Whether it’s to update or repair an older home, adding personality or adding value through professionally guided improvements, here is a selection of skilled experts who can help take your home from drab to fab.

Turning a house into a home can be an exciting milestone for anyone, but it always makes sense to bring in professional help to get the best results. 

Ozi says safety and customer satisfaction come first

Showcasing expert electrical services, Konnex Electrical owner Ozi Hempstead says they have more than 17 years of experience.

“From safety upgrades, switchboard replacements and gas electrical appliance conversions to energy-efficient lighting and home automation lighting solutions, we’re known for our commitment to safety, quality workmanship and genuine customer care,” says Ozi.

With safety and customer satisfaction at the heart of everything they do, Ozi says whether it’s a small repair or a large installation, they ensure transparent pricing, top-tier workmanship and exceptional service, every time.

“What sets us apart is our deep understanding of homeowners’ needs – whether it’s making homes safer, improving energy efficiency or future-proofing with smart technology,” she says.

Ozi says her team is passionate about safety innovations such as surge protection and switchboard updates to meet today’s electrical standards.

“Electrical work is often overlooked in renovations, but it’s a crucial part of making a home safe, efficient and future ready,” she says.

“With rising energy costs, we highlight energy-efficient solutions that help homeowners cut costs without sacrificing comfort.

“Come chat with our experienced team about their electrical needs, get free expert advice and book an obligation-free quote.”

Konnex Electrical. Contact info@konnexelectrical.com or call 0413 465 947.

Premium home and decor store at affordable prices

European Masters has opened its doors in Hughes.

“We are a premium home and decor store committed to providing affordable and beautiful items,” says owner Andre Vlcek.

Initially established in Melbourne in 2021 as an online-only store, Andre says he was inspired to begin his own business after struggling to find pieces to put in his new apartment with his partner.

“We wanted beautiful things to go in our brand new apartment,” he says.

“But everything was so expensive and we just weren’t satisfied with the wait times and their accompanying price, so we opened up our own place.

“We created European Masters to give every Australian business, interior designer and homemaker access to affordable home-decor masterpieces, based on the designs we found.”

Offering sourced pieces ranging from table lamps to framed artwork, Andre says they are proud to stock pieces that are beautiful and affordable, instantly elevating the look and value of a space.

“We don’t do cheap, we do affordable,” he says.

Also offering custom services, Andre says they can do pieces for businesses, including logos and designs.

“We can even do framed family or pet photos,” he says.

Specialising in reworked art, Andre says it is easy to take a piece of Dali or Van Gogh home.

European Masters. 1A Hughes Place, Hughes. Call 0450 427470 or visit european-masters.A.com

The go-to specialists for plant hire

Living Simply is Canberra’s go-to specialist for plant hire in venues and events, says director Graham Holbrook.

Offering plant rentals for pre-property sales, weddings and special events, Graham says adding a fresh touch of greenery can enhance any space and, with a track record of all houses they’ve styled selling, he says it’s a great way to improve a home before listing.

Already looking ahead to spring, Graham says they need to start clearing out their older plants to make room for their incoming stock.

“We are currently running a winter sale for up to 50 per cent off last season’s plants,” he says.

“These are potted plants that are more than 12 months old and are ready to go into the ground.”

With plants to suit balconies and courtyard’s, Graham says their true specialty lies in indoor plants, with a large collection available to rent.

Working closely with property stylists, Living Simply provides the full styling service on the day of the event, with the team meticulously caring for the plants before, during and after the event to ensure they look just right.

Graham says they also provide a sourcing service for any plants they may not have in stock.

Living Simply. 10 Beltana Road, Pialligo. Call 6249 1552 or visit livingsimply.com.au

Pride and commitment to premium products

Offering a wide range of shower screens, sliding wardrobe doors, retractable screens, mirrors, splashback and an authorised Crimsafe licence, Monaro Screens general manager Ben Byatt says all pieces are custom made in their local warehouses.

“We pride ourselves in our commitment to premium products that come with a premium service,” he says.

“As a family owned and operated company, we value our clients and go out of our way to ensure they feel like they are being taken care of at every step of the way, and want each and every client to experience the Monaro difference.”

Offering a free measure and quote service where the team walks clients through options and advice, Ben also recommends customers visit their modern showroom to ensure they feel confident in their product choice.

“High-quality work is extremely important to our team,” he says.

“We have built a great brand within Canberra and the surrounding regions based on quality work and quality service.

“We like to ensure all of our products would be suitable in our homes and we would be happy with them before we offer them to the public.”

Ben says they treat their clients how they would like to be treated with their own home improvements.

“Quality product and service is something we strive to provide to every client,” he says.

Monaro Screens. 4/75 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Call 6239 2664 or visit monaroscreens.com.au

New move, but no shortage of quality furniture

With more than 25 years of experience in picking out furniture, Ex-Government Furniture co-owner James Fullerton says they continue to stock a large range of furniture from all prices and levels of quality.

