Tag: trades

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Design Kitchens RENO ADDICT

Which tradies do what in a kitchen reno?

Planning on revamping or rebuilding your kitchen? Depending on the scale of your project you are going to need the right tradies to make it all happen. Knowing who does what will help you decide who you are going to need.

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Benchtop installer

Having tons of space to work on is essential in the modern kitchen, so a benchtop specialist can install whatever surface is right for you, including budget laminate, timber, engineered or natural stone, amongst others.

Cabinetmaker

A cabinetmaker can help you get exactly what you want in terms of storage for your kitchen including a dedicated pantry, deep drawers and all the latest hardware like soft close drawers. Don’t forget to plan for that wine rack, a must for any kitchen!

Electrician

A sparkie is a must-have tradie for any kitchen project no matter the size. Besides obvious elements like lighting you are also going to need tons of powerpoints and all your integrated appliances wired and installed.

Kitchen designer

A kitchen designer can help you squeeze the most out of your space. Let’s face it a well laid out kitchen is an efficient kitchen. Expect to chat about the kitchen work triangle, layout and cabinet sizes.

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Plumber

Nowadays you’ll be installing not just your kitchen sink and tapware but your dishwasher and that fancy fridge with water/ice dispenser. A licensed plumber can make it all happen and more.

Splashback installer

Unless you like the look of raw concrete (some of you just may) a glass, tiled or stainless steel splashback are perhaps more practical options to frame your work area.

Tiler

Whether you are thinking of a snazzy tiled splashback or simply having tiles underfoot, an experienced tiler can lay these on walls or floors.

hipages ikea

Dedicated kitchen builder

If you are doing a whole kitchen reno and want someone to take care of the whole project, then a dedicated kitchen builder is definitely for you. They can manage all the above trades and save you a heap of time trying to juggle it all. Expect to pay for the convenience though.

If you are installing a flat pack kitchen there are also dedicated services that will do just that for you.

Don’t forget, like any other job all the tradies who work on your kitchen project need to be licensed for the work they undertake.

— Craig Gibson is the online editor of hipages.com.au, Australia’s largest network of trade professionals and the perfect place to find a kitchen specialist in your local area.

Categories
Architecture Before & Afters Design DIY Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Real reno: the $9,000 budget transformation by one very determined woman

Making a net profit of $20,000 in just six weeks is no mean feat, but it is one that Kylie Nolan achieved when she undertook her first renovation for profit.

Before - Kitchen
Before – Kitchen
After - Kitchen
After – Kitchen

Buying her two bed, one bath Queensland duplex for $215,000 in May 2014 (and selling that September for $265,000), she took the two month settlement period to get her plans in order, buy all the fittings and fixtures and organise trades. And while she admits she was raring to go, her detailed prep time saw Kylie manage to spend just $9,000!

Before - Living Room
Before – Living Room
After - Living Room
After – Living Room

“I was on a tight budget so I was careful to keep existing fixtures that were okay like the carpet, the wall tiles in the bathroom and the shower cubicle,” explains Kylie. “However, the kitchen had to go and was replaced with a new IKEA white gloss design for $1200. I then bought a packaged appliance special at ALDI for $1000 which included the oven, cook top, dishwasher and range hood. I had to line up at ALDI before they opened to get one before they sold out!” Other ways Kylie saved money was by doing a lot of the work herself — such as painting the whole home, grouting the tiles and even laying the floors — as well as getting the help of a bargain handyman.

Before - Kitchen/Living
Before – Kitchen/Living
After - Kitchen/Living
After – Kitchen/Living

With the previous owner having crammed belongings into every corner of the property, Kylie’s aim was to open up the cluttered space. To create a light and bright home, Kylie got rid of the kitchen island that cut the kitchen/living room in half and gave the high rake ceilings a fresh makeover; though the latter was no easy job! “The raked ceilings were an issue as I wasn’t sure what to do with them; but I knew they had to be changed as they were so dark and dated. I had called painters to work out a way to paint the gloss wood, but they all said to sand it back, prime and paint, but I couldn’t do that on my own, it would just take too long. I didn’t have the budget to plaster them, so I just googled how to paint gloss wood and found the product Zinsser B.I.N Primer at Bunnings. I’m really happy with how they turned out and I think they are a great feature of the duplex.”

