\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUpdated:<\/p>
7.6.2024<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Share on:<\/h4><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>J<\/span>ulian and Lexie had one month, $5k and a straightforward plan to renovate their small bathroom. Let\u2019s just say, if you like a good \u2018down to the wire\u2019 reno story, you\u2019ll love this couple\u2019s drama-filled journey from settlement to move in day.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>We\u2019re talking budget blow-outs, schedule delays, on-the-spot decisions and eight scope changes. Yeah \u2014 total \u2018Block\u2019 vibes, right?<\/p>\n
Julian jokes that he had a couple of grey hairs come flying through at a rapid rate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a significant, unforeseen scenario,\u201d Julian says, alluding to the cause of the delays.<\/p>\n
This eventful Project Story will leave you with practical insights for your own bathroom renovation.<\/p>\n<\/div>
You\u2019ll Discover:<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>- <\/i><\/span>\n
What to look out for in your pre-purchase building inspection<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
How to manage scope and budget changes<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
The full list of bathroom upgrades<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
What they would do in hindsight (involves saving money!)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Plus, the awesome before and after photos.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>
\nLet\u2019s get stuck into it!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Small](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Small-bathroom-renovation-22-Before.jpg\")
![\"Small](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Small-bathroom-renovation-After.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Here’s a sneak peek: before (left) and after (right).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Renovating An 80\u2019s Townhouse Unit<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>From the moment Julian, Lexie and I get talking, it\u2019s clear they have the one quality it takes to get through a stressful renovation: a great sense of humor.<\/p>\n
We exchange banter on the trials and tribulations, and I ask if they are first home-buyers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of a few thousand we own,\u201d Julian laughs, \u201cNah \u2014 this is the first house, it\u2019s the beginning of our journey,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n
At this point I\u2019m impressed by two things:<\/p>\n<\/div>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
That they managed to snag a Wellington property in the first quarter of 2021, and;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
The oh-so-retro arches of their 1980\u2019s townhouse unit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/80s-townhouse-renovation-591565-1.jpg\" "\\"80s")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/80s-townhouse-renovation-591565-2.jpg\" "\\"80s")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/80s-townhouse-renovation-591565-8.jpg\" "\\"80s")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/80s-townhouse-renovation-591565-3.jpg\" "\\"80s")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Original photos of their 1980’s townhouse unit in Hutt Valley, Wellington.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>The Writing On The Wall<\/del> Roof<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Julian and Lexie describe how their bathroom was outdated, unfit for purpose and as Julian says, \u2018just looked sh**ty\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>
\n\u201cYou could see a lot of home DIY work \u2014 there was silicone everywhere and it\u2019s like \u2018Who has been in here, and what have they been doing?’\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\u201cWe wanted it to feel like our space, a place that felt welcoming for us,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n
As well as envisaging a modern, cleaner-looking version, the couple wanted it to be watertight and comply with Healthy Homes Standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause there were clear signs of water damage in the ceiling above the shower,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n
The kicker? The building report said it was old water damage that needed repairs \u2014 but, everything passed the moisture meter test \u2014 including the ceiling.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Small](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Small-bathroom-renovation-14-1.jpg\" "\\"Small")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Small](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Small-bathroom-renovation-19-1.jpg\" "\\"Small")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Silicone can be seen around the vanity (left), and water damage above the shower (right).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>This Was The $5k Plan<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\u201cI\u2019d heard of Builderscrack, and Lexie\u2019s mum rated her experience, so we thought… let’s give it a go,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll we thought was we\u2019ll change the vanity, seal the bath, and repair the water damage near the shower, and for those three things we\u2019ll budget $5k,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were a bit naive, cause we\u2019ve never done renos before, and we didn\u2019t want it to blow out in scope or budget\u2026 hah, dreamers,\u201d Julian reminisces, on the high-hopes of their pre-reno selves.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Small](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Small-bathroom-renovation-18.png\" "\\"Small")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Small](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Small-bathroom-renovation-21-1.jpg\" "\\"Small")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Julian and Lexie just wanted to update a few of the key fixtures in their small bathroom.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Teaming Up With A Pro<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Julian and Lexie teamed up with Pete from RDO<\/a> Ltd after looking through his previous jobs on BC.<\/p>\n\u201cWe saw he\u2019d recently done a bathroom renovation, his ratings were very high and other homeowners said nice things about him,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n
