E126. Renovations that don't add value to your home

In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Amelia and Frank tackle a surprisingly common mistake homeowners make spending money on features that don’t actually add value to their home.

From luxury upgrades to bold design choices, it’s easy to assume that investing more money into your home will automatically increase its resale price. But is that really the case? Frank shares real examples of homes with unique features that divide buyer opinions, including unusual architectural styles, highly personalised interiors, and expensive additions like pools. While some homeowners love these features, others see them as costly maintenance or something they’d immediately want to change.

The conversation also explores renovations that can unintentionally reduce a home’s appeal, like converting garages into living spaces, turning bedrooms into oversized ensuites, or installing trendy finishes that quickly date. They dive into the risks of overspending on luxury materials, complex smart-home technology that can become outdated, and the impact of poor DIY renovations or unapproved building work that could cause major headaches when it comes time to sell.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Amelia and Frank also discuss the types of renovations that tend to add genuine value, practical upgrades, flexible spaces, and improvements that suit the style of the home and the surrounding suburb.

At the heart of the discussion is one important question: should you design for resale… or design for yourself?

If you’re planning a renovation or building project and want to avoid costly mistakes, this episode offers plenty of insights that could save you money, and help you make smarter design decisions.

About us
Prime Design is a building design company locally owned and operated in Tasmania since 2004.  Our goal is to share as much valuable information as possible about the process of building design, extensions, and more. We will talk about a different topic each week. To suggest a topic you would like us to talk about contact us at info@primedesigntas.com.au

Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, individual circumstances, or remedy. We strongly suggest you consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on the information provided in this podcast. The views, opinions, and information provided in this podcast are those of the hosts  do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer, or company.  All content provided on this podcast is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses,  or damages arising from its use. We reserve the right to change content or delete any information provided on this podcast at any time without prior notice.

Transcript

E126. Renovations that don't add value to your home

[INTRO] (0:08 - 0:42)

Hello and welcome to the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, focused on providing valuable information for anyone looking to undertake a new build or extension project. We'll share our tips, tricks and stories from a building designers perspective. 

[Amelia]

Hello and welcome to the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast. I'm your host Amelia and once again we're joined by Frank Geskus.

[Frank] (0:42 - 0:43)

Afternoon Amelia.

[Amelia] (0:43 - 0:44)

Another happy Friday.

[Frank] (0:44 - 0:46)

It is, I'm one glass in and I'm really happy.

[Amelia] (0:46 - 0:47)

I reckon.

[Frank] (0:48 - 0:58)

So, today we're going to talk about something a little bit different, and it might surprise a few people, but spending money on your house that may not add value.

[Amelia] (0:58 - 1:03)

This is a really good one because how do you weigh up what value actually is in your house?

[Frank] (1:03 - 1:06)

On the flip side, who cares?

[Amelia] (1:06 - 1:09)

True, if it's for you, does it even matter?

[Frank] (1:09 - 1:35)

I mean, what we're going to talk about, it depends what's important to you. So, if you want to do stuff to your house because it's you, you're going to be there long term, and do whatever you like. Seriously, your castle, your hacienda.

If you want to paint it salmon and put a big spa out there and do whatever, have a Turkish bath inside the house, put a gym, whatever.

[Amelia] (1:35 - 1:37)

As long as it meets the requirements.

[Frank] (1:37 - 1:39)

Or a Japanese bath in there.

[Amelia] (1:39 - 1:39)

Yes.

[Frank] (1:40 - 1:40)

Done that.

[Amelia] (1:40 - 1:41)

Yes.

[Frank] (1:41 - 2:05)

All sorts of weird and wonderful stuff we do to houses. But remember though, when you do some of this stuff, if you ever have to sell, it may actually reduce the amount of people that may want that house. And funnily enough, we were just talking before we started about a house that's for sale out of Riverside, just out of Launceston, up Ecclestone Road.

And this house was built in 89, and it's on a Tudor style faux. Tudor style.

[Amelia] (2:05 - 2:08)

It's cool. It's very, it's different.

