Mrs McCahon said top of the range fixtures and fittings were used everywhere, including Carrara marble, Miele appliances, Liebherr fridge and freezer, Astra Walker tapware and custom mirrors.
The biggest challenge was deciding on a realistic budget for the dream project, she said.
“We didn’t want to skimp on finishes and inclusions, only to kick ourselves at the end of it all. We’ve put everything we love into this home. It was a very conscious decision to go high-end, we’ve built our dream home.”
BEFORE from the front view.She said it took longer, cost more and was harder than they expected but also one of the proudest moments of their lives completing the project.
“You will feel prouder than you ever imagined when it’s tools down and you pulled it off,” was her advice to first time renovators.
AFTER.The property, which opens for inspection from 1-1.30pm today (Sat), has been set for auction at 10am next Saturday (September 3).
McCahon’s advice for first-time renovators:
1. It will take longer, cost more, and be harder than you think.
2. Understand what restrictions exist, not just on the building but also vegetation protection, storm water location, access, overland flow.
3. Choosing the right builder helps, in her case perfectionist Brad Ogden of Urban Development Constructions.
RENOS ALL THE RAGE
HOME renovation activity has hit its biggest growth in a decade, spurred on by the cost of money being at its lowest level on record, latest data shows.
The sector was on track to hit a whopping $33.2 billion in value over the next few years, just as the new home building boom hits a downturn, according to the Housing Industry Association.
HIA chief economist Harley Dale said all signs were pointing to a strong year ahead for renovations.
“Just as new home building activity seems to be reaching its peak, the recovery in the home renovations market has started to gather pace,” he said.
“National renovations investment got off to a great start in 2016, growing by 2.2 per cent in the March quarter. HIA expects activity grew by 4.2 per cent to $30.8 billion in 2015-16 – the fastest rate of increase in over a decade.”
Dr Dale said 2018-19 should see about $33.2 billion in renovations spending.
Tradies have been cashing in on the increasing workload, with Queensland experiencing the highest rise in home renovation prices, at 4.4 per cent over the year to August, according to tradie site ServiceSeeking. It found the average renovation tradie in Queensland cost $63.14 per hour, 2.4 per cent more than the national average.
ServiceSeeking chief executive Jeremy Levitt said more than 23,000 renovation jobs were posted on ServiceSeeking.com.au in Queensland in the past year.
Brisbane homeowners Sueanne and Chris McCahon recently completed renovating their 900sq m Bardon property and said while it was harder than they expected, completing the project was also one of the proudest moments of their lives.
“You will feel prouder than you ever imagined when it’s tools down and you pulled it off,” Mrs McCahon said.
Original article published at www.couriermail.com.au by Sophie Foster 26/8/16
