Complete Unit renovation Sydney

Yes, I don't mind to pay for any knowledge I gain as long as it helps me in some way in my life.
I find people often wish to do it all sometimes I like to use the specialists instead.
Surprisingly I found really useful the speaker she had about conflict resolution, and how he provided an example how to deal with any situation, called 'circle of assertiveness'. I use this technique in my life now...
For an IP in WA I was selling, I actually needed basic sprucing up and since I utilised only labour there, being physically here in SYD, I could easily provide ALL the specifications I required (paint and colours and strengths, vinyl flooring colours, kitchen cabinets colour replacement from purple).
Recently, I was also refreshing an IP in QLD, so I provided my agent with paint specifications to submit to painters for their quotes. You would be surprised in quotes I received one was even 100% more. BUT, the point is ALL of them called me to speak with me as I think they never have received such detailed specs before - who is this person (e.g. adding colour to primer so only 1.5 coats required instead of 3 and so on...water based paint in wet areas, 200% strength feature wall, no need to paint under the stairs... - I was so specific no joke!).
Sometimes we don't realise that many standout features can be created at cost effective ways, but it really depends on demographic requirements and relative cost of IP.

 

Actual dimensions. Playing around with some colors etc.

 

I like the new suave design and colour schemes (house rules maybe next????)....
Personally I am more about storage and light (like to have good lighting when putting make-up on) but others are all about the ambience.....looks very nice!

 

No chance of that. I like coming home to my luxuries . Not a fan of living and breathing dust every day.

 

Update:

Tenants to move out in 3 weeks. We unfortunately need to get a by law passed so meeting is on 4 Sep. This strata isn't the easiest to work with, but we'll get there. Hopefully all is passed and we will start soon after. We decided for vanity/tallboy in bathroom to go non custom. We found some great deals for bathroom vanities and it will save us around 3.5k. All tiles and plumbing purchased. Flooring purchased, floating timber.

I'll update as it progresses.

 

Had similar issues with Strata, held us up for ages, luckily there was no interest cost as no loan....
In addition we fixed up at our own cost concrete cancer as they did not agree on our quotes and each meeting was just dragging on and on, could have held us up by 6-12months...
Get to know few owners, if small block, as that may help, direct contact or prior communication with few...

 

Stratas are 1 step away from becoming as bad as council. ****ing ridiculous.

 

+1, agree.
But guess what, since then quite few owners changed and they actually got rid of the Strata manager of so many years...! Well, now I just stay away, don't get involved much as before, if at all, and since the place was renovated we have not had any issues or maintenance at all.
Even though, they want some cages for extra storage under the block, or change or update common rooms, or clean ups.... since we have the garage, internal laundry and storage we really couldn't be bothered to attend their 3-4 hour meetings to debate these minor things!
You know how some people or maybe most people like to get stuck into details rather than seeing the bigger picture ahead....? Sometime I don't understand people !

 

Agree...im surprised there is so little discussion around tradie recommendations on this site.

I have 3 bathrooms and 2 kitchens I'd like to replace in the next 4-5 years and probably also looking for a full paint job in every rental apartment over the same period.

If you've done some renovations in Sydney then I'd love to get PM's or posts on tradies you have personally used.

 

@Dean Collins
I'm about a few weeks away from finishing my reno.
I used @bob shovel as Project Manager and he helped me source trades.
PM me if you want details.

 

Great, looking forward to photos and details on costs once the job is done.

 

Hi @neK what did you have done?

 

2.5 bathrooms (complete demo inc new ceilings)
New kitchen
Wall removal to open up kitchen and living areas (beam in the roof - so no partial drop in the wall)
New flooring throughout
Custom wardrobes
Custom vanity
New hotwater unit
Replacing existing water pipes (prevention is the best cure)
Chasing walls for new power points and light switches
Got gas main installed, running 20mm piping instead of standard 15mm
Changing water pipes so water pressure loss is reduced when two showers are going

The kitchen was quoted at $45k, but @bob shovel was able to help me draw up near identical plans with a few tweaks to my liking and farmed the design to a few Sydney based cabinet makers and we got a huge saving as a result.

@bob shovel anything I missed?

 

Wow! @neK alot of work. I'm watching this thread to pickup some contacts, plus I like to know what @Leo2413 doing haha.


Edit....also if anyone knows of some good curtain installers. Sydney

 

Also gumtree antique furniture trader and part time marriage counsellor

 

Looking at bathroom/kitchen reno myself at the moment. Is $5k reasonable to rejig all plumbing in bathroom, upgrade all gas pipes in kitchen (all old), install new hot water gas (current electric) and connect appliances in both kitchen and bathroom. Excludes pc, just materials and labour.

Ps any recommendations for tiler?

 

No plumbing expert but I would say 5k is cheap to do all that.

 

@Leo2413 are you still tempted to keep the ip or still going to sell due to all the changes that's happening at the moment?

 

HI @jins13,

I have always had mixed feelings about selling it. I really don't need to but I know the area has reached its max for at least another 5 years so I could put the equity to better use in the mean time. I think what I will do is try to get absolute top dollar for it otherwise I will just hold it. Debt is only about 100k approx. so its very PG. I know logically I will not be putting the money to its best use but Its a stellar blue chip asset to hold long term with very low overall risk. Easy to rent. Easy to sell. So that's the plan for now. Tenants were supposed to have moved out by now but they needed an extra few weeks which I allowed them. I am pretty much all set to get demo done as soon as they move out. Will update when it starts.

Also a family member has their eye on buying it from me. They are moving from Melb to Syd permanently with a kid. They like the reno I am doing so they will seriously make a good offer when its ready.

Cheers

 

The fun has started:





Cue Celine...All byyyyyy myyyy seeee-eeelf..