Budget home renovations

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Master Geek

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#1313083 27-May-2015 20:39

I was in a similar boat back in 2011 when we got the keys to our first home.

The ensuite needed some attention as the corner of the acrylic shower was leaking and the surrounding area was rotting.

I got a few quotes for a complete reno with tiled shower etc and I got a range of 20-25k.

I decided to give it a go myself (No kids back then) with lots of spare time.

Studied the building code, got advice from a few pros and did most of the reno by myself including:
- Re gibbing
- Water proofing walls and floor areas
- Plumbing
- Tiling
- Plastering
- Painting
- Fitting W/C, Shower and Vanity

I got a sparky to install an exhaust fan with halogen heat lights and a plumber to connect the WC.

All up cost me 5.5k in total.

It's been 4+ years now and no issues.

Took me 8 full weekends as there was a lot of learning involved as I'm an IT professional and had no experience with any of the above jobs :-)

Camden

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#1313141 27-May-2015 21:53

One year ago I did a complete rip out back to bare walls makeover of our main bathroom. The standard of fitout and finish was about half way between a Toyota Camry and a Merc E class so just slightly better than middle of road.

Relocated bath so needed concrete cutting of floor for wastespipes and relocated vanity to another wall so needed new pipework there. I did all the rip out of the old stuff and disposed of it. Got trades people in to do all the rest on a labour only basis. I bought all the items such as bath, shower cabinet, vanity, taps, shower head, heater, lights,towel rail etc etc. Also had laid new lino on the floor.

It is a bit frightening how the costs can add up. Have just got out of the file all the invoices and added them all up,total labour and products, and it came to $14914.80, say 15 Grand. I most probably saved say 2 grand by doing all the running round and organising and demolition work myself.

20 grand looks a bit light for a kitchen and bathroom however it all depends how high up the scale you wish to go. I put new kitchen cupboards in a rental flat and I bought flat packs from M10 that were more than aceptable and had a s/s sink bench made by a local fabricator. That was a low price solution and it looked good. The vanity included in the above renovation was $2222.85 but you can always buy a $600 one from Placemakers if the budget is tight.

I would suggest finding a one man band builder and discuss with him a plan of attact. If you are able to do it like I did it would he agree to work on a labour only basis and you employ all the sub trades etc. Saves on mark ups etc. Agree on an hourly rate before the start and be fair about paying him on time or end of each week etc and you should get a good deal. Good luck !

Wheelbarrow01

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#1313583 28-May-2015 15:49

I am just about finished a strip out and full upgrade of the bathroom at one of my rental properties. While I wanted it done as cheaply as possible I didn't want it to look cheap.... or fall apart as soon as someone moves in....

You have to be prepared to do some of the labour yourself to significantly lower your costs. I stripped out the old bathroom myself - it only took a day. had to turn the water off and put caps on the pipes once the fittings were removed. I then ripped all the wall linings off and peeled up the lino.

I have since regibbed the room with Aqualine which cost about $350. I got a complete bathroom package from Millens (www.millen.co.nz) for $1099 which included a shower cubicle, vanity, toilet with soft close, and all the taps, fixtures and fittings. First fix plumbing cost me $1600 and included moving most of the plumbing, as the bath was replaced with a shower to create space, and the new vanity is in a different place.

I painted the room myself which was about $150 for pigment seal and 4 litres of paint (2 coats). I also swapped the crap old sliding door for a cavity slider - That was $300 and I installed it with the help of a builder mate.

I used about $120 worth of wood look vinyl planking which cost $240 for installation, and it looks great. Now just 2nd fix plumbing to go which I estimate will be another $800-$1000. 2 new halogen down lights were $20 each and I installed myself.

All up, it should be around $5000. The room is only 1.8metres by 1.7metres so that has to be taken into account. I got two quotes for someone else to do everything and supply materials - first one was a shade under $10k, and the second was closer to $13k - neither of those quote included supply/install of the new sliding door nor did they include flooring.

yes it has taken longer than it could have had I paid someone else (maybe a month in my spare time) but I love the savings and it feels good to have done so much myself.

lxsw20

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#1313603 28-May-2015 16:17

Good effort. I have a similar size bathroom to attack myself too. Will get a plumber in to move pipes and do all the crimping, but the rest of it will be DIY....except maybe gib stopping.

NZSpides

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Master Geek

#1313653 28-May-2015 18:57

To plan out the logistics of how to fit things into our small bathroom I used Sketchup.
I must have made about 50 alterations to the plan before we settled on one.
It allowed us to work out sizes to a very fine degree, and saved headaches.
Best thing is it's free!

jonb

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#1314251 29-May-2015 16:58

Thanks for all the advice. Had a first quote today, 15k for compact ensuite, +5k for main bath (this room is just fitting replacement and associated plastering, tiling ), much nearer your estimates than mine.