[Frank] (2:08 - 2:25)

It's very different. Custom doors with stained glass windows, done in the 80s, and they're everywhere. And big curved fan lights and exposed beams with pine lining.

Lots of like the stone fireplace.

[Amelia] (2:26 - 2:26)

Yes.

[Frank] (2:27 - 2:38)

Lots of space. It's got a huge games room with exposed trusses, and they're all stained timber, and a stained timber bar. A big slate table then goes out to a pool.

[Amelia] (2:39 - 2:39)

Yeah.

[Frank] (2:39 - 2:42)

With the front of the glass, the pool looks like it belongs on the opera house.

[Amelia] (2:42 - 2:43)

It does.

[Frank] (2:43 - 2:51)

And it kind of stands out like the proverbial, when you look at the overall picture of the house, you've got these lovely gables and interesting things, and then you've got this big glass thing on the end from the 80s.

[Amelia] (2:52 - 2:52)

Yes.

[Frank] (2:52 - 2:59)

And you're going, hmm. But it's got, only a mother could love this. You either love it or you hate it.

[Amelia] (2:59 - 3:00)

It has a lot of character.

[Frank] (3:01 - 3:22)

And this is what we're going to talk about, is like when you do stuff to a house or how you design stuff, it's going to divide people's opinion. Now, if you're doing it for yourself, screw everyone else. 

[Amelia]

It's for you.

[Frank]

It's for you. 

[Amelia]

Yeah. 

[Frank]

If you want to do something, just do it. But if you're doing it and you're not going to be there for long and you're going to have to flip it or sell it and move, don't do dumb stuff.

[Amelia] (3:23 - 3:23)

Or it's a rental.

[Frank] (3:24 - 3:27)

Yep. 

[Amelia]

Yeah. 

[Frank] 

Yeah, yeah, all that. That's exactly right.

[Amelia] (3:27 - 3:27)

Yeah.

[Frank] (3:28 - 3:33)

So I'll use another example, and one of the major ones, and this is a love-hate feature, pools.

[Amelia] (3:34 - 3:37)

Yeah. 

[Frank]

They’re very much a love-hate. 

They're also not cheap.

[Frank] (3:37 - 3:51)

Very expensive. So I just checked out a house for my brother. He was looking at buying it with his wife. They found the perfect house where they currently are. They're on an acreage. They want to go into the burbs.

So they found this house, and I mean, this place was Mickey Mouse.

[Amelia] (3:51 - 3:52)

Really nice.

[Frank] (3:52 - 4:18)

Yeah, built 20-plus years ago. Been maintained very well, beautifully done. You can show it as age, little bits and pieces, but it's neat as a pin.

But there's a pool in the backyard, and my brother goes, I know nothing about pools. How will they cost to run? This, that, and the other.

What are the chemicals? I've got to clean the thing all the time. Now, we're in Tasmania.

Bit different to when you're in Queensland or up in New South Wales or Perth or whatever. You want a pool.

[Amelia] (4:19 - 4:19)

Yes.

[Frank] (4:19 - 4:25)

In Tassie, surprising how many pools people do have, but it's quite different. It's a different experience.

[Amelia] (4:26 - 4:26)

Yes.

[Frank] (4:27 - 4:58)

And he was a bit down on it. So I put him in contact with a mate of mine that specialises in pools here in Launceston. That's David Burke at the Pool Mart, and he will fix him up and teach him how to sort of deal with that.

But my point here is it's a love or you hate it thing. And this is one of those things that may not be the ideal thing. I've had to fill in quite a number.

I've built decks over them. I've turned them into games rooms. I've done all sorts of stuff with pools.

[Amelia] (4:58 - 5:02)

Yes. And you do have to be careful because you can't just go and fill them in.

[Frank] (5:02 - 5:04)

Oh, you can. It gets a bit messy.

[Amelia] (5:04 - 5:05)

It does get a bit messy.

[Frank] (5:05 - 5:06)

It does.

[Amelia] (5:06 - 5:07)

My brother's experienced that.

