Plush hand towels, marble flooring and mood lighting; there’s something special about swanning about an opulent bathroom that feels ultra-luxe, especially after a tiresome day at work. But without the right help, creating a spa-like space in your own home can be challenging to achieve. Which is why we’ve put together some handy tips and tricks of turning a simple room of purpose into a 5-star hotel spa that will leave a lasting impression, right down to the bathroom floor grates.

1. Lighting

Sick of your clinical, fluorescent lights that flicker half a dozen times before finally making up their mind? It might be time to revive your bathroom lighting. Consider backlighting your vanity mirror for even dispersion of light and to eliminate unflattering shadows. Or, swap out those dreary fluorescents with low-glow LEDs that hide beneath bulkhead alcoves, behind mirrors or under cabinetry. You’ll be amazed at the difference indirect lighting can have to your bathroom’s atmosphere.

2. Chrome

Particularly in bathrooms, finishes are everything. For a timeless mix of luxury and class, go against the modernist grind and opt for traditional chrome fixtures and fittings. Chrome blends practicality with elegance and chic. Traditional-style faucets, handrails and towel racks, combined with marble finishes and fluffy Egyptian cotton hand towels ensure a timeless feel that screams Ritz Carlton.

This chrome faucet blends well with a sleek and modern vanity design and reflects LED light well to give it a striking sheen.

3. Double sinks

Despite what tradition tells us, double sinks don’t have to be reserved for master en-suites. Providing you have space, having two sinks in one bathroom is not only practical, but it’s reminiscent of luxe mansions and high-end hotel suites.

For couples and families, it also means you don’t have to wait in line to get ready in often frantic before-school and work mornings. This white double sink bathroom vanity is paired with two large storage drawers beneath to help
minimize clutter and add symmetry to the bathroom’s overall design.

 

 

Pair your double vanity sinks up with individual mirrors or install one large shared mirror to enhance the size of your room. Either way, a double sink bathroom can turn an ordinary space into one that’s refined, sophisticated and welcoming.

4. Mood sounds

Okay, this one might sound a little far-fetched but have you ever been welcomed by rain forest sounds in a five-star restaurant’s bathroom and felt immediately relaxed? Mood audio is a phenomenon yet to make its mark in the residential market, but it’s one that will surely set your bathroom apart from the rest. And, if you want to create a one-off, bespoke space, that’s unique and memorable, then mood sounds will give you just that.

Bathrooms are usually the last thing on a homeowners list when it comes to investing dollars into creating a mood-enhancing experience, but taking that extra step will help you achieve that spa-like atmosphere you’re going for.

Mayfair works with many suppliers who deliver state-of-the-art AV systems for bathrooms that have been designed to resist humidity and excess moisture. Just ask us about them!

5. Marble

Think about the most luxurious bathroom you’ve ever set foot in, and we’ll bet it had marble countertops or tiling. Once reserved for cash-plenty homeowners, marble is more accessible and affordable than ever before, with marble veneer products taking top place in the market over solid marbles alternatives. To make your bathroom feel bright, airy and large, we suggest going for a light coloured, less complicated marble finish. Team marble up with plush bath and hand towels for added extravagance.

This striking grey and white marble bathroom is contrasted nicely against bronze fixtures and crisp white countertops to make the room pop.

 

Want to go that one step further? Ask us about underfloor heating beneath your marble tiling for total decadence!

6. Dressing tables

Ever fantasized about sitting in front of a dimly lit dressing table in an opulent bathroom slapping on aftershave or applying your makeup before a night on the town? Your fantasies could soon become a reality by installing your very own luxurious seated dressing table in your bathroom.

A cozy, functional and bright space can turn obsolete corners of your bathroom into practical and luxurious areas. A tasteful vanity dressing table also gives you the storage you need to eliminate cosmetic and toiletry clutter from countertops.

7. Rainfall Shower Heads

Whether you live in a 40 square foot studio in the East End or a country estate in the Adelaide Hills, one aspect of a bathroom that doesn’t discriminate when it comes to space is shower heads.

Investing in a chrome rainfall shower that has a filter to activate different pressures can turn your mundane before-work shower into a resort-like sensory experience. Keep things simple with a combined rainfall and handheld shower head combination like in the image below so that you can alternate between the two, according to your desired pressure. Having the handheld shower device also makes cleaning the recess easier!