Before - Bathroom
Before – Bathroom
After - Bathroom
After – Bathroom

Clearly not afraid to get on the tools, Kylie’s biggest hurdle was surprisingly no DIY challenge, but rather getting people to take her seriously. “I had a few tradies and guys at some trade shops laugh at me because I was a single female with no real experience doing renovations on my own – but I guess I’ve had the last laugh! It was a massive learning experience and has given me much more confidence in my ability.”

Before - Guest Bedroom
Before – Guest Bedroom
After - Guest Bedroom
After – Guest Bedroom

Already onto her second renovation, Kylie has well and truly caught the renovation bug. So she is the perfect person to go to for advice: “When renovating for profit education is key. The saying: ‘You make your money when you buy a property,’ is really true. You just have to know which property can make you money, the renovation is the easy bit! Go to seminars on renovating by renovation experts, read books and watch the real estate market in your area. Don’t let fear stop you. You can do it!”

For more Real Renos.

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RENO ADDICT

Resolving disputes with your tradie, it’s all about communication!

Let’s face it, having home improvements done can be a stressful experience. Besides the inconvenience and expense, there is the small matter of dealing with any number of contractors. Getting your leaking tap fixed is one thing, larger projects are necessarily more complex.

reno addict hipages

The most common home improvement-related disputes typically arise around:

  • Contractual issues — non-completion of a project or disputes based around payments and timeframes
  • Workmanship — poor quality work and/or defects.

Disputes are a real time sucker — you really do want to avoid them. Your job invariably ends up in limbo and costing more than you budgeted for. So, how to avoid becoming embroiled in all this unpleasantry?

Have the conversation

First thing is to address the individual or business directly, detailing the issue you have. This could be in person or over the phone. This approach can yield results and help to clear up a simple misunderstanding. You can then get your project back on track!

If not, the next step is to send a written complaint via email or a formal letter. Don’t forget to keep a record of all your communications with them, specifically who you talked to and when.

If you do reach an agreement, you should confirm this in writing with the business. This is to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Last resort?

If you cannot resolve the matter with your tradie, it is time to take your dispute to the public body in your state — for example, Consumer Affairs Victoria or NSW Fair Trading. There are also industry bodies, such as Master Builders, who offer a similar service. They will attempt to mediate and resolve on your behalf. This can be a lengthy process, but it can help prevent the dispute ending up in court. Think more time and more expense!

Don’t forget the details

If you want to avoid the inconvenience of a dispute, screening your tradie before you hire them is a useful first step. Whilst it offers no guarantees, it does ensure that your tradie is qualified for the work they carry out.

So take the time to ask the right questions, such as:

  • Are you licensed for the work you carry out?
  • Are you insured?
  • Do you have recommendations from past clients?
  • Can I have a written quote?

Don’t forget to get a written contract for your project. This is a legal requirement for jobs over a certain value. This varies by locality, so check before you get your project rolling. The bigger your job the more detail you need in that document, including scope of work, timeframes, warranty info and payment schedules.

Remember, communicating with your tradie from day one is the best way to avoid any misunderstandings and preempt any potential disputes. Happy renovating!

— Craig Gibson is online editor of hipages.com.au, Australia’s largest network of trade professionals. 

Categories
Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

How to find good tradies. And keep them!

Hands down I owe a huge part of my renovation and house flipping success to a fantastic team of trades. The team has everything from builders, plumber and electricians to surveyors, town planners, property developers, estate agents, stone masons and great suppliers.