[Frank] (5:08 - 5:08)

Yes.

[Amelia] (5:08 - 5:16)

Because the property he bought, there was no pool, but there was also no permit to demolish it either. Sorry. Yeah.

[Frank] (5:17 - 5:17)

Okay.

[Amelia] (5:17 - 5:23)

So I think the council must have found on plans that before they had a pool there.

[Frank] (5:23 - 5:23)

Oh.

[Amelia] (5:24 - 5:26)

Yeah. So that was a 

[Frank]

Surprise.

[Amelia]

Surprise!

[Frank] (5:27 - 5:39)

I actually found that on a reno we did, a long story. But anyway, they were excavating the backyard and they found a pool. And then what they did, they smashed the top off and buried it.

It was a fiberglass pool. Said, oh, there's a problem.

[Amelia] (5:40 - 5:41)

Yeah, right.

[Frank] (5:41 - 5:43)

So we had to work around that with the engineer.

[Amelia] (5:43 - 5:44)

Yep.

[Frank] (5:44 - 5:46)

So no one knew about it.

[Amelia] (5:46 - 5:47)

There you go.

[Frank] (5:47 - 6:25)

Yep. The hidden fiberglass pool. So like I said, if you're going to do whatever you want to your house, fine, long term.

If you want bright tiles and unusual stuff and architectural features and it makes you happy, go ahead and do it. But some people, resale is really important. You know, they don't know how long they're going to be there or the rest of it.

So before spending the money, you might want to have a bit of a think. Because some people will see pools, like I'm using pools as an example, because that's the most divisive one. People just walk away because of all the things.

The heating costs alone. In Tasmania, imagine what that costs.

[Amelia] (6:27 - 6:28)

Maintenance, etcetera.

[Frank] (6:28 - 6:46)

So you could be dropping a pool in for anywhere between $60,000 to $120,000. I'm not just talking about the pool, it's everything that surrounds, the fencing, the pumps, however you're going to heat it, filter it and all the rest of it. But reality is it might add $30,000, $40,000 to your house or detract from your house.

[Amelia] (6:47 - 6:53)

That's a really good point. Depending on the type of buyer, I think that would attract the type of property.

[Frank] (6:53 - 7:17)

Yep, very much so. So another, let's say dumbass idea, removing practical spaces. And I've actually done this on houses for people's renos.

So one of them is converting a garage into a living room. In some cases, that works really, really well. But you may lose all your parking space.

And for some people, the garage is really important, but they might want the bedrooms.

[Amelia] (7:18 - 7:18)

Yes.

[Frank] (7:19 - 7:25)

Turning a bedroom into a large robe, done that. Or turning it into a kick-ass ensuite.

[Amelia] (7:26 - 7:27)

Yeah, okay.

[Frank] (7:27 - 7:31)

Say you've lost a bedroom, turn a four-bedroom house into a three-bedroom.

[Amelia] (7:31 - 7:32)

Okay.

[Frank] (7:32 - 7:39)

And you've got to consider these things when you do it. People like a fancy... Look, everyone loves a luxe ensuite.

[Amelia] (7:41 - 7:41)

Oh, yeah.

[Frank] (7:42 - 7:48)

But would you pay more for that, that's a three-bedroom house, rather than a four-bedroom house?

[Amelia] (7:48 - 7:49)

That's a good point.

[Frank] (7:49 - 8:22)

At the end of the day, you do a small ensuite and you're still able to maintain the four bedrooms, it's going to be worth it. Because you've got more real estate as such. 

[Amelia]

True.

[Frank]
Yeah. Oversized rooms. Like, if rooms are very large, so I actually believe, like, when you renovate and knock a wall between, you've got to make a really big bedroom.

And then you reduce the number of bedrooms when people are actually looking for four bedrooms or five bedrooms or six, whatever they're after. Got to consider that. Bedrooms have to be a reasonable size, though.

So when buyers search, they look at the amount of bedrooms.

[Amelia] (8:22 - 8:26)

Yeah, that's very true. They usually know how many they want.