 

 

Have you got the floor space for a double shower? Why not indulge in “his and hers” rainfall shower for total indulgence. You’ll save the frustrating wait in the mornings and add an added level of symmetry and spaciousness.

Are you wanting to transform your tired bathroom into one of opulence and luxuriousness but don’t know how to get there? Regardless of budget, Mayfair Building Group are experts at transforming your dreams into tangible realities. Give us a call today!

Renovating your home can be a stressful time for homeowners and their families. Often, it can cause more stress than if you were to build a new home from scratch, especially if you remain in the house throughout the entire project.

Though renovations can take a significant financial and emotional toll on you, much of the stress can be eliminated by ensuring you and your contractor are on the same page from the get-go.

Here are 5 things to ask your builder before embarking on a home renovation:

What’s The Time Line?

Knowing your estimated start and end dates of your project is not enough. Set up a schedule of outlined tasks and each component of the project to give you a clear picture of deadlines and sequencing. For instance, when renovating your kitchen, a detailed schedule is crucial. The lead times of the cabinets signify the start date of the project, at which time sub-contractors need to be deployed.

An extension starts with knocking down walls, building foundations, and constructing the walls and ends with adding the roof and finally, installing interior and exterior wall cladding. An organised and time-oriented builder will have already created a run sheet of essential dates in order of occurrence so ask for a copy of this before giving the company the green light.

Use the timeline your builder has supplied you with as your renovation bible. Keeping on top of each project component means you’ll know if your project is running on time and ensures you won’t be out of pocket for a delay that’s out of your control.

What Measures Will You Take To Protect My Existing Property From Damage?

Knocking down walls can be a messy task, and with open plan living becoming more of a phenomenon, the above question is more relevant now that ever. A good builder will minimise the spread of dust from demolitions by taping plastic sheets to the walls, ceiling and floor.

Before you begin renovations, make sure you double-check with your builder that they will take the necessary steps to ensure you don’t come home one day to find your lower level flooded or your house covered in dust.

What Will Be Our Main Form Of Communication?

When you’re spending a great deal of money on a renovation project, transparency between you and your builder is critical, which is why it’s you need to agree on a pre-determined form of communication from day dot.

In the age of digitalisation, there are many efficient ways to communicate with builders, so don’t be surprised if they ask you to join cloud-based communication tools like BuilderTREND. Though you may not be as tech-savvy as some, you might be surprised at how easy these types of software make communication between you and your builder.

Other builders might send daily or weekly summaries to your pre-selected email address, organise a weekly work-in-progress meeting on-site or simply give you a call to debrief on the day’s proceedings.

Whichever way a builder prefers to communicate with you, a great builder will be open to discussing techniques that suit you best. So, have this conversation with them to save future frustration.

Is There Anything About My Project That Concerns You?

No matter how extensive or minor a renovation is to be, there will always be certain areas of the project a builder will want to keep a close eye on. Before the renovation kicks off, ask your builder what areas of the project they foresee an issue with, to minimise the risk of inflated costs during project completion.

Sit down with your builder and jot down some worst-case-scenario figures to work out the possibility of what could lie ahead. Doing this may uncover some possible astronomical costs that you wouldn’t be able to afford if these potential problems were to become a reality.

Is Your Builder Insured?

The last but indeed not the least important question to ask your builder is, are you insured? Renovations can be extremely risky in more ways than one, but a reputable builder will be sure to cover your bases in the unlikely case that something were to go wrong. It’s crucial to ask your builder if they’ve insured your house for the renovation itself, your existing home and the contents
within your home. And don’t just ask if they’re insured, check the relevant documentation to support their assurances!

If they’re not insured, the next step would be to call your home and contents insurer to make sure you’re covered for issues on your end. Double-check that your insurance covers theft, storm, public liability, contents and water damage.

Renovating your home can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. In fact, if you cover your bases before choosing a builder, it can be a very gratifying experience. Remember to maintain communication with your prospective builder, ask questions, don’t pick the first builder you speak to and get some comparative quotes. You can’t turn back the clock, but you can take extra precautions before you sign on the dotted line.

Thankfully spring is approaching and creating fantastic opportunities for us all to enjoy the outdoors during the day and at night-time.  In a recently completed project in Myrtle Bank our customers gave us a short brief.  The new outdoor area had to be spacious, modern and year-round friendly.  They had a budget in mind, and we came up with a proposal.  After a few meetings a contract was drawn up and this is what transpired, something truly breath taking.