IIHS-Naomi-Findlay

There are loads of mainstream ways to find trades — the net, new apps, advertising etc — and there is naturally an important due diligence process that you must always follow that involves checking licences and insurance before you engage anyone. But today I am going to share with you my more common sense secrets to finding and keeping good trades; the human element, you could say. Unfortunately, people sometimes overlook these points when looking for and working with trades.

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Marty the builder, one of Naomi’s dream team!

Finding them

Ask other trades. If you are already working with a good team and want to add to it, ask the trades you are working with for their recommendations. Like attracts like, so if you like the trades you have, more than likely you will like the trades they enjoy working with too.

Meet with the tradies before you get them on site, offer to meet them on one of their job sites. This will allow you to get a feel for them and also get an idea of how they work. For me it is very simple: if they look me in the eye, shake my hand firmly and can hold a respectful conversation with me about the work they do, then we are off to a good start.

I generally ask them about what jobs they have on at the moment, who is in their team, what their lead times are and specifics about the task that I am keen to have them work on. I also find out who they know in the industry, as cross checking them with other trades is a great way to get honest feedback.

Then… give them a shot. Using a trade once does not mean they are yours forever. On the first job, make sure you communicate extremely well, in multiple mediums. Call them to tell them what you want done, meet them on site to show them and have the instructions and diagrams of what you want done written and stuck on the walls of the job. Then leave them to it. Don’t micromanage them or watch them work! That shows no trust.

Keeping them

This is all about respect, respect for their skill, their trade and most importantly them as people. How you do this really comes down to simple things that apply everywhere in life.

  • When I go on site I great every trade with a handshake and a big hello.
  • If I see someone on site I don’t know, I always introduce myself.
  • If I arrive to site with a coffee, I will always bring drinks for the tradespeople too.
  • Every day I tell them how happy I am with the job (as long as I am).
  • If I am not happy about something, I seek to understand before I seek to be understood.
  • I pay very quickly! Inspect the job as soon as it is complete and then you will be ready to pay as soon as that invoice comes in. I never leave a trade to wait for pay.
  • I get dirty! When required, I join my trades to demo and to clean up.
  • I show and interest in what they do and ask why. Most trades are so keen to share their knowledge they are just waiting for someone to ask.
  • I involve the trades in the project. Feeling part of a team can make all the difference.
  • I plan well. Trades are constantly being asked to do things at the drop of a hat. Be the standout client and book them in as much in advance as you can.

Enjoy your trades! It is so great to be part of a great team of tradespeople and it can be such a joy to be on site with a great team!

Got a question for Naomi or one of our other resident experts? Submit it for consideration here.

What advice would you add to the above?

Categories
Bathrooms DIY Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

Can I demolish my own bathroom? With Baz Du Bois

A reader has sent in the following question for our resident expert Baz Du Bois:

“Hi Barry. We are about to renovate our bathroom and replace everything, including the toilet. We want to pull out as much ourselves as possible to prepare for the new bath, shower and toilet etc. What should we demolish ourselves and what should we leave for the experts to remove? Do we need to be careful when removing the toilet?”

Peter Wilmouth

Here’s Baz’s great advice:

Thanks for the question. Bathrooms are one of the most difficult and expensive rooms to take on in a reno, so with that in mind, it’s great that you want to jump in and get some of the hard labour done yourself. Even as a DIYer, it’s first important to have a critical path and demolition plan mapped out on paper so you and your tradies are on the same page and can schedule and collaborate.

Start with the date the plumber has agreed to start and work back with your demo from there. I find it very helpful to make a note of what I am going to do, in what order and what equipment I may need. For example:

  • remove toilet, vanity and bath (large hammer, crowbar, screwdrivers), one day, two people required for lifting.
  • remove mirror and wall tiles (small grinder with masonry disk, cold chisel, spade, buckets or bags for debris), two days.
  • remove floor tiles, one day (hire jack hammer).