[Frank] (8:26 - 8:30)

Exactly. If anything you do at renovations, you want extra bedrooms.

[Amelia] (8:31 - 8:31)

Sure.

[Frank] (8:31 - 8:42)

Okay? If that's your goal. If your goal is, it's going to be for a while and I want the most beautiful ensuite on the planet, knock yourself out.

Get the plunge bath, party shower.

[Amelia] (8:42 - 8:44)

A party shower?

[Frank] (8:44 - 8:45)

Oh, you know the ones.

[Amelia] (8:45 - 8:47)

Like, that fits six people in them?

[Frank] (8:48 - 8:53)

I was actually thinking not quite like that, it’s like you've got twin shower heads.

[Amelia] (8:54 - 8:58)

Well, I meant it, not that you would put six people in a shower.

[Frank] (8:58 - 8:59)

Where are you going with this?

[Amelia] (8:59 - 9:01)

I've dug myself a hole.

[Frank] (9:01 - 9:04)

Well, that's debatable. A big shower, I'd suggest.

[Amelia] (9:04 - 9:08)

No, I was just saying, you know, they make really big showers these days.

[Frank] (9:08 - 9:10)

Yes, some of them with twin heads and all that.

[Amelia] (9:10 - 9:10)

Yeah, they're huge.

[Frank] (9:10 - 9:12)

But I don't know if you get six people in there.

[Amelia] (9:12 - 9:19)

You could fit six people in there. Not that you would. 

[Frank]

Where are you going with this?

[Amelia]

You could swing a few cats. You know, that's saying. 

[Frank] (9:22 - 9:24)

Okay, swing a cat, I get. All right, let's move on from there.

[Amelia] (9:24 - 9:25)

Probably a good idea.

[Frank] (9:25 - 9:32)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't reduce your storage. Garages matter. Flexibility matters.

[Amelia] (9:32 - 9:32)

I agree.

[Frank] (9:33 - 9:39)

Flexible space. Flexible, not showers, but flexible rooms off your living area.

[Amelia] (9:40 - 9:41)

Like hobby rooms.

[Frank] (9:41 - 9:42)

Hobby rooms. 

[Amelia] (9:42 - 9:44)

Yeah, no. That's a second living, not a hobby room.

[Frank] (9:44 - 10:12)

Yeah, yeah. But that flexible space, we've spoken about this a few times. Could be the kids' playroom, becomes study room, computer room, media room, then becomes grandkids' room again, whatever.

So highly personalised design choices is a winner. Where choosing bright coloured kitchens or painting your house with some questionable bright colours, you might like it, go for it.

[Amelia] (10:12 - 10:16)

Yeah, but it probably turns off a lot of people. 

[Frank] (10:16 - 10:20)

It can do, very much so. Mind you, I still believe anything can be fixed with paint.

[Amelia] (10:20 - 10:21)

I agree, yeah.

[Frank] (10:22 - 10:28)

Strong feature walls, loud tiles. Gee, the 80s have got a lot to answer for, tangerine and lime.

[Amelia] (10:28 - 10:30)

Even the 70s.

[Frank] (10:30 - 10:31)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, true.

[Amelia] (10:31 - 10:31)

Mission brown.

[Frank] (10:31 - 10:33)

Oh, shagpile carpet.

[Amelia] (10:33 - 10:33)

Yes.

[Frank] (10:34 - 10:35)

Mind you, when it's done right.

[Amelia] (10:36 - 10:36)

No.

[Frank] (10:36 - 10:48)

Okay, fair enough. Bold wallpaper, very dark interiors. You know, black ceilings.

[Amelia]

Oh. 

[Frank]

We do it a lot in commercial. Highly themed rooms.

[Amelia] (10:49 - 10:51)

What sort of themes? Like car themes?

[Frank] (10:52 - 11:05)

I'm hoping so. I don't know where you're going with that after the shower comment. I don't know where you're going. But yeah, look, I've seen themed rooms. I've seen parents let kids choose how they do their rooms.