Like a lot of homes in Myrtle Bank they are set on large parcels of land, this property is no exception.  For many years this house has had a paved back yard area covered by a wooden pergola and green shade cloth (very outdated and worn out indeed), enter the Mayfair Building Group.

Where Does The Magic Start?

All the magic always starts with the demolition, getting a project back to a blank canvas allowing our tradies to work their magic. The demolition was completed over a few days which left us with a fresh canvas enabling the new alfresco outdoor area to commence.

Key Points Which Made The Bespoke Finish

• Year-round enjoyment:  Well everyone knows that Adelaide can experience some pretty cold winter nights.  Therefore, we had to incorporate some outside wall mounted natural gas heaters.  In this project we used the Bromic Tungsten Smart Heat appliances.  Known for there industrial look and reliability in many commercial applications.  There was 4 used and the heat put out is enough to keep you in shorts all winter long!
• Full functionality:  In order to enjoy this space year-round there needed to be a fully functioning kitchen that would replicate what might find inside the home.  This alfresco space has a built-in double Ziegler Grand Turbo 6 Burner with Quartz Domes.  With this barbeque our clients will be the talk of the street.  This is biggest barbeque Ziegler make and it comes in at just under $5,000, its for the serious outdoor chef.

Keeping cool in summer:  Adelaide is known for hitting some high numbers during summer, so to make this new entertainer enjoyable in summer we had 2 Daikin high level split systems installed.  Although these are capable of heating as well there intended use will be for cooling the space throughout summer.  This is not as common for outdoor spaces but when your looking for the ultimate items such as this are certain to make the list of must haves.

• Stay hydrated:  No outdoor setting would be complete without huge stainless steel 726L fridge/freezer from Liebherr and a dedicated wine storage cabinet ensuring all those reds from the McLaren Vale stay at a constant temperature year-round.  These two items coming in at just over $10,000 ensuring there will never be a lack of hydration when enjoying the new alfresco space.

• Eye and ear candy:  While relaxing our clients will enjoy the surround sound system delivered through Bose speakers discreetly recessed into the ceilings and throughout the garden to ensure no one will ever miss out on hearing their favourite tunes.  Visually the outdoor space will be enjoyed via a wall mounted 65” LED 4K Ultra HD TV from Sony.  The crystal-clear vision this state-of-the-art TV delivers is breath taking and will allow our customers to enjoy a game of footy or even a movie at night with the warm gas heaters on in a true cinematic atmosphere.

Outdoor Area Renovation Completed

In order to allow access to this new area from the existing house a huge opening needed to be made.  Once this was made there was a series of retractable aluminium and glass bi-fold doors installed.  When open it gives a feeling of seamless transition through to the new area and when closed it still allows for natural light to flow into the house and creates a nice view of the new outdoor entertainer.

Are you considering a year-round entertainer?  Think Mayfair we have a reputation for delivering high standards on fast time frames.

 

 

 

 

The man cave is an Australian man’s dream to be able to have a building dedicated to watching sport, playing video games and catching up with mates while enjoying a beer or two.  Not everyone has the room or the space in which they can create such a space.  Fortunately, our new clients in Burnside have the perfect opportunity to create the ultimate man cave.

 

Renovation Of Granny Flat Into A Man Cave

A property recently purchased has a family room/granny flat on site which has long been neglected and in need of renovation or in this case a transformation.  This building is about to undergo the ultimate makeover and become a man cave many men will envy for years to come.  In order to get the perfect space, there will need to be a few important items addressed.

The Man Cave Features

As the name suggests “man cave” it must accommodate all things which you would expect to find in such a place and, in this case, a few little added extras:

