Yes. Webster Building proudly services Shellharbour, Kiama, Albion Park, Albion Park Rail, Dapto, Wollongong, Bulli, and surrounding areas throughout the Illawarra. If you're located a little further away, feel free to get in touch—we're happy to discuss your project.
Yes. Webster Building is fully licensed and insured, giving you peace of mind that your project is completed safely and professionally.
It depends on the type and size of your project. Some work, such as certain decks, pergolas, fences, or structural renovations, may require council approval, while smaller projects often don't. If approval is needed, we'll point you in the right direction and help you understand the requirements.
Absolutely. We've built strong relationships with trusted local electricians, plumbers, painters, plasterers, tilers, and other trades. If your project requires additional specialists, we're happy to recommend reliable professionals we've worked with before.
Lead times vary throughout the year. The best way to secure a spot is to get in touch early, especially if you're planning a larger project.
In many cases, yes. We can often provide an initial estimate from plans, photos, or measurements. For a detailed quote, we'll usually arrange a site visit to assess the space.
Yes, we offer free, no-obligation quotes. In many cases, we can give you a preliminary estimate using photos and measurements you provide online, followed by a full on-site consultation to finalise pricing.
For standard projects, a small deposit is standard practice to secure your booking on our construction calendar and cover initial material orders. Under the NSW Home Building Act, deposits are capped at 10% for residential building work, and all deposit terms are clearly stated in your contract before any payment is made.
Once you're ready to proceed, we'll schedule your project, confirm the timeline, organise any required materials, and keep you updated throughout the process so you know what to expect.
We source and supply all high-quality materials required for the job using our trusted local supplier network. However, if you have already purchased specific fixtures, tiles, or fireplaces, we are happy to work with owner-supplied items as long as they meet Australian standards.
We'll let you know if there's anything specific to prepare before we arrive. In most cases, simply clearing the work area and ensuring we have easy access is all that's needed.
Not necessarily. As long as we have clear site access, power, and water available, many of our clients are at work while construction takes place. We keep open communication via daily phone updates, photos, and messages so you always know how your project is progressing.
Absolutely. We are experienced in reading architectural drafts and engineering plans. We can work directly from your existing designs or collaborate with your designer to ensure practical buildability and accurate budgeting.
Timelines depend on the scale and complexity of the project. Smaller jobs like door repairs or fireplace installations usually take 1 to 2 days, while custom decks, pergolas, or timber flooring updates can range from a few days to two weeks. We provide a clear timeframe before starting work.
All our work is backable under NSW Fair Trading statutory warranties, offering 6 years for major structural defects and 2 years for general building work. Additionally, all manufacturer warranties on items like composite decking, fireplace units, timber flooring, or Colorbond fencing are fully passed on to you.
Fireplaces
Costs vary depending on the type of fireplace, the complexity of the installation, and any custom surrounds or mantels involved. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your space.
Yes. We hold Australian Home Heating Association (AHHA) certification. This guarantees your wood or electric fireplace installation complies strictly with Australian Standards (AS/NZS 2918) for safety, clearances, and structural integrity.
It depends on the type of fireplace and your home. Some installations fall under exempt development, while others may require council approval. We can help guide you through what's needed before work begins.
Placement depends on clearances to combustible materials, flue routing, and ventilation requirements. We'll assess your space and recommend the safest, most effective location for your fireplace.
Yes. Modern electric and zero-clearance wood fireplaces can be safely installed in homes without an existing brick chimney. We build custom timber framing, heat-shielded enclosures, and feature walls with appropriate flue systems to suit almost any interior room.
We'll walk you through how to safely operate and maintain your new fireplace. Keep an eye on wear and tear over time, and reach out if you ever notice damaged glass, firebricks, or fittings.
Most fireplace installations take one to a few days depending on the complexity, whether custom surrounds or feature walls are involved, and any lead time for materials.
Yes, think of a hearth as your floor's insurance policy. It's a non-combustible base (usually stone, concrete, tiles, or slate) that the fireplace sits on. Its job is to shield your beautiful timber floors or carpets from the extreme heat radiating downward, and to catch any rogue stray sparks or ash when you open the door to reload a log.
We treat your home like our own, using drop sheets and dust extraction to keep cleanup to an absolute minimum.
Surprisingly, bigger isn't always better! If you buy a massive heater for a small space, it will cook you out of the room. You'll end up turning the air vents down to stop sweating, which actually starves the fire of oxygen, makes the glass go completely black, and causes the flue to clog up with soot. We recommend looking at your room's square footage, ceiling height, and insulation to pick the perfect "sweet spot."
