RENOVATIONS DONE RIGHT

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Jonathan Cook
6 years ago
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1 KITCHENS & BATHROOMS: RENOVATIONS DONE RIGHT Renovating your home can not only transform the look and feel, it s a smart way to increase your property value. info@fortinteriors.com.au Website: fortinteriors.com.au Phone:

2 KITCHENS PREVIOUS PROJECT: A new kitchen to capture the view Unlike most two storey Queensland homes being built today, this client had a want for something a little different. With city views from the second storey of their Auchenflower home, they wanted to create a living space that really encapsulated this key feature of the home. The design for this space really made the kitchen the heart of the home, as while working in the kitchen, the client was able to enjoy the views while being part of the family hustle and bustle in the main living area. THE DETAILS: Location - Auchenflower Renovation - Kitchen Date - November 2015 Budget was another factor that was important for this particular renovation. We were strategic in selecting materials that would accommodate the budget, while ensuring that there was no compromise on finishes or design. Pricing - $20,000 - $49,000 We not only focused on the space, but the lifestyle it could provide, which was so important for this particular project. It is so wonderful finding a company that gives you the confidence in their work because their own personal standards were higher than our expectations. Speak to one of our friendly builders today! Book a free consult at fortinteriors.com.au or call Jordan on

FIVE TIPS FOR RENOVATING YOUR KITCHEN #1 Function should come first & design second While you might have your heart set on a particular design, functionality should be your priority.

3 FIVE TIPS FOR RENOVATING YOUR KITCHEN #1 Function should come first & design second While you might have your heart set on a particular design, functionality should be your priority. Working out how you use your existing kitchen is a good first step. If you use the microwave a lot, there s no sense putting it away in a cupboard. And while a bright, open kitchen might look good, consider that a widespread layout can make juggling the pots and pans more difficult. Keeping your sink, fridge, and stove within equal distances (usually in a triangle) of each other is a good idea. Once you have the workflow of the kitchen down, you can move on to making it look good. #2 Choose appliances wisely Choosing your appliances is often one of the biggest decisions. As most people use their appliances on a daily basis, it s essential that they are both functional and of good quality. Brands that are reputable and offer extended warranties or servicing can be a safer option. Aesthetics can also be a deciding factor in your purchase, and buying in the same range can ensure a streamlined look throughout the kitchen, with subtle features such as dials and railings being consistent across the same brand. #3 Counter space - The more, the better There s nothing worse than cooking with crowded bench tops, especially if the cooking process is a family affair. When considering a new design for your kitchen, your bench space is probably your most important feature. As a general rule, having space on either side of your sink and stove is a must, and the space between the two is your most functional and heavily-used. #4 Don t forget the small costs It s easy to budget for the bigger costs, like a new fridge or that stone countertop, but it s the small costs that can quickly add up and take you by surprise. New wiring, plumbing fixtures and ventilation might not be at the forefront of your mind when you plan to renovate, but they will sneakily make their way into your final costs. That being said, always expect to go at least 10% over your budget. Not only will this help you prepare financially, but it will mean less compromising on the finishes you love. Want that glass splash-back? It s yours! #5 Get creative with your features Renovating your kitchen doesn t have to be stressful. Just think, you get to do away with bad and replace it with the good (often great). Get those matte back taps you ve been eyeing off for months. Or why not go for an in-built coffee machine? The sky s the limit!

4 MAPPING OUT A BUDGET FOR YOUR NEW KITCHEN On average, most people are looking at spending at least $20,000 for a complete kitchen do-over. If you re not needing the whole kit and kaboodle, a smaller budget of $15,000 to $17,000 is doable. When it comes to the budget, a range of approximately $17,000 - $35,000 is generally a safe estimation. So, what can you get for how much? Like most things in life, the more you spend the more you are going to get. Here are some different kitchen budgets and the sort of renovation you would get for each: Cost Features Other Considerations $17,000 - $20,000 $20,000 - $40,000 $40,000 + New sink and taps Installing new or replacing countertops with cheaper materials (e.g. laminate, vinyl) Adding a tile splashback Refacing old cabinets or installing new basic cabinets New appliances Painting the walls and ceiling Installing new lighting Replacing benchtops with higher quality materials (stone, wood, metal) Custom cabinetry New high-quality, reputable kitchen appliances Adding recessed lighting and rewiring if needed New flooring New top of the range, energy efficient appliances Granite or marble bench tops Opting for an additional butlers pantry Bespoke cabinetry Overhead feature lighting New hardwood flooring Walls being moved or removed There is likely to be some DIY labour and material purchases. Professionals can be used to do more of the hard work and design a space that suits. More luxury inclusions are also available. Let the professionals do it all. If you really want the works, it s worth using a builder who has a designer to work with and help you create the perfect plan. By doing this you can actually make savings. When choosing which features to include in your new kitchen, it s important to have an idea of how much spend is allocated to each. Based on our previous renovations, below are some benchmark figures of the breakdown of spend for a typical kitchen reno: Cost Features Design Fees 2% Installation & Carpentary Labour 25% Appliances & Ventilation 14% Cabinetry & Hardware 25% Countertops 5% Lighting 5% Flooring 7% Doors & Windows 4% Walls & Ceilings 5% Faucets & Plumbing 7% Other 1% With all of this in mind, it s pretty clear that deciding to renovate a kitchen takes a lot of planning. Make sure you set aside some extra money for anything you might not have anticipated, establish a floor plan and timeline before getting started on any of the hard labour, and if getting a professional, it s worth checking if they are a trusted local builder (QBCC lisence holder). Website: fortinteriors.com.au Phone: info@fortinteriors.com.au

BATHROOMS The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the house; and becasue of this, the room often requires a revamp at some point in your home s lifetime.