• Bathroom:  Because men cannot always remember to put the seat down will be adding a wall hung urinal.  The flushing of the urinal will be controlled via a sensor mounted in the ceiling ensuring the urinal is always flushed after being used.  Along with this work there will be new wall mounted toilet suite, new vanity unit and chrome basin mixer tap.
• The Bar:  Where all the fun happens.  This will become the focal point of this room.  A new purpose-built wooden bar with sinks, beer taps and post mix system.  Behind the bar will shelving for some higher end drinking products and selection of South Australian wines.  Below the shelving will be fridges to keep a few more boutique style beverages on chill.
• Electrical:  Without the power there will be nothing happening inside this renovation.  Given the increase in fixtures and now the addition of a powerful reverse cycle air conditioner there is going to be significant power upgrades which will include a new sub board and dedicated circuits to feed the reverse cycle air conditioner, fridges and lighting.
• Smoke Detectors:  Like every other renovation we perform in Adelaide once you start a home improvement it becomes our responsibility to now bring the building up to the current Australian Standards and the current edition of the NCC.  This room will now require a hard-wired smoke alarm with lithium battery for back up in the event of a power outage.
• Thermal Protection:  Due to the age of the building any insulation that may have once been installed has certainly decreased in its R value.  The insulation where accessible will be replaced.  Along with this will also be the windows.  The current windows will be replaced with new double-glazed glass with argon gas in between both sheets.  Through creating a better insulated building will decrease energy consumption because the overall buildings internal temperature will not fluctuate as much.
• Gutters and Down Pipes:  As the owners are investing so much money into the internals and its fixtures we have recommended a upgrade of the gutters and downpipes to ensure that the in the case of a huge storm all the items that are inside remain dry at all times.  This will involve new half round guttering and new 90mm down pipes connecting to the under ground 100mm PVC lines which run out to the street connection on Kings Avenue.

 

We will probably miss the AFL grand final as its fast approaching but certainly it will be ready for a summer of cricket this will be a true entertainer and one our client’s friends will be envious for certain.  Watch this space for more exciting news from the Mayfair Building Group.

Self-managed rental properties across Adelaide can be some of the worst looked after by the tenants. Unfortunately, if a homeowner lives interstate or far away from the property it can be hard to always check on the property and if the rent gets paid each week majority of landlords are led to believe everything is ok! Unfortunately, this is not always the case as we have found out over the years performing maintenance and building repairs to various residential and commercially tenanted buildings.

Insurance For Rental Property Problems

Its not until the landlord gets a phone call from the South Australian Police that all is discovered and it’s where the nightmare starts to unravel itself! As a preferred insurance builder across Adelaide and in the Adelaide Hills, we come across many scenarios like I have just described above and each one leaves the owners in a sad situation. The results can be truly disastrous and very depressing, finding a place to start over is a challenge, but if you contact the right insurance builder such as Mayfair Building Group the process will feel seamless and move in a fast pace enabling the quickest result possible, a reputation we have built upon over the years. If it’s illegal it’s going to be a headache.

Significant Repairs

The majority of the time we get involved with an insurance job which requires significant repairs is because something illegal has been going on inside the building and depending on the length of time it can be a real eye opener. Typically, it will be related to some form of drug business, whether it be growing of marijuana or creating drugs using chemicals such as ice. The entire home or building is recreated and made into a manufacturing plant for illegal purposes. Unfortunately, the alterations performed are then left to the homeowner to take care of once the operation is ceased by the police (as seen in images on this page from a recent marijuana raid where all the rooms where converted into grow rooms).

 

Repairs & Maintenance Tasks That May Be Required

What are the likely tasks needed to be performed to make good? When it comes to making a building good again there are numerous tasks which need to be performed, but in general they will be as follows:

• Complete testing of electrical wiring and switch boards as these always get altered to allow for significant power distribution inside the home. The switchboard and its circuit breakers all need to be inspected by a licensed electrician and any necessary repairs performed to make it all safe again. This can also involve the isolation of the power to the property temporarily by SA Power Networks. There can in some cases also be security cameras installed and these will also need to removed along with the wiring associated to these appliances and any kind of monitoring devices and screens.

 

 

• CCTV Camera Investigations of all drains to identify whether there has been any damage caused from the chemicals going into the drains. This can then lead to hydro jet cleaning and further repair work to the sewer pipes whether they are pvc or earthenware. Occasionally we find objects such as syringes and small tools stuck around the S trap of sinks which needs careful removal.
• Certification of Backflow Prevention Devices on the property to ensure the potable water being delivered to premises is still ok and in tacked. Because of the high level of chemicals being used during these processes its important to check that all backflow prevention valves are still ok and meeting the manufacturers specifications. If there is a failing device a registered plumber who can certify backflow valves will need to used and perform the relevant repairs and tests.
• Gyprock patching and repairs is almost a given due to the holes put in walls to hang items and then the removal of items stuck to the walls the gyprock will need repairing. In some cases, due to high levels of moisture content in the rooms the wall and ceiling linings may need complete removal and reinstated again in order to get a good result, this would also include any new insulation materials (external walls and ceilings typically).

