Tips, Tricks & News

• Sell the property?
• Rent out the property?
• Fix existing leaking or damage?
• Just a new look with more functionality?

Source: elledecor

Kerrie and Spence took out the top prize with their elegant, high-tech kitchen, while Hayden and Sara made it into second place for their great choice of orientation. Hans and Courtney, however, were criticised on the placement of their kitchen and its disconnection from the main living area.

Functionality, natural materials and moody colour palettes were among the key trends showcased on the series, but what can we expect to see for kitchens in 2020?

As the housing market cools, sellers are having to splash out tens of thousands of dollars on renovations to make their homes look brand new to appeal to “picky” buyers.

According to Carrie Law, chief executive of real estate portal Juwai.com, Chinese buyers in particular want “like-new” properties, while Chinese vendors are faster to spend on renovations than locals.

“Chinese buyers are the biggest international buyer group, but they are picky,” she said.

“They are especially picky in this market. They want a gorgeous home so they can show the pictures to their friends back home and make them jealous. They tend to like homes that look as close to new as possible.”

Foreign buyers are able to buy only established, second-hand property if they have Australian residency or have become citizens.

Concern about Chinese buyers driving up prices forced state and federal governments to implement a number of tax changes last year, causing many to go elsewhere. Chinese investment in Australian real estate has fallen by roughly 70 per cent since 2015.

Ms Law said Chinese vendors tended to be much more aware than others that property needs to present well to sell well “because that’s what’s expected in China, too”.

“The Chinese in Sydney who we see selling today are much more likely than other vendors to have invested in pre-sale renovations,” she said. “While others ask if they should spend $5000 on staging, Chinese vendors are spending five times that on a new bathroom.”

In mainland China, many Chinese keep investment properties empty so it’s in better shape when they come to sell it. Sometimes they even maintain it as a shell, with no ceilings, floors, walls, kitchen, or bathrooms.

“From the day of purchase, they are calculating how to generate the best return when they sell,” Ms Law said.

“In China, rental yields are very low while price gains have been extremely high. That explains why many property owners don’t bother to find renters for their investment properties.”

SYDNEY’S housing market might be cooling, but apparently, home renovations are booming.

ServiceSeeking.com.au recently analysed 5000 home improvement and renovation jobs which occurred throughout the NSW capital over the past 12 months.

The findings revealed western Sydney residents undertook the highest number of renovations since 2017, at a speed of 50 per cent more than residents in the eastern suburbs and more than 25 per cent the amount of those in the north shore.

CEO Jeremy Levitt said the results were a fascinating insight into the priorities of Sydney homeowners.

“Greater Western Sydney is where the majority of the residential work is. With a developing CBD in Parramatta, many white collar workers can live in these outer suburbs with less of a commute to work, and a smaller mortgage,” he explained.

“Additionally, houses further from the CBD tend to be larger in size with more scope for home improvement, renovations and repair jobs.

“Residents living in the eastern suburbs renovated 40 per cent more than their counterparts across the bridge in the Lower North Shore. Most notably, those living in Bondi Beach required 47 per cent more renovation services than those in Mosman.”

According to the findings, the suburbs that renovated the most over the past year include Blacktown at 9.8 times more renovations than average, followed by Baulkham Hills, Barangaroo, Quakers Hill, Parramatta, Castle Hill, Surry Hills, Ryde, Carlingford and Hornsby.

Meanwhile, the suburbs that renovated the least in 2017 were Clontarf, Clareville, Roseville, Willoughby, Millers Point, Balmain East, Watsons Bay, McMahons Point, Church Point and Berowra.

The analysis also revealed that in some suburbs, a significantly higher amount of residents completed renovation jobs than their neighbours, with residents in Lane Cove completing 89 per cent more renovation jobs than their neighbours in Artarmon.

Residents in Auburn undertook 53 per cent more makeovers than their neighbours in Granville, while those living in Hornsby took on 42 per cent more jobs than their neighbours in Turramurra.

Source: news.com.au

Appliance designs have adapted to the increasing amount of technology that is now incorporated into products, and appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers are often integrated into the cabinetry to blend in with the rest of the furniture.

Source: nine.com.au

The bathroom is one of the most essential rooms of the house and a refresh can add considerable value to your home. In this cost guide we delve into the range of potential costs associated with a bathroom renovation.

When renovating a bathroom, cost is a considerable factor for deciding on style, features and amenities. But how much should you expect to budget for when planning a bathroom refresh?

For an estimate figure, you can expect to spend anywhere between $10,000 to $35,000+. The cost can vary depending on the size of your bathroom, the materials used, as well as any labour costs. However, it is possible for a renovation to cost lower around $5000 if you are willing to swap out a few items or keep the refresh a largely cosmetic update.

Expect to pay more if you are thinking of a complete renovation or:

• Undertaking any structural work
• Want new features that require additional plumbing works
• Are moving plumbing from one area to another
• Replacing all wall and floor tiles

How long will my bathroom renovation take?

Depending on the scale of the project, the renovation will take time so allow anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks of labour. Factors that can affect this timeframe include:

• Any structural works
• Moving plumbing and/or electrical elements
• Having large amounts of tiles to lay
• Unforeseen events, like discovering asbestos in your wall or floor cavity.

The research, planning and design of the renovation, with no major structural changes, allow around 6 to 8 weeks for this phase. This includes:

• Time to develop the design
• Selecting materials and fittings
• Getting quotes from a range of businesses.

Which tradies do I need for my bathroom renovation?

Wondering who you may need to hire for your bathroom project? These are the most common trades you will need to call on:

Bathroom builders can manage and run your project completely on your behalf, and often have all trades on staff to cover different aspects of the job. If not, they can coordinate sub-contractors. This will cost you extra but will take the hassle out of any renovation job.

If you are hiring individual trades:

Architects help to design floor plans for your new bathroom, ensuring everything is logically laid out to suit your lifestyle. Expect to pay for the privilege of their expertise.

Carpenters and cabinet makers can help install custom storage in your bathroom, such as a vanity, cabinetry or any other timber elements such as a new door or window.

Electricians can help install lighting, power points, heating, ventilation and much more.

Painters will need to paint any areas that are not covered by tiles or other elements, preferably with a moisture and wear-resistant paint.

Plumbers are perhaps the most crucial tradie on your project, so make sure you hire one who has a good track record of working on bathrooms.

Tilers are another crucial trade who can can make or break the look of your bathroom. They also need to get small details right, like making sure your shower recess drains properly.

Waterproofers will use a variety of sealants and membranes to make sure your bathroom is properly sealed - so you don't have leaks sprouting up all over the place.

Does my bathroom renovator need to be licensed?