By doing the job on paper like this, you will discover tools and processes you may not have allowed for in your timeline. Delays or delaying your tradies will cost you money. At this point ,you may be saying things to yourself like ‘that’s a lot of trips to the street or yard, do I have the time it takes, where am I going to put all this waste?’ They’re great questions so also add the answers into your construction plan and when you’re getting prices from your tradies, ask them the same questions. Collaboration and communication are the keys to a good reno.

My next tip is if your home was built before 1987, it could have asbestos in some of the building products. It’s not easy to know if it has, so treat the project as if it does and take best practice measures. Check out asbestosawareness.com.au but a couple of measures I always take are to wear personal protective gear (like disposable overalls, gloves, a mask and eye protection) and use a plastic drop sheet or similar to isolate any dust from spreading through the rest of your home.

Ok, let’s get down and dirty. I see no reason why you can’t carry out all the demolition but be aware that all ceramics tiles, baths, basins and toilets can be dangerous and sharp when broken so where possible, cover such items with a towel etc if you need to break them up to remove them and wherever possible, remove them intact. Many of these items are accepted at reuse and recycle yards.

As soon as you remove items such as the vanity, bath and toilet, use an old shirt or rag in a strong plastic bag to temporally seal up the plumbing and protect it from building and demolition debris. Force it like a plug into the pipe. This will also stop any smells!

Demolition is hard work and renovating is very rewarding. I promise the more times you do this on paper, the smother the process will become.

Got a question for one of our Resident Experts? Submit it for consideration here.

Categories
Bathrooms RENO ADDICT

Great value bathroom vanities online, direct to your door

Sponsored by Allure Bathrooms

There are many reasons bathroom renovations get put off and put off (sometimes for years) despite a brand new shiny one being top of many people’s wish lists. Two of these are the expense and having better things to do with your weekend then traipse around bathroom showrooms. But did you know, as with most things these days, you can now get a great deal online and not have to leave the comfort of your own home? Yes, even with bathrooms. So long as you have a tape measure, you’re set!

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Allure Bathrooms are one such supplier, specialising in a wide range of great value vanities at all budgets, delivered direct to your home. Having replaced one last year, I know a new vanity alone can transform the look of a tired bathroom, not to mention adding valuable storage space you may not have had before.

Starting at just $549, they have a wide range a range of styles and sizes, from contemporary, wall mounted bathroom vanity units to more traditional, timber ones. Whether you want one basin or two, sleek and modern or traditional, a budget buy for your investment property or something really fancy for your spacious family bathroom, Allure have you covered.

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They also sell tapware, shower screens, basins, toilets, bath tubs and accessories. Pretty much everything you need except the tiles and flooring. And of course you just need someone to rip out and install at your house, whether that’s your trusted tradie, a plumber or yourself!

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If you’re in Melbourne you can even visit their Collingwood showroom and see for yourself, or give them a call on (03) 9419 5282 for some advice.

“Allure Bathrooms is passionate about bringing the best in quality contemporary bathroom products to Australians at a price they can afford. With guaranteed lowest prices and the best in contemporary bathroom design, a walk through of our showrooms in Melbourne will be enough to convince you that we have the bathroom supplies you need to give you the refined decor you desire. Come in and talk to us and we will help you bring your bathroom to life.”

Shop online.

Categories
House Tours RENO ADDICT Styling

Diary of a Reno, the complete video series

Watch all five episodes of our Diary of a Reno video series as we take you through a real life renovation, from purchase to sale and $25,000 profit six weeks later! Our expert Naomi Findlay, an experienced property developer (and busy mum of four!) owns successful business SILK Home Staging & Styling and teaches others how to stage for sale and set up their own styling businesses through her International Institute of Home Staging. Former Block winners Alisa and Lysandra are just some of her students!

Watch videos 1 through to 5 to follow the whole story of this project in Newcastle, NSW.

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

Video 5

We hope our warts and all, keeping it real advice has inspired and helped you. If you have any questions for Naomi, please put them in the comments below.

Happy renovating!