 

 

• 100% the building will need a full repaint internally. Once all repairs are done to walls, door frames, windows and ceilings we would typically come in and spray paint the entire internals. Every situation is different but if all the rooms are the same colour before any floor coverings go down, we would have everything sprayed. The advantage of this is that it is fast and allows a project to move quickly.
• Floor coverings are another given these will either be completely ripped up to allow flood modifications or have been ruined due to chemicals etc having been dropped onto them. If the floor has been modified for ventilation purposes, then there will need to be some carpentry works. Depending on the alterations some structural components may need to be repaired or it may just be non-structural repairs. Once these areas have been addressed then the new carpet or floating floors can be reinstalled.

Each building insurance job we perform in Adelaide is always unique in one way or another and certainly it’s not always covered by the owner’s insurance. Some of the tasks needed to be done may not be covered by the policy or in the worst case the owner may not have insurance leaving all the costs for them to have to pay out of their own bank accounts.

At Mayfair Building Group we pride ourselves on speedy turn arounds with high end finishes. When a scenario such as these arise at a property, the owners want the repairs done fast as they are losing money each week there is no tenants in the building. What sets us apart from our competitors is our prompt approach to assessing the insurance building repairs, submitting our findings and recommendations and then once approved getting the job started. Find out for yourself today why we are a preferred insurance builder in Adelaide.

When you hear real estate agents talking about a properties worth, they will often reference the location if it has any bearing on the value, well this up coming project is all about the location.  Situated in the heart of Glenelg this two-storey home is everything about the view and more.

We have recently been given the go ahead from the owners to now start work on their rejuvenation of there two storey property which couldn’t be any closer to the beach if you wanted it to be.  The owners are keen to see the works started and completed for summer which is approximately 4 months away so they can enjoy their home over the warmer months and show it off to the relatives who will be visiting from Canada for Christmas.

Renovation Close To The Beach

As I briefly touched on in the previous paragraph the property is very close to the beach and history tells us that anything close to coastal environments will come under strain from salt, moisture, sand and wind.  There are specific building methods which should be applied according the NCC which assist in protecting these buildings but after time everything needs some renovating.

The agenda for this project is to make everything open and shut properly again along with a complete freshen up of internal rooms and external finishes.

Swollen And Rotted Timbers

Timber balustrades, window frames and door frames are ok to be installed by the beach but there are better products that can be used which will last longer and perform better.  Probably the biggest task on this project will be the removal of the timber balustrades for the balcony and replacement with 316 stainless steel.  The windows are being removed and replaced with double glazed glass accompanied by aluminium frames.  The old wooden doors and frames will also be removed and replaced with aluminium frames and doors.  The doors will have decorative glass inserts frosted for privacy but still allow some natural light into the entrance hallway.

Tiling

Due to the disruption to the balcony with the new balustrades the old tiled floor will be lifted and replaced.  There will be new screed installed along with non-slip tiles.  There will be a new non slip heel guard strip drain installed from ACO.  This manufacturer typically supplies to the commercial sector due to there high quality and it will ideally suit this situation given the high level of corrosion in this zone.

Down Pipes

Surprisingly the gutters are in good condition which would probably be due to the fact they get washed when ever it rains.  The down pipes at the lower level close to the ground have taken a beating.  These will be removed and replaced with new 90mm pvc pipes which eventually get painted.  The brackets will also be replaced with hot dip galvanised brackets to provide etc corrosion resistance.

Rendering And Painting

With the removal of the window frames and door frames there will be some rectification works required to have the new frames match the existing building.  Once the frames are installed, we will render around them and have locked into place and made weather tight.  Painting the entire external of the building is part of the scope of work and will get done once all maintenance is performed to the external of the home.  The internal of the home will also be given a fresh coat of paint from Dulux.

Plumbing

In order to give the bathrooms, laundry and kitchen a feeling of being freshened up there will range of tasks performed.  All tapware will be swapped out with new chrome tapware from Caroma.  There will be new toilet suites supplied and installed by Villeroy and Boch (total of 4).  The kitchen will get a new dishwasher from Smeg along with a 900mm Smeg gas cook top and Electric fan assisted oven.

 

Floor Coverings

Carpet and the beach are not the ideal match.  The sand and the water tend to get engrained into the carpet and make it hard to get clean and it looks dirty fast.  The rooms which are currently carpeted will be replaced with floating floorboards.  There will be one exception to this and that will be the stairs.  The stairs will remain carpeted except it will be new carpet.