Most elements of a bathroom renovation, such as plumbing and tiling require the use of a licensed contractor. A complete bathroom renovation will typically require a licensed builder, with some states having a licence specifically for bathroom and kitchen renovations. Individual trades such as plumbers, waterproofers and sparkies all need to be qualified and licensed.

Hiring a bathroom renovator

When it comes time to hiring a contractor make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask then include:

• Are you licensed?
• Are you insured to work in my home?
• How long will my job take?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up?
• Can I see examples of your work?

Complete bathroom renovation costs

So how much will you have to spend? As a guideline, expect to spend in the region of:

• $5,000 - $15,000 for a cosmetic makeover or smaller bathroom renovation using budget materials and fittings.
• $15,000 - $25,000 for an average sized mid-range renovation using mid-range materials and fittings
• $25,000+ for a high end bathroom renovation using top of the range materials and fittings.

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) found $17,000 to be the average value for bathrooms installed as part of a renovation in 2015. The best way of working out how much your project will cost is to get a range of quotes from local businesses who specialise in renovating bathrooms. You may be surprised how different they are..

#hiptip: Get at least three quotes before you commit to hiring anyone, so you can compare price and level of service

Estimating your bathroom renovation costs

Some of the major costs to plan for include:

• Plumbing, especially if you are moving plumbing or installing new elements.
• Tiling, which could include floor and wall tiles.
• Frameless shower screen, semi-frameless shower screen or standard shower screen.
• Bath, which could be integrated or freestanding.
• Toilet, which could be a standard version or have an in-wall cistern.
• Vanity, standard or wall mounted which looks cleaner and gives you more floor space.
• Lighting, which could be task, general or mood.
• Waterproofing, to ensure your bathroom doesn’t leak.

Plumbers charge a call-out fee of $60 to $100, with hourly rates anywhere from $100 - $150 depending on the plumber. The fee your plumber charges will depend on where you live and may vary according to the plumber’s skill level.

Expect to pay:

• $80 to $250 to replace and fit bath or basin taps or a new shower head
• $160 to $550 to install to install a toilet, basin, sink or bath

If a plumber is quoting for a large project such as your bathroom renovation project, ask for an itemised quote which details all the elements they are charging for.

Tiling

The size of your bathroom is going to be a major factor in the cost of your renovation, and since so much of a bathroom is tiled, you need to know what the boundaries of your budget are. Expect to be quoted on a per square metre rate by bathroom tilers, which could range from $35 per square metre to $120 per square metre. $60 per square metre is the average for laying bathroom tiles. The cost of the actual tiles would be on top of this, so be sure to factor this in.

For wall tiles expect to pay from $20 to $28 per square meter for standard white ceramic wall tiles (600mm x 300mm) to $68 per square metre for steel grey polished porcelain wall tiles (150mm x 600mm). Moving up in price expect to pay around $86 per square metre for handmade Spanish white gloss ceramic subway tiles (150mm x 75mm) and $159 per square metre for artisan manufactured ceramic wall tiles (200mm x 200mm).

For floor tiles expect to pay $35 to $50 per square meter for ceramic or porcelain tiles, $50 to $100 per square meter for high quality porcelain and $80 to $130 per square meter for high quality natural stone tiles.

Baths

Baths range in price from affordable and versatile acrylic, to durable cast iron and flexible fibreglass to high end natural stone. Expect to pay anywhere from $350 for a plumber to replace and fit a bath. New baths can range from as little as $400 to thousands of dollars, with stone freestanding versions at the upper end of the scale.

#hiptip: Keep your existing plumbing layout to avoid costly works

Shower screens

Shower screens vary in price according to their size and if they are framed, semi-frameless or frameless, with the latter being the most costly. Expect to pay in the region of $400 to have a basic framed shower screen installed. Frameless shower screens use thicker glass, and are consequently more expensive - expect to pay in excess of $600 depending on the size and number of panels.

Toilet

Depending on the toilet you choose, these can cost from $150 to $750 or more for a floor-mounted hidden cistern or wall hung toilet. On average, a good quality floor-mounted vitreous china toilet costs between $275 and $450.

Vanity

Bathroom vanities range in price from:

• $467 for a 900mm wall hung vanity with hidden handles
• $849 for a 750mm floorstanding console vanity
• $999 for a 1500mm double bowl vanity
• $1360 for a 1200mm wall hung vanity with integrated cermaic basin

Waterproofing

Expect waterproofing to cost anywhere from $500 to $750 for an average sized bathroom.

Alternatives to a complete bathroom reno

If you’ve estimated the cost of a dream bathroom renovation and the amount is higher than you can afford, there are ways to modernise your bathroom without breaking the bank. Some alternatives to a complete bathroom renovation include:

• Installing a new shower screen
• Bath and basin resurfacing
• Painting bathroom tiles
• Installing a skylight

 * All the costs and prices quoted were sourced at the time this article was written. They are indicative, may vary locally, are subject to market forces and should only be used as a guide.

Source: hipages

Contact Us For A Free Quote And Renovation Design By Email.

Homeowners should now consider adding value to their existing home, particularly if their strategy is to wait out the downturn. A good builder or renovator will be able to help you with this.

By making small but considered changes, you could update your home to suit your current needs, and it’s simpler than you think. But it’s more than just adding value, the right investments can upgrade your lifestyle too.

Here are some of the best ways to add value to your home and some suggestions on how to approach it.

When you're planning a tiling project, it's exciting to choose tile colours and designs – but these aren't the only things which will make a big difference to how your tiled space looks and feels. The tile pattern you choose will also have a big impact on the finished project. Here's our quick run down of eight of the most popular tile pattern choices.

This is the most commonly used tile pattern of all, and the easiest to do. It's probably the best choice if you have never tiled before. The tiles are simply laid side by side in a straight line, to give an overall even grid pattern. It's a good choice of pattern for rooms where you don't want the tiles to distract from other design features.

As we are extremely busy with ongoing kitchens and bathrooms renovation projects, our kitchen and bathroom showroom is open by appointments only.

It’s good to know what to expect when such a large project is happening in your home. Here is a step by step guide so you have a better idea what jobs happen when.

The first step is to work out how your new bathroom will look and work. It needs to be laid be practical if you are going to enjoy using it and spending time in it. There needs to be a logical flow to all the major elements, including the bathtub, vanity, toilet and shower. This can be done on paper, or there are some really nifty apps or 3D modelling tools that can help you nail your bathroom design. Your bathroom builder can help design your bathroom for maximum convenience.

Paint color and light go hand in hand, and are a complex couple. Your paint color will look different depending on the light that it's exposed to. The tricky part is this: light is never consistent and how it shines depends entirely on time and context. Learn the different light variables, and how color responds, and you are well on your way to becoming a paint master of the universe. Read more.

