Preparing for the Property Market with a Whole House Renovation in Forrest Hill, North Shore

Ready for Change

Forrest Hills homeowner Chad wanted to take advantage of Auckland’s surging housing market. His 1980s three-bedroom two-bathroom property, located in a quiet cul-de-sac and with easy access to Takapuna and Milford Beaches, was definitely showing its age.
Chad’s previous renovation experiences had been marred by poor time management. To get his property market-ready by summer he couldn’t afford to wait, so he enlisted the help of Refresh Renovation Consultants Johannes Jacobs (JJ) and Anthony (Ant) Bayne. 

Briefing and Budgets

During their initial consultation, Chad got straight to the point. He wanted the house to look great: new paint and flooring, updated bathrooms, a fresh exterior, and a fully spruced up interior, including the bedrooms, kitchen, and lounge. With his $200,000 budget, all of that seemed manageable.
Wanting to fetch Chad top dollar when it came time to sell, JJ and Ant soon arranged concept drawings and cost estimates. With a few compromises made on fixtures and wall finishings, the full scope was quoted at $210,000. Chad was happy with that figure and gave his approval for the project to move forward. 

Construction Gets Started

Demolition came first: ripping up old carpet, tearing out the old built-in bathtub, and removing the dated cabinetry. There was no need for the walls to be relined as they were in good condition, so instead, JJ and Ant offered the cost-effective solution of repairing the wallpaper where necessary and properly preparing it for painting to update the look. 
Painting over wallpaper can be tricky, but with JJ and Ant’s extensive network of industry professionals, it was no problem to bring in a skilled painter to get the job done. In fact, Chad’s home renovation required numerous skill sets, from plasterers and roofers to interior designers and decorators. They also needed a plumber to deal with drain blockages caused by main pipes from the road. 
Overall, the construction phase went smoothly. New flooring and lighting throughout the home wrapped up the interior work. Outside, the Spanish roof was painted black to create a bold contrast from the re-furbished brick and cedar façade. Tidying up the landscape was the finishing touch to the nine-week construction. 

Light and Lush Living Spaces

The transformation of Chad’s North Shore property is dramatic; not one room in the house bears any resemblance to its original state. The new kitchen is bright and minimalist with white cabinetry and matte black details. The raised peninsula is now flush with the rest of the bench, making the kitchen and dining area feel more cohesive. An old bay window has been replaced with a modern bi-fold which ties in with the new sliding door in the dining area. 
The lounge has the same vibe as the kitchen with its clean lines and crisp white and grey colour palette. Complementing the wood-look laminate floors in the kitchen, the lounge has plush grey carpet, as do the bedrooms. A hard-wearing Berber style grey carpet was also used in the compact laundry area. The consistently neutral colour scheme and finishings throughout the home will have wide appeal for prospective buyers when it comes time to sell.

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Chic Bathrooms

Both bathrooms have a semi-frameless shower and double vanity, complete with circular sinks and matte black finishings that look high-end. A partial drop ceiling hovers over two cathedral arch mirrors in the main bathroom, with downlighting subtly illuminating the vanity. 
In the second bathroom, a large circular mirror hangs over the double vanity which ties in with the circular basins and large oval bathtub.  

Final Thoughts

For JJ and Ant, the kitchen in this home is a ‘showstopper’. But the rest of the project’s results are just as impressive and are sure to have a positive impact on the property’s value. Chad is thrilled with the renovation and the speed and efficiency with which the transformation was effected.  

Want to discuss a home transformation of your own?

To arrange a free consultation with your local Renovation Consultant, just get in touch. We’d be happy to hear from you.