This 1930s Mount Wellington bungalow was soon to retire from being an income property and about to enter its second act. But not before getting an all-out overhaul, turning it into a completely custom, fully wheelchair accessible home.
Jill’s daughter Lisa lives a fully independent life in a wheelchair. Homes aren’t typically built with differently-abled people in mind, so Jill wanted to alter the property so Lisa could enjoy a home that wouldn’t impede her daily life but instead cater to it.
Bungalows built in the 1930s began to incorporate rooms that were more spacious than their Victorian-era predecessors, but they were also adopters of partitioned living areas, which is less than ideal to navigate in a wheelchair. For professional guidance with her renovation, Jill reached out to Renovation Consultant
Aiming to create a space that was both stylish and functional, Dave worked with an architect to transform the layout into something that was modern but also focused on Lisa’s accessibility requirements. Once the concept drawings were finished, Dave provided Jill with an estimate of $350,000. The quote included replacing windows, weatherboards, and joinery, re-roofing, installing a ramp, a completely new interior layout with extra-wide doors, and a wet-room style bathroom.
The estimate came in at the top of Jill’s budget, but after hearing back from the quantity surveyor, it turned out the project would cost closer to $300,000 — a welcomed surprise.
When you work with Refresh®, all you need to worry about is telling us what you want and then we’ll deliver. Our services include:
Before installing the new Colorsteel roof, the crew structurally strengthened the roof cavity and re-pitched the roof at the back of the home. With the new steel roof in place, the team affixed new cladding, giving the exterior a fresh look. The only thing left to do was oversee the issuing of the Code Compliance Certificate, and with that, the project was completed in just about 5 months.
Refresh® provides bespoke home renovations, allowing you to personalise your home’s design until it perfectly suits your lifestyle and budget. Before any construction begins, we’ll work with you to ensure a detailed design is in place that is in-line with your personal style; whether this is modern, contemporary, country, traditional, industrial or perhaps something a little more eclectic.
Entering the property from the back with the low-incline timber ramp leads you directly into the custom made kitchen. The benches sit at a custom height with plenty of space underneath the sink and food prep area so Lisa can comfortably manoeuvre in and around the area. Storage is mainly on the floor level, with the exception of a few overhead cabinets.
A wetroom made complete sense in this home, so Lisa’s personal bathroom is wide open. The vanity is of consistent height with the kitchen benches and has an open space underneath, giving Lisa easy access. Meanwhile, the guest bathroom has a walk-in shower, compact vanity, and toilet.
Large pieces of furniture like the dining table, couch, and bed have ample space surrounding them. Even the master wardrobe is generously sized to fit Lisa’s wheelchair without being cramped or impeded.
Refresh® has carried out full-home renovations ranging from $80,000 - $725,000*. The final cost of any project depends on a range of factors but will be significantly influenced by your project specifications as well as any hidden damage within the home. For example, a renovation on the lower end of this spectrum might include a few minor interior and exterior updates such as paintwork, a bathroom renovation and installing a heat pump. Homeowners with a generous budget may choose to make significant structural and cosmetic changes to their home in addition to extending or adding new spaces. For a cost estimate accurate to your project ideas, we recommend speaking with your local consultant.
When given the opportunity to create a home for Lisa that embraced her lifestyle, Dave left no stone unturned, from consulting with multiple specialists right down to the details of incorporating her favourite colour. His expertise and commitment to providing an excellent result has produced a home that functions perfectly for Lisa’s needs while looking modern and stylish at the same time.
Get in touch for a free consultation with your local Renovation Consultant.
Dave Georgetti is Renovation Consultant of Georgetti Improvements Ltd, a franchisee of Renovation Franchise Ltd, doing business in Auckland Central.
Actual costs vary by project. Plan ahead to reduce the impact of industry changes or disruptions. For more information see here.
If you would like to find out how Refresh Renovations can support you with a high quality, efficient home renovation, get in touch today. Your local Refresh consultant will be happy to meet with you for a free, no obligations consultation.