[Amelia] (11:05 - 11:07)

Yes, pink walls or, you know.

[Frank] (11:07 - 11:13)

Yeah, all sorts of stuff. Some people like it, but you divide people.

[Amelia] (11:13 - 11:13)

That's true.

[Frank] (11:15 - 11:24)

So you've got to make sure it's relatively neutral. And what's the cost to remove this stuff? Even like what's popular at the moment is like VJ lining.

[Amelia] (11:25 - 11:25)

Yeah, that's true.

[Frank] (11:26 - 11:40)

You know, I'm putting it in my new house and we've done some reno's. I've seen it done. But how long is that going to last?

Is it going to date quick? I don't know. Who knows?

We'll find out. Everything's a good idea when it's the latest trend.

[Amelia] (11:40 - 11:42)

That is very true.

[Frank] (11:42 - 11:43)

Isn't it? You know, like, yeah.

[Amelia] (11:44 - 11:48)

And do you do it? Like if it's a long-term thing, do you actually do it?

[Frank] (11:49 - 11:50)

I'd say hell yeah.

[Amelia] (11:51 - 11:57)

Most of it, I guess, can be changed, repainted, removed.

[Frank] (11:57 - 12:04)

One of the things you can't change easily is your floor coverings, your kitchen finishes. Like if you go gloss black laminates.

[Amelia] (12:05 - 12:05)

Yeah, true.

[Frank] (12:05 - 12:06)

Worst idea ever.

[Amelia] (12:06 - 12:09)

Yeah, I agree. You see every mark on there.

[Frank] (12:09 - 12:23)

But even gloss black marble, stone tops, whatever, questionable. But laminates. Look, laminates and the rest of them are great products, but there are certain colours and finishes you should not do, like gloss.

You just breathe near it and you can see it.

[Amelia] (12:24 - 12:30)

True. Although some people really like that. There was a period where everyone was going for that gloss finish.

[Frank] (12:30 - 12:33)

Yeah, but then a couple of scratches and it looks like rubbish.

[Amelia] (12:33 - 12:33)

Yeah, it looks bad. It looks really bad.

[Frank] (12:34 - 12:38)

The light shines on it and you're going, you can see any ripple.

[Amelia] (12:39 - 12:41)

Yeah. Yeah. Scratches, fingerprints, everything.

[Frank] (12:42 - 12:42)

Yeah, go the orange peel.

[Amelia] (12:43 - 12:44)

Oh, orange.

[Frank] (12:44 - 12:50)

That's what most laminates is. You get that orange peel finish with all the different colours and it costs an absolute penny.

[Amelia] (12:50 - 12:51)

Oh, you mean the texture, not the colour.

[Frank] (12:51 - 12:54)

Yeah, that's what I call it. 

[Amelia]

Yeah, yeah. Okay.

[Frank]

Glad we got that fixed up.

[Amelia] (12:55 - 12:56)

Yeah, thank you for that.

[Frank] (12:56 - 13:08)

Okay. There's another trap, spending too much in certain areas. So don't bother getting porcelain tiles and shit.

Like seriously, I've seen some insane figures for tiles.

[Amelia] (13:09 - 13:11)

They can get really expensive.

[Frank] (13:11 - 13:14)

But what does it do? Like, okay, it's nice.

[Amelia] (13:14 - 13:16)

That's a very guy response, I have to say.

[Frank] (13:16 - 13:17)

It is.

[Amelia] (13:17 - 13:27)

Yeah. I'm a practical guy. Like, you know, we did our bathroom and we have a feature wall of tiles and they were a little more expensive. But we only did one wall of it. We didn't do the whole bathroom.

[Frank] (13:27 - 13:32)

Yeah, but you said a little bit. It wouldn't be like 500 bucks a square metre of porcelain tiles.

[Amelia] (13:32 - 13:38)

No, no, we didn't. No, we didn't spend anywhere near that. But it was more expensive than the standard, you know, square tiles that we had.

