Kris and Mel lived in a typical Brisbane home. Tidy, practical, and just big enough for their two kids and a dog named Baxter. Their house ticked all the boxes except one: the backyard. It was dead space. Just a concrete slab with no shade and no purpose. Hot in summer, soggy in winter, and useless for most of the year.
They had talked about doing something out there for years. Maybe a deck. Maybe a carport. Maybe a covered patio where the kids could play and Kris could park the Weber. But every time they chased a builder they got the same thing. Long lead times. Over-inflated quotes. Or worse, radio silence. Then one afternoon, Mel saw an ad online for Smartkits. It offered DIY patio kits that were engineered, delivered nationwide with free shipping, and custom-designed to suit your space.
It sounded too good to be true. But curiosity got the better of them.
They booked a free design call.
That’s when they met Micko, one of Smartkits’ experienced design consultants. Within minutes he had them feeling confident and excited. He talked them through the different options. Flyover roof versus attached. Insulated panel roofing versus Flatdek. What kind of posts and beams would suit their zone. He even knew the local council approval rules without looking them up.
They chose a flyover roof with insulated panels. Sleek. Modern. Perfect for airflow and light. It would cover the old concrete slab and give them the outdoor living space they’d always wanted. Kris liked the idea that he could build it himself. Smartkits would supply everything, including the plans, engineering, and support.
They paid the 10 percent deposit.
The kit was underway.
Then came the hiccup.
The private certifier flagged an issue with a sewer pipeline. The flyover roof as designed would breach a setback rule. They’d need a redesign or risk getting the entire application rejected.
Most suppliers would have said not our problem. But Micko and the Smartkits team jumped straight in. They introduced a custom crank post solution, moving the roof support inward without losing height or flow. Engineering was revised. Drawings updated. The certifier approved it.
Crisis averted.
The Smartkits patio kit arrived on a Monday. Clearly labelled. Neatly packaged. Delivered for free. Over two weekends, with help from his neighbour, Kris installed it. He followed the step-by-step construction guides. He watched a couple of Smartkits videos just to be sure. The steel frame went up first. Then the insulated roofing panels locked together with surprising ease. Gutters on. Downpipes installed. LED lights added. The whole thing looked like it had been there from day one.
By the time they laid an outdoor rug and rolled the BBQ into place, it didn’t feel like a kit. It felt like part of the home.
Their DIY flyover patio didn’t just improve their backyard. It changed how they lived. Meals moved outside. The kids played under cover. Baxter had a cool shaded spot to nap. Mel added fairy lights. Kris mounted a TV on the post and called it the beer garden. Their property value increased. Their lifestyle improved. And they saved a fortune.
They started with a backyard no one used. They ended with a fully engineered outdoor living area built with their own hands. Delivered free. Council compliant. All for less than half the price a traditional builder quoted.
That’s the power of Smartkits.
Want a Better Backyard?
Whether you’re after a DIY deck, flyover patio, carport, or insulated roof kit, Smartkits gives you full control.
Custom designed. Engineered for your wind zone. Approved by council. Delivered for free across Australia.
Start building smarter and save thousands compared to old school construction.
Get started today at www.smartkits.com.au
Need installation help? Just ask. We’ve got professional installers ready to assist.
Scott Challen
CEO, The QHI Group
SmartKits Australia | QHI National Builders | EzyBlox Sheds & Steel Buildings
Email:Â scott@qhi.net.au
LinkedIn:Â linkedin.com/in/
Website:Â https://www.qhigroup.
Want to join our team? :Â Interview - Scott Challen
"Build Smarter, Not Harder"Â
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