\u201cSee, Pete\u2019s an older fella, quite humorous,\u201d Julian banters, nodding to the years of experience that Pete brought to the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe laid out our initial idea to Pete, our lovely builder, and we honestly asked him \u2018Are we ridiculous for thinking we can do this for $5,000?\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a good natured way he quietly let us know that we were dreaming,\u201d Julian laughs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Post a job<\/span><\/a>Does your bathroom need some love?<\/h2>\nTell us about your job, and we’ll find you the right tradies to choose from, usually within minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>
J<\/span>ulian and Lexie had one month, $5k and a straightforward plan to renovate their small bathroom. Let\u2019s just say, if you like a good \u2018down to the wire\u2019 reno story, you\u2019ll love this couple\u2019s drama-filled journey from settlement to move in day.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div> We\u2019re talking budget blow-outs, schedule delays, on-the-spot decisions and eight scope changes. Yeah \u2014 total \u2018Block\u2019 vibes, right?<\/p>\n Julian jokes that he had a couple of grey hairs come flying through at a rapid rate.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a significant, unforeseen scenario,\u201d Julian says, alluding to the cause of the delays.<\/p>\n This eventful Project Story will leave you with practical insights for your own bathroom renovation.<\/p>\n<\/div> What to look out for in your pre-purchase building inspection<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> How to manage scope and budget changes<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> The full list of bathroom upgrades<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> What they would do in hindsight (involves saving money!)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Plus, the awesome before and after photos.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> Here’s a sneak peek: before (left) and after (right).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> From the moment Julian, Lexie and I get talking, it\u2019s clear they have the one quality it takes to get through a stressful renovation: a great sense of humor.<\/p>\n We exchange banter on the trials and tribulations, and I ask if they are first home-buyers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one of a few thousand we own,\u201d Julian laughs, \u201cNah \u2014 this is the first house, it\u2019s the beginning of our journey,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n At this point I\u2019m impressed by two things:<\/p>\n<\/div> That they managed to snag a Wellington property in the first quarter of 2021, and;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> The oh-so-retro arches of their 1980\u2019s townhouse unit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div> Original photos of their 1980’s townhouse unit in Hutt Valley, Wellington.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Julian and Lexie describe how their bathroom was outdated, unfit for purpose and as Julian says, \u2018just looked sh**ty\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div> \u201cYou could see a lot of home DIY work \u2014 there was silicone everywhere and it\u2019s like \u2018Who has been in here, and what have they been doing?’\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div> \u201cWe wanted it to feel like our space, a place that felt welcoming for us,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n As well as envisaging a modern, cleaner-looking version, the couple wanted it to be watertight and comply with Healthy Homes Standards.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause there were clear signs of water damage in the ceiling above the shower,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n The kicker? The building report said it was old water damage that needed repairs \u2014 but, everything passed the moisture meter test \u2014 including the ceiling.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Silicone can be seen around the vanity (left), and water damage above the shower (right).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> \u201cI\u2019d heard of Builderscrack, and Lexie\u2019s mum rated her experience, so we thought… let’s give it a go,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n \u201cAll we thought was we\u2019ll change the vanity, seal the bath, and repair the water damage near the shower, and for those three things we\u2019ll budget $5k,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were a bit naive, cause we\u2019ve never done renos before, and we didn\u2019t want it to blow out in scope or budget\u2026 hah, dreamers,\u201d Julian reminisces, on the high-hopes of their pre-reno selves.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Julian and Lexie just wanted to update a few of the key fixtures in their small bathroom.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Julian and Lexie teamed up with Pete from RDO<\/a> Ltd after looking through his previous jobs on BC.<\/p>\n \u201cWe saw he\u2019d recently done a bathroom renovation, his ratings were very high and other homeowners said nice things about him,\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n \u201cSee, Pete\u2019s an older fella, quite humorous,\u201d Julian banters, nodding to the years of experience that Pete brought to the project.<\/p>\n \u201cWe laid out our initial idea to Pete, our lovely builder, and we honestly asked him \u2018Are we ridiculous for thinking we can do this for $5,000?\u201d Julian says.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a good natured way he quietly let us know that we were dreaming,\u201d Julian laughs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Tell us about your job, and we’ll find you the right tradies to choose from, usually within minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>You\u2019ll Discover:<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
\nLet\u2019s get stuck into it!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Renovating An 80\u2019s Townhouse Unit<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>The Writing On The
Wall<\/del> Roof<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>This Was The $5k Plan<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Teaming Up With A Pro<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
Does your bathroom need some love?<\/h2>
![\"Small](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Small-bathroom-renovation-5-.png\" "\\"Small")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Small](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Leaky-roof-595902-5-1.jpg\" "\\"Leaky")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Small](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Small-bathroom-renovation-12-1.jpg\" "\\"Small")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Small](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Small-bathroom-renovation-1-.jpg.png\" "\\"Small")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>