Bathroom renovations can transform your home and add great value to your property when they are done well. It's important that you think about what you want to achieve in a new bathroom before you get started, and hire qualified professionals to ensure that your plumbing and electrical don't cause unwanted problems down the road. When you call us to discuss your bathroom or ensuite renovations, we'll talk to you on how to make the best decisions, and here are a few tips of what to keep in mind.

Securing the maximum price on auction day is front of mind for any vendor. But getting top dollar for a property that needs work can be challenging, especially if your budget for improvement is tight.

There are many reasons for selling a rundown or tired property. Downsizing, selling a home inherited from a deceased relative or a sudden urgency due to a growing family are all common factors.

Renovating is one way to improve the value of a home prior to sale, but significant improvements can be costly and time consuming, and not everyone has the spare cash to splash on an extensive reno.

So how do you get the best price for your fixer-upper for under $5000?

Where to spend $5000 to prepare your home for sale

Although updating the kitchen and bathroom can have a big impact, a major renovation can set you back tens of thousands of dollars and take weeks to complete, which simply isn’t possible within a tight budget and time frame.

Instead, focus on the areas of the home that will enhance the look for minimal outlay and make a good first impression.

One example of an affordable pre-sale renovation is this four-bedroom character home being sold in Carlton.

Although the tidy home has had some improvements over the years, including a new bathroom, the vendors limited their scope to minor cosmetic updates when preparing for sale, and avoided renovating the kitchen.

“The vendors did the minimum to get it ready for market, but there’s still scope to make money on this house by opening up the rear,” selling agent Kristina Lee, from Professionals Montgomery Group, explains.

To prepare a dated property for sale, Ms Lee always recommends repainting interior walls in a neutral colour, as well as replacing carpets or refinishing floorboards.

“For $5000 you could repaint and recarpet, which freshens up the smell of the home too,” Ms Lee says.

First impressions are especially important, so tidying the front garden, pruning hedges and mowing the lawn will enhance curb appeal.

“We advised the owners to put up a white picket fence, which cost less than $1000,” she says.

“Those changes would certainly add, in my opinion, at least $50,000 to the value,” she says.

$0 updates

The changes that will make the biggest impact may actually cost nothing more than a few weekends of hard work.

Decluttering is essential in preparing a property for sale. If a potential buyer can’t see past mountains of junk, they won’t be able to visualise the potential of the space. Clear out the clutter and put anything that can’t be tossed into storage out of sight, such as in the garage or under the house.

Likewise, removing daggy or outdated furniture, and paring back the space to staple items will make rooms feel bigger. Although styling might not be in your budget, consider borrowing statement pieces from friends or neighbours temporarily to improve the look of the home for inspection.

Give every surface a deep clean, including exterior surfaces and windows, floors and tiles. If you don’t have the time or energy for cleaning and decluttering, consider services like Airtasker to find an extra helping hand.

Untidy gardens and lawns can drag down a property’s potential value and make the home look uncared-for. Pruning, weeding and mowing all make a big impact, but adding bark mulch is an affordable update that is especially effective, as it injects colour and makes garden beds look neater.

If you don’t have a green thumb, include the cost of hiring a gardener for a day in your budget.

Know your buyer

It’s important to understand that the buyers of a dated or rundown property will likely be planning on renovating themselves, and will have their own ideas on what changes they want to make.

Sydney buyer’s agent and associate director of RPM Property, Kyah Johansson, believes that spending big on significant improvements can be counterproductive.

“If a home is liveable and it’s neat and tidy, you may be better off putting it to market as is,” she says.

That being said, Ms Johansson agrees that updating interior surfaces can appeal to buyers looking for a renovation project.

“If buyers can tick the walls and floorboards off their list, then they can focus their money and attention on the major areas like the kitchen and bathroom,” she says.

“A lot of people are looking at buying something that’s very liveable, then renting it out and saving for a renovation further down the track.”

Potential renovators may be living in the home or renting it out prior to starting work, so as long as the kitchen and bathroom are functional, they are best left alone as these are the areas renovators like to inject their personal touch.

Richard Baini, director of Richard Mathews Real Estate, agrees. “If there are areas of a home that people want to put their personal touch on, it’s the kitchen and bathroom,” he says.

The same notion extends to outdoor areas, as major work won’t necessarily get you the return you might expect.

“Everyday people aren’t professional landscapers, and it doesn’t make sense spending money on changes that don’t have broad appeal,” says Ms Johansson.

However, if your home has any significant problems, such as leaks or structural issues, it’s worthwhile hiring a building inspector to highlight any potential issues, and spending the money to repair them before sale.

“Most buyers want somewhere that just needs superficial work, most of them shy away from anything that needs structural work,” says Ms Lee.

Apart from turning off potential buyers, serious issues can also become bargaining chips, giving buyers a stronger negotiating position.

How to prepare a rundown home for sale for under $5000

• Paint interior walls in a neutral colour
• Replace carpets or refinish floorboards
• Clean and declutter the entire home
• Mow the lawn and prune overgrown plants
• Paint the front fence to improve kerb appeal

Source: Domain News

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It’s a look that is undoubtably striking and effortlessly chic, but is black tapware here to stay? It’s a big question in the bathroom space right now. Will black tapware date? Will black tapware fade? We spoke to the senior designers from Porter Davis, Randall Pye and Keith Fuller, to get some answers and delve a little deeper into the design debate.

It's tempting to choose the most stylish kitchen or the most affordable options and forget to think through everything that you need. Whether you're renovating your own kitchen or an investment property, it's important to remember the most desirable and most used features in a kitchen.

How much does a kitchen cost? Ask a kitchen designer that question and they are likely to think, “How much do you want to spend?” Though they’ll put it more politely and show you your options. A better question might be: “What is the range of costs for a new kitchen?” This way, you can buy a kitchen that fits the area you have to cover and your budget, too.

1. Gloves
2. A bucket of water
3. Baking soda
4. Vinegar
5. Scrubbing brush (or another grout cleaning tool, like a toothbrush)
6. A floor-cleaning mop
7. Tile cleaning agent

You can also use bleach or hydrogen peroxide along with baking soda if you want stronger cleaning solutions. You will require protective glasses and a breathing mask if you intend to work with these materials, as they can cause trouble with breathing and the fumes can smart your eyes.

THIS beautifully renovated and cleverly extended townhouse sets a high standard in contemporary living.

Owners Gavin and Nola Allen originally bought the home in 2004 as an investment and have rented it out, used it as a weekender and their son lived at the address while attending university.

“This year, we have done a full renovation including adding a new kitchen, bathroom, laundry, ensuite, floor coverings, light fittings, plumbing fixtures and plantation shutters,” they said.