[Frank] (13:39 - 13:46)

Exactly. You know, but like I'm also a practical guy. I'm not actually going to go into my kitchen and put stainless steel benches like a laboratory.

[Amelia] (13:47 - 13:51)

Yeah, true. And most places probably wouldn't unless they were commercial.

[Frank] (13:52 - 13:57)

True, but I've seen some houses done and it's done really tastefully, but they kept the theme going to all the cupboards and drawers.

[Amelia] (13:57 - 13:57)

Yeah, okay.

[Frank] (13:58 - 14:14)

Yeah, interesting look. High-end sandstone designer lighting. You know, that can be a problem because the gloves cost you a fortune.

Custom cabinetry everywhere. Now, that's a classic. You know, you can just – I love seeing it. Don't get me wrong.

[Amelia] (14:14 - 14:18)

Built-in stuff like some of the TV units and stuff.

[Frank] (14:18 - 14:18)

Fantastic.

[Amelia] (14:18 - 14:19)

Really nice.

[Frank] (14:19 - 14:21)

But are you going to get a return on it?

[Amelia] (14:21 - 14:21)

Yeah.

[Frank] (14:21 - 14:23)

Now, being there long-term, brilliant.

[Amelia] (14:23 - 14:26)

Especially for the storage can be helpful there too.

[Frank] (14:26 - 14:34)

Yep, yep, yep. And look, at the end of the day, people want to see nice kitchens. They don't want to see a $70,000 benchtop.

[Amelia] (14:34 - 14:35)

Yeah, that's true.

[Frank] (14:36 - 15:08)

You know, some of those benchtops are very unique, like custom marble, and it's love it or you hate it. So also consider your suburb that you're in because if you overcook it for the style of how you've done it, what type of house it is and what you do inside, but also compared to what's around you, if that's important to you. 

This one is a real pearler. Smart home and technology. So in the 2000s, there was this big thing for CBUS, which was this wired home automation system.

[Amelia] (15:08 - 15:09)

Okay.

[Frank] (15:09 - 15:16)

And the programming was quite specialised and all the rest, and it was cool. Now it's ridiculous because it's old and dated.

[Amelia] (15:17 - 15:18)

Yeah, wouldn't last.

[Frank] (15:18 - 15:37)

But then you've got all these Wi-Fi options, and I remember when we were talking to Zara, we still don't know the effects of Wi-Fi and all these other… 

[Amelia]

Frequencies. …

[Frank]

Frequencies and that type of thing, and even solar PV panels on your roof. What effect is this going to have on you?

[Amelia] (15:38 - 15:40)

That's a good point. I never thought of solar panels.

[Frank] (15:41 - 16:06)

Yeah, because of what they can potentially emit. Same with having things near your head when you're sleeping, electrical items and things like that. The jury's still out on a lot of this, and I'm sure they'll be testing in the future.

Well, it's probably testing now, on it? So integrated sound systems, that's a hit or miss thing, whether people want that or not.

[Amelia] (16:06 - 16:07)

Yeah, I feel like that was popular.

[Frank] (16:09 - 16:21)

I did it to my own house. I put a Bose system right through my lounge room. I've still got it. It rocks. It'll rattle the windows. Well, it doesn't because it's double-glazed, so it doesn't rattle.

But it rocks. The neighbour’s will know, but I can't take it with me.

[Amelia] (16:21 - 16:24)

No, that's why I think people do the soundbars and stuff now.

[Frank] (16:24 - 16:31)

Yeah, I get it, but they're so much better now. And then it comes down to other technology, the smart home systems, complex lighting automation.

[Amelia] (16:33 - 16:36)

Are you going to get a return on investment on that?

[Frank] (16:36 - 16:45)

I don't know, but I did it to a mate's pool house, and we did all these peek-a-boo windows and then one wall as a feature, and then we put lights in there, and you get all these disco lights.

[Amelia] (16:45 - 16:46)

Oh, wow.

[Frank] (16:46 - 16:55)

Yeah, that was cool for the pool house. So even now, I think it's pretty cool. And the old home automation system, that's just out of date.

The problem is tech dates quickly.

