Before this cottage went on the market for sale, it had been “cosmetically” renovated – i.e. new paint, new floors, general cleanup. By appearance, it looked in good condition however, upon further inspection, a few problems presented themselves.
House renovation Northern Beaches.
A Northern Beaches client recently purchased a tidy, three-bedroom cottage in Collaroy Plateau and, after moving in, asked us to come and assess the home’s integrity and provide a quote to undertake some cosmetic renovations. They were concerned about dampness under the house and thought there may have been drainage problems. They were right to be concerned.
Remedial drainage works.
As it happened, we attended the property just after a few days of heavy rainfall. Once onsite, it became clear that the rainwater collection from the roof (gutters and downpipes) and stormwater management around the house was inadequate. During and after rain, water was flowing under the house creating a risk of structural and foundational issues.
To address this, we added aglines and pits along the external perimeter of the house. These were strategically placed to capture and redirect surface water away and ensure it no longer pooled under the home.
Next, we upgraded the existing stormwater drainage system and made further improvements. Crucially, this improved water flow, channeling excess rainwater away from the property and safely into the street stormwater drains.
The improvements were instant. With a more resilient drainage system, stormwater ingress is adequately handled and moved away from the house. The homeowner now has a long-lasting solution that will safeguard the home against damp, mould, and costly water damage.
Garden flat conversion and extension.
At the rear of the property, just outside the backdoor, was a large, old garage (20m x 4m) which had been converted into a haphazard “garden flat”. The flat didn’t have bathroom or kitchen facilities so the new owners assumed it might have been used as teenage accommodation.
To save time and money, they had the great idea of connecting this room to the main house, thereby adding a fourth bedroom and media room for the kids.
This was a relatively simple process as we extended the back of the main house, connecting the “garden flat” to the property, and providing a much-needed additional living area.
The extra space added by joining the “garden flat” to the main house completely transformed the floor plan, elevating the property from a cottage into a home perfect for a growing family.
The external and internal walls and ceiling in the “garden flat” were fibro (aesbestos). We installed new Gyprock walls and ceilings inside, and weatherboards outside to match the rest of the house.
Minor property renovations.
While some minor cosmetic renovations had been done to the property before sale, the new owners wanted some more long-term renovations undertaken. This was to be their ‘forever home’, afterall.
- External fibro walls removed from the exterior of the ‘garden flat’ and replaced with weatherboards to match the house.
- Removal of the old Super 6 aesbestos roof. New Colorbond roof installation.
- New gutters and downpipes.
- Removal of remaining aesbestos internal walls and ceilings (some had been replaced in a previous renovation). Install new Gyprock internal walls and ceilings. Paint.
- Install new internal doors, where needed. Paint.
- New architraves and floor
New pergola.
The old pergola with an old polycarbonate, plastic, corrugated roof had seen better days and the new owners wanted it replaced. We convinced them to add a raised pergola and they loved the idea.
A raised pergola (or elevated pergola / roof-mounted pergola) adds height above the house’s existing roofline, adding height to the pergola, increasing natural light, allowing for improved ventilation, and better shade control. This type of structure can be an architectural feature that stands out from traditional pergolas mounted at the gutter or eave level.
To protect the new outdoor area against the harsh summer sun, we added insulation between the new metal roof and ceiling. Additionally, this stops the ceiling from “sweating” and dripping condensation.
Northern Beaches house renovation quotes.
For an obligation free onsite assessment of your property, contact us directly to arrange a quote.
Matthew Newsome
Michael Gilbert