“Outside, we removed the existing courtyard and built a front entrance onto the house, and removed the existing back verandah and built a new large patio with bifold doors and kitchen servery with bifold window.

“As registered builders, we have been renovating homes for the past 20 years.”

The fittings combine luxury with industrial, such as exposed metal beams, feature lights, engineered wood-look flooring and lush carpet.

The warm and welcoming open-plan living and dining zone seamlessly connects to the alfresco area.

The stunning white kitchen will please any home chef, with spacious breakfast bar, stone benchtops, full complement of European appliances, soft-closing cabinetry and servery.

With a private balcony and ensuite, the master bedroom offers the perfect retreat, while the two minor bedrooms have access to the family bathroom with luxury shower and stylish wood and metal cabinetry.“We have been able to lock and leave the property as it’s only a small group of neighbours who are very considerate of each other,” the Allens said.

“You are two blocks walk to the Preston Street shops, with IGA, restaurants, cafes and Cygnet Cinemas and our son has been able to ride to uni.”

Source: Community Newspaper Group

Contact Us For A Free Quote And Renovation Design By Email.

Tiles are the perfect finishing touch to your dream bathroom. Use your tiles to create the right mood and look. Here are four simple and effective tiling tricks.

Work with large floor and wall tiles to make your bathroom space feel larger.

AN affordable way to get into Melbourne’s inner-north has hit the market.

But just make sure you watch your step.

The old charmer was once flagged for a ripper renovation. But a change in circumstance has left 71 Rae St, Fitzroy North, longing for some TLC.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Nelson Alexander Carlton North agent Janine Ballantyne said.

You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking you’d stepped into a storage shed after throwing open the front door of the terrace house.

Bric-a-brac has taken the place of bedrooms and you won’t find ceilings or plastered walls.

There’s still space for daily life at the rear of the home, but it comes with some quirks to contend with.

The kitchen and bathroom are brought together in a single room, with the toilet just a few steps away from the kitchen sink.

Ascend a ladder to a loft bedroom, adorned with a rather striking arched window and another loo, too.

Despite the home’s rough condition and the sales campaign’s early days, Ms Ballantyne said buyers were eagerly knocking at the door.

“But I haven’t taken anyone through yet,” she said.

“It’s a very unique opportunity in a lovely pocket of Fitzroy North, and has a huge amount of potential.”

She said the price guide of $800,000-$850,000 was reflective of the property’s condition. It is set to go under the hammer on December 19.

CoreLogic sales records reveal it last sold in 1998 for $214,000.

The data firm recorded a 14.8 per cent rise in Fitzroy North’s median house price to $1.4 million across the 12 months to August.

Source: news.com.au

Flaunting a fantastic outlook, but in dire need of some tender love and care, Drew Leverett and Rhionagh Rowley knew they had found the project for them when they stumbled upon this gem of an apartment in Claremont.

“Having grown up and gone to school in Mosman Park, I knew the area well and recognised the value in renovating in Claremont,” Ms Rowley said.

A love for updating and remodelling brought Mr Leverett and Ms Rowley together to start their own apartment renovation company, Leverett Design Co.

Mr Leverett is at the helm as the company’s cabinetmaker and builder and Ms Rowley serves as an interior designer.

The pair undertook a complete remodel of the Claremont apartment, taking out everything that formed the bathroom, laundry, kitchen and all the flooring.

“We sheeted the walls and ceiling and included negative detail around the skirting boards and cornices to give the illusion that the walls and ceilings were floating. This is really effective in rooms with low ceilings,” Ms Rowley said.

The living, kitchen and balcony were tiled with travertine imported from Italy and the bedrooms were given a new lease on life with fresh carpet.

Mr Leverett created and installed a whole wall of custom cabinetry in the living room, as well as cabinetry for the bathroom, laundry, toilet and kitchen.

An undisputed highlight of the renovated apartment, the kitchen features an all-glass breakfast bar supported by a brushed stainless steel leg.

“The glass is really effective in opening up the area, almost ghost-like while still providing seating and counter space,” Ms Rowley said.

Also helping to make the home feel more spacious is a full-height mirror behind the built-in bar that runs the length of the hallway, and essentially doubles the size of the apartment from a visual point of view.

A mirrored splashback in the kitchen reflects the treetops out over the balcony, giving the illusion of an additional window.

The bathroom is truly luxurious, with a large piece of statuario marble porcelain in the shower and a custom-made raking concrete sink with double faucets.

As the apartment is on the fifth floor, Mr Leverett and Ms Rowley faced the huge task of hauling equipment up several flights of stairs.

“The lift was just a tiny bit too small to get the Gyprock sheeting in, the ceilings were popcorn and the walls painted brick, so everything had to be sheeted. Fifty-two sheets of Gyprock had to be carried up the stairs two at a time because of the weight,” Ms Rowley said.

The team worked on the home during standard work hours only to minimise disturbance to the nearby neighbours.

Source: The West Australian

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Contact Us For A Free Home Renovation Quote By Email.

霍尔曾是一名电工和房产经纪人，他在24岁时以12.4万元的价格买下了他的第一套房产，利用周末和下班时间进行翻修，大胆地进入了这个世界。 他只花了1.4万元翻修，几年之后，他以26.5万元的价格卖掉了这栋房子，赚了一倍的回报，他与“翻修转售”的不解之缘也开始了。他最近一次的房产销售为他赢得了一笔上百万元的可观利润，所以在“翻新转售”（“flipping”）这方面，汤姆·霍尔（Tom Hall）是很专业的。

这位墨尔本男子从事“翻新转售”这一行已经16年了，成功做成了10笔生意。

In order to secure more potential buyers, developers are looking for ways to incentivise their projects – but what if an incentive could be as simple as transforming a bathroom from "mediocre" to "luxury".

As the residential market becomes more competitive and more developments are brought to fruition, developers are beginning to use luxurious bathroom and laundry spaces as unique selling points to secure more buyers and to stand out from their competition.

Since the bathroom is often viewed as the second most important room in a property (after the kitchen), this strategy makes sense. That’s why it’s important for developers to think about how they can strategically transform these spaces in order to drive their project to success.

Creating a luxury bathroom doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult, either. Here are five simple ways to take a bathroom/laundry space from mediocre to luxury:

Get Colourful

Kitchen and bathroom spaces are now becoming statement areas, where bold colours and accents work to show-off the property. That’s why developers should be moving away from stock-standard colours and beginning to think outside the box.

Instead of opting for standard chrome tapware, black and gun-metal colours are becoming more popular options and are an easy way to transform the space. Couple this with bold colours that are accented throughout the entire property and the space instantly gets a touch of "luxury".

There are brands of tapware and fittings that come in every colour and style so it is easy for developers to quickly replace their standard options for something more sophisticated.

