Category Archives: remodeling

10 things to consider before renovating a bathroom

Posted on June 12, 2016 | Leave a comment

bath 2

Whether you have a simple powder room or a master ensuite, functionality should be at the heart of your bathroom. Read on to learn tricks for gaining storage, improving lighting, drainage and more, to ensure that your revamped bathroom stands the test of time.

Will a remodeled bathroom add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions.

1. Plumbing
Residential plumbing typically uses 40 millimetre pipes for drains. You’d be surprised how much gunk and hair goes down that drain. The larger the drain, the less likely it is to clog. The cost difference to upgrade to a 50 millimetre drain is practically negligible, and unless your framing doesn’t allow for it, you should consider increasing the drain in your shower to 50 millimetres.

Also, If you live in a region where temperatures drop below freezing during the winter, it’s important that your water supply lines don’t get routed through an exterior wall.

2. Lighting
Consider recessed light fixtures throughout your ceiling to brighten up the room. Include one (or two) in your shower with the proper shower trim. Install a dimmer switch so you can adjust the mood in your bathroom. You’ll want to consider how you’ll be using the mirror in your bathroom and whether you want aesthetic or functional lighting. Whether you’ll be applying make-up or shaving, bright light fixtures properly placed go a long way to help you see what you’re doing close up.

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Dream bathroom features that won’t break the bank

Posted on June 3, 2016 | Leave a comment

With $20,000 in your budget, you can easily turn a run-of-the-mill bathroom into the stellar space you’ve always dreamed it could be. By adding a key feature – from a sunken bath to a floor-to-ceiling glass wall – your bathroom can become your home’s most popular room.

Will a remodeled bath add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your home value questions.

Some features and fittings in the collection of ideas listed below, like the encaustic tiles and marble floors, are easily accessible but are of a high quality. Others are features that have been created structurally, and therefore need to be considered at the start of your new build or renovation process. Pick up on one structural idea as the focal point of your bathroom, or select two or three other options, so your design ideas will still fit into your $20,000 bathroom budget

WALLS

Tiles
Let your tiles do the talking in your bathroom, but in an understated and elegant fashion. Encaustic cement tiles, where the pattern is made with the use of different coloured cements rather than a glaze, are perfect for a sophisticated look that will display an appreciation for craftsmanship. With the matt finish and slight imperfections of each handmade tile, a feature wall like this becomes an individual work of art. This can be the focal point of the bathroom, with your other surfaces remaining neutral and uncluttered for an exotic yet elegant space.

DESIGN TIP: Give your bathroom the Marrakesh touch with a range of designs in the same colour, or a range of colours with the same design to create an eclectic and stylish look that is still cohesive.

COST: Expect to pay between $165 and $240 per square metre for a range of vintage, Tuscan, Spanish or Moroccan-inspired designs.

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The 9 Worst Home Renovations for the money

Posted on May 30, 2016 | Leave a comment

Will your renovations plans add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your home value questions.

1. Wine cellars and gyms

“Wine cellars can create a sense of luxury and make us imagine sourcing the best wine from around the world, only bringing out the best bottles when hosting an elaborate dinner party,” Munro Smith says. “However, installing one in your home is unlikely to justify the cost and loss of floor space. A gym will be the same. It might be perfect for you but a buyer won’t pay a premium for the privilege of sweating in privacy. In everyday life, most buyers will already have a gym membership and, depending on your suburb, be on a first-name basis with their local bottle shop owner.”

2. Expensive on-trend kitchens or bathrooms

It is easy to overspend on a luxury kitchen or bathroom but don’t expect to get that money back when you sell. You run the risk of alienating buyers who have their own distinct taste, and it’s an expensive and time-consuming undertaking says Emma Cahill, interior designer at Melbourne-based architecture practice Clarke Hopkins Clarke. “You’re better off leaving alone or updating the paint, handles and shelves if it’s really run down,” Cahill says.

3. Swimming pools

Depending on the suburb, a pool probably isn’t worth the investment, Munro Smith says. “Sure it will increase your appeal to buyers, but they come at a high cost to you (both financially and with the wasted time at council) and compromise your yard space. When it comes time to sell, you’re much better off selling the possibility of a pool if you have a buyer who wants one. Ask yourself why you haven’t installed a pool up until now and you’ll understand exactly why it isn’t worth the effort.”

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