are learning how to Get it Right with Undercover Architect. In mid September, I attended the Australian Bushfire Building Conference. Held in the Blue Mountains, they opened it up to virtual attendance, which was fantastic. It was 2 days of incredible speakers, so many insights shared, and such great info, that I wanted to share it here on the podcast as well.  In this episode and the next, I’m going to be sharing the highlights and big takeaways from the Conference. There’s something here for everyone, so, let’s dive in (and check resources for more helpful links and the transcript to this episode). SHOW NOTES: This conference I wanted to talk about in this episode is called The Australian Bushfire Building Conference … and I was grateful to be able to hear from so many speakers from all around Australia at this event.  The Blue Mountains is, as cited during the conference, the most bushfire prone area in Australia for properties - with 73% of properties on bushfire prone land.  The speakers were largely from NSW, with other speakers presenting virtually from other locations around Australia. They covered a huge range of topics - and had a huge amount of experience in this area. The Conference was … heavy.  I think with the year that 2020 has been, the immediacy of just what so many went through during those Black Summer fires, and have endured in the past fire events as well, may seem like a distant memory for many of us.  It was quite confronting to be reminded of the intensity, the scale and the sheer destruction those fires caused, and what fire fighters, volunteers, and local communities were and are dealing with in facing those fires, and on their recovery paths now. I thought it would be worthwhile to take you through the highlights and big learnings for me, the big a-ha’s I felt would be relevant to anyone who is rebuilding, or wanting to build a better, more resilient and bushfire resistant home. Speakers that I share on this podcast include: Commissioner Rob Rodgers Shane Fitzsimmons (Resilience NSW) Justin Leonard, CSIRO Dr James Davidson and Clive Ba-Pe, JDA Co. Sam Vivas, Viva Living Homes So, let’s hear more. Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channel for video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-rebuild-australian-bushfire-building-conference-part-1  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! It’s the last part of my conversation with David Keane from Solve My Claim, in what’s been an amazing interview (over 5 episodes) full of such helpful information and insights into home and contents insurance, insurance claims, and how to ensure you’re protected when you need to be. Solve my Claim provides expert support and assistance to anyone struggling with their insurance claims.  And it’s been fantastic to hear members of the UA Community have been getting in touch with Solve My Claim to get the help they need - and have been sharing this incredible information with others as well. David has more great information to share in this episode. So, let’s dive in (and check resources for more helpful links and the transcript to this episode). SHOW NOTES: Solve My Claim exists to provide expert guidance, to help you navigate through claims disputes and problems that can be difficult to resolve. They provide an extraordinary service to people who can often feel so worn and lonely.  First they’ve often been through a traumatic experience that’s resulted in significant loss or damage to their home and belongings. And then they’ve had to battle their insurance company to get the money they thought they were due, to help them get back on their feet.  I know from personal experience, it’s a harrowing experience, and you can feel like all the insurance company is doing is trying to wear you down so you settle for what they’re offering.  Solve My Claim does such important work in being in your corner, and providing you with the expertise and support you need to argue your case in the necessary language and parameters required, so you can get what you’re owed. So, let’s hear more. Be sure to subscribe to this season, and also head to Undercover Architect’s YouTube Channel (can you link that to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1yGH5xSdvyYipHiSvPfbxw for video interviews. All interview transcripts are available at www.undercoverarchitect.com/rebuild LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For resources mentioned, and a full transcript of this episode, head to >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-rebuild-current-home-insurance-solve-my-claim-part-2  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.