W.Gibbs and Son Building Contractors

W.Gibbs and Son Building Contractors W.Gibbs and Son are registered builders in the town of Northam and districts. Specializing in all aspects of building work including commercial work.

Family Building Company servicing the Wheatbelt and surrounds. Quality workmanship and professionalism from generations of Registered Builders.

🏡 WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION?Following on from our posts about Planning Approval and Building Permits, today we’r...
24/08/2026

🏡 WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION?

Following on from our posts about Planning Approval and Building Permits, today we’re looking at another term you may come across when planning a project — a Development Application (DA).

A Development Application is generally used to seek approval for a proposed development or change of use of a property where planning approval is required.

Depending on the project, a DA may involve the Shire assessing things such as:

🔹 The proposed use of the property
🔹 Site layout and setbacks
🔹 Building height and scale
🔹 Parking and access
🔹 The impact on neighbouring properties
🔹 Landscaping and streetscape
🔹 Local planning requirements and policies

A DA is not the same as a Building Permit.

Put simply:

Planning approval looks at whether the proposed development is acceptable from a planning perspective.

A Building Permit deals with whether the building work can legally be constructed and meets the applicable building requirements.

Every project is different, and not every job will require a Development Application.

At W. Gibbs & Son, we can help you understand the approval pathway for your proposed project and work with the relevant designers, consultants and certifiers to help get things moving.

📍 Before you start building, make sure you know what approvals you need.

If you’re planning a renovation, extension, shed, new home or change of use around the Northam area, we’re happy to have a chat.

16/08/2026

🏗️ WHAT IS A BUILDING PERMIT?

Following on from our recent post about Planning Approval, today we’re looking at the next important step — the Building Permit.

A Building Permit is approval to actually carry out building work. It confirms that the proposed construction has been assessed against the applicable building requirements, including the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards.

Depending on the project, a Building Permit may be required for:

🔹 New homes and extensions
🔹 Renovations and structural alterations
🔹 Sheds and outbuildings
🔹 Structural modifications
🔹 Certain decks, patios and other structures
🔹 Significant building work

The Building Permit process generally involves having the appropriate plans, specifications and supporting documentation prepared and assessed before construction can commence.

And remember — a Planning Approval and a Building Permit are not the same thing.

You may require Planning Approval from the Shire of Northam as well as a Building Permit for your project, depending on the type and location of the proposed works.

At W. Gibbs & Son, we can help you understand what approvals may be required and coordinate with designers, engineers and building surveyors to help get your project ready for construction.

📍 Get the paperwork right before you start building.

Stay tuned for our next post where we’ll look at Development Applications — what they are and how they fit into the approval process.

🏡 WHAT IS PLANNING APPROVAL?If you’re thinking about building, renovating, extending or changing the use of a property, ...
09/08/2026

🏡 WHAT IS PLANNING APPROVAL?

If you’re thinking about building, renovating, extending or changing the use of a property, you may need Planning Approval before you can get started.

Planning Approval is essentially the Shire’s way of assessing a proposed development against the relevant planning requirements, zoning and local planning policies.

Depending on your project, planning approval may be required for things such as:

🔹 New buildings or extensions
🔹 Changes to the use of a property
🔹 Sheds and outbuildings
🔹 Commercial developments
🔹 Certain alterations or additions
🔹 Developments that may impact neighbouring properties

One important thing to remember:

Planning Approval isn’t the same thing as a Building Permit.

They are separate parts of the approval process, and depending on what you’re proposing to do, you may require one or both before work can commence.

At W. Gibbs & Son, we can help you work through the process and identify what approvals may be required for your project.

📍 Getting the approvals right at the start can save plenty of time, money and headaches later.

Stay tuned for our next post where we’ll explain Building Permits — what they are and when you need one.

✨ A simple kitchen refresh can make a world of difference! ✨This recent project proves that you don’t always need a comp...
06/07/2026

✨ A simple kitchen refresh can make a world of difference! ✨

This recent project proves that you don’t always need a complete kitchen renovation to achieve a fresh, modern look.

For this client, we:
🔹 Removed the old red acrylic and stainless steel splashbacks.
🔹 Supplied and installed a new custom toughened glass splashback, giving the kitchen a clean, modern finish.
🔹 Modified the existing cabinetry to accommodate a larger freestanding oven, creating a more practical and functional cooking space.