Embrace Technology

Technology is constantly evolving in every facet of residential development, and bathroom/laundry design is no different. By implementing the latest and most accessible technology in a bathroom, the space feels modern, innovative and forward-thinking.

Imagine being able to tell potential buyers that they can step into the shower and have it set at the perfect temperature, every time. Or that they can set the shower temperature based on a ‘his’ and ‘hers’ method where it’s different depending on who’s using it. That is a powerful selling point.

That’s just one example of the type of technology that modern bathrooms should be implementing: thermostatic mixing valves.

Customise

One thing that has become clear in the residential development industry is that potential buyers value the ability to choose. This can be capitalised on by including elements in a bathroom/laundry that can be fully customised depending on the buyers’ individual style.

These customisable elements allow the buyer to create the luxury space that they want – completely dependent on their own style, needs and desires. This is a unique selling point, and it gives the buyer the ability to connect with the development and create something that is their own.

Choose Quality

One of the easiest ways to transform a bathroom and laundry space is by opting for better quality products and toilet suites. Instead of utilising cheap products, choosing brand-name Italian and German products works as an incentive for potential purchasers.

With the rise of home renovation shows and as bathroom design becomes embedded in popular culture, buyers are now becoming more familiar with high-quality brand names and are actively looking for developments that feature Italian and German products.

Use Thoughtful Design

Creating a bathroom/laundry floorplan that has been thought out – right down to where the toilet is in relation to the shower – is the smallest thing that can transform the space into a luxurious one. If a bathroom and laundry space is well designed, it can add significant value to the property and entice more potential buyers.

Developers should consider using smart design strategies and including features such as glass screens, wall-mounted appliances and space-saving techniques to significantly change how the space looks and feels.

These simple tricks work for residential developments of any size and scale, and are an ingenious way to attract potential buyers – especially in a competitive market where having a point of difference is paramount to a project’s success.

Source: The Urban Developer

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作为房产投资者，其中一个重要的任务就是确保自己的投资回报率最大化，对于房产而言，如果租金在市场水平之下，那么显而易见，第一步是了解市场租金水平，然后进行上调，如果你有不止一套投资房，这将对一年的整体租金收入带来不小的影响。

那如何能时刻确保自己的投资房租金在市场水平呢？这个最好找一个好的房产出租中介，不仅对市场的变化比较了解，而且会定期对租金情况进行重新审核，长期下来会增加投资回报率。

如果租金已经在市场水平了，那还有办法提高租金回报吗？当然有。

无论是哪种办法提高租金回报，背后的基本原则是一样的：就是尽量让自己的投资房吸引所在区的相应租客类型，这样一来，房子会很快租掉，空置期缩短和更受欢迎，从而尽可能多的收到租客申请，申请多了，我们就有机会从中选择相对高质量的理想租客，无论是接下来按时收到房租还是对房子的爱护都至关重要。

从经验来看，不少房东不太愿意花钱来改进自己的投资房，觉得反正也不是自己住，这种态度其实有些不妥，这类房屋通常会有比较高的空置期和比较频繁的租客更换。聪明的房东会找到简单、廉价的好办法来为自己的投资房提高价值，增加租金，咱们一个一个来看：

01、每次租客搬出后对房屋进行更新

每当一个租约结束，租客搬走后通常租客需要付钱对所有地毯区域进行专业蒸汽清洁，作为房东，心态不应是只要是专业清洁了就好，而应该站在下一个潜在租客的角度思考，确保房屋得到了全面的清洁，包括气味。如果墙上有需要修补的痕迹，这也是个好时候。如果你很幸运的有长期按时交租的好租客，那么房东大可主动花钱每年春季为房屋进行地毯清洁，花不了多少钱，不但房子得到了定时的维护，租客也会很开心更长的住下去。对于租客而言，大多数都理解租金是也定期上涨的，如果房东能做到关心租客，租客也更愿意接受房租上涨。

02、有需要维护的地方要及时处理

之前关于房屋折旧抵税的文章里我们提起了“积少成多”这个词，在维护上就要尽量避免。如果租客有需要维修的地方，无论大小，都应该及时处理，无论是关不紧的水龙头还是门窗松动，也许看上去不是太大的问题，但对租客而言有可能是不方便和不安全的的隐患。如果出于某些原因不能及时处理，也要和租客保持沟通，让他们知晓。好的租客，通常也期待好的服务。

03、装修厨房

厨房对房子来说是非常重要的一个部分，甚至很多房子销售时的卖点都是厨房。当然，我们并不需要“Master Chef”那种高大上的厨房，但整洁、干净、有现代化电气的厨房会让整个房子更具吸引力，甚至可以弥补房子其他一些小的缺点。

如果你房子里的厨房比较陈旧，有几个小的简单易行的办法可以试试看：重新粉刷橱柜甚至瓷砖，替换掉橱柜把手，安装一个现代化的水龙头开关，都会让人觉得焕然一新。

需要注意的是时间的安排，最好在没有租客的时候进行，提前安排和准备。通常来说，$10,000可以将一个小型公寓的每个房间都更新一遍，包括重新粉刷墙壁，新的地毯和窗帘等，装修完之后房租会有明显的上涨，抵消掉装修的开销。

04、翻新浴室

和厨房一样，很多房子都是“成也浴室，败也浴室”，陈旧、肮脏的浴室绝对会让很多潜在优质租客转头离去。很多房东都理解浴室的重要性，但会担心装修的开销比较大，其实不然，大多时候房东并不需要翻新整个浴室，可以从一些细节入手，比如更换新的水龙头，淋浴头和一些其他现代化的装饰物可以改进外观，新的橱柜，门把，镜子或者是将浴帘换成玻璃，都会卫浴室带来很大的改观。

另外如果浴盆或者洗脸池很旧，可以考虑重新抛光，瓷砖可以重新喷漆，都是切实可行又廉价的好办法。

05、保持起居室和卧室整洁

试想一下，一个光亮、整洁的房子肯定会比一个阴暗、杂乱的房子更受租客欢迎。这里就要注意灯光的选择，适当地改进或更换灯光是个简单的办法，很多时候也不需要注册电工来完成（视电压而定）。门窗和玻璃的整洁对室内的光线影响也很大，建议在做专业清洁时一并完成。

06、添加新的设备

最好的例子就是空调，澳洲各大主要城市的夏天都比较炎热，为投资房安装空调可以立刻提高租金，尤其是夏天来到之前，很多租客甚至是主动提出诉求，只要房东可装空调，租客愿意涨租。平均来说，空调的安装费用大约需要18个月租金上涨的部分来弥补，18个月之后还可以保持上涨后的租金价位，而且可以有效的降低租客更换和房屋空置率。

