Please note that the following advice is my opinion only. Please verify with your body corporate, strata management company or lawyer before acting upon it. For structural works, please verify with a structural engineer, builder or other professional.

Recently, I worked on an apartment in a block in Darling Point.

An apartment renovation is different from a house because of its title and common property. Common property is the shared space that is considered part of your property. It can include recreational facilities such as pools, tennis courts and gardens, car parks, entry lobbies etc. This means that though your project is simple, it may be more complex to actually complete.

As part of your title, whether it will is strata or company title, you will have to deal with the body corporate. They will have strict rules that govern the types of renovation works in apartments that can be done. You will also have to take into account the laws that exist within your local area and state.

In this post, I will explain the most important things to consider before you start planning the renovation of your apartment.

So you still want to renovate your apartment!

Here is the process step by step.

1. Get a copy of the Strata By-Laws. The By-Laws will usually outline the process of applying for permission to renovate. Your lawyer may have to prepare a submission to the body corporate, outlining the scale of works etc

2. There will be a chairperson of the Body Corporate. Contact them as a matter of priority. It is important to have a good relationship with this person as they have a lot of power to approve or disapprove your plans. It is always a good idea to be respectful.

3. Check out renovations that have been done in the building previously. You may be able to look at old sales pages. These are fun to look at but also may give you ideas about what you want to do (or not to do) with your apartment renovation

4. There are new laws regulating the types of design practitioners that are able to work on multi-story and multi-unit apartment blocks. In my case, I provided concept drawings only. These are designs that are not related to a building element (ie not structural). Any structural advice was taken care of by the builder and a structural engineer. If you are thinking of completing any structural work, please ensure that the practitioner is registered under The Design and Building Practitioners Act. You can read about it here.

5. Once you have decided what you would like to do with your apartment, condo, you will probably need to complete the following:

• Submit a plan drawing to the Body Corporate detailing the works that you are proposing. They will be interested in the following:

• changes to flooring surfaces

• if there are going to be heavy building works- eg removal of tile etc

• the time frame of your project

• drawings from a structural engineer if you want to create openings, move walls etc

• how your plans will affect the plumbing and electrics.

• rubbish disposal, deliveries- especially if there are limited lifts and no cargo lift

• double glazing and any changes to windows and doors visible to others

These steps will all be necessary if you are doing any changes that require structural or changing hard finishes. So what else can you do?

If you are happy (or at least content) with the layout, you might want to consider completing decorating or styling works. These cosmetic changes can give you a lot of value for money.

The first two things I would recommend to give your apartment a lift, would be a repaint and some window coverings. Paint always freshens an interior and it is advisable to stick with neutral colours throughout the whole house to give the feeling of space. Though Dulux Lexicon Half or Quarter is my go-to - I also love the colours by Tint.

Window Coverings

Window coverings also dress up a room. I like adding some elegant sheers in a natural light linen or linen cotton blend. You could also consider blinds both sheer and solid. If your room requires it, layer a thicker curtain over the sheers in areas like bedrooms. Gorgeous and romantic. Just check that your curtains comply with strata. When I moved into a new apartment, I put in temporary curtains which were unlined (they were a bold pink and beige pattern from Canovas - beautiful!) but they were not white- which was what my body corporate allowed. I got a slap on my wrist. I had already ordered new curtains and I could hardly sleep with my windows uncovered- so they had to be content with having to wait until the real ones arrived.

Flooring

Consider your flooring. If you have existing parquet or timber floors you may be able to get the repolished. If you have fitted carpets, you might be able to swap these out or at least cover the carpets with other rugs. I used to represent Armadillo Rugs in Hong Kong and these are a go-to for me still.

Hardware

Changing the hardware always updates an interior. Don’t forget the new handles on the doors and cabinets. I love the brand Lo & Co. They have just released some new ranges and I am surely going to use them in my upcoming projects. New taps, shower heads and other fittings can also be changed out.

Benchtops

Benchtops can also be removed and replaced. We are absolutely spoiled for choice for benchtops- you could consider anything from butcher block to laminate to engineered stone. There are so many options to choose from. Have you seen the new Polytec surfaces or even the ones from Laminex.

Lighting

Finally, I would consider changing the lighting. If possible, you may be able to surface mount can lighting which adds a more contemporary look without having to require the whole ceiling. If that is not possible, some chic new pendant lights could be just the thing. Check out Est Lighting in Surry Hills they are my current fave.

Costs

If you are keeping the existing plumbing and electricals, you may be able to renovate your bathroom or kitchen. It may be difficult to move toilets around, but you may be able to shift sinks and showers slightly, using the same drainage.

A renovation of a bathroom or kitchen will cost from around $30000. This may seem a lot, but you have to factor in the design, fittings and fixtures, labour for installation and waste removal and trades. Ensure that you do not scrimp on waterproofing. If you replace a bathroom and it starts leaking, potentially damaging someone’s property, you will be liable for the damage. Also, consider if the investment in your apartment is justified. If you were to sell it, would you get the money back?

Your neighbours

The Chair of the Body Corporate is the person to keep onside primarily but it is important to keep onside with your neighbours. Having lived in Hong Kong for fourteen years and having lived the last 7 of them in apartments, listening to building works was a constant inconvenience. This was to be expected in HK where most live in apartments,but in Australia people are less tolerant. They complain - a lot! It is a good idea to meet with your immediate neighbours and just let them know about any renovation you would like to do. It’s good to keep them onside - you do have to see them quite often for a long time!

Final words

Engaging a registered Design Practitioner for Class 2 buildings is a good way to start your interior design project if you are thinking about moving walls or any structural works. Ensure that they consult any specialists during the design project such as plumbers, electricians and engineers. For cosmetic work, contacting an interior designer might be effective. They are experts in space management for apartments and will be able to investigate possibilities on your behalf.

Though this may be daunting, it is absolutely possible! Research is the key to a good interior design result.