You do the work. A local tradie handles the critical bits.
Most of an outdoor job is work you can do yourself. We match you with an experienced local tradie who comes on site for the parts that need expertise and compliance, and teaches you how to do the rest. Lower cost, a pro-quality result, finished on your timeline, and skills you keep for the next job.
- You do the labour, on your own timeline
- Your tradie does the critical, compliant parts and teaches you the rest, by the hour
- Outdoor Equity gives you the plan, materials list and approvals check
How handy are you?
Why we ask: so the advice fits you.
We start with a free snapshot of your yard. No sign-up needed, and you only pay when you book a tradie.
How a deck gets split
Example project
You
Most of the hours
- Clear and level the site
- Dig the post holes
- Lay and fix the boards
- Oil and finish, on your weekends
Your tradie
A few critical hours
- Set-out and footing check on site
- Shows you how, then checks your work
- Back for the tricky cuts
Outdoor Equity
Start to finish
- Step-by-step plan for your yard
- Materials list and member prices
- Flags what needs approval
You pay a pro for a few hours, not the whole job, and the critical work is still done right.
Illustration only. Your actual costs and hours depend on your project.
Step one · free · about 30 seconds
Every project starts with a snapshot of your yard
Before you lift a shovel, we read your lot from council and state data and the government aerial photo. You see what you'd otherwise have to ring council or a builder for, and your tradie arrives knowing your block.
Where you can build
Your easiest building zone after setbacks, and how much roof room you have left.
Ground and access
Which way the yard falls, and which side a digger or delivery can get down.
Rules that apply
Overlays, protected trees, fence and boundary rules, explained in plain English.
Your split of the job
What you can do yourself at your skill level, and the bits to book a tradie for.
What we found that the owner didn't know
From 9 council and state datasets, in about 30 seconds.
How it works
Three steps, in this order
- 01
See your yard
Free. Your lot, space, sun and the rules that apply, from your address.
- 02
Get your plan
Step-by-step instructions, a materials list and the steps that need a licensed pro or approval, flagged up front.
- 03
Book a pro for the critical bits
A licensed specialist sets out, checks or does the licensed part, by the hour. On site ($50 booking fee) or on video ($20), plus their rate.
Worked example
A deck, split the smart way
You
- Clear and level the site
- Hire the post-hole digger
- Lay the boards
- Oil and finish (weekends)
Your specialist
- A 1-hour on-site set-out and footing check
- Lays the first boards with you
- Comes back for the tricky cuts
You pay for about 3 hours of a pro's time instead of the whole job. Your actual costs depend on your project.
See the full deck exampleSkills that stay with you
Every project leaves you more capable
Our tradies don't just do the critical parts. They teach you how to do the rest on your own job. The skills you pick up on this project mean you need less of their time on the next one.
Your first project
Just starting out
Learn it alongside a pro
Your tradie shows you the set-out, the cuts and the fixings on your own job, then leaves you to carry on. You learn by doing, with someone checking your work.
About 3–4 tradie visits
Your next project
Handy
Do more, book less
You've already set out, dug and fixed. Now you book the tradie for a check and the tricky bits, and do the rest yourself.
About 2 visits
Down the track
Seasoned
You lead the build
You plan and build bigger jobs yourself. A tradie checks the critical points and does or signs off only what legally needs a licence.
About 1 visit
Visit counts are illustrations for a typical deck or pergola. Your plan adjusts to the skill level you choose, so it gives you more to do yourself as your experience grows.
Projects
What people build with us
Decks
Timber or composite, set out and framed so the boards stay flat.
See the example
Pergolas
Slatted or solid roof, placed for afternoon sun and privacy.
See the example
Paving
Patios, paths and fire pits with the fall running the right way.
See the example
Yard drainage
Where the water goes, and the connection that needs a plumber.
See the example
Privacy screening
Screens, battens and planting that block the neighbours, not the light.
See the example
Gardens and landscaping
Beds, turf and planting chosen for Queensland sun and soil.
See the example- Licensed specialists with $10m public liability
- Your payment is held until 48 hours after the visit
- Full refund if your specialist doesn't show
- We flag what needs approval before you start
Why now
Why are you building?
Member deals
Materials and tool hire at member prices.
Local suppliers for timber, pavers, landscape supplies and equipment hire.
See member deals
For tradies
Experienced tradie? Get paid for what you know, not what your back can lift.
Set-outs, checks, licensed sign-offs and video consults, booked by the hour. Pass on the trade to homeowners keen to learn it. You set your rate.
Join as a specialistQuestions people ask
Is the snapshot really free?
Yes. You only pay when you book a specialist.
I've never built anything. Is this for me?
Yes. Pick 'Just starting out' and your plan gives you smaller, well-explained tasks, with more tradie visits where it counts. Your tradie shows you how on your own job, and each project needs less of their time as your skills grow.
What does a specialist cost?
A $50 booking fee for on-site visits or $20 for video and phone, plus the specialist's own rate, shown before you book.
Can I legally do this myself?
Lots of outdoor work, yes. Your plan flags anything that needs a licence or approval, and a licensed specialist does those parts.
What if the specialist doesn't turn up?
You get a full refund.
What if I cancel?
Your payment becomes account credit for your next booking.
Is the AI advice reliable?
It is general information built from council and government data. Always confirm approvals with a certifier or council.
Read the AI guidance and safety disclaimerWhere do you operate?
Brisbane and South East Queensland first.
See what your yard could be.
Your project. Our expertise. Built by you.
How handy are you?
Why we ask: so the advice fits you.