Renovation advice for home owners as demand continues
We are seeing the demand for renovated properties remain strong this year, as it has for the past three years.
For homeowners willing to meet this demand, there are benefits to be had from both fast, targeted refurbishments or long-term makeovers.
In its latest monthly review, national valuations company, Herron Todd White (HTW), observed that renovation costs can be cheaper than that of selling a home, and buying another one.
In terms of financial outlay, Cotality’s Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) report for this year’s June quarter revealed there has been a 31.3% increase in national construction costs since the start of COVID-19 five years ago. Cotality research director Tim Lawless said this increase had created ongoing liquidity and feasibility challenges for builders and competition for skilled trades, which is likely to persist for several years.
Homeowners should definitely be prepared for major renovations such as a full kitchen makeover to potentially cost $40,000 plus. Bathroom facelifts can also be costly and for these types of projects, you will need a licenced electrician or plumber.
HTW also noted that the cost of replacing a kitchen or bathroom is significantly higher than it was five years ago, with the trades and construction industries still busy following the COVID “bubble”. But with that said, HTW said these industries – and their materials – are now more readily accessible.
Either way, if you’re planning to renovate or expand your property, you may be able to organise renovation finance or a construction and building loan with your current, or a different, lender.
Tips and advice
If you’re a homeowner keen to undertake a renovation, there are some important factors to consider before you start.
Firstly, do you like your current location? You might live in a neighbourhood with proximity to your favourite amenities and other useful services, including school catchment zones and your place of work.
Next, consider why you want to complete a makeover, as this answer will affect your budget and time. Are you an investor wanting to quickly update some cosmetic details before finding a tenant? Are you an owner modernising your property for potentially a strong sale afterwards? In both cases, you should opt for a targeted refurbishment that will maximise the property’s value.
If you’re a long-term, owner-occupier, you should still consider the possibility of a future resale. After all, the average amount of time people stay in their property is 11 years, according to PropTrack data in August 2023.
But in the short term, make a list of your priorities, beginning with essential items such as air conditioners or heaters. Depending on your time and budget, you may have to wait several years to complete your list.
Also remember that you can complete some changes yourself, which can save you time and money. These jobs include painting, tiling, installing curtains and blinds, building a backyard fence, and gardening. If you have a tradie mate to help you, even better. If nothing else, they can give you good advice and referrals.
Check with your local council before beginning any major extensions or structural changes to your home, especially if it is heritage listed.
Always obtain multiple quotes, don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations or referrals, and ensure any tradie you employ is licenced and certified. For sizable modifications, obtain a written contract outlining the work and payment details, costs, timeframe, and any guarantees and warranties.
Most importantly, stick to your budget, have a support network and take the time to enjoy the update once it is completed.
John McGrath CEO & FOUNDER
This Saturday’s open homes
Northern Beaches
3/455 Condamine Street, Allambie Heights
beds 2 baths 1 car
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am
Agent Mario Esposito 0417 654 068
Giovanni Dimauro 0447 321 954
9
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Bernadette Cullen 0424 006 825
158
AUCTION Thursday 9 October 4.00pm
Price Guide $3,100,000
View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lyndall Barry 0411 436 407
52
Price Guide $3,900,000
View By Appointment
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Bernadette Cullen 0424 006 825
Price Guide $2,500,000
View By Appointment
Agent Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181
Zena Norkett 0403 868 722
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Christian Cullen 0426 671 733
129 Riverview Road, Avalon Beach
SALE
Price Guide $10,000,000
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lyndall Barry 0411 436 407
