DIY Guidance
Understand how to approach a suitable DIY job before you start. We can discuss the method, tools, materials, sequence and common mistakes to avoid.
- Step-by-step guidance
- Tools & material advice
- Problem solving
KNOW WHAT NEEDS DOING BEFORE YOU SPEND
Better decisions.
Better properties.
Independent property advice and DIY guidance for homeowners who want to understand a problem, plan the work properly and spend their money wisely.
IndependentAdvice, not sales
PracticalClear guidance
Cost-consciousSpend with confidence
True North approach
Don't guess. Understand the job first.
Use expert guidance to decide what to do, what to buy, what to ask a contractor and what you can realistically handle yourself.
PROPERTY ADVICE, NOT PROPERTY WORK
We don't fix it for you. We help you figure it out.
True North is a consulting service. We provide information, practical guidance and a second opinion so you can make better decisions about maintenance, DIY projects, renovations and contractor proposals.
WHAT WE HELP WITH
Guidance built around your property.
Choose the level of support that matches the problem — from a quick question to a complete project plan.
Property Assessments
Talk through maintenance concerns and work out what deserves attention, what can wait and what questions you should ask before spending money.
- Issue assessment
- Prioritised recommendations
- Maintenance guidance
Quote & Contractor Guidance
We do not quote or perform the work. Instead, we help you understand a contractor's proposed scope, materials and approach so you can ask better questions and compare options.
- Quote explanation
- Scope & material review
- Questions to ask
Project Planning
Turn a complicated renovation or maintenance idea into a practical plan with priorities, stages, materials, decisions and DIY-versus-contractor considerations.
- Project scope
- Work sequencing
- Materials planning
Second Opinions
Before committing to expensive work, get an independent practical perspective. We help you understand the problem and the options without trying to sell you the work.
- Independent perspective
- Options explained
- Decision support
Maintenance Strategy
Build a clearer picture of your property's ongoing maintenance needs so small problems are easier to identify before they become expensive projects.
- Maintenance priorities
- Preventative thinking
- Long-term planning
SIMPLE PRICING
Pay for the advice you need.
No call-out fee. No pressure to buy materials or services. Choose a consultation based on how much help you need.
QUICK ADVICE
R350 / 30 min
For a focused question or a straightforward property problem where you need a practical second opinion quickly.
- 30-minute consultation
- Phone or WhatsApp discussion
- Photos/video can be reviewed
- Practical next steps
MOST POPULAR
PROJECT CONSULTATION
R900
For a project that needs more time to understand properly — including DIY projects, maintenance concerns, renovation decisions or contractor proposals.
- Detailed consultation
- Review of photos, video or documents
- Materials and approach guidance
- DIY-versus-contractor discussion
- Clear recommended next steps
PROJECT PLANNING
R2,000
For larger or more complicated projects where you want a structured plan before buying materials, starting work or engaging contractors.
- Detailed project planning session
- Scope and priorities
- Materials and preparation guidance
- Suggested sequence of work
- Key decisions and questions
- DIY-versus-contractor considerations
TRUE NORTH MEMBERSHIP
Ongoing guidance when you own a property.
For homeowners who want someone they can turn to when questions come up. Members get ongoing access to advice plus a major discount on longer consultations.
FromR249/ month
- 1 Quick Advice consultation every month
- Ongoing WhatsApp questions between consultations
- 50% off Project Consultations
- 50% off Project Planning
- Priority booking
- Cancel anytime
SIMPLE PROCESS
From problem to plan.
Start with what you know. You don't need to diagnose the problem yourself.
01
Show us the problem
Send a WhatsApp message with photos, video or a description of what you are seeing.
02
Understand your options
We discuss what may be involved, what to check, what materials may be needed and what questions to ask.
03
Make your decision
You decide whether to DIY, get contractor quotes or simply monitor the situation — with a clearer understanding of the job.
DIY • MAINTENANCE • PROJECTSUnderstand the job before you pick up the tools.
GUIDANCE THAT SAVES MISTAKES
A little knowledge can prevent an expensive decision.
Whether you are painting a room, mounting something to a wall, dealing with a leak, planning a renovation or questioning a contractor's recommendation, the first step is understanding what you are dealing with.
TRUE NORTH PRINCIPLE
Advice first.Decide with confidence.
ABOUT TRUE NORTH
Property advice that makes sense in the real world.
True North Property Consulting exists to help homeowners make better decisions about their properties. The service is deliberately independent: we do not perform the work, sell the work or provide contractor quotes.
Instead, we help you understand what you are looking at, plan your approach, evaluate your options and ask the right questions before committing your time or money.
01Clear explanations
02Independent guidance
03Cost-conscious thinking
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked.
If your question is not here, send a WhatsApp message and describe what you need help with.
Ask a question →Do you come to my property and do the work?
No. True North is a consulting and guidance service. We do not perform handyman work or carry out repairs.
Can you tell me exactly which contractor to use?
We can help you understand what type of professional may be appropriate and what questions to ask, but we do not sell contractor services or guarantee the work of third parties.
Can you review a contractor quote?
Yes. We can help you understand the proposed scope, materials, assumptions and questions you may want to raise before accepting a quote. We do not issue contractor quotes ourselves.
Can you tell me what materials to buy?
We can discuss suitable materials, quantities and considerations based on the information available. Final purchasing decisions remain yours.
What does membership include?
Membership is designed for homeowners who want ongoing access to guidance. It includes one Quick Advice consultation each month, ongoing WhatsApp questions, priority booking and 50% off Project Consultations and Project Planning.
Is the advice a guarantee that my project will work?
No. Consulting is based on the information you provide and is intended to help you make informed decisions. Complex, regulated or safety-critical work should be assessed by an appropriately qualified professional.
LET'S TALK
Not sure what you need?
Start with a message. Tell Gert what you are looking at, send a few photos and we can work out which consultation makes sense.