Kitchen may end up as rip out and replace, so again more like 20k than 10k..

lissie

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#1314256 29-May-2015 17:34

Watching this thread in fear. We had one quote for replacing our 1.9x4.4 bathroom - redoing the lining - replacing all plumbing - full tiling plus a new infinitly hot water system for $22k Now got a company who is going to quote for the lot - bathroom, laundry move, kitchen including knocking down a wall and a deck plus door. Won't do it all at the same time - but for some reason I need to know the big picture!

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kingjj

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#1314257 29-May-2015 17:34

jonb: Thanks for all the advice. Had a first quote today, 15k for compact ensuite, +5k for main bath (this room is just fitting replacement and associated plastering, tiling ), much nearer your estimates than mine.

Kitchen may end up as rip out and replace, so again more like 20k than 10k..

We recently did a rip out and replace of our kitchen/dining (7mx3.5) inc new walls, ceiling, floors, cabinets, benchtop, oven, electrics, plumbing etc. Cost about $15 and did a lot on our own. It is possible for under 20, we reckon we could have gotten it closer to 12 if we hadn't run into a few unforseen issues (plumbing related mainly). Best of luck! Its well worth it.

lissie

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Ultimate Geek

#1315807 1-Jun-2015 23:28

kingjj:

We recently did a rip out and replace of our kitchen/dining (7mx3.5) inc new walls, ceiling, floors, cabinets, benchtop, oven, electrics, plumbing etc. Cost about $15 and did a lot on our own. It is possible for under 20, we reckon we could have gotten it closer to 12 if we hadn't run into a few unforseen issues (plumbing related mainly). Best of luck! Its well worth it.

What did you pay for cabinetry and benchtop? Where did you get it from?

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

heylinb4nz

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#1316069 2-Jun-2015 11:42

jonb: Needing to do some renovations to the house, but not able to go down the route of spending 20K for a bathroom.

Has anyone done similar jobs recently and have a rough idea of how much it cost? Obviously all jobs are different, just a rough idea.

Ensuite - new shower, , floor tiling, mini vanity, toilet, fittings. Building/carpentry to make shower area into more of a wet room if possible.

Bathroom - 10 sqm tiling, some carpentry around the existing bath, new vanity and fittings, toilet,

Kitchen - New workbench, cupboard doors, some carpentry & plumbing to add a dishwasher, cooker, sink, rangehood, splashback, 5sqm of tiling.

Would it be possible to get all that for ~20K, with minimal DIY?

Just in materials alone you are looking at around $12,000 to $14,000 for low range \ middle of the road stuff + essentials (paint, gib etc). You may be able to go as low at $10,000 getting seconds or 2nd hand. Then you've still got plumbing, electrical, tiling, builder to pay for.

With maximum DIY and using 2nds, 2nd hand or trade discounts (plus accounting for the fact you cant escape costs like electrician and plumber) id say $20k MIGHT be doable.

$30-33k is more realistic.

kingjj

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#1316348 2-Jun-2015 17:13

lissie:
kingjj:

We recently did a rip out and replace of our kitchen/dining (7mx3.5) inc new walls, ceiling, floors, cabinets, benchtop, oven, electrics, plumbing etc. Cost about $15 and did a lot on our own. It is possible for under 20, we reckon we could have gotten it closer to 12 if we hadn't run into a few unforseen issues (plumbing related mainly). Best of luck! Its well worth it.

What did you pay for cabinetry and benchtop? Where did you get it from?

Cabinets, doors, soft close hinges, handles and laminate bench top all up was around 7.3k (included new doors for pantry, several wall mounted cupboards, 3 sections of bench top and under bench cabinets/kick boards). Was custom made. Install cost $900. Approx 5 metres of bench. Purchased from Kitchen Express in Chch (probably not much help for you up north).

Sideface

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#1316379 2-Jun-2015 17:44

kingjj: ... We recently did a rip out and replace of our kitchen/dining (7mx3.5) inc new walls, ceiling, floors, cabinets, benchtop, oven, electrics, plumbing etc. Cost about $15 and did a lot on our own. It is possible for under 20, we reckon we could have gotten it closer to 12 if we hadn't run into a few unforseen issues (plumbing related mainly). Best of luck! Its well worth it.

That's the problem with renovations, specially in older homes - the "unforeseen issues", which happen more often than not.

Which is why you need an extra 25% contingency fund before you start.

Sideface

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1316382 2-Jun-2015 17:47

kingjj:

Cabinets, doors, soft close hinges, handles and laminate bench top all up was around 7.3k (included new doors for pantry, several wall mounted cupboards, 3 sections of bench top and under bench cabinets/kick boards). Was custom made. Install cost $900. Approx 5 metres of bench. Purchased from Kitchen Express in Chch (probably not much help for you up north).

It's very helpful to get a feel for prices - thanks

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Huntakillaz

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1318554 7-Jun-2015 09:02

This thread is relevant to my interests.

Started doing some reno's on mum's house last year DIY, ripping out crap and painting the inside and outside of the house.
Planning to do the bathrooms (2 bathrooms and 2 toilets) in summer this year.

I would love to see photo's if some of you have some of before and after jobs.

timmmay

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#1318565 7-Jun-2015 09:32

I could show before/after photos for my bathroom but I didn't do it myself.

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