Reno transformation for gorgeous Newtown classic
Roll up your sleeves and enjoy the journey
If you’ve ever dreamed of undertaking a renovation (but were too worried about the process) here’s some sound advice from someone who’s been there, done that. Follow the Adventures of a Renovation Rookie:
FOR someone who isn’t particularly “handy” and doesn’t enjoy physical labour, I surprised myself when I found myself agreeing to entirely renovating a home with my husband.
My husband is a builder, so ever since we began dating I knew we would forever be moving into homes he built or renovating older homes. So far in our relationship we have renovated two homes, and he has built us one.
Our latest job, at 142 Holberton St, started last August when we needed somewhere new to live. We knew we wanted to renovate but had to find the perfect home.
Renovating is becoming increasingly popular in Toowoomba, with many people finding older, rundown homes and turning them into something semi-modern and beautiful with tonnes of character. The reason being – it is quite affordable.
Instead of having to fork out at least $450,000 - $500,000 on a “new home,” take a look at the more affordable homes, the ones that ooze potential. You could buy a home for around $300,000, and with some love and labour turn it into a masterpiece.
We purchased our home for the early to mid $300,000s and before we officially made an offer we had to work out how much everything would cost – we knew we wanted to spend about $50,000.
Now, I’ll admit being married to a builder makes things easier but there is still so much we needed other trades to do, so first thing was to get quotes from everyone.
We also established what we could do ourselves.
My husband could do the demolishing, extension of the laundry and ensuite, tile (although he never had done this in his life), do all gardens and add an extra carport, and I could sand, paint, put in blinds and curtains and pull up all carpets.
Keep in mind, I had never done any of this before but I knew if I wanted to save thousands and thousands we had to put in the hard work – and after six weeks of non-stop renovating, which we fit in around our day jobs, I knew it was worth it.
We still had money in the bank and a beautiful home.
Our house started out as a three-bedroom, one-bathroom, one-garage purple, pink and maroon cottage.
Yes, someone thought all those colours would go together.
When we finished it was a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-garage, grey, cream and white cottage.
It is completely renovated, and while it is modern on the inside, it still retains its Toowoomba character and charm that so many people love.
It was tiring and stressful at times, but very much worth all the effort, and when people see the before and after pictures they are amazed at what it once was.
After only a few renovations I would not call myself an expert by any means but I do have a few tips:
Paint yourself, you could save yourself more than $10,000.
I had never picked up a paintbrush before but did a pretty great job.
Just watch Youtube video after Youtube video – there are thousands with helpful tips, even the workers at BMS Mitre 10 gave me some handy tips.
Do all the annoying little jobs yourself including ripping up carpet, adding curtains and blinds, oiling the deck or patio, sanding the walls, filling any gaps on walls.
These are all things you can pay people to do, but there is no need if you are willing to put in the effort.
Don’t buy the most expensive of everything. This one seems obvious, but it can be really fun choosing new tiles, carpet, light fittings and kitchen counters.
Just don’t go overboard in your excitement and price check at different places around town.
If there are days you are not feeling it, don’t do it. I found those days I would make silly mistakes, it was always better to finish up early and come back the next day.
We powered through our renovation in six weeks, but not everyone needs to do that.
Take your time, and if that is the case, wait for sales.
We did with our lights and curtains, and saved more than $1200.
Whether you are looking to renovate to create your perfect forever home or to flip as an investment, there is an abundance of affordable homes in Toowoomba ready for some TLC.
If you’d like to see our home’s transformation, then get on the web and visit: https://www.realestate.com.au/property/142holberton-st-newtownqld-4350
‘‘ ...AND AFTER SIX WEEKS OF NON-STOP RENOVATING, WHICH WE FIT IN AROUND OUR DAY JOBS, I KNEW IT WAS WORTH IT