Insights

Longer-form thinking on architectural construction in Melbourne, organised into seven areas of client concern. Written by TCON, grounded in the work.

Contemporary bedroom with dark fluted curved wardrobe, blue carpet and figure in motion

Latest, July 2026

What is a negotiated tender, and when does it make sense?

A negotiated tender brings the builder in early to collaborate on price and program. When it works, when it does not, and how it compares to open tender.

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1 Jul 2026

What is a negotiated tender, and when does it make sense?

A negotiated tender is a construction procurement model. The client engages a single preferred builder during the design and documentation...

Architectural render of modern two-storey home with textured facade, pool and lush garden landscaping

9 Jun 2026

Why early builder involvement protects your budget

The largest budget surprises in residential construction happen because the builder was brought in too late. By the time the...

Two-storey brick and dark timber home exterior viewed from garden with pool and patio

14 May 2026

Why building costs have risen, and what it means for your build

Building costs rose sharply from 2021, and although the steepest increases have eased, costs have settled at a higher level...

Renovated heritage home with ornate iron fence, green lawn, and bay window facade

7 Apr 2026

Heritage overlays in Melbourne: what homeowners need to know

A heritage overlay is a planning control that protects places or precincts a council or the state has identified as...

Sleek laundry or butler's pantry with dark joinery, stone benchtop, and skylight

18 Mar 2026

How long does a heritage renovation take in Melbourne?

The honest answer is that it takes longer than most people expect, and the single largest variable is town planning...

Completed concrete basement structure before fitout, with clear spans and finished slab

10 Feb 2026

Planning a basement beneath your existing home

Adding a basement beneath an existing home is one of the most demanding scopes in residential construction. Done well, it...

Outdoor pool and spa with glass fencing, timber screen wall, and blue sky

13 Jan 2026

Cost-plus versus fixed price building contracts

Fixed price suits a scope that is fully resolved at signing. Cost-plus suits a scope that is still being resolved,...

Open-plan kitchen and dining with marble island, timber cabinetry, and courtyard views

2 Dec 2025

How to select the right architect in Melbourne

Choose the architect whose work matches your brief, not the one with the most striking portfolio. The fit between the...

Contemporary two-storey home with black vertical cladding and white rendered walls

11 Nov 2025

What to expect during the handover of a new home

Handover is the moment the home transfers from builder to client, and it is more than a key and a...

Modern open-plan kitchen with dark marble island, skylight, timber cabinetry and sheer curtains

7 Oct 2025

Home automation in a new build, what to settle early

The part of home automation that decides whether it works is settled before the walls close, not after you move...

Curved timber slat wall feature beside dark marble kitchen island with leather bar stools

16 Sep 2025

Battery storage in a new home, what to weigh up

A home battery is a building decision as much as an energy decision. Whether it earns its place depends on...

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Cost · Program · Contracts · Heritage · Basements · Architects · Handover

About Insights

Insights is the structured library of TCON’s longer-form writing. Where the rest of the site is structural, Insights is editorial: it is where the practical questions get answered properly. Cost, timing, procurement, heritage overlay work, basements, living through renovation, and handover.

Each article is written by TCON and grounded in delivered projects across Melbourne’s inner east. New pieces are published monthly.