the parkes project

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Gorgeous house, lots of beautiful original features. Is there a fireplace hiding behind those 1970s tiles?
Looking forward to seeing the progress!

 

Got the keys on Monday and made a start on the renovations this week. So much to do. The tenants left the place really dirty and it just felt and smelt grimy being inside.
Have started de-wallpapering in one room and strippping the paint on windows. Thank goodness, it looks like they've only ever been painted once in the last 100 years, apart from the original varnish. Such beautiful, dark hardwood.
Can't wait to get rid of the carpets (never cleaned?) but will get as much dust, dirt, paper and paint off the walls, windows and skirtings as I can first.
Spent this morning cleaning the kitchen. Oven was disgusting - won't go into details. Many cupboards in 80's style kitchen. I like the tiles and cupboards. Still good enough. May paint the laminate cupboards? Cleaning nowhere near finished.
Threw some disinfectant at the bathroom and took down the shower curtain. Neighbour/handyman replaced rubber thing in toilet to stop the leak. He cut down some random jacarandas, crazy old rose bushes and over-hanging branches and took them to the tip. Yesterday he checked the roof and cleaned the gutters. He removed about 10 balls from the back gutter. Gutttering no longer a problem.
Have had one plumber in to give quotes. Might see a few more. Will be good to get plumbing and drainage sorted out as soon as I can.


This fireplace still has a chimney but the other one has been covered up with the roof. Not sure what to do about the fireplaces at this stage ......any suggestions welcome.

 

Wow that house looked very sorry for itself, cant wait to see your afterwards pics.

Mind sharing your budget and timeframe for this one?

 

The budget is low. Whatever I can I will diy. Then there is the neighbour/handyman who charges $35 an hour. He'sabout 70 and can do most stuff that I can't do. The plumbing will cost the most. Depending on what I get done, probably well over 10K. More likely 15K plus.
Timeframe is however long it takes. I'm hoping the hard yards done by end of January. We'll see. Not looking to get into House and Garden but do expect to get quality tenants - or myself - in there.
Wondering whether or not to render crazy bricks. Some people around here actually like them.

 

Looking forward to this one! There a lot of work in it!

The fireplaces of that vintage at very inefficient and that's why they are boarded up or removed. They still add character though, get the local fireplace /heating bloke to come around he'll know best. Best to close off to prevent draughts and loss of heat and maybe put a gas heater inside it?
Looking forward to the floor boards! Hopefully they haven't been damaged to much for you

 

So much potential there Can't wait to see the afters.

With the fireplaces, see if you can get your hands on an old surround and restore them as a decotative feature.

 

Looks like there's a few wild dogs entering the property.
I love these old places with high ceilings and character. Did you rent the property before starting a reno? If it's an IP don't forget the depreciation schedule to write off the stuff you're getting rid of.

 

Do open fire places and tenants go together?

 

The wild dogs are the ghost hunters. Always on duty.
There were tenants in there when I bought it and they didn't want to leave so I kept them there for a while but rent was always late and too many things needed fixing. Just feel I need to get on with it. Will probably take quite a while especially as I work full-time.

S'pose it depends on the tenant. Most fireplaces are blocked up these days or have a good quality heater or burner in there.

 

Looking forward to the ride.I love the old architecture, can you do some facade pics??

 

Where's this place? A beauty to be uncovered! What percentage of your own labour involved in this?

Just realised it's in Parkes.

 

You should be entitled to do an asset disposal if it was rented before the reno started. You'll need to get a depreciation schedule done before you start the reno so the QS can calculate what's being disposed. If you don't have one, take lots of pics which they can use to calculate.

 

How are you insuring this place as it's vacant without a tenant? Any special landlord insurance policy?

The fireplaces - if you rent it out, probably best to seal them up and provide a gas heater. Tenants likely to burn place to the ground.

 

At the moment it's insured for tenants but might get it changed -will give them a call.

 

I didn't! I used one similar and they give off bugger all heat.

I'll have to find some photos @WattleIdo of the place we were renting similar.

 

Still removing wallpaper and paint. I wonder why 1910 - 1936 was so significant to the young occupant of this room?

 

Will do.

 

So far the labour is all me and the dogs with a couple of half -days' help from a neighbour - who I paid. He cleaned the gutters and tidied up the yard a bit and cut some trees for me.
Going there after work as much as poss - inspired by @Tim86. But I also have to shop, cook, sleep and work. Last weekend I visited family and that put me back a few days. Slow progress atm.
Have found a great plumber though and am excited as I'll be moving a toilet into an old pantry (?) and putting a shower in next to the bath.
Have started to dismantle bathroom but decided to leave de-tiling til Saturday when I can make as much noise as I like.

 

Place looks like the sort of dump I would buy

Don't get too inspired by me though, with all the diy I do I have no life lol

But good on you for putting in the effort, you're going to save a packet compared to what tradies would charge you.