Eight tips to tackle a budget apartment renovation

A few years ago I bought a two-bedroom apartment in Melbourne’s inner west. It was cheap and nasty, but the location was ideal, and with a smart renovation, I could see it had potential.

It was already tenanted so I continued to rent it out for a year while I saved money for the renovation. My husband was living in Scotland at the time, so the plan was to renovate when he got back to Australia.

When he arrived in June 2014 we set to work, and spent the next few months researching, planning and saving. In October I fell pregnant with our first baby, so we hit the accelerator – eager to get into the apartment to start transforming the ugly beast.

When we picked up the keys just before Christmas and walked into the unit, I gasped. I had forgotten how filthy it was. In the kitchen, rats had made a home out of onion skins, and there was a giant hole in the carpet in one of the bedrooms. Initially, I didn’t know where to begin, and at that moment regretted my west side bargain. But, with the help of some family, we rolled up our sleeves and took a jackhammer to the rotting, 1970s commission decor.

We had saved about $20,000, so allocated $6000 for the kitchen, $8000 for the bathroom, and $4000 for everything else. Over the next six months we installed a new kitchen, bathroom with European laundry, carpet and laminate flooring, LED downlights, blinds, a wardrobe and reverse-cycle air conditioning. We also painted the unit and fitted new skirting boards.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Along the way we battled unreliable tradesmen who turned up late or not at all, quit halfway through a job and smashed a hole through the bathroom floor, and into the apartment below. Other challenges we also encountered were crumbling concrete walls behind the dated kitchen and bathroom tiles, and an unexpected, and enormous electrician’s bill. By tackling one room as a time, and sticking to our plans, we managed to renovate just under budget, and moved into the apartment six weeks before the baby was born.

Here are my top eight tips to help you attack a budget apartment renovation:

1. Befriend honest and reliable tradespeople

We asked around for recommendations, and called on tradie friends. But, if this leads to a dead end, visit online trade directory sites such as Hipages. Once you’ve picked a tradesperson, present them with a detailed plan. If you can, get three quotes.

2. Organise your tradespeople correctly

Each tradie needs to be able to step onto a job site, complete what they need to do, then leave, ready for the next tradie. To maximise efficiency and money, your tradespeople need to be organised in the correct order. We also saved money on hiring a builder by project managing the job ourselves and employing individual tradespeople to complete different tasks.

3. Get your DIY on

We saved thousands of dollars by tackling some jobs ourselves. Painting is something even a novice renovator can have a go at. Start by giving your walls a good clean with Sugarsoap, tape your edges and skirting boards, lay down a drop sheet, then let your creativity flow.

4. Shop smarter for fittings and fixtures

We asked our tradespeople where they shopped, visited bathroom and kitchen warehouses, and enquired about floor stock and factory seconds. Have a look online as well – you can pick up well-known brands for a fraction of the cost.

5. Go white, bright and light

We used white finishes in our kitchen and bathroom, which was an easy way to create the illusion of more space. Simple white benchtops, glass splashbacks and tiles are also cheaper. Add a pop of colour with accessories such as appliances, bowls and towels.

6. Learn to love Ikea

We looked at a lot of kitchens before finally settling on an Ikea system. It was hard work navigating their self-service design program, unpacking 113 boxes, then building 14 cabinets but we saved thousands of dollars in the process. If flat packs aren’t your forte, you can hire someone to help you out.

7. Install extra shelving

When storage space is at a premium, shelves offer a low-cost solution. We installed them in dead spaces such as our hallway, above the door frames. Ikea and Bunnings have some inexpensive systems that are ideal for keeping things off the floor.

8. Repair and restore wherever you can

To save money we restored the original parquetry flooring in the lounge and dining area. We repaired the individual damaged blocks, sanded the floor, then gave it three coats of polish. If you’re unsure of where to start, YouTube clips can be really helpful