Remarkable Complete Home Transformation

Close to Home

Prior to becoming a Renovation Consultant with Refresh, Gary Warner took on a project of his own, renovating a single storey, three-bedroom family home. The ultimate goal was to create a functional home with more space for his family. But, since the home was situated in a desirable neighbourhood, close to the city and with good public transport connections, it would also prove to be a great investment when it came time to sell. It was on this basis that Gary embarked on an exciting home renovation journey. 

Managing Expectations

Gary wanted his renovation completed “within a few months” but, as he admits, he was a bit ambitious - and naïve. He wasn’t the only one. As most homeowners aren’t renovation experts, managing timelines and expectations of how long the job will take, is an essential role for our Renovation Consultants. This proved to be a valuable opportunity for Gary to get a greater understanding of what homeowners go through. 

His renovation checklist was substantial: he wanted to extend the home from three bedrooms to four, convert the attic into a playroom, add 1.5 bathrooms, extend the roof and build a deck with custom barbecue area, as well as add a new kitchen with pantry. In other words, he wanted a complete house transformation. He planned to invest $350,000 into the renovation but, considering the scope of the project, he quickly realised he’d underestimated the cost. 

If Gary had worked with a Renovation Consultant at the time, they would have drawn up concept designs and presented him with a fixed quote to better manage his expectations. Changes to the roof and waiting for the council to approve the plans for the additional deck took more time and money than expected. Gary also varied to the original plan as work progressed, so the final cost of the project came to $415,000 and took over a year to complete. 

Fortunately, the end result was worth it. Gary and his family ended up with an incredible home.

Functional Improvements

Functionality was the key driving force behind this renovation. Improving the footprint by creating a fourth bedroom and opening up the lounge and kitchen for a more social environment for the family were impactful changes. Yet having a truly practical home is often defined by the details. 

The oversized, double-glazed bi-fold doors leading to the deck are impressive and zoned HVAC is installed throughout the entire house for climate control and comfort. Downlighting and underfloor heating also add to the home’s liveability, while new power points in each room ensure everyone has a charging outlet for their device! 

Gary knew that although changes to the home’s layout would create significant improvement, it was going to be the small finishing touches that made all the difference.

An Incredible Interior…

The bedrooms are tucked away at the front of the house and although shrubbery hides the street-facing rooms, Gary’s added plantation shutters for extra privacy. All four bedrooms have floor to ceiling built-in closets and with the ceilings more than three meters high, there’s no shortage of storage.

The home’s bathrooms were also part of the transformation and the home now boasts an ensuite, another full bathroom, and a powder room that shares space with the laundry. The main bathroom is a neutral wet room accented with matte black fixtures while the ensuite has a similar look but with a calming blue-toned tile.  

In the heart of the home - the kitchen - is a breakfast bar with clusters of pendant lights hanging overhead. Keeping the ample bench space clear is easy thanks to the addition of a spacious butler’s pantry. Recycled timber flooring brings an element of natural beauty to the expansive yet cosy living quarters, the cosiness enhanced by the gas fireplace and built-in bookcase.

... and an Outstanding Exterior

There’s no doubt the interior design is beautiful but the exterior improvements Gary made are spectacular. Particularly notable is the outdoor living area which flows effortlessly from the lounge, instantly transporting you to a Hawaiian resort with its high gabled roof, timber frame and twin ceiling fans. It’s quite simply, an entertainer’s paradise. 

Connected to the interior by the epic bifold doors, the extensive (30m2) covered deck was worth the patience necessary while waiting for council approval. Multiple seating areas, a built-in barbeque, and bar fridges are all top-tier hosting essentials. 

These features are wonderful for Gary to enjoy with his friends and family, while the improvements he’s made to the home have significantly improved the property’s value. Potential homebuyers are willing to invest more into a home that has been recently recladded as it limits the possibility of such maintenance in the near future. The recladding, landscaping, and new front door all have visual appeal and, in the eyes of an appraiser, they contribute to the home’s value. 

New Appreciation

Learning by doing is an effective way to really grasp information. Gary says one of the most essential takeaways from this project for him was, “the reinforcement of the reality that variations add time and money to a project and need to be carefully considered.”

Having gone through this process on his own, Gary now knows exactly how to make his clients feel comfortable during their renovation and what knowledge to provide so they can make informed decisions about their home.

Would you like to discuss your home renovation ideas?

Get in touch for a free consultation with your local Renovation Consultant.