Stick to seasoned Australian hardwoods like Ironbark, Box, or Red Gum. "Seasoned" just means the wood has been split and left to dry out under a roof for at least a year. Avoid softwoods like pine (they spit sparks and burn way too fast) and never burn painted timber, old pallets, or treated fencing panels, as they release nasty chemicals.
Every heater model has tested safety clearances specified by the manufacturer to prevent surrounding walls and furniture from overheating. As AHHA-certified installers, we ensure all side, rear, and corner clearances strictly meet Australian Standard AS/NZS 2918. We'll let you know if your desired location is compliant.
Yes, we work with both Colorbond metal roofs and terracotta/concrete tiled roofs. We use specialised, weather-proof flashing kits (like DekTite or lead flanged flashings) and high-temp silicones to ensure the penetration through your roof is 100% watertight and storm-proof.
Ninety percent of the time, black glass is caused by burning wood that is still a bit green or damp. The fire spends all its energy boiling off the water in the wood rather than burning hot, creating dirty, sticky smoke that bakes onto the glass. Burning hot, dry hardwood and keeping your air vents open will usually burn that black soot right off!
Freestanding heaters sit out in the open on a hearth, radiating heat from all sides—making them great for heating larger, open-plan spaces efficiently. Inset or built-in fireplaces are recessed into a wall or custom stud frame, offering a sleek, flush look that's ideal for modern feature walls with integrated TVs and hidden cabling.
On the very first burn of the season, dust that gathered on top of the firebox and inside the flue over summer burns off, creating a faint smell. On a brand-new fireplace, the high-temperature metallic paint also needs one or two hot burns to fully cure, which produces a temporary chemical smell. Just open a window or door for the first hour and it will clear right up!
Yes! Traditional open brick fireplaces are notorious for sucking warm air out of the room up the chimney. We can install a modern, glass-fronted insert wood heater directly into your existing brick chimney opening, or re-frame the cavity to give you a massive boost in heating efficiency and a fresh look.
Flooring
The timeframe for flooring installation can vary depending on the size of the space, the type of flooring material, and any necessary preparation work. We can provide an estimated timeline during the consultation phase.
Absolutely! We offer no-obligation quotes for flooring installation projects. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and receive a personalised quote for your flooring needs.
We don't offer a fixed price per square metre. Every space is different, so we prefer to visit and assess your home in person. Pricing depends on the type of flooring you choose and whether any floor levelling or subfloor preparation is required.
Before flooring installation, please remove all furniture and items from the room that you can manage, ensure the subfloor is clean, and provide clear access to the installation area for our team. We'll handle the rest, including moving any heavy furniture, ensuring a smooth and efficient installation process.
A squeaky floor is usually caused by slight movement. If the subfloor underneath isn't perfectly flat, or if the flooring boards expand due to a sudden shift in weather, the boards can rub against each other or against the subfloor nails. When we install floors, we spend a lot of time prepping the subfloor to ensure it's dead flat and securely glued and nailed to prevent those annoying midnight squeaks.
Yes, but we can't just throw it right down. Concrete slabs hold moisture, which can ruin timber. We always apply a specialised moisture barrier over the concrete first. Depending on your home's layout, we will either install a plywood underlay first to nail the timber into, or use a high-bond acoustic glue system to adhere engineered boards straight to the slab.
Timber breathes. When the weather is humid, the wood absorbs moisture and swells; when the weather dries out (like in winter when you turn the heater on), the wood shrinks. A tiny bit of gapping during dry seasons is completely normal for solid timber. We leave hidden "expansion gaps" around the perimeter of the room underneath your skirting boards to give the floor room to move safely without buckling.
If we are installing pre-finished engineered floors, you can walk on them almost immediately! However, if we are sanding and coating a solid timber floor on-site, you'll need a bit of patience. Depending on the type of sealant we use (water-based vs. polyurethane), you'll usually need to stay off the floors entirely for 24 to 48 hours, and wait a few days before dragging heavy furniture back into the room.
Decks & pergolas
It depends on the size, height, and location of the structure. Many smaller decks and pergolas fall under exempt or complying development, while larger or elevated structures may require council approval. We can help guide you through what's needed for your project.
Most decks and pergolas take one to three weeks to build, depending on the size, materials, and site conditions. We'll give you a clear timeframe as part of your quote.
