r/AusRenovation

Small place so we had to keep the washing machine in the bathroom space. Lovely contractor did all the work, ~$45k including all the fixtures, screen, new toilet, etc.

What is the best way to use fast setting concrete?

I'm planning to install a pool fence and want to use fast set concrete so I don’t have to mix it in a wheelbarrow or brace the posts for a full day.

The Fastcrete instructions say to pour 2L of water into the hole first, then add one 20kg bag of concrete. If my hole (600mm deep × 200mm diameter) requires two bags, should I pour all 4L of water in first and then add the concrete, or add the water and concrete in stages and mix with a stick? What’s the best way to avoid air pockets when setting the concrete?

Hi,

See attached floorplan of our new place (moving in soon).

I'd like to do something with Bedroom 2 on the plan. It's a huge enormous room, with windows on 2 walls, and a closing door.

My father & mother (who has mobility issues and won't handle stairs) will come to stay with us for some time, and I'd like to set up that room to suit her needs. What I've been thinking about:

Divide the room into three / four smaller parts

* Have a quiet, small, double bedroom against the east wall (with room around the bed or mobility aids like her zimmer frame and to include that bigger window).
* Have a seating area (doesn't need to be big, just to OAP recliners and a TV that playscable far too loud).
* A bathroom, or perhaps, if it makes sense - a walk in shower and a separate toilet. The north wall (facing the main bedroom) has plumbing running through it for the master ensuite and the powder room, so I am optimistic of pipework not being too elaborate.

I've sliced this square about 10 times but can't settle on the right combo.

The third image in the upload is my current best guess - would love your thoughts?

Hello!

For some reason the previous owners / NBN thought the best place for the NBN box was in the open kitchen / living / dining

We installed the shelf as a quick fix to have the modem somewhere, however I’m really struggling to find a way to hide the NBN box, PowerPoint and Ethernet port - it’s right by a kitchen island so a large cabinet isn’t the best option

Appreciate any ideas or suggestions, without having to have to relocate them entirely

TIA!

hey there,

our front garden is pretty poor so wanting to turn it native and get rid of existing couch grass. I started this process a few months back only to find the earthenware pipes were infiltrated by a monster tree root causing the garden to hold water all the time.

Now thats all rectified, im looking to get stuck in. So the soil is mostly clay with a few cms of topsoil. my thoughts are to try and sort out the clay a bit by hiring a dingo loader and scraping out 40cm or so of soil to remove couch grass roots (atleast as much as I can), then spread Gyspum.

Next was to have a few m3 of sand to lay on top, then loam, and some clean mulch.

Logic is that Gypsum will break the clay over time, helping with drainage, sand and loam for the roots of mostly shrubs and 2 small trees.

Am I correct in thinking this will work? am I missing anything? or am I just being overly optimistic that this will work

ta

I have NO idea when it comes to the cost of things and I’m stating to plan a simple kitchen remodel and I have no idea what sort of budget to plan for.

I am wanting to keep the same layout just replace existing cabinets under the sink and then replace the pantry next to the fridge and then add new pantry / shelves into the corner where there is currently just an ikea shelving unit.

Is $10k too low? (I would have it gutted before they start) that wouldn’t include me buying a new stove top.

Would love some guidance for price! I don’t want anything fancy. No marble etc, just simple IKEA / Bunnings job. Based in Perth.

Have attached some pics of what I currently have and what chat gpt created as an idea of what I’m wanting.

Please be honest! I’m not trying to low ball anyone if this is an unrealistic budget I honestly have no idea

My bathrooms less than 10 years old but I’m up for a bathroom Reno due to failed waterproofing 🥹 I’m wanting a mid century style bathroom but I’m realllly struggling to find a vanity that suits if anyone has suggestions! This is the style I’m going for but all I can find is really busy, modern or beachy style vanities. I just want sometime simple and clean. Thanks!

Sydney, budget not relevant. bathroom being done now. I know these are ceramic and somewhat irregular, but should I be expecting better than this from the tiler? or should we have not picked mitered edges for these tiles? thanks

Honeycomb Concrete Drop Edge Beam, "Executive Building Group" (Hornsby, Sydney)

POST 1: Concrete Pour, Serious Honeycombing Due to Negligence in Vibrating Concrete

Hi All,
Starting this blog as a stage by stage documentation of our homebuilding experience with Sydney home building company Executive Building Group.

Feeling stressed and a bit worn if I'm honest.

ISSUE 1.
After noticing that the concreters were not using any vibrators during the concrete pour process I contacted our builder through project manager Tom, expressing my concerns but was shut down. Seeing the honeycombing on our drop edge beam has been upsetting. We're not sure what to do. It's sad that this could have been prevented since we warned them about it while it was being poured and they still did nothing. Tom told us it's fine. It's not but I guess they don't seem to do too much with that. Any helpful comments to make me feel less bad will be appreciated.

ISSUE 2.
Yeah so they did this thing where they put the plumbing in the wrong spot by one meter or so. The concrete has set so what they've done is cut a box in the concrete around it.

Currently looking for inner demons to fight some battles for me that aren't just in my mind. Send me a quote if you reckon you're up to the job. Needs to be done fast.

A bit about us/ our project:

• We're a family of 4 based in Sydney
• Project is our forever home with an attached granny
• The house is on a sloping site with a sizable drop edge beam

can some one please tell me how to install an ultra slim tv wall mount when I have few cables coming out of the wall like this

Thanks

Hey, i’m about to replace a front and back door with the shown style. Im in an 80’s brick veneer house with pretty shit insulation in winter. I’m leaning towards double glazed for keeping the temp in but also to stop sounds ie back neighbour with a dog that never stops barking. Ive found an option for $550 per door regular single glaze is $289

Can anyone who has gone with double glazed door confirm it is worth it? I have a few people saying its not worth it.

I have gaps around the property between the pavers and the brick wall. Are they supposed to be filled or are just fine without anything?

I can see that the original cement or compound that was used in some places but most of it has broken and fell through the gaps and now some rain water is going in as well.

If there is some procedure to fill these up properly, it would be great! Thanks in advance.

Hey all,

Curious whether anyone has any experience building a garden cabin for the purpose of a spare room/guest accommodation? I've been looking at the SheShedz cabins such as this one https://share.google/zBq5ZCA201kdqqSoj but I'm not sure whether these will be my best option.

I was wondering whether it will likely be cheaper to build from scratch or if there are other cabin brands to look into? Hoping to keep the cost below $15000 and thinking a 10-12sqm cabin will be best for my space.

Any advice?