Home Renovation Advice and Recommendations

Hello, I am looking for some advice from experts on how to go about the home renovation in NSW and expected cost.

Reno includes bathroom, Kitchen, floor and paint work. (Basic accessories)

I’m not sure should I go with one builder for all or hire individual expert in area. Obviously trying not to over pay for the services. This will be my first home and renovation experience. Appreciate any guidance and recommendations.

Thank you.

Comments

  • +3

    If you have the time, source your own tradies. If not, use builder

  • Totally depends on what kind of materials you select, the quality or level of finish you prefer, and the size of the room/house.

    Bathroom renovation = maybe $5k for a basic budget update that you mostly do yourself….. up to maybe about $65k for a huge, luxury bathroom with all the options. We spent about $14k for a small bathroom with walk-in shower, floor-mounted vanity, and wall-to-ceiling tiles.

    Kitchen = maybe $15-$20k for a demolition and basic Bunnings or IKEA kitchen up to…I have no idea because I'm not rich enough to even think about it.

    The cost could go up a bit if you need to have plumbers, electricians or waterproofers coming in multiple times.

    The cost of the floor will depend on whether you want tiles or composite timber flooring, etc. Tiling is probably quite a bit more expensive.

    Painting is fairly cheap if you do it yourself, although it would hard work if you have a big house.

  • Your total budget will dictate which path you take. Are you happy to share that?

    Do you have any DIY skills and time to do some work yourself? Labour will be the largest expense*.

    *Probably

  • you should join an australian home renovation forum such as https://forum.homeone.com.au/

  • +1

    The way I look at it is that a builder would have already vetted his trades. He has good ones he knows to call upon, he knows their strengths and weaknesses. You don't. You will call around and hopefully get lucky with a good tradie who cares about something being straight. A builder will also (hopefully) be the person in the middle and will be able to resolve issues and come up with solutions rather than trusting the words of one tradie who might just take you for a spin.

  • +1

    Depends on how discerning you are and the purpose/lifespan of your reno. If you're intending to flip then value for money is key. If you're planning to live in and enjoy youself, engage the top shelf tradies that work with specialist bathroom & kitchen reno people. There are just so many mediocre tradies desperate to work with you.

  • Get 3 quotes on all trades, busy ones will just rip you off with high prices in the chance you are too lazy to quote.

  • Hey, if you haven’t already started working on your renovation project, allow me to guide you through the process.

    As you said, you want to renovate your bathroom, kitchen and flooring. The tips I would like to suggest are:

    1. Decide which areas just need little work.

    2. And which space needs more attention or structural changes, such as plumbing, retiling and so on?

    This will help you get a clear picture of the expenses and avoid budget issues later.

    Budget:

    Bathroom: It will cost you $5000 to $15000. This amount includes vanity changes, tiling and updating fixtures. If you want to do major structural changes, it will cost you more. However, if you do most of the work yourself, it won't cost you much.

    Kitchen: The cost of repairing the kitchen will be somewhere between $10k to $30k. You can easily cover basic updates. However, for structural changes, you might need more budget.

    Paint: Painting your own space is cheaper than hiring anyone. It will cost you $3k to $8k, approximately.

    Be prepared for some extra expenses as the amount may vary depending on material choices, decor items, paint, electrical fittings, plumbing and so on.

    Who to Choose?

    Choosing a builder means there is no hassle of managing anything. All the work will be done on time. However, the price is high.

    On the other hand, choosing individual trades means managing multiple people, their timings, deciding who’s the best, coordinating and so on. If you can manage everything on your own, this is the best and affordable option.

    Source Materials Wisely:

    Flooring sets the vibe of your space. You should choose a material that can enhance the ambience and complement the aesthetics. Opting for quality materials that look elegant yet functional is a great choice. This material can be natural stone, perfect for flooring, splashbacks or feature walls.

    When it was my first time, I found my stone partner and the right guidance at Stone Depot. They offer a wide range of stones, free samples and expert advice, which made my dream patio a reality. You can give them a try!

    However, if you like, you can compare two to three quotes from builders or trades. Make sure to ask for a detailed breakdown to understand where you are investing.

    Have a good day!

    • +1

      You must have used a US chatbot. I bathroom reno in Australia costs $15–30K+

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