Apartment renovations are becoming more prevalent in Australia as people opt for smaller living spaces due to economic, environmental and real estate market considerations.
Gold Coast apartment renovations can provide a more personalised and enjoyable living experience for you or improve the apartment’s resale value. However, the process of renovating an apartment is distinct from renovating a house and, therefore, requires careful consideration of several key factors.
Neighbours
One cannot renovate an apartment without duly considering the neighbours. In apartment-style living, neighbours are more likely to be in close proximity, which makes it essential to keep them informed and on board with the renovation.
This is particularly important when compared to renovating a standalone house, where neighbours are typically farther away and less likely to be bothered by the noise or activity. During construction, the level of noise and permitted times for construction will be regulated by the body corporate. Consult with your neighbours about the construction timeline and ways that you can minimise the noise, as well as the time and days when the noise will be made.
Body Corporate
Apartment buildings are governed by body corporates, and it is vital that you respect and abide by their rules to ensure a peaceful and stress-free living experience.
If you are renovating an apartment, you need to consider carefully the restrictions imposed by the body corporate, which will no doubt have stringent rules and guidelines for changes to the exterior of the apartment building. Such rules are designed to maintain a cohesive look and feel for the building so as to retain its aesthetic appeal and value.
There may also be restrictions on interior changes to the apartment, including the layout. Structural changes, such as moving load-bearing walls, may not be possible. However, in general, there are fewer restrictions on interior renovations.
Access
Accessing an apartment during the renovation can be challenging, particularly in high-rise buildings where the use of lifts needs to be shared with residents. This requires careful planning and arrangement, which may be easier in larger buildings with multiple lifts, but more challenging in smaller buildings with a single lift serving all apartments. In such cases, talking with the residents and the body corporate will be necessary to minimise the inconvenience.
Planning
Lastly, proper logistical planning is absolutely crucial for apartment renovations. When working in smaller spaces, careful management of builders is required to ensure each job begins and ends at the right times to allow for ease of access for other trades.
A skilled project manager is also essential to ensure that building materials arrive on site at the right time, as there is typically not much space for the storage of such materials outside. Therefore, ensuring materials only arrive when needed is critical to a seamless and efficient renovation process.
Here at Varli Building, we are experts in Gold Coast apartment renovations, with many years of experience that will help ensure the project runs smoothly. Contact us today to find out more!