 

Owning a property this close to the beach at Glenelg you will never loose money when renovating.  The gain in property value for these clients will be huge.  The appeal from the beach and inside will resemble a fully renovated home and if they were ever to sell the house it will put them in a fantastic place to get the best price at the time.

At Mayfair Building Group we take pride in offering our clients high end finishes with schedules and budgets that are always met.  We offer the Monopoly on excellence.

A fantastic start to the new financial year with the recent signing of contracts for a small facelift to an original sandstone home in the heart of St Peters.  A location tightly held by homeowners with its location perfectly placed being so close to the City and the shopping precinct of Norwood.  St Peters is home to some of Adelaide’s oldest houses and some of the states highest regarded private schools.

Like many of our projects no one is ever the same and each of our clients have a unique list of priorities for what they want performed around their homes.  In this up and coming project majority of the work will be cosmetic, but it will make this home unrecognisable internally when completed.

Maximum Impact With Minimum Spend

Unfortunately, this St Peters property hasn’t undergone much if any home improvements during its 80 plus years of life so now is the time to finally gives this beautiful property some TLC.  The goal for our clients was to achieve the most impact from there budget.  Below is a list of what we will be doing in order to get the best ROI.

Floor Coverings

Like nearly every old home around Adelaide they were built with floorboards rather than concrete slabs and then the owners opted to have carpet laid over the top.  This property is no exception and the owners want the carpet’s removed and the original jarrah hard wood boards sanded and polished, the transformation will be mind blowing.  There will be a total of six rooms getting polished including a huge grand central hallway approximately 2 metres in width.

Door And Window Hardware

Old houses are notorious for moving with age and items such as doors and windows which rely upon straight and level angles begin to squeak and not operate correctly as the building becomes misaligned over many years.  The windows have sash cord and weights in the external wall cavities which will be replaced with new sash cord and adjustments to weights to ensure correct balances.  The window hardware and door hardware will all be replaced with new antique style fittings to maintain the look of the building and character of the home.

Lead Lighting

Entrance doors to the property which there is 3 of these all have amazing lead lighting inserted into them.  Some of the glass pieces have cracked and others fallen out.  The glass panes will each be carefully removed and taken off site to be repaired. During this process temporary boards will be installed to maintain security at the home.  Once completed the new lead lighting panes will be installed and secured tightly to give many more years of vibrant entrances to the home.

Electrical Light Switched And Power Points

Fortunately, at some stage approximately 20 years ago the property had undergone a full rewire of all electrical cables including a switch board upgrade.  The owners would now like the old Clipsal 200 series switches and power points replaced with antique heritage style looking hardware to compliment the home.  This upgrade will cover all power outlets, light switches and dimmers.

Internal Painting

I can’t recall a renovation we have undertaken where some form of painting wasn’t performed, and this will be no exception.  All internal surfaces will undergo a full repaint.  The doors, windows, architraves, cornices, window frames and ceilings are all getting a brand-new lease on life with neutral colourings which will bring ever room back from the dull yellow and apricot colours currently displayed.

A project such as this can be performed while the owner has occupancy but is more fluent when we have full site access.  With careful planning we have scheduled this project to take place while our client goes overseas for 6 weeks to escape the cold Adelaide winter and experience some European summer weather.  Although this project will not take 6 weeks it will mean the customer will come home to a transformed home.  We will begin by having a shipping container delivered to site to enable all furniture to be removed and stored at site and then reinstalled after a final clean at the end of the project.

 

Building renovations are a fantastic way to add value to your existing home.  In locations such as Dulwich, Toorak Gardens and Rose Park the properties are significantly old and performing a non-structural home renovation can be a great way to improve a home’s value while still maintaining the beauty of these 100-year-old properties.

We have recently started a home renovation project which is in Rose Park located in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs.  Our customer has engaged our building services to perform the following tasks around the property just off Alexandra Avenue.

Bathroom Renovation

The existing bathroom has not had much attention now for around 30 years when it was renovated in the early 80’s.  With the huge change in market trends for bathrooms today this room will take on a whole new lease of life.  There will be a dual shower with frameless glass.  The glass will be frosted halfway up to still maintain a certain level of privacy and the floor will drain into a stainless-steel strip drain system.  There will be a double vanity unit installed off the ground and wall mounted, a wall hung toilet which will have a in wall Grohe cistern will complement the wall hung vanity in the room.  The walls will be completely tiled, and the floor will incorporate hydronic under floor heating which will be accompanied by a dedicated natural gas continuous flow water heater mounted externally.  All the tapware in the room will be Hansa mixer taps installed with water saving devices.