更大的例子，可以是为没有车库的房子建一个carport，花费不会很大，但却解决了租客没有遮阳挡雨停车的地方的问题，同样可以在一段时间内通过涨租把这项开支负担掉，而且大多数情况这笔开销是可以抵税的，可以咨询下会计师。

07、增加空间

如果所投资的是house，很多早年的房间布局并不是非常合理或者适合现在人们居住的要求，有时经过适当的调整，可以改进空间的使用，比如如果客厅面积很大，那么可以考虑分割一下得到额外的卧室，或者在书房里添加一个壁柜，甚至是将较大的厨房分割出一个正式的晚餐区，都能达到同类效果。请记住，卧室越多，租金通常就越高。

相反的，如果某些房间或区域很暗常年没有阳光，那么可以考虑将非承重墙去掉，获得更开放的空间和更好的光线，让房子变得更适合居住。

08、单独的洗衣房

澳洲的房子，无论是公寓还是house，通常面积比较大，都有独立的洗衣房或洗衣机隔间。随着今年来高层公寓越来越密集，平均面积也在变小，很多公寓没有设计洗衣房的区域，都是将洗衣机和卫生间甚至厨房放在一起，这其实是借鉴了欧洲的经验，因为欧洲的房屋面积相对较小，这种情况是常态。作为房东，如果可以为投资房单独隔出一个壁柜的空间放置洗衣机和烘干机，和厨房等分开，是会为出租加分的一项。

09、学会投资者的思考方式

很有意思的一个现象是，如果大家是花$50万澳币买一个生意，那么会非常认真的去打理，想尽办法获得最大的收益。而很多地产投资者在购买投资房时花费很大的精力选房，买了之后却变成了“爱好”，没有最大化这项投资的回报。如果你作为一名房产投资者没有周期性的检查房子哪些地方需要更新改进，那么你就属于这个人群。成功的地产投资者都有明确的目标和计划，借助专业人士的力量把细枝末节的地方处理好，自己把注意力放到大的方向上去，考虑如何一步步建立自己的房产投资组合。

10、找一家专业有经验的出租中介

澳洲的房产出租管理专业性很强，透明度也高，一个好的出租管理经理可以成为你投资房产的左膀右臂，他们会像对待自己房子那样去管理你的投资房，确保获得最大的收益，这包括租金最大化，空置率最小化，及时的维护维修和账单的按时支付等各个方面。有些专业的中介甚至会帮你出谋划策，提出装修方案。

而且在澳洲中介费作为投资房产费用的一部分，是可以抵税的，却能为你节省很多烦恼和增加回报。何乐而不为。

Source: Chinese.Domain

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How do you create that 'no expense spared' feeling minus the associated price tag?

The key to making your dream home renovation a reality is knowing where to splash out for maximum impact, according to Beaumont Tiles' Design Specialist Christie Wood.

"2019 styling is a world of colour - really anything goes - it's a dazzling blend of unexpected materials, mismatched combinations, patinas, and paired back styling.

"Perfect for the budget conscious as there are infinite combinations of on-trend looks that can be efficiently and economically achieved.

Here are Christie's top-three tips for achieving the look of luxury without completely blowing your budget:

Pick one feature: Knowing what to splurge on and where to, will do wonders for your budget (and your home!). For the bathroom or kitchen, pair back styling by selecting one luxury feature.

This will not only create a gorgeous focal point for your space, but it will also lift the entire feel of the room.

For the bathroom or ensuite, invest in a feature tile wall or vibrant vanity splashback.

Whereas in the kitchen, splurge on lavish tapware to set the tone of sophistication.

"Hexagons and penny rounds come in an array of shades and create a dramatic impact to any space. They're easy to lay as they generally come on a meshed backing - making them perfect for DIY projects," Ms Wood said.

"Subway tiles are another way to complete the luxe look for less. The key is to use them in an unexpected way like laying them in herringbone or on an angle. For those who are daring, pair them with a coloured grout like navy blue - perfect for a coastal chic or a global fusion inspired project.

"Beyond tiles, consider matt black or brushed gold tapware or a statement bath. Gold gives an affluent edge to nearly anything, and nothing screams high-end more than striking matt black finishes." Or, combine both looks with Beaumont Tiles' Elbrus Tower Basin Mixer in Black Rose Gold.

Consider look-a-likes: The good news is, with improvements to the quality of digital inkjet printing, it's never been easier to emulate a look for less. Finishes like timber are elegant and timeless, but they can also take up your entire budget in one hit.

"Timber-look tiles are easily the most ground-breaking and best option if you want the high-end timber look but simply don't have the budget. Not only will they look as good, but they are also easier to maintain, and are water, dent and scratch resistant; not to mention are allergy friendly too," Ms Wood said.

Create space: Attempting to create a luxurious feel in a space that's cramped and cluttered is almost impossible. To make the room more spacious, choose tiles that have 'expanding' properties.

"Large-format or slab tile designs should be your go-to here as sizes can go up to three meters," Ms Wood said. "The fewer grout lines you see, the more expansive your floor will look. You should also ensure you tile from floor to wall - terrazzo is a great option to compliment."

She said another great way to expand your space while adding a touch of elegance is with textured or 3D tiles.

Below we've collected just a few of our favourite Melbourne bathroom renovations we've showcased over the years here at Complete Home - a range of projects that are sure to inspire you no matter what city or part of the world you live in!

Bathroom waterproofing is a method which prevents water from penetrating your property floors and walls. It is extremely important for your bathroom renovation. In New South Wales, you can only do your own waterproofing if you’re licensed to do so.  Waterproofing has to be done in accordance with the Australian Standard AS3740-2010 - 'Waterproofing of domestic wet areas'.

You can realistically spend anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 or more on a bathroom renovation, depending on the size of your bathroom, and how much your materials, fittings and labour costs are.

Most people spend somewhere in the middle of this range - in fact the Housing Industry Association (HIA) found $17,000 to be the average value of a bathroom renovation.  As you can expect there are a lot of variables that impact how much your bathroom renovation will cost. Factors that will affect the cost of your project include:

• the size of your bathroom

• the materials you choose

• the fittings you select

• labour costs

• permits, if these are required for your job

Let’s take a more detailed at costs, which we have broken down into three price brackets.

You can break down the cost of a bathroom renovation into three price brackets:

• Budget: $5,000 - $15,000

• Standard: $15,000 - $30,000

• Premium: $30,000+

As a guideline, expect to spend in the region of:

• $5,000 - $15,000 for a budget or cosmetic renovation of a smaller bathroom using budget materials and fittings.

• $15,000 - $30,000 for an average sized mid-range bathroom renovation using mid-range materials and fittings.

• $30,000+ for a high end, premium or luxury bathroom renovation using top of the range materials and fittings.