“We get new furniture every week, so there is never a shortage of pieces,” he says.

With a recent move to their new location at 26 Molonglo Mall in Fyshwick, just off the Shell service station roundabout, James says they have a large range of sale-priced furniture as they make room for incoming stock.

“Come grab a bargain,” says James.

Under the watchful eye of their “pats and snacks operations manager” Tilly, James and co-owner Taylor Radnell say their new move has seen a surge in storage options.

“We have a large range of metal storage units available and will have a huge selection of bookcases enter the store next week,” he says.

From entry level to top-level pieces, James says they have furniture spanning 100 years.

“We’ve got pieces from 1879 all the way to this year,” he says.

“It keeps it interesting to see the different types of stock we have in store.”

Ex-Government Furniture, 26 Molonglo Mall, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6490 or visit exgovfurniture.com, facebook at exgovfurniture or on instagram at exgovfurniture

Long line of motivated landscaping experts

A long line of family experience in the industry has allowed Earth Moving Creations to develop innovative techniques that make construction projects less complex, said director Blake Scerri.

“Earthmoving Creations have over 150 years of combined experience in the local, civil and landscaping industry, so we can guarantee quality, reliability and professionalism,” he said.

“We are a passionate and motivated team that can help you with any job regardless of how big or small.”

With services in bulk excavation, swift site clearing, detail excavation, civil construction, concreting and more, Blake said all jobs were run in order to provide the client with quality workmanship and ensure a safe standard.

Earth Moving Creations also had an expanding fleet of heavy earthmoving equipment available for hire.

“From truck and dog to excavator and bobcat hire we have something to help with your project,” said Blake.

“We also provide top-quality landscaping construction services at affordable prices.”

Blake said that Earth Moving Creations was dedicated to achieving the best results for clients, and carrying out thorough quality assessments at every stage of the process, from design input to execution.

Earth Moving Creations, Paterson Parade, Queanbeyan West. Call 5154 9999 or 0439 733044 or visit earthmovingcreations.com.au

Making home renovations smooth and stress free

Helping homeowners transform their properties with high-quality renovations, Renovation Matters owner, Kim Persson, says they manage the process from start to finish, making it a smooth, efficient and stress-free process.

A trusted leader in “renovate-to-sell” projects, Kim and her team have helped more than 50 homeowners boost their sale price and have completed more than 100 successful renovations.

“We genuinely care about getting it right,” she says.

“We treat your home as if it were our own, communicate openly, pay our trades on time to ensure loyalty and high-quality work, and manage the entire operation with integrity, reliability and experience.

“We’re here to bring your vision to life, on time, on budget and with heart.”

Doing more than just renovations, Kim says they are with clients every step of the way, from planning and budgeting to the final reveal.

“We’ve built strong relationships with some of Canberra’s best trades and suppliers, ensuring you receive excellent relationships,” she says.

Kim says her favourite part is the transformation of a home.

“Whether it’s helping someone fall back in love with where they live or turning a tired property into a beautiful swan ready for sale, it’s incredibly rewarding,” she says.

“I genuinely love what I do and feel privileged to work with some of Canberra’s most skilled and dedicated tradespeople.

“When you choose us, you’re choosing a team that values quality, trust and heart.”

Renovation Matters. Call 0427 696662, or visit renovationmatters.com.au

Practical solutions for every bathroom and budget

In the realm of bathroom repairs, one size rarely fits all and Re-Seal Bathrooms understands this better than most, says business owner Brad McIntosh.

As a family-run business serving Canberra and Queanbeyan for more than 17 years, they offer tailored solutions that respect the challenges of each bathroom and the budget constraints of their clients.

“We’re not here to push a full renovation when a simple fix will do, nor do we suggest a quick reseal when the problem runs deeper,” says Brad.

“Our goal is to provide honest assessments and effective solutions.”

Re-seal Bathrooms specialise in addressing common issues such as leaking showers, mould growth and loose tiles.

Utilising state-of-the-art leak detection and re-sealing techniques, they can often resolve shower leaks without the need to remove tiles, saving clients both time and money.

Their services extend beyond simple repairs, Brad says Re-seal Bathrooms approaches each project with meticulous attention to detail.

“We understand that every bathroom has its own set of challenges and tailor our services accordingly,” he says.

In cases where matching existing tiles isn’t feasible, he says they offer practical alternatives.

Re-seal Bathrooms also offers a free on-site inspection service to determine the best solution for your bathroom.

“For those seeking reliable bathroom repair services that prioritise practicality and customer satisfaction, Re-seal Bathrooms stands out as a trustworthy choice,” says Brad.