5 BATHROOMS The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the house; and becasue of this, the room often requires a revamp at some point in your home s lifetime. Bathroom renovations can be quite complex and there is often a common misconception that it is cheaper to do it yourself. Many have found spending money to get professionals in is often much better in the long run. Here are some of our top tips when renovating a bathroom: #1 Use the professionals #3 Get your lighting right Don t risk cutting corners with waterproofing and plumbing by doing it yourself. These jobs are best done by licensed professionals. If the job isn t done right, the cost of fixing a problem later down the line can be enormous. Also, something that many people aren t aware of is the fact that DIY plumbing work voids your house insurance and can incur significant fines. Moral of the story: leave it to the professionals. #2 Get a builder to project manage A builder can oversee the renovation from demolition to the finished product, and organise the correct order of trades. Think this is easy to do yourself? With little to no experience, this management process can become very stressful and potentially expensive very quickly, especially when you run the risk of making mistakes a builder would ve known to avoid. The bathroom is a versatile space. The room can be used for a range of activities from personal grooming, to unwinding after a long day in a relaxing bath. While you will need good lighting in some instances, others you will want things to be a little dimmer. Consider sharp vanity lighting in combination with overhead lighting that has the ability to be dulled for those moments of relaxation. #4 Storage is essential Storage is not just one of those things that the professionals always seem to harp on about. Having ample storage is actually extremely important. Find the happy medium between sleek design and organised functionality. One concept we are loving at the moment, is incorporating face height storage in the form of your mirror. Kill two birds with one stone! Budgeting for the Bathroom Again, bathroom renovation pricing is variable. Here is a range of different prices and what you would be looking at getting for each: Price Range $15,000 - $17,000 $17,000 - $25,000 $25,000+ Type of Renovation Cosmetic makeover or small bathroom renovation using cheaper materials and fittings. DIY labour and the purchase of some materials involved. Standard sized, mid-range renovation using moderately priced materials and fittings. Luxury bathroom renovation using high quality materials and fittings. The professionals do it all.

6 Here are a few of the major elements of a bathroom and typical costings for each: Feature Cost Considerations Plumbing $60 - $100 call out fee $100 - $150 hourly rate Dependent on where you live. Can also vary according to the plumber s skill level. $80 - $250 to replace and fit bath or basin taps or a new shower head $160 - $550 to install a toilet, basin, or bath Tiling $50 - $120/m2 Labour $20 - $160/m2 Wall Tiles $35 - $130/m2 Floor Tiles Tile costing is dependent on the materials chosen. Budget: white ceramic (wall), ceramic/ porcelain (floor) Mid-Range: polished porcelain (wall), highquality porcelain (floor) Luxury: artisan ceramic (wall), natural stone (floor) Shower Screen $400 (basic) - $600+ (frameless) Dependent on size and number of panels. Bath $400 - $4500 Dependent on materials chosen and size. Budget: acrylic, fibreglass Mid-range: iron, porcelain, copper Luxury: stone freestanding, resin Toilet $350 - $750 Price dependent on material chosen and specifications. It is more expensive for features such as; floor mounting, a hidden cistern or wall hanging. Vanity $ Dependent on size and features such as: number of sinks and whether it is floor standing or wall hung. Lighting $50 - $250/light $70 - $130 electrician service fee $70 - $95/hour for labour Dependent on whether there is an existing fixture in place and the type of lights being used. Waterproofing $500 - $750 As per most renovations, shopping around can help save you thousands. Get a few quotes to see what suits you and your budget best. Website: fortinteriors.com.au Phone: info@fortinteriors.com.au

7 PREVIOUS WORK: Your bathroom doesn't have to be like everybody else's... At Fort Interiors, we believe that your bathroom should be the perfect combination of functionality and personality. You re home is a reflection of you, and you deserve more than average or ordinary. This client wanted a spacious family bathroom that did not compromise on design and aesthetics. They wanted the practical without sacrificing the personal. We delivered exactly what they wanted, complete with customised touches including hand-picked floor tiles and ribbon drains. The client loved this, calling these features the highlights in our bathroom. THE DETAILS: Location - South East Queensland Renovation - Bathroom Date - April 2016 Pricing - $50,000 - $100,000 (including bathroom, toilet and kitchen) We walked away from the job having produced a luxurious, designer bathroom and a grateful client. Jordan is a skilled builder and he has been meticulous in attending to all modifications and finishing touches... he is trust-worthy, honest, punctual and personable; we highly recommend Fort Interiors. Speak to one of our friendly builders today! Book a free consult at fortinteriors.com.au or call Jordan on

8 Website: fortinteriors.com.au Phone:

Components of a Kitchen Renovation

Components of a Kitchen Renovation The Kitchen Renovation Guide The following is a simple kitchen renovation checklist. It aims to assist you, and us, in preparing for your new kitchen. If it's been while since you last renovated a kitchen,