2/21-23 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach
beds 2 baths 2 cars
Price Guide $1,250,000
View By Appointment
Agent Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181
Rowena Hunt 0412 601 647
Park Parade, Allambie Heights
Monserra Road, Allambie Heights
Northern Beaches
20 Ruskin Rowe, Avalon Beach
beds 4 baths 4 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide
$7,000,000
View Saturday 1.00pm - 1.30pm
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lyndall Barry 0411 436 407
37A Central Road, Avalon Beach 5 beds 3 baths 3 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide
$6,000,000
View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
16 Ilya Avenue, Bayview 4 beds 3 baths 2 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Sam Thompson 0497 618 492
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
30 Cabarita Road, Avalon Beach 5 beds 4 baths 4 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide $9,750,000
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
beds 1 bath 2 cars
Lyndall Barry 0411 436 407 33 Burrawong Road, Avalon Beach
5 Paradise Avenue, Avalon Beach
SALE
Price Guide $4,900,000
View Saturday 1.45pm - 2.15pm
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lyndall Barry 0411 436 407
26A Sunnyridge Place, Bayview 3 beds 3 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $2,900,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181
Sam Thompson 0497 618 492
AUCTION Monday 13 October 4.30pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 12.15pm - 12.45pm
Agent Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181
Zena Norkett 0403 868 722
8/80 Balgowlah Road, Balgowlah
bed 1 bath 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Morgan Fahey 0418 408 408
Elliott Fahey 0408 408 408
27C Alexandra Crescent, Bayview
beds 8 baths 5 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide $6,950,000
View Saturday 1.00pm - 1.30pm
Agent Sam Thompson 0497 618 492
Northern Beaches
39A Cormack Road, Beacon Hill 5 beds 3 baths 6 cars
AUCTION Wednesday 8 October 6.30pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 2.00pm - 2.30pm
Agent Giovanni Dimauro 0447 321 954
Mario Esposito 0417 654 068
2/1 Bilambee Avenue, Bilgola Plateau
beds 1 bath FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181
Rowena Hunt 0412 601 647
1/6-7 Funda Place, Brookvale
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Christian Cullen 0426 671 733
3 Hal Hammond Place,
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445 68 The Serpentine, Bilgola Beach
36 Plateau Road, Bilgola Plateau
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
2089A Pittwater Road, Church Point Land FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Sam Thompson 0497 618 492
beds 3 baths 2 cars
AUCTION Friday 14 November 4.30pm
Price Guide $8,900,000
View Saturday 1.00pm - 1.30pm
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lyndall Barry 0411 436 407
40 Plateau Road, Bilgola Plateau
beds 3 baths 5 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide $4,500,000
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181
12 Hendy Avenue, Collaroy 5 beds 3 baths 2 cars
AUCTION Saturday 25 October 3.45pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm
Agent Jill Rafferty 0416 140 012
Izzy Fallowfield 0489 311 877
Belrose
Northern Beaches
68 Westmoreland Avenue, Collaroy 5 beds 5 baths 2 cars
AUCTION Saturday 11 October 9.45am
Price Guide $2,900,000
View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm
Agent Kirsten Bertram 0404 887 693
Kelly Mulvihill 0435 177 153
14 Cottage Point Road, Cottage Point
AUCTION Thursday 6 November 4.30pm
Price Guide $4,550,000
View Saturday 2.30pm - 3.00pm
Agent Rowena Hunt 0412 601 647
Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181 20 Cottage Point Road, Cottage Point
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Sam Thompson 0497 618 492 62
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
5/7
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Julie Lloyd 0410 329 821
Eloise Brain 0411 849 145
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Susie O’Brien 0411 762 227
AUCTION Saturday 11 October 2.15pm
Price Guide $2,200,000
View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am
Agent Jill Rafferty 0416 140 012
Izzy Fallowfield 0489 311 877
AUCTION Thursday 6 November 6.00pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 1.30pm - 2.00pm
Agent Jill Rafferty 0416 140 012
Izzy Fallowfield 0489 311 877 24 Corymbia Circuit, Frenchs Forest
AUCTION Saturday 18 October 10.30am
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
Northern Beaches
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Mitchell Skinner 0426 650 077
