I purchased a lake front house on the mid north coat last August and began renovations in September.
I still have about 20% more to do before I move in.
It had ducted air conditioning which I wanted removed. When I lifted the carpet around one of the vents I found the most beautiful floorboards....throughout the while house. I ripped out all the carpet.
I knew exactly what renovations I wanted and knew that any changes would cost big money once the renos had started.
The local builder I employed was put in charge of all the subcontractors and I was confident that he understood what I wanted.
He has been wonderful, harrd wowrking, keeping me fully informed about eat stage, and reliable since day one.
I was aware that materials had to be ordered and manufactured, and there would be a lag between ordering and delivery to a rural area..
The house was a three bedroom but I really onnly needed two.
I had a wall between the living room and the first bedroom remmoved and that room became the tv/library room.
I don't like the tv, etc. in the living room
The interior is very much modern open plant now.
I had roman blindsf fitted to two walls on the living room, Both walls are completely glass and no matter where I am I can seet the view out over the lake..
The huge decks on two sides were perfect the way they were. That saved me heaps.
The bathroom and en suite were perfect the way they were so that saved me big dollars.
When I put in the new galley kirchen I retained all the plumbing in situ too, so that cut down on costs too.
The only physical work I have done/am doing is clearing a lot of foreign plants from the undergrowth.
The undergrowth and vvines were so thick that underneath I found a mango, lemon, peach and avocado which I didn't even know were there.
There are magnificnt old growth nattve trees, One has a huge hollow branch about 40 ft of the ground which I refer to as nature's boarding house for the abundant cirtters. I am an environmentalist.
Back to renovations. My suggestions are...
Take your time planning what you want.
Do not make changes once the work has started.
Make sure the contract includes removal of all rubbish and left over materials including cartons.
Make sure you can handle the quotation for all the works plus 10% for contingencies.
Do your own work sourcing exactly what you want in relation to fittings, tiles, splshbacks, etc.
Do not compromise ....you will regret it down the track.
Get at least three kichen quotes.....you will be surprised at the difference in quotes for exactly the same kitchen.
Get an itemised quotation from the builder and only go ahead if you trust that he knows exactly what you want.
Once the agreement is in place.....stay out of the builder's and subcontractors' way.
Do not go to the house while they are working. It really annoys them if an owner is hovering.
If there are delays on the job....don't blame the builder....things happen like materials being held up.
Only speak to the sub-contractors through the builder
Let your next door neighbour know you are going to do renovations and apologise for any future disruption. (my neighbours really appreciated it).
(Mind you it is easy for me to say this as my present home is only four minutes away and I am not going to sell it until the new house is finished.....there is no urgency).
The first thing I am going to do the day I move in is to drag my kyak down to the bottom of the garden and take off over the lake.
I must say that six months down the track and the job is not finished that I am still so full of enthusiasm and over the moon about the way things are going.
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