[Amelia] (16:56 - 16:57)

It really does.

[Frank] (16:57 - 17:11)

You know, so you're going to struggle. So five years where it's all hardwired, now it's not good. Hard to repair, hard to fix, hard to reprogram. So expensive. But then you've got all these new voice-activated things.

[Amelia] (17:12 - 17:12)

Exactly.

[Frank] (17:12 - 17:16)

I still don't think people are really jumping towards it.

[Amelia] (17:17 - 17:18)

Maybe not.

[Frank] (17:19 - 17:21)

But everyone loves a powered roller door.

[Amelia] (17:22 - 17:22)

Oh, yeah.

[Frank] (17:23 - 17:24)

You can't live without it.

[Amelia] (17:24 - 17:25)

No, that's right.

[Frank] (17:25 - 17:28)

But powered blinds on your windows.

[Amelia] (17:28 - 17:30)

Yeah, people are going for those sort of things.

[Frank] (17:30 - 17:37)

Yeah, heaps. I totally get it. You know, on your phone, you've got apps, and they control your AC. That I totally get.

[Amelia] (17:37 - 17:38)

Yes.

[Frank] (17:39 - 17:57)

Until your AC fails after 10 years or 15 years, you know. But there's a few things like that I think are well worthwhile. Security systems on your phone.

[Amelia]

Yeah, handy. 

[Frank]

If you're in a place where you feel you need to have security, same with the front door locks, all those types of things, that's where the tech, I think, is good value.

[Amelia] (17:57 - 17:58)

Really good. Good value. Yeah.

[Frank] (18:00 - 18:06)

So here's another thing that actually kills resale. Really crap DIY renos.

[Amelia] (18:06 - 18:08)

Oh, and haven't you seen them?

[Frank] (18:08 - 18:14)

Oh, I've seen some absolute pearlers. Poor tiling. It looks like they just snapped them over their knee.

[Amelia] (18:15 - 18:19)

Even bad paint jobs just before a house goes on the market.

[Frank] (18:19 - 18:28)

Runs everywhere, half coverage, one coat. You know, just cheap decks or decks that have deteriorated.

[Amelia] (18:28 - 18:29)

Yes.

[Frank] (18:29 - 18:52)

That's a tough one because everything outside deteriorates. The other one is not approved structures because they've done a reno and they never got a permit. We've spoken about the illegal works a number of times.

[Amelia]

Yes. 

[Frank]

The illegal extensions. So we've had plenty of talks on that and we're going to have a future podcast on stuff because I keep coming across some amazing illegal works that just blows your mind.

[Amelia] (18:52 - 18:54)

Some cool photos that come up.

[Frank] (18:54 - 18:58)

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, we've got one coming up shortly, haven't we?

[Amelia] (18:58 - 19:00)

We do, yes. 

[Frank] (19:00 - 19:00)

On our socials. I'll leave that for you guys.

[Amelia] (19:00 - 19:01)

Stay tuned.

[Frank] (19:01 - 19:12)

Stay tuned. So this is also being cautious. So once you see poor workmanship in one place, I'd assume there's other in the rest of the house.

That's my thinking.

[Amelia] (19:12 - 19:15)

And there could be stuff that's hidden too. You just don't know.

[Frank] (19:15 - 20:28)

Yeah. Now, I don't want this to sound arrogant but the average punter can't pick this. The average person can't see it.

If you're not in the building industry, you can't see this stuff. We live in this stuff and unfortunately, I get into this habit. It doesn't matter what house, what building goes in, I'm judging it because I'm looking at details all over the place.

We can see a lot of this stuff as professionals and a lot of my team and a lot of other colleagues of mine, they pick poor workmanship, pick problems. They can see it where the average person can't. It's like people that specialise in cars.

They can see stuff, you know, machinery. People that specialise and are immersed in their field, they can see this stuff. This is why it's very important to get an expert in.

They can see stuff for you on a house. And we've had Wayne Gorman and there's other guys, reputable people that will go and inspect homes and they will see some of this stuff. And even if there's something a little bit out of kilter, they'll call it.

