Hi Dear BExpats,
Got a question, I am looking or rather seeking and deliberating to put an offer on 3 bedder unit... the unit seems a bit old like 20 yrs old and never was colored, painted or renoed before.
- There are wall papers when i inspected,
- the celing has holes here and there on plaster board
- Wall has some holes around a bed room and living room on plaster board
- water leakage from cement celing at few places
- some places tiles coming out
- Kitchen is old a bit
- Bathroom looks nice and clean but i guess color touchup and few tids bits here and there
- Carpets worn out.
and few things here and there (might have to take down a large tree which might fall on one of the bedroom - with unit holders and council perm)..
etc etc

I dont claim myself a handy man and i just know to few things to fix here and there with my power drill..
If I get a renovator to fix that place (which i am thinking to put an offer) what will it cost me to reno?
I am just confused and i believe its a big job.
Can experiment people raise your hand and give your expert advice please?


Thank you so much for attention.

Thank you

This place sounds a nightmare - suggest you get an inspection and building estimate done by a qualified building inspector.

When you say unit, do you mean a flat? Here in WA, multi-dwelling place like this have a strata manager and each unit owner shares in the maintenance and repair fees. I don't know if this is the same in Melbourne, but it doesn't sound like there's any quality management going on. Some of this damage could be caused by other units/flats, so they should pay if the fault is on their side, or by the strata company if the damage is caused on/by common property.

hmm trust me its not nightmare, i think its wear and tear a bit...its not fall apart or crumbling... its 1980s built unit and strata title is 1988.
You are right, its ditto for melb what you have for WA.
They have Body corp but the liablities is mostly limited to exterior stuff; i am more interested and questioning about the cost involved if i have to do TLC from professional.
There is no conflict of other tenants or owners... my question is purely work involved inside the unit... (no its not apartment, building - its a stand alone unit along with 6 other unit in a row).

We had some water damage inside our unit, which was caused by a leak from the unit above. As it was internal, the other unit owner had to pay. If the water damage was due to water coming in from the outside, eg a gutter, it would have been strata company paying for repairs.

In WA, renovations are ridiculously expensive per sqm, that's why so many people with houses demolish rather than renovate, if that's right for that particular property. I look with envy at UK home/decorating magazines, or TV shows, where new kitchens and bathrooms cost miniscule amounts compared to here.

We looked at a 2-bed unit, about same era as yours, and obtained a quote to renovate. We decided that the unit wasn't worth the asking price (or haggled-down price) plus the renovation costs, so we bought another in much better condition. It could do with a new kitchen and bathroom, but it will have to wait.

This estimate was in Perth, but it might give you an idea of how much it might cost - could be a lot less or more.

Kitchen
Supply and fit Ikea Arlig white kitchen as per plan including cabinets, benchtops, sink, tapware, handles and plinths, excluding appliancies.
$ 8,945.00

Bathroom
Supply new vanity, WC, shower screen, new tapware and tiling to existing areas.
$ 6,130.00

Plastering
Apply 2 coats of plaster to face brick walls including oil based seal coat.
$ 2,945.00

Painting
Apply 2 coats to ceilings, walls, woodwork and skirtings to apartment.
$ 1,935.00

Flooring
Supply and Lay laminate flooring to lounge, dining and kitchen area, supply and lay Latte carpet to hall, bed 1 and bed 2.
$ 3,375.00

Windows
Supply and fit new windows and flyscreen to bathroom and bed 1.
$ 1,210.00

Electrical
Supply and fit rcd and hard wired smoke alarm and 5 new light fittings. (compulsory – the rcd & hard wired smoke alarms)
$ 975.00

Plumbing
Registered plumbing work to kitchen and bathroom.
$ 1,955.00

Total $ 27,470.00 inc GST

Thanks Helen for taking time out and giving me the breakup.
wow, almost 28k + labbor !!??
Well to be honest, i am not going to do everything but its a really good decent estimate and outlines the expenses can occur.
I am thinking to fix all the holes on plaster board myself, because i did it apartment where i was staying earlier...
If at all i get the ahead of race in vendor accepting the offer than i might have to think about the following on serious note:
1. windows (woods seems a bit off)
2. Carpets
3. Insulation
4. some color
5. TLC in kitchen and bathroom
6. self help for gardening around the edges of the unit..
i think it can be left with those work..

I am waiting for other experts to comment but your math is fair indication of cost can occur + labor costs.. so all in total for above = 40k

..

Without seeing what its actually like, size, state, etc etc etc its not really possible to suggest how much it would cost... But i can say that in wa renovating has prooven to be stoopid expensive ... Even tho HE does most himself...

Thanks Eddie, i went to the site again today.
The following might have to be done:
1. replacing cubords in kitchen
2. Gas top with range
3. Color in all the rooms 3 bed unit (after removal of wall papers) with single bath and seperate toilet
4. fixing some electiiccal stuff that is hanging
5. Doubt any plumming work required
6. replacing door handles and switch
7. fixing few celing and wall holes on plaster board
8. fixing cement on celing where water is leaking
9. fresh paint and anti rust on all the windows, iron barrier,
10. replacing big 2 browken toilet windows
11. putting carpet across all the rooms..
12. cleanup and cement some tiles around the house those have given in
13. kitchen flooring might have to change, normal plastic carpet will do...

i think thats pretty much it..