All Topics / Value Adding / Cheap Renovation Advice?

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  • Profile photo of Miss_ProulxMiss_Proulx
    Member
    @miss_proulx
    Join Date: 2009
    Post Count: 6

    Hello to All you Property Peoples!…  Miss Proulx, Newbie here…

    We are doing a secret buget reno on mum's kitchen and bathroom whilst she is
    away on holidays. We're making a start with measuring and quotes but we really
    have NO experience at all. The kitchen and bathroom are both tiny, so much needs
    to be done (in 6 weeks!).

    The toilet needs to be replaced, but I was thinking about leaving the bowl there and
    just replacing the plastic bits. The bowl is the old oval shaped design, so Im wondering
    if there would be anything that fits it these days???

    We need to remove the kitchen benchtop…most likely will need a professional, or is
    there any DIY suggestions on how to do it? We are cleaning up the existing cupboards,
    repainting, new handles and hinges and hoping that it will be financially worthwhile just
    to do this resurfacing vs installing new malamine cupboards.

    The old bathroom sink will be replaced but the plumber wants $450 for just that job.
    Not sure if this is reasonable, but might as well get the toilet replaced all in one go.

    Im wondering what alternative I could use on the walls for a textured design, to cover
    up the old, peeling pain, or go through the drama of breathing in paint stripper in a
    tiny, unventilated room.

    Tiles…God, we have no idea. The only thing I'd be remotely game to make a start on
    are the smaller tiles in a block with a mesh backing.

    We checked out Ikea's kitchen installation workshop on Saturday, good start, but plan
    on the Home Base Saturday courses as well.

    What are the best websites to search for second-hand kitchens?

    Any info greatly appreciated!
    Regards
    Miss Proulx

    Profile photo of Scott No MatesScott No Mates
    Participant
    @scott-no-mates
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 3,856

    2nd hand kitchens – check out demolition sales in the local paper
    Toilet – replace the pan and the cistern (you will need a plumber to do this) – you will need to choose the fixture carefully to make sure it will suit the setback for the pipework.
    Is the plumber supplying the vanity & tapware or is he only removing and installing the fixtures?
    Bathtub – get it resprayed on site.
    Likewise the floor tiles if they are in good condition.
    Bathroom – I'd suggest getting some of the waterproof prefinished board from Bunnings or again, get them sprayed
    Put in a ceiling fan/heater to get some ventilation into the room as well.

    Profile photo of ducksterduckster
    Participant
    @duckster
    Join Date: 2004
    Post Count: 1,674
    Miss_Proulx wrote:
    Hello to All you Property Peoples!…  Miss Proulx, Newbie here…

    We are doing a secret buget reno on mum's kitchen and bathroom whilst she is
    away on holidays. We're making a start with measuring and quotes but we really
    have NO experience at all. The kitchen and bathroom are both tiny, so much needs
    to be done (in 6 weeks!).

    The toilet needs to be replaced, but I was thinking about leaving the bowl there and
    just replacing the plastic bits. The bowl is the old oval shaped design, so Im wondering
    if there would be anything that fits it these days???

    Check out Bunnings

    Miss_Proulx wrote:
    We need to remove the kitchen benchtop…most likely will need a professional, or is
    there any DIY suggestions on how to do it?

    Check for screws or nails holding bench top to cupboards.
    check out videos
    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=diy+kitchen+renovations&search_type=&aq=2m&oq=kitchen+ren

    Miss_Proulx wrote:
    We are cleaning up the existing cupboards,
    repainting, new handles and hinges and hoping that it will be financially worthwhile just
    to do this resurfacing vs installing new malamine cupboards.

    Sand paper old paint so new paint sticks to old paint.

    Miss_Proulx wrote:
    The old bathroom sink will be replaced but the plumber wants $450 for just that job.
    Not sure if this is reasonable, but might as well get the toilet replaced all in one go.

    Trades people are scarce so get three quotes from three different plumbers but $450 sounds like a likely charge.

    Miss_Proulx wrote:
    Im wondering what alternative I could use on the walls for a textured design, to cover
    up the old, peeling pain, or go through the drama of breathing in paint stripper in a
    tiny, unventilated room.

    Now you have to ask yourself why is the paint peeling ?
    And the answer is a unventilated room.
    Put in a Mistral Fan and light fitting via an electrician
    Textured design will make cleaning mold almost impossible if it forms.
    You can remove paint with a heat gun rather than using chemicals just you have to watch glass as
    heat gun will heat glass and it can crakc or break.

    Miss_Proulx wrote:
    Tiles…God, we have no idea. The only thing I'd be remotely game to make a start on
    are the smaller tiles in a block with a mesh backing.

    Do not tile straight onto walls or floor install wet board fibro cement sheets to wall then add tiles. It has to be water proof.
    Use plastic spacers if on walls with larger tiles.
    If it is the floor you may want to use small tiles so less chance tiles crack. Floor tiles would need to be floor tiles not wall tiles.
    If using larger tiles you may need a tile cutter (bunnings)
    Use a sealant on interface between bath and tiles.
    Again check out youtube
    see videos
    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=diy+bathroom+reno&search_type=&aq=f

    If you want to keep videos download a youtube video grabber program and download a flv viewer software program also.

    Miss_Proulx wrote:
    We checked out Ikea's kitchen installation workshop on Saturday, good start, but plan
    on the Home Base Saturday courses as well.

    What are the best websites to search for second-hand kitchens?

    Bunnings also hold diy courses in their stores
    check http://www.bunnings.com.au for what courses are on and when

    http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Search?PageFlowUseCase=Search&PreviousPageFlowUseCase=QuickFinder&intref=bg109&QueryTerm=kitchen
    http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Home-Renovations/Kitchens/Search?PageFlowUseCase=Search&PreviousPageFlowUseCase=&PreviousSite=TP&AdvancedSearch=
    http://www.graysonline.com/Search.aspx?q=kitchen
    http://www.secondhandkitchens.com.au/listings/
    http://www.sckw.com.au/
    http://www.secondhandkitchens.com.au/listings/category.php?type=16

    Do a search in http://www.google.au for secondhand kitchens
    and select australian sites only

    You may need to hire a rubbish skip where you put all the rubbish into it and a truck comes and takes it away.

    Profile photo of Eco BuilderEco Builder
    Member
    @eco-builder
    Join Date: 2008
    Post Count: 47

    The abovementioned post covers pretty much everything.
    The only add would be, if this is your first time tiling, do not use the mesh backed mosaics, as they ae inherently harder to lay than a solid tile.

    Good luck with the project, i'm sure your mum will be stoked

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