Renovating your apartment improves your lifestyle. However, renovating an apartment has specific challenges. Choose your renovation partner carefully.
Hiring experienced Gold Coast apartment renovators
- It’s better to go with an experienced provider because they know the body corporate rules approval process varies by building. The provider handles all the paperwork. They understand strata bylaws and timing. Some buildings might take six weeks for approvals. The team manages notifications and compliance.
- Professionals can manage high-rise logistics and elevator bookings. Material size limits and parking are real issues. An experienced provider on the Gold Coast can plan everything accordingly. They coordinate trades around access and noise restrictions. They protect common areas during work.
- Find a team with a proven track record on the Gold Coast. They should know local material suppliers and inspectors. They help anticipate issues like concrete cancer or plumbing quirks in older buildings. Check their past projects.
Setting your budget
- Basic bathroom renovation costs around $20,000. For kitchens, be prepared to pay $25,000. A full apartment renovation starts at $120,000. The cost changes with finishes and structural works.
- Make sure you have a contingency fund at hand. You must keep 5% extra for surprises, old buildings, high draught, or faulty wiring. The court should include this buffer.
Trends to incorporate
- Pet-friendly washes, durable floors, and sniping nooks are important. Over 70% of Australians have pets. It boosts rental appeal.
- Construct smart spaces. These make small areas work well.
- Consider smart storage, custom joinery for awkward spaces, building ceiling-height cabinets, and under-stair solutions.
- Choose materials that handle coastal air. Timber, stone, and easy, clean surfaces match the Gold Coast lifestyle.
Things to keep in mind before starting renovation
- Review the body corporate rules and get approval guidelines. Your provider will give you necessary advice.
- Give priority to kitchens and bathrooms because they give the best return. Update if the budget is tight.
- Plan around occupancy. Can you stay during your work? Full renovations require moving. A partial update might allow staying put in the same place. Discuss early on.
- Before choosing your provider, ask if they have a full-service team. Look for in-house design and build services. They manage everything. They handle permits, tile selections, and everything else. It avoids conflict and coordination gaps.
- Apartments have structural limits. You’ll have to work around them. Don’t remove the weight-bearing walls without engineering reports. For balconies, waterproofing standards are strict. Tiling changes often trigger compliance checks.
- You’ll need to balance looks with body corporate rules. Flooring requires engineered timber, and you have to consider wet areas. Use large-format tiles. When it comes to paint, low-VOC paints are mandatory for most buildings.
- You’ll have to speed up the paperwork. Attend meetings and hire strata-savvy designers.
- Look for someone with a clear communication style. Regular updates prevent stress. How will they report the progress?
- Get providers who have specialized apartment focus. House renovators might like the high-rise experience. Confirm their trade network knows apartment rules.
To renovate your apartment, you need the right partner. Focus on someone with local experience, clear budgets, and smart designs. Hire Gold Coast’s apartment renovations professionals so that your home will reflect your true potential.