So then what's behind that work, the patch job and all the rest of it? So renovations that tend to add value, it's got to be practical.

[Amelia] (20:28 - 20:29)

Makes sense.

[Frank] (20:30 - 20:30)

Neutral?

[Amelia] (20:30 - 20:31)

Yep.

[Frank] (20:31 - 20:31)

Well built?

[Amelia] (20:32 - 20:32)

Yes.

[Frank] (20:33 - 20:48)

Flexible? Because we spoke about flexible space in houses. We've discussed about this plenty of times.

You know, that you can use the space for multiple purposes. What has been done suits the house in the suburb. You know, that's very important.

[Amelia] (20:48 - 20:50)

Does it stick out like a sore thumb?

[Frank] (20:50 - 20:55)

Yeah. Or what's done inside? Have you overspent for the area?

[Amelia] (20:56 - 20:57)

That's a good point too.

[Frank] (20:57 - 21:12)

If that's really important to you. The renovations you've done are not too personalised, not too contrasting, too expensive, too niche. Because if you overspend it, you're not going to get a return on it.

[Amelia] (21:13 - 21:16)

No. But again, if it's for you, then I guess it doesn't really matter.

[Frank] (21:16 - 21:42)

Go for it. I usually say to people with renos, I'll get good value. He says, look, if you're going to be here for seven years, eight years, then it's worth doing.

You're going to get the full benefit of this. You know, that's how I look at it. Because it is expensive to reno, a lot of double handling.

Things have to be practical. 

[Amelia]

Yes. 

[Frank]

Don't put dumb shit in. Like saunas, there's a hit and miss.

[Amelia] (21:43 - 21:44)

True.

[Frank] (21:44 - 21:53)

Turkish bath, Japanese bath, swim spa, spa, pools. But you can't go wrong with a shed.

[Amelia] (21:54 - 21:56)

Of course you had to bring that up.

[Frank] (21:56 - 21:58)

Well, it doesn't matter who it is.

[Amelia] (21:58 - 22:00)

Sheds do add value. I would have to agree with that.

[Frank] (22:00 - 23:28)

Sheds are cool because they've got so many practical uses for it, you know. So add the things you love for you that you're going to enjoy for the life you're going to be in the house and do whatever you want. Oh, I just want to add one thing.

If you're at the tail end of life, retirement and stuff, and you've got the funds to do it, build whatever you like. Don't worry about resale. let the kids worry about that shit.

Build a house that you want, that works for you. You know, if you want to be in your house longer, you know, we spoke, we had Bianca on, an access consultant, and you want to be in your house as long as possible, that you've got the right bathrooms, good space, can't trip over the floor coverings in and out of the house nice and easily, it's safe, it's comfortable for you to live in your house as long as possible. Don't let resale...

[Amelia]

Affect your decisions. 

[Frank]

Yeah. Be in that house for as long as you can.

You know, get in-house nursing, all this type of stuff. If you don't want to go to a nursing home, that's fine, or independent living, that's fine, even though I believe those are still very wonderful choices. But design your house for you.

Hobby rooms, sewing rooms, whatever. If you're at the tail end of life, why wouldn't you do this stuff? Because it's all for you.

[Amelia] (23:29 - 23:29)

Exactly.

[Frank] (23:31 - 23:46)

You know? And I think then you enjoy your house to how you want it. So I think it's a very important distinction with what we're talking.

So, because the goal of selling a house is simple, appeal to the largest number of people and buyers possible. If it's for you...

[Amelia] (23:46 - 23:47)

Then that doesn't matter.

[Frank] (23:47 - 23:51)

Screw the world. This is for you. This is your castle. Do whatever you like.

[Amelia] (23:51 - 23:51)

Exactly.

[Frank] (23:52 - 23:54)

Love it. Go nuts.

[Amelia] (23:55 - 24:13)

What a great place to wrap up. Thanks for listening to the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast. 

[Frank]

Catch ya’s later.

[OUTRO]

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