Let’s take a look at this in more detail, and what you get for your money.

Budget bathroom renovation: $5,000 - $15,000

It is possible to do a bathroom renovation for around $5,000, but this will largely be cosmetic or involve swapping out a few items. Spending up to $15,000 will also involve some compromises, such as keeping all your plumbing and electrics in place. To stay in this budget you will also need to choose large format porcelain tiles in the $30 per square metre range - which are durable and available in a wide range of colours. If you are installing a new shower you will need to stick to a framed shower screen, as well as a standard back to wall toilet and floor mounted vanity.

Standard bathroom renovation: $15,000 - $30,000

Budget $15,000 to $30,000 for your project - which is what most people spend, and you get better materials and fittings. You will have a larger range of tiles to choose from in the $50 per square metre range, and could even stretch your budget to more labour intensive mosaics in the shower cubicle. You could also upgrade to a semi-frameless or frameless shower screen, and choose a larger or fancier freestanding bathtub, and bathroom vanity. In terms of moving services, you can make some changes but not major alterations to plumbing or electrics.

Premium or luxury bathroom renovation: $30,000+

Budget $30,000 and more and you are likely to want to completely overhaul your bathroom and make major changes to the layout and services. You may want to install a frameless shower screen, in wall cistern and wall hung vanity, as well as a luxurious freestanding bathtub. If you want the best tiles for your walls or floors then look at ranges of porcelain tiles in the $60 per square metre range.

The heart may be where the home is, but that doesn’t mean all rooms are created equal.

Go back fifty years and kitchens were built to be hidden in the back of houses. Their practical cousin, the bathroom, suffered a similar fate.

But now these two rooms are taking centre stage. We want our kitchens to be more than clean and our bathrooms better than basic.

They’re the two rooms we are more likely to renovate and don’t mind splashing the cash to get what we want.

Last year, Australian renovators spent an average $20,000 on their kitchens and $13,000 on their master bathrooms, according to analysis from Houzz.

Whether you’re planning a full-scale renovation or just a simple makeover, both the rooms need to hit the right balance between practicality and style, says Richard Armstrong from The Makeover Group.

“The first question we ask is how do they use the space?” he told The New Daily.

“What food do they cook? If it’s a particular cuisine you need to structure the room to fit the appliances.

“The way people are entertaining – do they do the cooking beforehand and have a big reveal in the dining room? Or do they stand around the bench pouring champagne and watching as some poor sod cooks.”

Kitchens aren’t just places to cook anymore, they’re often where we socialise but we like them to have a classical look, says Rosana McLeod from Creative by Design.

没房子的人整天想着买房子，有房子的人整天想着如何才能住得更舒服。但是有的房子在装修或是扩建后反而会贬值？那如何才能避免这“人间惨剧”呢？快来看看专家怎么说。

据Domain报道，建筑师Yvonne Haber给我们提出了三点建议。

首先第一点：

要注意房子的整体布局。也许你想将房子简单的扩建一下，也许你是想把房子的某个部分进行翻新，无论你想做什么，请将房间的整体布局考虑进去。布局合理的住房不仅能让自己住得舒心，在将来准备将房子拍卖的时候也会有优势。

其次第二点：

要保证房间风格的统一和流畅性。也许你突然爱上了后现代风格，想在房间里“开辟”出一片个人角落。那么请一定要确保不同风格之间的衔接要自然，不能彼此格格不入。

最后，

Yvonne Haber表示，如果你自己没有信心把房子装修或扩建好，请找一位专业人士来帮忙。毕竟现在房价飙升，在花费了金钱和精力之后房子反而贬值那就得不偿失了。

Source: Sydney Today

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Michelle和Davida Black是一对普通的澳洲两口子，最近他们有个活生生的例子，告诉你为什么连花钱也要趁早。

3年前，他们就开始嫌房子的两个浴室都旧了，想翻新，当时请了几个工人来报价后，他们觉得没攒够钱，还是等一等再说。

3年后，装修工又一次来报价，这次的要价从上次的6500澳元直接暴涨到1.6万澳元。还只是翻新一个浴室的报价！“这还是同一个浴室吗？”她震惊了。想当初，要是多借点钱装修就好了，而不是等到三年后看到价格上涨2倍。

这些数据来自装修消费者价格指数，一份上季度来自ServiceSeeking.com.au网站统计的5.2万份报价的汇总。在维州所有的技术工人中，最贵的是水管工，时薪达到77，这是澳洲平均时薪37.48的两倍。但涨价最多的是铺地板的工人，每平米30.58元，一年大涨18.9%。

你在默默算你的薪水涨了多少吗？统计局的数据是，去年维州的平均时薪涨幅达到2.6%，还是全国之首。在过去15年里，维州建筑工人的工资涨幅远远超出普通工人27%以上。

要不要对比一下今天出炉的另一组数据——最新的维州大学生毕业起薪的中位数排行榜。ACU荣获冠军，以$55600/年领跑其它学校。Monash 和墨大的毕业生起薪中位数在$55000/年！

之后就是Victoria Uni，Swinburne，Deakin以及La Trobe！垫底的是RMIT，并且落后倒数第二近$2000/年！这意味着大学生的起薪大概只有每小时27元左右。而且这一部分数据只是调查了那些愿意接受调查的学生！仍有大量没找到工作，工资不高的学生因没有接受调查而没被算在数据裡！

这下你知道了吧，所有人都说澳洲人工贵，辛辛苦苦上大学，不如去學一門手藝！

为什么技工们工资涨这么贵呢？有分析说是因为供应和需求，房地产开发，很多技工建新房去了，导致接装修活的越来越少。而房子又越来越贵，人们买不起新房就退而求其次装修旧房，或者各种扩建，三房改四房，一层扩两层，还在後院裡加个僭建房……

几年前你想扩建成本大概是5万，现在是8万。但是以前你的房子值40万，现在值100万。所有这些，都导致装修工人工資越来越高了。尤其是那些有licence门槛的技工，绝对是技工中的战斗机，比如水管工、电工、木工等。

想转行当水管工，其实除了要能吃苦耐劳体力好，澳洲的水管工还必须先当4年学徒，期间工资只够基本生活，比如一周400元，每一年加100。然后再经过tafe两年的学习和工作，才能取得可以包工程、维修的licence。如果你够上进，再到大学裡读个两年就可以成为水管工程师，那就无敌了，但4+2+2，相当于8年抗战，和医生有的一拼了。

Source: The RiotACT

Before you jump in the deep end, you need to think about where you’ll be in five years, says director of The Makeover Group, Richard Armstrong.

“You have to ask, what is the goal with the house? What will you do with it in the future?” he told The New Daily. “One of the pitfalls is people will often renovate the house with what their current needs are, opposed to five years time.