Re-seal Bathrooms, 3/80 Newcastle Street, Fyshwick. Call 6176 0026, or visit reseal.com.au

Sustainable and custom joinery services

“The kitchen really is the heart of the home and when you have a kitchen that is not only functional but is really beautiful to look at, it’s a great joy,” said Robyn Monteleone, partner at Select Custom Joinery.

Operating since 2000, Select Custom Joinery specialised in creating sustainable kitchens and joinery, she said.

“We are a niche business, we specialise in using timber and other solid materials,” she said.

Their commitment went beyond just using sustainable materials though, and Robyn said they always thought about longevity, with everything they designed meant to last for a long time.

Robyn’s husband Gino Monteleone, the primary cabinet maker and partner of the business, trained as a furniture maker.

“He trained in high furniture, and building kitchens and things out of solid timber, it is in a sense creating pieces of furniture that people will love for many years to come,” she said.

“We aim to create things that are customised for each client’s lifestyle and personality and we often like to have a feature in each person’s home that is unique to them.

“The satisfaction that clients ultimately get something that really suits their lifestyle and them, and something they’re really proud of and really enjoy using is the most rewarding thing.

“We are only a small team, so it is by appointment.”

Select Custom Joinery. 1182 Wallaroo Road, Hall. Call 6230 9414 or visit selectcustomjoinery.com.au

John’s got a cost-efficient way to home improvements

Upgrading or improving a home shouldn’t have to be an expensive adventure, says store-owner John Rivers.

“At Handyman’s Trading Post, people can find a great range of new, factory used and used parts, and pieces at half the price,” he says.

Now settling into their new location on Newcastle Street, Fyshwick, John says they are excited to again be providing affordable tools and items for home-improvement projects.

“I recommend people have a rough idea of what they are after before they start searching,” he says.

“Planning ahead will allow us to cater to your needs.”

With a request service, John says it is easier than ever for their organisation to source quality pieces to fit any home.

“We can also buy old windows, doors and other materials off people, which can help with the overall budgets of their projects,” he says.

With a large range of doors and windows available, John says they have pieces that will elevate any space or provide a level of comfort and charm to newer places.

“For more than 42 years, Handyman’s Trading Post has supplied Canberrans with quality and affordable home and commercial building materials,” says John.

Handyman’s Trading Post. 167 Newcastle Street, Fyshwick, call 6280 4036. On facebook.com/p/Handymans-Trading-Post or Instagram at htpcanberra

Frank likes to keep his customers satisfied

ACT Carpet & Floor Cleaners services include carpet, tile and grout cleaning, flood restoration as well as upholstery cleaning and protection.

“We are one of the very few certified carpet cleaning companies in Canberra,” says director Frank Bartorilla.

“Doing the job well and making sure our customers are satisfied is our number one priority.

“We service all of the ACT as well as surrounding areas and pride ourselves on meeting important hygiene standards and providing a respectful service.”

Frank says he’s been in the industry for nine years.

ACT Carpet & Floor Cleaners has more than 150 five-star Google rated reviews and Frank says providing quality services to the community is a passion.

In promoting their services ACT Carpet & Floor Cleaners gives out a bottle of stain remover and free top ups with every job.

“For carpet cleaning, people can go online and get an instant quote,” he says.

“They don’t have to ring us up or anything, they just need to provide the number of rooms they want cleaned, advise if it includes the hallways and the stairs etcetera and our online calculator will give you a quote, it’s simple and it’s accurate.”

Frank says their online booking is a quick and easy process to navigate.

“Our team is very accommodating to meet our customers’ needs,” he says. “Customer service is our number one priority.”

ACT Carpet & Floor Cleaners, call 0438 449999, or visit actcarpetcleaners.com

 

Like a one-percenter, Mitch does little things right

No two Canberra gardens are alike to Realityscapes Canberra owner Mitch Tilbrook.

Understanding the importance of reflecting individual style in a client’s garden, Mitch says he and his team work closely with clients to tailor their services at each location.

He ensures every garden is a well-maintained haven that resonates with the taste and lifestyle of
its owner. And a thriving garden requires ongoing care.

“Our maintenance services cover everything from regular mowing, pruning and weeding, to seasonal adjustments,” he says.

“This ensures your garden remains a vibrant masterpiece throughout the year.”

“A great lawn can be the showpiece of your home, and we treat it as such.”

Ultimately, Mitch says the goal is always to display fine craftsmanship, ensuring they have their client and community’s heart at the forefront of their work.

“Like the ‘one percenters’, I like to do the little things right by focusing on attention to detail and making sure the customer’s home and garden sparkles when we leave, making sure the little things like weeds and leaves or dirt are all removed,” he says.

“After all, your garden should be your happy place

“Most of all, you’ll receive service with a smile.”

Realityscapes is fully insured and has Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) accreditation.

Realityscapes Canberra. Tench Street, Kingston. Call 0415 174 668 or visit realityscapes.com.au