Starting a ‘fixer upper’ project

SensibleHill

Hello Workshop community!  We have thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts, advice and inspirational completed jobs, and so decided to sign up and participate.

We are just about to settle on a fixer upper property in WA and starting to plan out the work required to ready it for moving in.  This house needs everything done, and we want to DIY as much as possible to save costs and have fun… or at least a sense of accomplishment. We can’t wait to share some photos with the community as the ‘before’ state is so bad it’s funny, but in the meantime are seeking some advice how to approach the project. 

We’re going to start with a big long list of all the things, then work out the essentials to be done before moving in. We’d like the majority of dusty and dirty things dealt with so we can install new flooring so looking at demolition works, ceilings, bathrooms. Kitchen is out of scope as we want to live with it first then decide what to do.

1. Bathroom needs a full renovation with no salvageable parts. Is there guide on the workshop or Bunnings site that explains the step by step process from demolition to completion?  We’re planning on reorienting the shower and drain, so will need trades to come in and work on that, and I assume re-orient the floor slope towards the new drain. Is there anything that you’d recommend is a must to have a tradie do instead of DIY (outside of plumbing and electrical)? Do shelves and towel rails need to be drilled into the tiles - is there a way to have the spot ready before tiling (worried about damaging tiles or impacted waterproofing). 

2. The entire house was painted in the late 70s with semi-gloss and enamel paint, and there’s lots of gouges in the wall. Can electric sanders be used on walls and metal door frames? Or are there other ways to prep the surface (for instance, can we DIY plastering on walls to even it up and then prime and paint)? How have other members tackled this kind of thing? 

Lastly can anyone recommend good software to plan the house layout? Is there any good 3d design tool or layout tool? 

Thank you !

B&K 

CSParnell

Hey @SensibleHill Welcome to Workshop great that you have joined the community.

For the planning of each rooms I am going to put on my estimator /project manager hat on here. Personally I would create a spreadsheet with detail of all works required, all material required with quantity and cost, any trades required and the costs with quotes obtained. Also work out an estimated time frame per task once you have that add 10% as a buffer and then you have your estimated costing per room and estimated hours to complete per room. Print it out and stick it up in each room or put it in a folder. 

You can also keep track of costs per room and time spent then you know if you were over or under budget.

For free 3d programs you can have a look at Sketchup 3d at

https://www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pricing/compare 

There is a free version  available.

Of next for advice on bathrooms have a look at the following.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/How-To/How-to-plan-a-bathroom-renovation/ba-p/72843

It is always best to get 3 independent quotes in from each trade for each service and also make sure they are a registered contractor with insurance. 

Your other option if you feel out of your depth at times is to find a builder that you can engage on a casual basis and call in for areas where you need assistance, this can also be a retired builder come handy man. 

Lastly don't forget to download the Bunnings Product Finder App and plan your shopping list in advance so you are in and out knowing which isles you are going and what is in stock and what may not be. It is found in your IOS play store or app store.

Carl