What is a good renovation/DIY book for ideas on how to keep costs down and also how-to do things with doing own reno?
I have bought a rundown house and am reasonably handy with some jobs but not others. I need something that I can read/browse/refer to with different jobs, so I do not overcapitalise.
Cheers and happy new year everyone!
Hi, i found the how to guides at Bunnings quite good. They have ones on how to prepare for painting, how to build a deck etc etc.
They are easy to read. They also have a good magazine they sell at Bunnings that i pick up occasionally but i am not sure what it is called…
Anything that Cherie Barber and her partner have written is great too. If you search these forums and put her name in there will be plenty of info on her books and resources etc.
Re renovating for profit NEVER spend money on structural if you can avoid it as no one sees the value added. New paint is one of the best ways to add value, as is fencing, and any other facelift type of reno.. bathrooms and kitchens can be touched up superficially as well ie bench tops, cupboard doors, tiles etc.
Theres good books at the back of the API magazine on the subject.
I have written an eBook called "How to Trim the Cost of your Renovation". Feel free to send me an email ([email protected]) if you would like a copy. I'm happy to offer it to PropertyInvesting.com members for free.
Cheers,Jane – Hotspace | Hotspace Consultants
http://hotspaceconsultants.com/home
Email Me | Phone MeRenovating for Profit specialist
Thanks all. I have looked at the list in API and the list on duckster's link. And thanks Jane-I have sent you an email. All much appreciated. I have bought a house that the previous owners had had great plans, ripped out the kitchen, bathroom and a heap of gyprock, then plans changed and they moved overseas for a couple of years and now they have fully changed their minds about the house and sold it to me in its ripped up state. I have a big project in front of me as a result (well, big for a white collar worker, anyway). Hence the question. Thanks again.
Dolf De Roos has a basic book on easy reno's that add value. I can't remember the name of it though. Bunnings has some nifty DIY factsheets that seem to come in handy for renos. Youtube can be good as well – I learnt how to tile watching a few youtube clips!
Jamie Moore | Pass Go Home Loans Pty Ltd
http://www.passgo.com.au
Email Me | Phone MeMortgage Broker assisting clients Australia wide Email: [email protected]
Jamie M wrote:Dolf De Roos has a basic book on easy reno's that add value. I can't remember the name of it though. Bunnings has some nifty DIY factsheets that seem to come in handy for renos. Youtube can be good as well – I learnt how to tile watching a few youtube clips!Youtube is excellent. You're right. I learned how to take apart old sash windows and repair them. Also how to glaze a simple window (plus some hints at the glass shop.)
Haha, I'm going to cut out an arch in a wall and remove a fireplace. Wish me luck!
Jamie Moore | Pass Go Home Loans Pty Ltd
http://www.passgo.com.au
Email Me | Phone MeMortgage Broker assisting clients Australia wide Email: [email protected]
Sounds great to me. All the ripping out is done so you have a blank surface to work with.
First thing order the kitchen then get the bathroom plumbed and sheeted. The bathroom seems to always hold up finishing (in my experience) as it takes the most time (plumb, resheet, waterproof, tile, install toilet, shower etc.
You need to make/get an order of works. Nothing worse than having everything finished axcept one thing, then waiting weeks to get that one thing finished.
Where are you located? I'm in Sydney. What stuff do you plan on doing yourself? What tradies do you need?
Catalyst wrote:Sounds great to me. All the ripping out is done so you have a blank surface to work with.First thing order the kitchen then get the bathroom plumbed and sheeted. The bathroom seems to always hold up finishing (in my experience) as it takes the most time (plumb, resheet, waterproof, tile, install toilet, shower etc.
You need to make/get an order of works. Nothing worse than having everything finished axcept one thing, then waiting weeks to get that one thing finished.
Where are you located? I'm in Sydney. What stuff do you plan on doing yourself? What tradies do you need?
Hi Catalyst,
There is already a brand new flat packed kitchen sitting in one of the bedrooms! No appliances, though.
My plan of action was going to be plumber to put toilet, bath, vanity and shower plumbing in place, and while he's there do kitchen plumbing, and pipe gas from street for new gas heater I will need to put in to replace old oil heater. Then sheet bathrrom and kitchen, fix up uneven floor cement in bathroom, then tile, toilet, shower, vanity.
I was planning to do most sheeting, tiling, painting, cabinetry, some carpentry (eg putting in a large glass sliding door to replace crappy old wooden back door) floor sanding, all filling and painting, plus some external work, such as painting weatherboards, new colourbond fence along back, slab in garage (OK iron shed with dirt floor). Some of it may be biting off more than I can chew probably, but as I go those bits will become obvious I suppose.
I have written a list of jobs/order/estimated time frames which I hope to stick to, though I need to get an expert to look at it to make suggestions re order/realism etc.
That's lot to do yourself. We do that but not the floor sanding. We figure by thew time you hire the machine and take days to do it's more economical to pay someone. I've seen some really botched jobs. It's not as easy as it looks to get a great finish.
When deciding whether to pay someone look at how much it will cost to hire the equip and buy materials. Then how long it will take you. A job that may take you 2 days (if nothing goes wrong) a professional may do in under a day. If you are doing everything yourself it can add a month to your reno time. Add one months interest to that.
Great work having the kitchen. I'd suggest getting someone to install. A professional can do it in a day ($500). Well worth it I say. If you haven't done one before it will take at least 2 days (if it fits exactly-they rarely do). Look at appliances on Ebay, you can pick up some bargains.
I'd suggest getting a tiler to do the whole waterproofing and tiling for the bathroom to, after it's sheeted. Too much stuffing around.
When do you start?
Do you not want to mention where you are? Ok if you don't just offerering help if in Sydney.Hi house call, what state are you in?
As in state of Australia not state of mind
plutopluto123 wrote:Hi house call, what state are you in?
As in state of Australia not state of mind
plutoTamworth NSW
With a name like pluto why would you be interested in my state? Why not planet?!?!
Readers Digest 'Fix It Yourself' it contains everything and is specifically written for Aust and NZ readers in terms of standards etc.
ISBN I 876689 28-5
Ive used this book for an extension and renovation plus many many repairs.
cheers
Mark
the best reno book that I’ve read was ‘the dam busters’ by alistair mcclean.
So good, they made a movie of it..
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