What’s involved in planning kitchen and bathroom renovations in Sydney?

Are you looking to upgrade your lifestyle by planning kitchen and bathroom renovations in Sydney? Thoughts of renewing any area can be daunting and overwhelming, but trying to take on two projects at once may seem like a recipe for madness. However, renovating two of the most used rooms in the home simultaneously can reduce stress and save you money and time.

For a home with an outdated kitchen and a drab bathroom, remodelling provides various options to create stunning and functional spaces that suit your tastes and that the entire family will love.

If you’re planning a kitchen and bathroom renovation in Sydney, here’s what you need to know.

Important Kitchen and Bathroom Considerations

There is a lot to think about before you begin to plan your renovations.

Kitchens

Uppermost in your mind should be what you want to achieve. In many homes, the kitchen is so much more than just a place to prepare meals. It is also where you bond with family and entertain friends, which is why it is known as the heart of the home. This means you’ll need to take into account how busy it will be and how many people you will want to sit at a table comfortably. You will also need to set a realistic budget and determine whether the existing layout will be fit for purpose when planning your kitchen style.

Bathrooms

A good bathroom should be functional, tranquil and beautiful. Before taking a sledgehammer to your existing space, consider costs, storage, whether you want a bath, shower or both, ventilation and plumbing (which may need an upgrade).

The Pros and Cons Of A Simultaneous Kitchen and Bathroom Renovation

Pros

• Save money by choosing the same materials for cabinets and countertops – Your contractor may be able to get a discount by ordering larger quantities of the same materials. Ordering different materials from the same supplier will also save transportation costs.
• Consolidate labour costs – By combining two projects at once, builders can focus on both rooms at the same time and save you money.
• Achieve close-knit design between the kitchen and bathroom – A simultaneous reno makes it easier to plan a more cohesive kitchen and bathroom design concept.
• Reduce the disruption to your home – Renovating two rooms at once is time-saving. If you do one project first and then the other, you extend the amount of time that your home resembles a building site.

Cons

• Renovating a kitchen and bathroom simultaneously means that two key rooms will be out of action at the same time – Will you have plans in place to cope? Can you work around this, or will you have to decamp to a hotel or rented accommodation?
• Hard rubbish removal – When you combine two projects, there is also much more rubbish to clean up at once.

The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages when you hire an experienced renovation professional with a solid action plan – saving you time and money and lowering your stress levels.

Choosing New Items For Your Kitchen and Bathroom Reno

When planning a kitchen and bathroom renovation in Sydney, making a list of new items you must have is a good idea. What to include will largely depend on the style, durability, budget and extent of the renovations. New items may include:

Kitchen

• Benchtops
• Cabinets
• Shelves
• Flooring
• Lighting (including feature lighting and task lighting)
• Backsplashes
• Windows
• Sinks
• Taps
• Pipes and plumbing
• Electrical and gas connections

Bathroom

• Vanity
• Mirror
• Lighting (including feature lighting)
• Bathtub
• Shower enclosure with screens
• Flooring
• Shower taps
• Bath taps
• Sink and taps
• Cabinets
• Shelves
• Windows
• Pipes and plumbing
• Electrical connections
• Heating

How Much Do Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations Cost?

Kitchen and bathroom renovation costs can vary widely depending on the project’s size and scope and the quality of materials and appliances. However, getting a good idea of how much to budget for is possible.

According to the Housing Industry Association (HIA), the average cost of a kitchen renovation is $24,014, while the average cost of a bathroom reno is $19,085. So that makes a combined cost of a little over $43,000, more if you want to go all out with a luxury renovation.  

But remember, you may be able to save money by opting to do your kitchen and bathroom renovations at the same time.

Good Design Can Reduce Reno Time

Unlike the exterior of a building, where it’s difficult to make changes once the size and shape are in place, the interior is more fluid. As there are more options to play with, projects can take longer. However, with some strategic thinking about kitchen and custom bathroom designs, you can reduce the time it takes to complete your combined renovation.

All good renovations start with proper design and planning. Design determines what is possible, what is needed and the styles of the renovated spaces. Working with some of what you already have and seamlessly combining them with trendy bathroom renovation ideas can cut renovation time as opposed to fully demolishing each room and starting again from scratch.

It is also worth remembering not to make too many changes once the renovation has started. While they may seem simple, they could require time-consuming work at the back end and blow out construction timelines.

Experience Matters for Planning Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations in Sydney

When selecting a contractor for your kitchen and bathroom renovations in Sydney, engage the services of an experienced professional with a stellar reputation. Trying to do an expert’s job yourself is a false economy that may cost a lot more, in the long run, correcting mistakes.

Many small projects can benefit from a DIY approach, but larger jobs such as kitchen and bathroom renovations require high skill and knowledge. As American oil fighter, Red Adair once said, “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”  DIYers also vastly underestimate the time it takes to carry out renovation work.

Qualified professionals have the expertise to achieve a great result and specialist tools at their disposal to ensure the job is done right. So, as they get to work, you can sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that your project will be carried out professionally and to the highest standards.

As Sydney’s trusted renovation experts, DCON Group has the skill, knowledge, experience and creative flair to bring your dream kitchen and bathroom to life. If you’re thinking it’s high time both rooms were given an upgrade, get in touch with us for a free no-obligation quote.