Anyone here into home renovation, extension etc?

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185248

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Just thought that there be quite a few tradies, builders, architects, drafties on here who could offer advice, assistance or at least point you in the right direction.
 
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185248

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Hi wiseone, am a licensed builder myself here in Queensland Aus. Just thought that anyone who is looking into or starting out to renovate their own home, maybe offer a few insights or suggestions into what to look out for. To try help avoid the pitfalls or offer a little friendly advice from those like yourself and others who have done it before. Maybe start a new forum?
 

vince

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I've renovated a number of homes over the years, some of them I lived in and some were bought, fixed up, and flipped. I think the most important thing to look at before spending money on a house reno, is whether or not it is worth it. I mean, does it have good bones? Are the foundations sound? Was the original framework well made with good materials? If the answers are yes, then the reno work goes much easier and more cheaply. There will be fewer unpleasant surprises such as rot, water damage, etc. and in the end you'll get a better return on your investment. I reno'd a lot of homes in Vancouver built circa 1910 to 1930 and there was a huge difference in the quality of the original buildings even in the same neighborhood. We always had lower costs fixing up the well built ones.
 

nudeyorker

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I gutted our house in Hawaii and worked hands on during almost the entire renovation. I had a contractor and did not have anything directly to do with plumbing, electricity or laying the new floor; but I was involved with almost everything else. I was also the idea man behind the nuances of some of the design concepts that really made our house unique. I did all the finish work myself... tile, paint, hardware etc.
I did the outdoor room all by myself. (I watch a lot of HGTV)
 
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erratic

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I've worked on a fair number of homes, too. I'm a bit better with demo than reno, but that's more a personal preference than a comment on my skill ;)
 
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I've worked on a fair number of homes, too. I'm a bit better with demo than reno, but that's more a personal preference than a comment on my skill ;)

Erotic marble statues on plinths in wall niches with down lights above? :)
 
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185248

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I gutted our house in Hawaii and worked hands on during almost the entire renovation. I had a contractor and did not have anything directly to do with plumbing, electricity or laying the new floor; but I was involved with almost everything else. I was also the idea man behind the nuances of some of the design concepts that really made our house unique. I did all the finish work myself... tile, paint, hardware etc.
I did the outdoor room all by myself. (I watch a lot of HGTV)
With the mandatory surfboard halfway out the large picture wall of a crystal surf tube? Kinda three dimensional.
 
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185248

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I've renovated a number of homes over the years, some of them I lived in and some were bought, fixed up, and flipped. I think the most important thing to look at before spending money on a house reno, is whether or not it is worth it. I mean, does it have good bones? Are the foundations sound? Was the original framework well made with good materials? If the answers are yes, then the reno work goes much easier and more cheaply. There will be fewer unpleasant surprises such as rot, water damage, etc. and in the end you'll get a better return on your investment. I reno'd a lot of homes in Vancouver built circa 1910 to 1930 and there was a huge difference in the quality of the original buildings even in the same neighborhood. We always had lower costs fixing up the well built ones.

Do you find the solid brick..(cavity brick construction homes) easier or better constructed, to work with?
 
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Have seen some pretty fancy stuff done with plasterboard. Just have to be careful
not to leave any gaps after walling the body in :) :)
 

OhWiseOne

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I've renovated a number of homes over the years, some of them I lived in and some were bought, fixed up, and flipped. I think the most important thing to look at before spending money on a house reno, is whether or not it is worth it. I mean, does it have good bones? Are the foundations sound? Was the original framework well made with good materials? If the answers are yes, then the reno work goes much easier and more cheaply. There will be fewer unpleasant surprises such as rot, water damage, etc. and in the end you'll get a better return on your investment. I reno'd a lot of homes in Vancouver built circa 1910 to 1930 and there was a huge difference in the quality of the original buildings even in the same neighborhood. We always had lower costs fixing up the well built ones.
This and the all important location....location.....location.