Re-Plastering Internal Walls

Like many of the older homes we renovate they have cracking internally which eventually makes the plaster fall off.  As part of this project we will be removing large sections of the walls plastering and have it reinstated.  Once the plaster has been installed and allowed to dry out our painters will re paint the entire rooms including new ceiling paint.

New Front Fence

If you are familiar with Rose Park you will see that many of the homes have low fences which provide security but still show these majestic houses.  At this home it only ever had a small steel mesh fence installed which has never done the home justice.  We will now have this old fence removed and new wooden post and rail style fence installed with intercom for communication inside whenever guests arrive.

Repairs to Gutters And Fascia Boards

Wood rot along fascia boards is common in older properties.  Many of the fascia boards are original and are about due for replacement in older homes.  At this property there are two long boards which run down the sides of the home and need some urgent repairs.  The half round gutters which are attached are only just hanging on.  Once the old gutters are removed the fascia can then be removed.  New pre painted fascia’s will be installed along with new colour bond half round guttering and round 90mm colour bond down pipes connecting to the existing storm water system onsite.

Kitchen Renovation

Certain to be one of the main focal points of this exciting renovation.  The kitchen will feature huge marble bench tops, Hansa mixer tap, Miele appliances (gas cook top and electric ovens), integrated Miele dishwasher, Blum soft close draws, Franke double bowl sinks and bespoke glass back splash.  The kitchen will be a standout for this home improvement and certainly will add huge ROI when completed.

Be certain to check back with in the coming months to see the amazing progress and not to mention the result when fully completed.

Looking back at the bathroom industry around 20 years ago toilets where pretty basic.  You had a cistern which was mounted to the wall around waist height and a bowl which was concreted to the floor.  All the pipes where on show such as the water inlet piping and the flush pipe along with the s bend coming out of the toilet where there for everyone to see but they were all the same, so it was just the norm.  Turn the clock forward 20 years and things have changed in a huge way, there are no blue and pink toilets, and nothing is on show!

Adapting To Change

As a preferred choice for bathroom renovations Adelaide we are always keeping up with the trends and educating our clients on what the requirements will be in order to achieve that bespoke look at the end of there renovation.  What are some of the important factors to consider when renovating a bathroom and choosing a new toilet?

Water Inlet To The Cistern

If you have an exposed cistern which is mounted to the top of the toilet suite (majority of renovations) then there will be two options.  The water inlet can be exposed and enter to the side of the toilet at approximately 350mm off centre (left or right) and 200mm off finished floor level.  The second option would be to have the water point concealed which would then mean it would enter via the back of the cistern at approximately 150mm off centre to the left and at approximately 750mm off finished floor level.

If, however you have a in wall toilet cistern then the water control valve can be mounted in a ceiling space or external to the building as access to these is limited due to the fact, there is only a small flushing plate left exposed once finished.  There is one final option which is not very common, and it is that of a solenoid flushing valve.  This style of set up will have a dedicated access plate for future servicing and isolation of the water (either in a ceiling manhole or service duct) typically in a commercial set up such as pubs and office blocks to avoid vandalism.

Position Of Sewer Pipe

With the growing need for more space in smaller bathrooms manufacturers have started making their toilets suites more compact.  With these changes it has meant that the sewer pipe is required to be far more accurate in its location of installation.

As a guide the 100mm sewer drain if entering via the wall should be 180mm off finished floor level to the centre of the pipe and if the pipe is coming through the floor then approximately 150mm to 200mm to centre off the back wall which the toilet suite will eventually be resting against.  Given that most of the toilets on the market today are bolted together when installed to form one piece there is very little tolerance when it comes to getting the sewer pipe set up.

Careful Consideration

Once these two vital pieces of information can be achieved it will then allow you to have a wide range of choice when selecting your new toilet.  Toilets can range from $300 all the way well into the thousands of dollars.  It is very important that the two above factors are carefully considered because with out a well planned out set out you will not get the result you had hoped for.  If you are thinking of renovating or perhaps need a few tips on what the best toilet for your home or business feel free to have a chat with our friendly team at Mayfair Building Group – Adelaide’s preferred choice for bathroom renovating.