8 Ways to Increase the Value of your Home and to improve your Lifestyle

Your home is more than just a roof over your head, or a place you go when work’s over. Your home is probably the most valuable asset you own. So it makes perfect sense that you maintain, nurture and enhance its appeal.

Here are 8 ways to improve the value of your house and enjoy living in it.

The Kitchen Renovation

• A spacious and stylish kitchen can sometimes sell the house by itself and is a joy to  work in and enjoy in your living space.
• Improving the ‘marketing appeal’ of your kitchen can be a complex & expensive project involving a kitchen renovation specialist, plumber, carpenter, electrician and interior designer etc. It can be as simple as a cosmetic makeover resulting from repainting, a shiny new kitchen sink, brand new cookware and brighter lighting.
• Solid kitchen benches and high-quality flooring, such as wood, laminate, tile or stone are of high appeal.Newer appliances in working order all help.
• When choosing tiles, bench tops, paint, cabinet doors, or kitchen appliances, go with colours that will stand the test of time even as fashions come and go. Opt for neutral, rather than bright shades.
• Ensure that your kitchen is safe to use for children and the elderly.

The Bathroom Renovation

• Re-tiling the floor, upgrading the toilet or bath can all improve the ambience and value of the humble bathroom.
• Replacing the shower head & shower screens and ensuring all mould and stains are removed are inexpensive ways to improve the value of your house.
• Re-tile your bathroom floor – new updated tiles can make all the difference
• Replace chipped tilesand re-grout if needed.

 Blinds and shutters

• Timber shutters add instant appeal to any house. Cedar for the traditional house and white for a clean contemporary look.
• If you can’t afford the shutters, timber venetians are the next best thing. The solid timber are much nicer than the look a likes.
• Even vertical blinds have come of age and there are amazingly attractive fabrics available. Never thought I’d like a vertical, but I do now.
• Block out blinds can transform a western facing room by letting the light in but keeping the heat out.

 Lights and electrical

• Replace old light switches and fittings. This gives an immediate facelift.
• You can also purchase power pointcover plates in chrome or brass effects rather than the boring white ones.

Floors

• If floorboards are showing a little too much wear and tear, have them re-sanded, washed, stained, painted or simply resealed.
• Getting carpets cleaned can make a huge amount of difference to the look (and smell) of a home, so calling in the professionals is well worth considering.
• Old tiles look drab and dated. Re-tiling an area in a non slip light coloured tile can add the effect of space and light to a smaller living area.
• However, no amount of cleaning is going to lift a floor covering beyond its use-by date, so it may be time to replace what you’ve got.
• There are also some modern vinyls that are stylish and practical. You’ll be amazed at the range available.
• Budget – generally you get what you pay for with floor coverings/surfaces so beware going for the cheapest option.

Storage

• Add appeal with more storage space, be it in the kitchen, bathroom or even the garage. A place for everything and everything in its place makes for a tidier and better-looking home.

Outside

• Make sure your house is water and wind proofed. Check for broken roof tiles, rotten and rusting gutters, blocked drainpipes, and fix them sooner rather than later.
• Is your woodwork in good order? Decking, downposts,pergolas can be gernied down to clean them and then re-oiled/treated.
• If timber is rotting, replace it, particularly if there are safety issues involved.
• Pavers should be gernied and any mossy areas removed due to slip factors.
• Remove weeds.
• Old Awnings including dated fabric designs look shabby. Give your external area an instantlift by installing modern designs.

Landscaping

• Good landscaping adds instant appeal to a property. Plant succulents and natives that do not need high maintenance and watering. Use pebbles and rocks as mulch, they wear better and last longer than bark mulch.
• A swimming pool can be an asset, but not if it’s green. Keep your pool clear all year round. Ensure that your pool furniture is safe and has not deteriorated over a season.
• Once you’ve tidied up your home you’ll realise how lovely it is and now won’t want to sell after all.

© Dufton Building

http://duftonbuilding.com.au

Author: Nigel Dufton BSC (HONS) Build, M.A.I.B. Bld Lic 41541

Nigel is a Master Builder and Chartered Building Professional with over 32 years post graduate experience in commercial, industrial and residential construction. He has a passion for best building practices and environmentally friendly building solutions. Nigel is the principal of Dufton Building, a highly respected NSW Central Coast building company.

The content displayed is Dufton Building copyright and can only be re-published with the written permission of the author. http://duftonbuilding.com.au/contact/

What do home-owners really want from their home? Different people will tell you different things but here are some very common requirements:

• Security
• Investment
• Comfort
• Practical Layout
• Low maintenance
• Well ventilated
• Light
• Style

I’m sure you can relate to some of the above points.

When making a decision as to “renovate or detonate” the most common decision is made on the basis of cost. There is a perception that extensive renovations will be cheaper than a new build. In some cases this is true but in other cases not so.

Consult with an architect or building designer to gauge their opinion, and then speak to a builder who has extensive experience in high quality renovations and new builds. Some of the points the builder and the architect/designer may discuss will be:

• Will renovating give you advantages in position? Council can often refuse building footprint changes with new builds. eg an existing house on a waterfront block positioned nearer to the water than current setbacks allow.
• Can the architect re-design the original building to look stylish? or will it always look like a revamped old design?

Is the builder able to provide a fixed quote on a renovation? It is hard for builders to estimate the cost of a renovation as there are so many unknown factors.