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Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

How to hire a dream tradie

Copyright: A Man at Hand Property Maintenance

By Craig Gibson

Tradies can be such an important part of designing our dream living space. But all too often it can feel like chasing shadows; the unanswered calls, no-shows and mysterious absences are frustratingly familiar to many of us. The no-show is perhaps the most exasperating, but worse could (and does) happen — especially once you have hired them. Absconding with your deposit or horrendous workmanship are two not uncommon scenarios, alongside a variety of other transgressions.

Copyright: A Man at Hand Property Maintenance
Copyright: A Man at Hand Property Maintenance

So do dream tradies really exist or are we asking too much? Is it realistic to expect them to call you back ASAP, get your job done on time and clean up after themselves? The good news (and answer) is yes! Like any industry, there are rotten and rosy apples, you just need some pointers to help you have the best experience when creating your perfect home.

So how do you go about finding that dream tradie, and avoid your reno dreams turning into a nightmare?

  • Communication — your first point of contact with a tradie is a good indication of how professional they are. A dream tradie is punctual, courteous and ready to answer all your questions. If they are responsive — answer your calls or emails promptly and keep appointments (these are positive, heartwarming signs) — they obviously value you as a client.
  • Reviews — online reviews and recommendations can make finding that dream tradie easier. Word (good and bad) travels fast online, and you can read consumer reviews and recommendations of individual businesses on tradie-finder sites.
  • Price — don’t be seduced by the cheapest quote, the best tradies often charge more for a reason. They will tend to use quality materials and spend more time getting your job done right. Shonky tradies will often use low prices as bait to help close the deal with you.
  • Licences — many jobs must be carried out by a licensed tradesperson, including all projects that require a sparkie, plumber or gas fitter, as well as larger building projects. Is it really worth risking someone unqualified making a mess of your dream kitchen? Checking a tradie’s licence is easily done; literally a few clicks away on sites such as Licensedtrades.com.au.
  • Paperwork — besides licences, any reputable tradie will be forthcoming when it comes to producing documentation such as a detailed quote. If your job is a significant building project, then a contract is essential to protect you (and them). Builders are also required to have a range of insurances, including public liability and warranty insurance.
  • Knowledge is power — educating yourself about your job gives you leverage in any dealings with a tradesperson. Take the time to find out the approximate market rate for labour and materials, so you can examine a quote with an informed eye. Dream tradies won’t try to hoodwink you, but it helps to be informed.

When you do find a dream tradie, you will want to adopt them, or at the very least share your good fortune with all your friends and family. Do feel free to spread the word — they will get more work out of it and very soon dream tradies will rule the universe!

–Craig Gibson is online editor of hipages.com.au, Australia’s most visited site in the building, renovation and home improvement sector, where you can post your job and three businesses are sourced to quote on the work.

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Expert Tips The Block

The Block’s Lysandra Fraser on creating the wow factor on a budget

In the second of our regular posts from The Block Sky High winners Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, it’s Lysandra’s turn! She reveals how they spent most of their budget on the show on tradies, picking up bargain furniture, linen and accessories from Ikea, Freedom, Kmart and even op shops, only splurging here and there. Just up our ‘style without the snobbery’ street!

Lysandra the block

Growing up, Alisa and I were always taught the value of a dollar. If you wanted something, you had to work hard to get it. Money was spent wisely and it had to stretch a long way. These same values followed Alisa and I as we entered The Block, and I believe they ultimately contributed considerably to us being crowned the winners.

Continue reading “The Block’s Lysandra Fraser on creating the wow factor on a budget”
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RENO ADDICT The Block

3 top renovating tips with The Block Sky High’s winning twin, Alisa Fraser

I’m delighted the twins are joining Interiors Addict to guest post and share their renovating and interiors expertise over the next few weeks. Today, Alisa sums up her best renovating advice.

Alisa the block

As I sit down to write my very first blog, I asked myself what advice could I give the home renovator/decorator? Here are my 3 top tips to a successful renovation.

Continue reading “3 top renovating tips with The Block Sky High’s winning twin, Alisa Fraser”