I would also add that if it is a house that you are going to live in and not sell try to find one that has the basic footprint that you like. This will keep the costs down with regards to relocating walls, wiring, plumbing.....
 

vince

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Do you find the solid brick..(cavity brick construction homes) easier or better constructed, to work with?

I've never did a brick house. On the west coast of Canada, all the houses are wood frame.

We re-did the 2 floor, concrete condo I have over here and it was great because only the pillars and slabs are structural. So it's easy to take out a wall or build a new one from light weight clay blocks. Plus there is no drywall board, they only use real plaster, which so much nicer.

A nice kitchen and the bathrooms are the best rooms to do whether you live in the place or plan on selling it.
 
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I've never did a brick house. On the west coast of Canada, all the houses are wood frame.

We re-did the 2 floor, concrete condo I have over here and it was great because only the pillars and slabs are structural. So it's easy to take out a wall or build a new one from light weight clay blocks. Plus there is no drywall board, they only use real plaster, which so much nicer.

A nice kitchen and the bathrooms are the best rooms to do whether you live in the place or plan on selling it.
Nearly have completed first stage reno/addition to this place. Double lock up garage with 2 bed granny flat (annexed unit) Decided to construct it of cavity brick, having a trade background as a brickie helps. Less wear and tear if you have a tenant rent it out as well.
 

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I'm an architect, and also have the experience of currently renovating my own house.

I can attest that kitchens and bathrooms are the best value renovations to make to a house. These add much more value than the costs required. It is also good sense to find a house with good "bones", as vince said, but isn't particularly nice in terms of upkeep, as these houses will tend to cost less to purchase. No sense paying a lot for a house that is well-kept if you are just gonna change it.
 
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Worst house in the best street. Also ones with side access, enough to get a vehicle or machine through incase you want to do any work, additions. Or even set up the ol' shed in the back yard.
 

SprinkleMe69

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I find myself watching nothing but HGTV lately. House Hunters, international version as well, Property Virgins, and of course the Scott twins Drew and Jonathan on Property Brothers.

So I have a couple of questions. My kitchen has dark cabinets almost like a dark walnut color to them. What can I do to lighten them up? Also, tile in my shower that I hate! I scrub and scrub but the black won't come off. Yes I use bleach. What can I do to get it all white again?
 
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185248

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I find myself watching nothing but HGTV lately. House Hunters, international version as well, Property Virgins, and of course the Scott twins Drew and Jonathan on Property Brothers.

So I have a couple of questions. My kitchen has dark cabinets almost like a dark walnut color to them. What can I do to lighten them up? Also, tile in my shower that I hate! I scrub and scrub but the black won't come off. Yes I use bleach. What can I do to get it all white again?

Here are a few pics of a friends kitchen I helped her with a while back. Have known her for years. Her cupboards were (are) of a walnut laminate veneer (.. I left a door open in one of the pics...). Normally I would say to people they would be better off investing in a new kitchen. But being a friend and all, plus she was just after a cheap way to lighten it up.

There are products you can seal the laminate with, but first you have to clean it thourougly to remove any grease oils etc that have built up over the years. Start with a light sand before sealing, and between all coats. (always follow the directions on the products). I rolled on three coats of white enamel, new handles, installed a new wall oven and stove top, just had to change the opening sizes a little.. Re-tiled the stovetop area. Put up a couple of shelves, that's about it. Cheap if you want to put in the effort.

The tiles, if they are ceramic, have a bit of age to them..after a while with all the harsh cleaning products that are used on them the ceramic surface can become thin in parts, Once a stain reaches and is absorbed into the porus underlayer, there is not much you can do. Try blocking the drain in the shower, filling it with an inch or so of water, throw in some bleach and let it sit for a day or two. It may give it time for it to absorb into the tile.

p.s. Or some spiritual, religious or lost identity is trying to contact you from beyond by leaving images on your shower floor and you keep scrubbing them out :) :)
 

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