Will you be compromising with the layout when renovating in an effort to reduce costs?

Write a list of all the features you would like in your home. After speaking to the designer and builder, mark each point out of 10

Points to consider                        New Build                                    Renovation

• Style
• Layout
• Cost
• Contract time
• Risk
• Position
• Energy efficiency
• How does your situation look?
• Don’t despair if you need help with this.

Give us a ring and we’ll talk you through the options.

© Dufton Building

http:duftonbuilding.com.au

Author: Nigel Dufton BSC (HONS) Build, M.A.I.B. Bld Lic 41541

Nigel is a Master Builder and Chartered Building Professional with over 32 years post graduate experience in commercial, industrial and residential construction. He has a passion for best building practices and environmentally friendly building solutions. Nigel is the principal of Dufton Building, a highly respected NSW Central Coast building company.

The content displayed is Dufton Building copyright and can only be re-published with the written permission of the author. http://duftonbuilding.com.au/contact/

When clients are undergoing extensive renovations there are serious considerations for a homeowner.

Do we stay or do we go?

We have worked with many clients who have made their decision one way or the other, and so here are some tips that may assist.

Generally

From a builder’s perspective it is normally preferable for the client to vacate the house for the following reasons:

Safety reasons

Safety is the first and foremost consideration for any responsible builder.

When renovating, the reality is that your house becomes a building site.

If you have children it is MOST inadvisable for your sanity and stress levels to stay and live on a building site, UNLESS the building area can literally be locked away both internally and externally.

Cost

There is a perception that by staying in the house the homeowner will save money in the building process by saving on rental costs elsewhere.

This is often totally contrary to the facts.

The reality is that a builder’s costs and time programme will most likely increase when the house is occupied.

The builders have to spend extra time and effort to work around the family’s needs ie retain a working bathroom, designated kitchen area etc. Warm dry areas need retaining, thereby limiting roof work and the list goes on.

Not moving out can cost you money.

Health

Dust and debris are part and parcel of a renovation.

Sanding processes and particularly those on plasterboard for example, create a fine dust residue that will find its way into nooks and crannies you didn’t know you had!!!

Builders wear protective masks but will you and your family wear masks for everyday living?

Any person with any type of sensitive skin or respiratory problem will suffer as a result of the building processes right through to the final painting stage.

Summary

We have had some successful “stay and renovate” stories as some of you readers will relate to. This is due to ;

Owners not spending the majority of their time in the house during the renovation.

• An existing bathroom being functional and unchanged during the course of the renovation.
• A pleasant, considerable and polite building team. (our team of course!!)
• Alternative sleeping arrangements for the critical building stages.
• Clients who have a great sense of humour and a philosophical approach.
• Clients with a high stress threshold. (Building can be stressful in the best of times and circumstances)
• Clients who can tolerate a period of household chaos.
• A builder who clients can trust to be working to limit the pain and the budget.

So now you have the pros and cons you can make an informed decision as to whether to stay or go…. and remember a good builder should always have your best interests at heart and will give you honest advice.

© Dufton Building

http:duftonbuilding.com.au

Author: Nigel Dufton BSC (HONS) Build, M.A.I.B. Bld Lic 41541

Nigel is a Master Builder and Chartered Building Professional with over 32 years post graduate experience in commercial, industrial and residential construction. He has a passion for best building practices and environmentally friendly building solutions. Nigel is the principal of Dufton Building, a highly respected NSW Central Coast building company.

The content displayed is Dufton Building copyright and can only be re-published with the written permission of the author. http://duftonbuilding.com.au/contact/

It’s been a busy time for we Central Coast Builders.

Although we specialise in building architect designed homes, and those designed by reputable Building Designers, we also undertake major additions and extensions to and renovations of existing homes.
As our existing clients know, we also look after our ‘regulars’ with smaller jobs such as decks and pergolas, etc. We are a Central Coast Builder that really cares about our clients and their needs and their budget.

We have recently completed a major external renovation / makeover of a large house in Matcham. This house had not had any meaningful work done to it externally for about 14 years. Our work involved a total roof restoration, replacement / repair of timber fascia boards, barges and gable features, replacement of all gutters and down pipes and a complete re-paint of the dwelling externally. We also replaced the dilapidated 1.8 metre high retaining wall. Our clients are thrilled with the work and their home now looks “brand new”.

We have just commenced on a brand new house on the beach at Patonga. This is a two-storey modern dwelling using light-weight materials. There is a marvellous view from the site over to Barrenjoey.
In fact, we have been spoilt by the scenically beautiful places that we have built houses at. We have built houses in Killcare, Holgate and Matcham, Wagstaffe, Saratoga, Terrigal, Wamberal, Avoca Beach and Copacabana – all with wonderful views of either the ocean, Brisbane Waters or bushland. Other ‘country’ sites have included Kulnura, with a north facing visa over Yarramalong Valley, Yarramalong itself and Dooralong.

© Dufton Building

http:duftonbuilding.com.au

Author: Nigel Dufton BSC (HONS) Build, M.A.I.B. Bld Lic 41541

Nigel is a Master Builder and Chartered Building Professional with over 32 years post graduate experience in commercial, industrial and residential construction. He has a passion for best building practices and environmentally friendly building solutions. Nigel is the principal of Dufton Building, a highly respected NSW Central Coast building company.

The content displayed is Dufton Building copyright and can only be re-published with the written permission of the author. http://duftonbuilding.com.au/contact/