Hey guys,
Well on the eve of my attempt at another acquisition I thought I'd share the story of my first renovation - which was completed at 4 AM this morning just in time for the valuer at 9. It was always my intention to renovate the kitchen since purchasing the unit in November last year, but the catalyst was when I dislocated my left knee cap in March, leaving me staring at it for two weeks while laying on the lounge.
So I got the pad and pen out to start drafting plans. As I slowly returned to walking and driving again things picked up pace. With the final design ready, I bought a bunch of melamine and started building cabinets until I effectively had two kitchens in the two bedroom apartment - needless to say, getting around was challenging.
I had quotes done for a plumber and electrician as well during this time. I wanted to replace and move the hot water system in to the corner, as previously it was taking up two areas - valuable space in a tiny kitchen. As the original power board was also in the kitchen cabinet I had it updated while I was at it and a second power point installed for the dishwasher - which was going where the hot water system use to be.
After getting a price on stone bench tops it was crunch time. Over the course of a week I pulled out all the cabinets - discovering that the nails holding them in were really, really holding them in, yet still not too much of a challenge for the crowbar. Once they were out, in came the tradies to do their bit.
One night after work I screwed in all the bottom cabinets, ready for the bench top arriving the following day. It was at this point I discovered despite being concerned about going from 450mm benches to 600mm the kitchen actually looked bigger, not smaller. Once that was done the top cabinets went on as did the pantry.
A few weeks past before I got back to it and tiled the splash back and purchased the MDF for the doors. Painting the MDF was an experience and I'll certainly be doing it differently next time. And the finished product looks alright...
$999 - Oven, ceramic cook top, range hood
$499 - Dishwasher
$950 - Caesarstone bench top
$730 - Plumbing supplies (mixer, sink, hot water system, associated bits)
$400 - Plumber's time
$700 - Electrician, power board etc.
$280 - MDF doors, paint for doors etc.
$500 - Melamine for cupboards
$250 - Tiles, including feature titles, plus grout, adhesive etc.
$5308 - Total
Additionally the whole unit has been re-painted, with new internal doors and hardware at a cost of about $1200. I paid $185,000 last November for the unit, has just been valued at $235,000.
Cheers
Greg
Well on the eve of my attempt at another acquisition I thought I'd share the story of my first renovation - which was completed at 4 AM this morning just in time for the valuer at 9. It was always my intention to renovate the kitchen since purchasing the unit in November last year, but the catalyst was when I dislocated my left knee cap in March, leaving me staring at it for two weeks while laying on the lounge.
So I got the pad and pen out to start drafting plans. As I slowly returned to walking and driving again things picked up pace. With the final design ready, I bought a bunch of melamine and started building cabinets until I effectively had two kitchens in the two bedroom apartment - needless to say, getting around was challenging.
I had quotes done for a plumber and electrician as well during this time. I wanted to replace and move the hot water system in to the corner, as previously it was taking up two areas - valuable space in a tiny kitchen. As the original power board was also in the kitchen cabinet I had it updated while I was at it and a second power point installed for the dishwasher - which was going where the hot water system use to be.
After getting a price on stone bench tops it was crunch time. Over the course of a week I pulled out all the cabinets - discovering that the nails holding them in were really, really holding them in, yet still not too much of a challenge for the crowbar. Once they were out, in came the tradies to do their bit.
One night after work I screwed in all the bottom cabinets, ready for the bench top arriving the following day. It was at this point I discovered despite being concerned about going from 450mm benches to 600mm the kitchen actually looked bigger, not smaller. Once that was done the top cabinets went on as did the pantry.
A few weeks past before I got back to it and tiled the splash back and purchased the MDF for the doors. Painting the MDF was an experience and I'll certainly be doing it differently next time. And the finished product looks alright...
$999 - Oven, ceramic cook top, range hood
$499 - Dishwasher
$950 - Caesarstone bench top
$730 - Plumbing supplies (mixer, sink, hot water system, associated bits)
$400 - Plumber's time
$700 - Electrician, power board etc.
$280 - MDF doors, paint for doors etc.
$500 - Melamine for cupboards
$250 - Tiles, including feature titles, plus grout, adhesive etc.
$5308 - Total
Additionally the whole unit has been re-painted, with new internal doors and hardware at a cost of about $1200. I paid $185,000 last November for the unit, has just been valued at $235,000.
Cheers
Greg