To ensure everything was completed safely and to a high standard, we worked alongside trusted local trades for all the electrical and gas alterations.

The result is a kitchen that feels brighter, more functional, and ready for many more years of everyday use—all without the cost of a complete replacement.

Swipe across to see the before and after transformation!

Thinking about updating your kitchen? Sometimes a few well-planned improvements can completely transform the space.

📞 Get in touch with W. Gibbs & Son to discuss your next renovation project.

💧 WHY WET AREA WATERPROOFING MATTERS 💧Your bathroom, laundry, and other wet areas cop water every single day — and what’...
05/07/2026

💧 WHY WET AREA WATERPROOFING MATTERS 💧
Your bathroom, laundry, and other wet areas cop water every single day — and what’s happening behind the tiles matters just as much as what you see on the surface.
Without proper waterproofing:
🚫 Water seeps into walls and floors
🚫 Timber frames and slabs can rot or crack
🚫 Mould and mildew take hold (hello, health issues!)
🚫 Repairs down the track cost WAY more than doing it right the first time
At W.Gibbs and Son, every wet area we waterproof is installed to AS 3740 — the Australian Standard for waterproofing domestic wet areas. That means:
✅ Membranes and materials that meet the required standard
✅ Correct coverage and heights in showers, baths, and laundries
✅ Proper falls to floor wastes so water goes where it should
✅ A home that’s protected for decades, not just years
✅ Full compliance for building approvals and peace of mind
✅ Puddle flanges to drains are installed.
✅Water stops are installed.

Waterproofing isn’t the exciting part of a renovation — nobody Pins it to their mood board. But it’s the difference between a bathroom that lasts a lifetime and one that costs you thousands in hidden repairs.
If you’re renovating or building, don’t let this step get skipped or rushed. W. Gibbs and Son has you covered. 👷‍♂️
📞 Get in touch today for a free chat about protecting your wet areas the right way.
. Gibbs And Son

28/06/2026

💡 Quote vs Estimate – What’s the Difference?

These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things.

✅ Quote = A fixed price for a clearly defined scope of work. Once accepted, the price generally won’t change unless the scope of work changes.

✅ Estimate = An educated approximation of what the work is likely to cost. It’s provided when there are unknowns, and the final cost may vary depending on what is found during the job.

In simple terms:
📌 Quote = Fixed price
📌 Estimate = Best guess

Understanding the difference helps set clear expectations and avoids surprises for everyone involved.

30/05/2026

BUILDING CONTRACTS!

Why Use a Building Contract?

A building contract isn’t just paperwork—it’s protection for both the homeowner and the builder.

A good contract clearly outlines:
✔ Scope of works
✔ Specifications and inclusions
✔ Payment schedules
✔ Construction timeframes
✔ Variation procedures
✔ Responsibilities of all parties

Building projects involve significant financial commitments, and a written contract helps ensure everyone understands exactly what has been agreed before work begins.

No surprises. No assumptions. Just clear expectations from the outset.

Always ensure your contract complies with current WA building legislation and suits the type of work being undertaken.

24/05/2026

People have been asking what makes for a good building contractor.

It’s not just about the finished product — it’s about the process, communication and professionalism from start to finish.

A good contractor should:
✔️ Be properly licensed and insured
✔️ Communicate clearly and honestly
✔️ Provide detailed quotes and written contracts
✔️ Understand local building requirements and permits
✔️ Use qualified trades and quality materials
✔️ Turn up when they say they will
✔️ Stand behind their workmanship

Whether it’s a bathroom renovation, extension or new build, quality work should be compliant, well managed and built to last.

Price matters — but reliability, experience and accountability matter just as much.

Supporting local, reputable contractors helps maintain quality standards within our community and gives homeowners confidence throughout the building process.

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25/04/2026

Lest we forget.

We are still on the lookout for a suitable carpentry tradesman. If you are up to the challenge and are looking for chang...
13/02/2026

We are still on the lookout for a suitable carpentry tradesman. If you are up to the challenge and are looking for change give us a call today!

Address

41 Old York Road
Northam, WA
6401

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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