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Bernadette Cullen 0424 006 825
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Will Robinson 0402 215 962
Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344 42/10 Darley Road,
Price Guide $1,600,000
View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Mitchell Skinner 0426 650 077
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Susie O’Brien 0411 762 227
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Mitchell Skinner 0426 650 077
Romford Road, Frenchs Forest
Prince Charles Road, Frenchs Forest
Freshwater
Manly
Northern Beaches
Street,
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Will Robinson 0402 215 962
1/1192
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Will Robinson 0402 215 962
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Will Robinson 0402 215 962
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Mario Esposito 0417 654 068
3A Cook Terrace, Mona Vale
AUCTION Tuesday 21 October 5.00pm
Price Guide $2,995,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Kelly Mulvihill 0435 177 153
Nathan Ford 0404 696 133
Giovanni Dimauro 0447 321 954 27/143 Kurraba Road, Neutral Bay
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Price Guide $8,000,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Price Guide $12-13,000,000
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Will Robinson 0402 215 962
230 Barrenjoey Road, Newport 5 beds 4 baths 4 cars
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Price Guide $7,800,000
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
Northern Beaches
3 Beach Road, Newport 4 beds 3 baths 4 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
4/54 Bardo Road, Newport
2 beds 2 baths 2 cars
FOR SALE
Price Guide $2,200,000
View By Appointment
Agent Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181
Rowena Hunt 0412 601 647
8/377 Barrenjoey Road, Newport
3 beds 2 baths 2 cars
AUCTION Monday 20 October 5.00pm
Price Guide $2,900,000
View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am
Agent Kelly Mulvihill 0435 177 153
Nathan Ford 0404 696 133
3/25 Bardo Road, Newport 2 beds 1 bath 1 car
FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,175,000
View By Appointment
Agent Kelly Mulvihill 0435 177 153
Nathan Ford 0404 696 133 35 Attunga Road, Newport 4 beds 2 baths 1 car
AUCTION Saturday 25 October 9.00am
Price Guide $3,700,000
View Saturday 2.30pm - 3.00pm
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
5/11-15 Foamcrest Avenue, Newport
3 beds 2 baths 2 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm
Agent Kelly Mulvihill 0435 177 153
Nathan Ford 0404 696 133
12 Alleyne Avenue, North Narrabeen
5 beds 3 baths 4 cars
AUCTION Saturday 11 October 3.45pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm
Agent Julie Lloyd 0410 329 821
Eloise Brain 0411 849 145
76b Irrubel Road, Newport 4 beds 3 baths 4 cars
FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
4 Namona Street, North Narrabeen 3 beds 2 baths 1 car
FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,900,000
View By Appointment
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Oliver Cullen 0421 713 023
Northern Beaches
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Laura Mears 0424 918 829
James Baker 0421 272 692
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Mitchell Skinner 0426 650 077
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Will Robinson 0402 215 962
Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344 6/105 Queenscliff Road, Queenscliff
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Christian Cullen 0426 671 733
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Laura Mears 0424 918 829
Luke Nolan-Harris 0411 369 132
Price Guide $9,000,000
View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Laura Mears 0424 918 829
Price Guide
View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm
Agent Laura Mears 0424 918 829
Luke Nolan-Harris 0411 369 132
Whale Beach Road, Whale Beach
Connecting your home to the world.
At McGrath, our properties are not only showcased locally but reach a worldwide audience through our unmatched global partnership. With 50+ markets and over 20,000+ professionals, your property gains maximum exposure to qualified buyers both here and abroad.
If you’re considering selling, choose a brand whose calibre of reach and reputation is unparalleled. Experience the McGrath Difference. We welcome your call today.
NORTHERN BEACHES PARRAMATTA REGION
Thinking
Open Homes Guide
Open Homes Guide
Open Homes Guide
Collaroy | Dee Why 02 9982 0600
Forestville 02 9451 8466
Manly 02 9977 9500
Mona Vale 02 8044 0388
Pittwater 02 9918 6700
Guiding you home