Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 May 21, 2011 12:32 pm Hi everyone We are new to this forum and also to home ownership, so will be interested to your hear your comments. We have bought a 55yr old 2 bdr fibro house on a large well screened block set back from the Pacific Hwy, past Hornsby, and wondering whether we should do a small or large renovation. We are thinking of a new bathroom, kitchen and 2 more rooms (1 bdr and 1 dining) plus a deck and another garage tagged onto the existing one. The smaller version of this would be the bathroom, kitchen, one extra room plus the garage. There is also the aspect of growth in the area. We are well positioned to shops, transport and schools. So being on the highway may interest some developers down the track. Do you think that's its too much work for an old house? We are in our 50s and don't intend to sell anytime soon. Re: Renovate small or large 2May 22, 2011 9:04 pm Congrats on your house! I don't know the area so have no idea of values or what would be over-capitalising. However, converting a 2/1 to a 3/2 seems quite a sensible idea to me. I would go for the bigger reno if that's the house you want; it's much easier to just do it all in one go. You will have a lovely house and, if your plan is to stay for 10 years, you really can't go wrong. Re: Renovate small or large 3May 23, 2011 4:17 pm Thanks for your input Exquisite, very much appreciated! Re: Renovate small or large 4May 24, 2011 9:47 am Personally I would look at a knockdown re build as It might get you the same size you are after but all new instead of prat 55 yr old and part new. Really depends on budget though. Re: Renovate small or large 6May 25, 2011 4:05 pm I think it depends on how it looks - I have seen quite a few reno's which look like two completely different buildings knocked together. Quite odd. If you can find a good builder - Paradise Homes in Brisbane do lovely renovations then look at that. If your budget is a bit tighter you could always sell the house - Drake Homes buy old queensland's and fibro's and put in its place a new energy efficient home that will have a good resale value and be cheap to heat and cool. Could reduce your living costs alot. Imagine Kit Homes support owner builders if you had a bit more time than money you could owner build and save alot. Re: Renovate small or large 7Jun 04, 2011 8:20 pm If the house is that old it would most likely have asbestos sheeting (unless renovated in the last 25 years or so), so if you are going to renovate I would factor in costs of removal of this. As for big or small reno....well do you have kids? Do you really need the extra room? If you are going to stay there long term I would say go as big as you need but also give some serious thought to resale down the track and what is also going to be attractive to potential future buyers ie; office/study etc. I would probably look at going the extra bedroom/office instead of dining room as most modern living usually incorporates open plan living/dining. Also you mention possible future development opportunities. Do you know what the zoning is (suitability for multiple dwellings) as this will determine future developers interest. So I guess you would have to ask yourself how long your time line is that you would stay there and whether your willing to drop the $$$ for the renovations knowing that you may not recoup your costs fully when you sell. Lots to think about, good luck with it. consider putting in wall WC instead of robe in the same bedroom, then it might be doable to hook up to the existing piping. 4 6627 the step up is 30mm and wanting it to be flat . how much does the concrete have to be lowered .we plan on removing bath and lenghten shower and adding seat. the old bath… 0 11833 if the original house is in good condition most of what you listed could be added in stages without the need for KDR and costs and disruption of having to live elsewhere… 1 13673 |