Though these figures are just averages, it’s important to note that the size of your kitchen will significantly affect the cost of your renovation. For example, it could cost as little as $11,000 to renovate a small kitchen, and $60,000+ to undertake a standard, large renovation.

Mike Mortlock, managing director of MCG Quantity Surveyors, said it is possible for investors to effectively utilise depreciation to minimise tax on renovations to their investment property whilst still achieving quality results.

“By understanding what items create the most tax-effective benefits, you can make smarter choices that will add thousands to your result without having to outlay a penny more in costs,” he explained.

Here are Mr Mortlock’s top five tips to reduce tax paid when renovating:

Home renovations hit a 14-year high last years as tighter lending conditions saw fewer Aussies move house.

In fact, the volume of renovations in the September 2018 quarter was 11 per cent higher than the same quarter in 2017.

And with the Australian property market set to fall further, this could well continue, says Master Builders Australia’s chief economist, Shane Garrett.

“The tightening of credit conditions have prevented many families from being able to move house over the past year. It seems that some of those have decided to renovate their existing home instead,” he said.

“Australia’s home renovations industry may be an unintended beneficiary of the tougher lending policies.”

But some renovation decisions are better than others when it comes to depreciation and home value.

Many renovators don’t understand the way their choices of materials, fittings and fixtures will affect the size of their tax return, MCG Quantity Surveyors, Mike Mortlock said.

“Most renovators try and save money by tackling DIY work, but there are smarter ways to increase your result without additional hard labour,” Mortlock said.

“I’ve run scenarios which show investors can create added thousands in tax deductions on a renovation simply by selecting one item or finish over another.”

Here are five ways to make the most from your renovations:

Boost your tax outcome by spending more on your cooking area.

Kitchen renovations attract higher depreciation rates thanks to the sheer quantity of assets defined as plant and equipment items. These items depreciate fastest under the ATO guidelines, Mortlock explained.

All kitchen appliances are considered plant and equipment, but appliances with this classification are limited in the bathroom.

“I’ve run some typical numbers based on a $20,000 renovation and choosing to spend up in the kitchen instead of the bathroom can result in an additional $2,000 in deductions across the first three years.”

Your imagination can run wild thinking of the bacteria lurking in your home. But people tend to look in the wrong direction when it comes to fighting germs in the kitchen. Disinfect these seven germ sanctuaries as soon as possible.

Your refrigerator

Your refrigerator harbors bacteria in some surprising places. Ice and water dispensers, vegetable crispers, meat drawers, and door seals are some of the germiest!

To do: Use a disinfectant when you clean the fridge, do a white vinegar flush of the water dispenser, and clean and sanitise the ice maker and ice bin. If your fridge needs extra care (and elbow grease), consider hiring a cleaning service that offers appliance cleaning.

Countertop appliances

Countertop appliances need more intensive cleaning than you might think. In fact, not doing things like flushing your coffee maker and disinfecting your blender gasket can put you at risk of ingesting unsafe bacteria.

To do: Run a cycle of white vinegar and water through your coffee maker, and tackle scum on slow cookers with white vinegar and baking soda. Disassemble your blender and wash every component with soap and water. And remember to unplug appliances before cleaning.

Countertops

Think of all of the hands, bags and containers that land on your countertops throughout the day. A quick wipe-down won't be enough to fully clean the surface and prevent cross-contamination.

To do: Disinfect your countertops daily and let them air dry. And consider installing a nonporous countertop material like engineered quartz to reduce germ accumulation!

The sink

Sinks require daily care to fight bacteria. Disinfecting them regularly will reduce the risk of contaminating foods and dishware, and will make your sink less appealing to pests.

To do: Flush sink drains weekly or bi-weekly with hot water and bleach or vinegar and baking soda. And disinfect your sink basin every night. If your sink is slow to drain or produces a smell, it might help to connect with a local plumber.

Building a new house or renovating your current one can be an exciting time. But things can easily go wrong, especially with more complex projects. We ask the experts how to make your build a success.

If there’s one thing homeowners need to get right, it’s waterproofing. Brian Seidler, Master Builders Association NSW executive director explains why.

“Water defects are the biggest issue homeowners face with kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovations. 48 per cent of defects are water-related and the problem is due to the incorrect application of waterproofing products, or the wrong product for the particular application.”

Doing your own research is essential to understanding what needs to be done to waterproof your home and ask your builder what waterproofing process they will be using.

“We had a recent example where two builders quoted for the same job, and one was $90,000 cheaper. The difference in the build and price was in the waterproofing alone. But the project had five wet areas planned and the higher quote detailed a different process that was more thorough and effective.”

Run a fine-toothed comb through the quote, don’t skimp on research and find out as much information as you can. “This is where the relationship with your builder comes into play. Keep the channels of communication open and ensure they will be using the right products and techniques to the necessary standards or above.”

Damage from failing waterproofing works can have huge repercussions on the structural integrity of your home and your hip pocket.

“Double and triple check everything. Asking as many experts as possible is always better done before the build, rather than after the trouble starts.”

When Jane Goodall and Christopher Parkinson bought 42 Durack Street in Downer – then a typical Canberra 1960s property – in 2013, they were planning to simply extend the house.

“We fell in love with the beautiful oak trees that line the street. It’s a friendly, quiet neighbourhood but surrounded by lots of good cafes, restaurants and walking trails,” Jane explains.

“We lived in the cottage for about a year before we committed to doing anything. That was helpful to get to know where the sun shines in and get a feel for the block.”

Nat Wheeler has got it bad for renovating. In fact, she openly admits being obsessed by it.

“There’s nothing I love more than a little demolition work,” Ms Wheeler said.

Over the years, she has renovated three houses and, with her Norsu Interiors store business partner Kristy Sadlier, four shops (the latest is the new norsuHome Concept store in Malvern East).

Her fixation with remodelling spaces began when she was just 12 years old and decided to hire a steamer to remove the pink wallpaper in her bedroom.

“Back then, I wasn’t into pink at all, but through my work with Norsu, it has become my signature colour,” Ms Wheeler said.

So, when it came time to renovate the California bungalow in Glen Iris that she shares with husband Dan and their two children, Annabel, 7, and Harvey, 4, she was absolutely in her element.

Time to get inspired. These are the top four bathroom trends as voted by customers to get you started.

Old meets new in a contemporary expression of a classic style.

House owners are still very confident about return on investment putting money into their property so there is a lot of work going on in the renovation market.

Kitchen renovation offers the best profit return when you sell the property as recommended by Domain. Some other renovations can cost much more than they will ever give you back.

Bathroom renovations can cost up to $30,000. Renovating new modern bathrooms significantly add to your home value and your quality of life!

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