I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Rebecca Hann-Patterson, co-founder of Ship-Your-Reno with the goal of helping owner builder's to understand the ins and outs of importing from China.
What started as a cost-saving renovation in 2013 quickly became a business helping builders and owner builders import high-quality, affordable materials that meet Australian standards.
Let’s hear how Rebecca helps make importing from China easier!
Tell us a little bit about Ship-Your-Reno and how you got started importing from China.
The decision to source from China was initially made for our own property-flipping purposes about 11 years ago and not as a business to help others.
We had basically gone broke during the GFC and we needed to find a way to regain financial stability and flipping houses is how we did it.
After a lot of time vetting suppliers and finding products certified by Australian standards in China, we placed our first order.
It sounds like all the research you did for your own property enabled you to get to where you are now.
Yes, that’s right. Initially, people, especially family, thought we were crazy because we didn't even visit China to check things out. But after we met suppliers and built confidence in them, we trusted the process, and it worked.
Eventually, others asked us to help them. That’s when we realised we could help people in similar financial situations and Ship-Your-Reno was born.
What are the most common products you import from China for home builds?
We work with about 38 factories now, so there’s a wide range of products.
The most popular items are custom-made cabinetry, stone benchtops, double-glazed windows and doors, engineered oak flooring, vinyl and hybrid flooring, bathroom fit-out products (including tiles, basins, taps, showers, toilets), cladding, staircases, composite decking, and more.
Everything is customised to your specifications.
That’s a huge range!
Yes, it is! And it's not just windows and doors; it’s much more. The savings people can get by importing are significant, especially for double glazing, where you can pay about the same as single glazing prices here in Australia.
If I’m an owner builder and I want to import most of my products from China, what’s the process with Ship-Your-Reno?
We usually have two types of clients. The first are referrals who’ve seen the process firsthand, so we don’t need to do much. The second are clients who need more guidance.
For them, we make the process transparent, provide upfront quotes, including shipping estimates, and introduce them to our freight forwarder in Brisbane.
For a quote, clients can visit our website, fill out forms for their needs, whether it's cabinetry, flooring, or bathroom fit-out and we’ll provide a detailed quote.
After that, the next step involves paying a $3,000 consulting fee, which covers access to our platform, introductions to suppliers, and help throughout the process.
So it’s like a consulting fee for managing the process?
Exactly. The $3,000 fee includes setting you up in China and overseeing the shipping process.
If you want more in-depth help, such as ordering assistance, we charge either an hourly rate or a full project service.
What steps do you take to ensure the quality of the materials? Are there certifications in place?
Yes, ensuring high quality is our top priority.
We only work with suppliers that meet or exceed Australian standards.
For example, windows and doors must comply with AS 2047 standards, and taps and faucets need to have watermark certification.
Before we let any supplier work on our clients’ projects, we test their products ourselves. We also monitor and vet suppliers continually to maintain these high standards.
What should owner builders consider when deciding between importing and sourcing locally, beyond cost savings?
Timeline is critical. You need to understand manufacturing and shipping times and leave enough buffer to avoid delays.
Also, it’s essential to know your specifications. Many builders in Australia outsource tasks like cabinetry and flooring, so they don’t always understand the full scope of what they’re ordering.
But for owner builders, knowing the specifics of what you want will save a lot of time and headaches.
Can you elaborate on what you mean by specifications?
Specifications refer to all the details of the products you’re ordering. For instance, if you’re getting engineered flooring, you should know if you want it UV lacquered, oiled, matte, or brushed.
You should also know the thickness of the real timber layer. These are the tiny details that can affect your final product.
What misconceptions are there around the quality of imported products?
One big misconception is that products from China are low quality, but that’s not true.
There’s definitely bad press, especially with platforms like Alibaba, where you don’t know who you’re dealing with.
The key is to work with vetted suppliers like we do.
It’s also important to note that in China, the difference in price between higher and lower-quality products isn’t as vast as it is in Australia.
Let’s talk about cost savings. How do the costs compare when importing versus buying locally?
The cost savings are considerable, though it’s hard to give an overall figure because every project is different.
But for example, an entire home’s cabinetry package, including the kitchen, laundry, bathroom vanities, wardrobes, and office, might cost around A$70,000 when imported, whereas just a kitchen here can easily exceed that.
Are there specific products where owner builders can make the most savings?
Definitely cabinetry and flooring.
For instance, our two-pack cabinetry with Blum hardware, which is the top-of-the-line German brand, is much more affordable compared to Australian prices.
Likewise, wide European oak flooring, which might cost over A$200 per square metre locally, can be as low as A$75 per square metre when imported.
What are some logistical challenges with importing, and how can owner builders manage them?
The biggest challenge is delivery to the site. You’ll need to work closely with our Freight Forwarder to ensure the container is delivered properly.
If the delivery site is inaccessible, we’ll palletise the goods and have them unpacked at a warehouse for easier transport.
It’s essential to communicate with the freight forwarder early on to prevent any surprises.
How do lead times typically work for owner builders, and when should they start ordering materials?
Lead times depend on the products.
For windows and doors, we need about three months after specs are signed off.
For cabinetry, it could take four to five months in total. The key is to start early and get everything in place well before you need it.
What about import regulations and duties? What should owner builders be aware of?
One big cost is GST, which is payable when your goods arrive in Australia.
It’s based on the total value of the goods in your container. There’s also a custom fee tax that is waived under the Australia-China free trade agreement, provided we obtain a certificate of origin.
Lastly, you can’t import raw materials like aluminum profiles unless they’re part of a finished product.
What are the common mistakes people make when importing, and how can they avoid them?
The biggest mistake is not being organised or not planning far enough ahead.
You need to be proactive and know your specs, set aside funds for GST and shipping, and stay updated on currency fluctuations.
Additionally, request photos of your products BEFORE they’re shipped to ensure quality.
With sustainability being a hot topic, how do your suppliers handle environmentally friendly options?
Sustainability is becoming more prevalent in China too. Many factories offer eco-friendly products like bamboo, recycled timber, and composite decking.
Double glazing also helps with energy ratings. We’ve seen growing interest in materials like cork flooring, which is making a comeback due to its sustainability.
Finally, what advice would you give to owner builders considering importing?
Investigate this option. It’s really tailor-made for owner builders because you’re in control of your build and can make significant savings.
Make sure you understand your budget, timeline, and specifications to avoid costly delays.
Importing can offer high-quality, certified products for a fraction of the local price.
And…It’s Competition Time!
Ship-Your-Reno is running a competition to win access to their supplier platform in China, with support of a full membership.
Follow these super simple instructions to land your entry:
- Head to the Contact page on their website – Ship-Your-Reno
- Fill in your details
- In the ‘Your Question’ box, just add ‘WIN’
- Tick I’m Not a Robot
- Click Submit
Good luck!
A huge thank you to Rebecca for sharing her experience and wisdom on a topic that comes up quite often 😃
ABOUT SHIP-YOUR-RENO:
Rebecca Hann-Patterson and her husband, Craig Patterson, founded Ship-Your-Reno after successfully completing their first renovation together in 2013. Having sourced all the fit-out materials from factories in China, they soon attracted attention from others asking how they managed the process. This curiosity led to the creation of Ship-Your-Reno as a business.
Rebecca’s passion for property has always been a driving force, having completed several personal renovations early in her career.
Craig, keeping building in the family, runs Ocean Tiling, a highly successful tiling business on the Sunshine Coast.