Yes. We regularly build elevated decks and structures on sloping blocks, and can design a solution that works with the natural contours of your yard.
We work with both timber and composite decking, and can talk you through the pros and cons of each so you can choose the option that best suits your budget and maintenance preferences.
We get asked this all the time, and the answer is yes! It's a fantastic way to cover up old, cracked, or ugly concrete. We use a low-profile sub-frame system that anchors directly into the concrete, allowing us to lay beautiful new timber or composite right over the top without creating a massive step up into your house.
Ninety percent of the time, deck failure isn't actually the fault of the boards—it's a lack of ventilation underneath. If a deck is built too low to the dirt without proper airflow, moisture gets trapped underneath. The bottom of the board expands while the sun dries out the top, causing the wood to cup, warp, and pull the screws right out. We always engineer proper drainage and airflow into our sub-frames to stop this from happening.
To keep a natural timber deck looking brand new, you should give it a good clean and a fresh coat of quality deck oil once a year (or every 6 months if it sits in direct, harsh coastal sunlight). If you let it go, it will naturally weather to a soft, silvery-grey color. If maintenance sounds like a chore, composite decking is definitely your best bet!
Yes, but we need to know before we start building! A standard deck is engineered to hold the weight of people and casual outdoor furniture. A spa filled with water can easily weigh upwards of 2 tonnes, which will snap standard joists. If you want a spa or heavy stone outdoor kitchen, we simply beef up the sub-frame with extra stumps and heavier timber beams right under that specific spot to carry the load safely.
Fencing
Understanding local council regulations and building codes is essential when installing a fence. As a general rule, fences can be constructed without the need for any planning approval in the following cases: gates must not open outwards; on bushfire-prone land, fences must be constructed of non-combustible materials; side and rear boundary fences must not be higher than 1.8m; and fencing along the boundary of a primary or secondary road must not be higher than 1.2m. For more detailed requirements, we'd recommend checking the relevant NSW Government Planning fact sheet, or we're happy to talk it through with you.
Under NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) exempt development rules, standard side and rear boundary fences up to 1.8 metres high usually do not require council approval, provided they meet specific material and location guidelines. We can guide you on what applies to your property.
Absolutely! Whether you're replacing a section of an existing fence or installing a new one, we can match the style and colour to seamlessly integrate with your current fencing.
If your neighbour is hesitant to upgrade a shared fence, it's essential to have open communication and discuss the benefits of upgrading together. However, if you and your neighbour can't agree about fencing work, the law says you have to follow a set process. Either you or your neighbour can serve a Fencing Notice. If you still can't reach an agreement after a month has passed, you or your neighbour can apply to the Local Court or the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for Fencing Orders. For more information on your rights, we'd recommend checking the Legal Aid website, or feel free to ask us.
Uneven terrain or obstacles such as trees or rocks can present challenges during fence installation. Our team is skilled in overcoming these obstacles and can provide solutions to ensure a seamless and aesthetically pleasing fence installation.
Residential carpentry & repairs
We handle a wide range of smaller residential jobs, including door hanging and repairs, replacing skirting boards and architraves, repairing damaged weatherboards, timber framing modifications, installing decorative wall paneling (like VJ boards), and performing structural repairs for rot or termite damage.
Absolutely. We inspect the affected areas, safely prop or support any structural load, cut out the compromised timber, and replace it with treated, durable structural timber (such as H3 or H4 treated pine) to ensure long-term stability and code compliance.
Most general carpentry repairs, internal door replacements, skirtings, cladding repairs, and minor non-structural wall modifications fall under Exempt Development in NSW, meaning council approval is generally not required. However, for major load-bearing wall removals or structural additions, we can advise you on whether structural engineering sign-off is needed.
For defined projects (like installing skirtings for a whole house or replacing external cladding), we provide a clear, fixed-price quote. For smaller, unpredictable repair tasks, we offer transparent trade rates based on time and materials so you only pay for what your job actually requires.
Turnaround times depend on our current schedule and the scale of the job, but because small repair work and fix-outs require less lead time than major outdoor builds, we can often fit smaller projects and urgent repairs in between larger structural schedules. Reach out directly to discuss current availability.
Yes. Decorative wall panelling—including VJ feature walls, dado rails, and traditional wainscoting—is a great way to add character to living areas, hallways, and bedrooms. We ensure all panelling is precision-cut, level, and seamlessly integrated with your existing skirtings and trims.
