Last year will go down as one of the strangest in living memory. Being thrust into the midst of a global pandemic was traumatic for all, and the lockdowns, while necessary, were surreal and stressful.

For Sharon Blaikie and husband Malcom, the Covid-19 pandemic was just one of the dramas that beset them as they tried to renovate a crosslease unit purchased in mid-2019. But through adversity, the couple managed to complete the renovation and sell the property for a profit. Their story of resilience and determination is likely to inspire any wannabe property trader.

The Blaikies purchased the late- 1960s property in the middle of 2019 for $515,000. They had just completed the renovation of a similar property in Tauranga the year before - bought initially for Sharon’s mum (who didn’t end up moving in). This was the first renovation they had done while living in a separate house.

“It was great not having to live in the middle of a huge mess!” says Sharon. The renovation was highly successful they made a decent profit after selling, and were keen to repeat the formula again. So, when a similar two-bedroom unit in Otumoetai came on the market, they jumped at the chance to buy it.

The original 1960s kitchen (above) was ripped out and replaced with a modern alternative.

Kitchen Renovations

When it comes to kitchens, it’s often a case of “you get what you pay for”. The good news is that there are exceptions — small compromises can result in big savings.

Here’s how you can get the most bang for your buck depending on your budget.

Under $10,000

If you’re opting for a low-cost kitchen renovation, there’s one condition: good bones. Provided the kitchen is in good shape, the following upgrades can go a long way in creating a functional and refreshed space: update handles; replace damaged hardware; and install a new benchtop, sink and faucet. If the cabinetry door panels can be suitably replaced then you’re in a good position. These basic updates mean you can completely change the look and feel of your kitchen in a cost-effective way. $10,000 TO $20,000

This price bracket begins to offer more options. Selective decision-making paired with an economical kitchen manufacturer makes it possible to fit out most small to medium-sized spaces with an entirely new kitchen. We most commonly see this scale of renovation sitting at the higher end of the price bracket. However, you can work down from this by being modest with your design: select basic colour palettes, fittings and hardware. To keep the up-front costs low, opt for cheap, no-name appliances that offer a minimum 24-month comprehensive warranty.

Over $20,000

The bottom end of this price bracket will cover a basic kitchen renovation for larger homes, and a more sophisticated renovation for medium-sized homes. Upwards from there, designer features and high spec appliances become in-budget.

Final Note:

As with all renovation projects, a clear set of objectives and a carefully planned budget will help shape your project scope and decision-making process. For a full kitchen renovation budget, be sure to factor in: kitchen removal and room prep; plastering and painting; plumbing, electrical work and fittings; kitchen installation; floor coverings; and appliances. If opting for a simpler refresh, fewer sub-trades will be required. Making contact with tradespeople early on in the planning phase can facilitate insights that will save you money, time and energy.

A Series Of Catastrophes

They had intended to do it up straight away but ended up renting to friends and family for the rest of 2019. But by early 2020, they were ready to start the reno process.

Malcolm has a history in the building industry and Sharon is an experienced interior designer and adept with a paint brush, so they were able to do most of the renovation work themselves. January 2020 saw them paint the exteriors, as well as the ageing Decramastic roof.

“The material had started falling away so we decided to paint it, as this would add maybe another ten years to its life,” says Sharon.

Things were going well . . . until March 6. A terrible work accident caused Malcolm to be severely burned on his face, and it was only quick thinking on the part of his colleagues that prevented him from third degree burns.

He ended up in the Waikato burns unit, but made a remarkable recovery: the renovation continued with Sharon doing most of the work. And then, lockdown.

“When it was announced that Covid-19 had come to New Zealand, and the country was going into lockdown, we started running around like idiots getting building supplies,” says Sharon.

“The unit was just a couple of doors down from our home, and we weren’t entering into someone else’s bubble, so we just kept on renovating.”

The dramas didn’t stop there, however. Sharon became extremely ill over lockdown, which slowed progress considerably. Malcolm’s face had to be covered in cloths to keep his healing face clean.

Perseverance Pays Off

In their lockdown renovation bubble, recovering from burns and illness, Sharon and Malcom steadily renovated their investment property. The house had great bones, so the work was all superficial, apart from the transformation of a window into a door in the living space.

All the interiors were stripped, the kitchen and bathroom gutted, lights and light switches changed. The floors in the kitchen and laundry were replaced with wood-look lino; solution-dyed nylon laid in the living spaces.

“We used a light-coloured carpet, because the home was targeted at owner occupiers, not investors,” she says. “We always use a colour-scheme of black, white and wood for our renovations.”

The kitchen was replaced, and the oven relocated. The couple decided to use Project Kitchens for this job, after the lockdown was finished. “We do almost everything ourselves, but for jobs like this, we always call in the experts.”

They also spent a bit more money getting an induction oven: “We don’t mind spending extra money on things that count,” she says. The Blaikies’ aim for both their unit renovations was to create a home that had the feel of a sophisticated apartment.

“Some two-bedroom units can feel a bit old-fashioned, so we try to make our renovations very modern: something that would appeal to a successful professional couple or single person,” says Sharon.

Sharon has a background in interior design (having completed a number of courses, but never working in this role professionally) and stages all the homes they renovate. This level of care and attention pays off: they are able to attract the buyers that they renovate for.

Once the renovation was complete, the couple were unsure how to proceed. With all the uncertainty around house prices post-lockdown, they decided it was best to move quickly and sell.

“We went to auction (but we didn’t sell there) but we sold a few days later to a single guy who had moved to Tauranga from Auckland. The previous apartment also sold to a single man,” Sharon explains.

The house sold for $640,000 and was renovated for around $40,000. In hindsight, they could have possibly made more had they waited, but at the time a quick sale was the right decision.

“We had no idea what was going to happen to the market,” says Sharon. “We don’t really like renting our homes out, it’s too much work. We love renovating and flipping, and we were really happy with the result.”

Looking Ahead

The Blaikies have an estuary apartment that they purchased off-plan in 2019 for $720; once the build is complete it is likely to sell for $1 million-plus. But this is their only investment property at the moment and they have no plans to buy in the near future.

“The market is too hot and it’s not really worth renovating homes as you can’t really add value,” she says. But their two unit renos have yielded them great results, and given them insight into the market. Sharon now plans to turn her attention to selling real estate as an agent, something she’s been keen on for decades.

“I did my exams 25 years ago, but I had a three-year-old and couldn’t afford the time. But it was on my bucket list and now that we are empty nesters, it’s something that I’m excited about doing.”