It has always been my dream to take on a renovation project

Read article : It has always been my dream to take on a renovation project

Despite dozens of house-hunting trips over the years, Tom Wilson and his wife Jacky – who have lived in their bungalow since 1996 – had never found anywhere that was able to beat it for its location, plot size and friendly neighbours.

‘We came home one evening after viewing two houses we absolutely adored and realised there was something missing that didn’t clinch it for us,’ Tom explains. ‘So, rather than uproot ourselves by moving to another property in a new area, we decided to make this our dream home.’

Their bungalow originally belonged to a GP who had lived in the house next door and built it as his doctor’s surgery. It had already been converted into a home when Tom and Jacky bought it, but it didn’t have a perfect layout.

There was a warren of dark rooms on the ground floor, with two small bedrooms upstairs which didn’t suit the family’s needs, especially when their teenage son Luke grew older. A new open-plan kitchen and living area was central to their plans to remodel the bungalow, which would eventually include stripping the house back to only three exterior walls, then extending and reworking the space to the rear, front and into the roof.

Fact file

The owners: Tom Wilson, a TV producer and director, and his wife Jacky, who owns a hairdressing salon chain
The property: A three-bedroom bungalow
The location: Newcastle, Tyne & Wear
What they spent: The renovations cost £155,000. The house has been valued at £750,000

The couple turned to interior designer George Bond to come up with a layout that would reflect Tom’s love of all things modern, and Jacky’s need for a relaxed and welcoming family home.

‘It turned into a major project,’ Tom recalls. ‘We thought that only one or two walls would be knocked through, but George and his team came up with some amazing design ideas.

‘They took on board everything on our wish-lists, which wasn’t easy because Jacky’s tastes are more traditional, while I love New York loft-style apartments,’ he adds.

A light-filled, open-plan layout was essential to their needs, as Tom explains: ‘Before the redesign, I rarely went upstairs to the two small bedrooms as Jacky and I slept in the bedroom downstairs – but we needed to maximise all that space.’

Working to the Wilsons’ budget, interior designer George pared back Tom’s wish-list and reshaped it into a clear plan for open-plan living, featuring bold blocks of colour, with a dramatic expanse of glass at the rear of the bungalow.

‘We gave George free rein,’ says Tom. ‘There was no point in commissioning someone as talented as George, without allowing him to be creative.’

The plans involved moving the staircase and knocking through a wall, the chimney breast and the small ground-floor windows to turn the study/hallway and living room into one large, open space. A mix of rooflights and larger windows would let natural light into the core of the bungalow.

An extension at the front created space for a new entrance porch and ground-floor wetroom. In addition, the roof level was raised, so that they could extend the two first-floor bedrooms and create an extra bathroom and en suite shower room.

The most dramatic change was the new extension at the rear, which trebled the size of the kitchen and created a large living and dining area, with a bank of folding sliding doors opening out to the garden. The old bathroom was also knocked through and a conservatory was demolished.

‘Luckily, we had no problems with the local authority planning department,’ says Tom. ‘They objected to only one thing in our plans – a balcony on the flat roof of the kitchen. We weren’t allowed to build one, because it would have affected our neighbours’ privacy.’

Tom, Jacky and their son Luke, who was 15 years old at the time, moved into rented accommodation nearby, leaving the way clear for the builders to start work, which began in the summer of 2006.

‘I visited the site every day,’ says Tom. ‘Admittedly, it was quite horrible watching it being taken apart because we loved the house – we wouldn’t have bought it if we didn’t – but we’d accepted the new plans and were happy to go ahead with them.’

Two major building projects, including their own, were going on at the same time in their road, so there were delivery trucks and skips everywhere. ‘Luckily, we have fabulous neighbours who were very supportive and patient,’ says Tom.

The only real setback to the project came early on. ‘The local building inspector said that the foundations had to be deeper,’ Tom explains. ‘They had to go down to approximately a man’s height – it was something to do with all the trees round here and the risk of subsidence. Trouble was, the builders had released the diggers and everything had gone off site, so they had to be re-booked.’

By early 2007, when the structure was complete, the Wilsons started planning the interior. As they enjoy inviting family and friends to their home, a space where they could cook and entertain was a must. As Tom explains: ‘We love parties. We probably hold four or five a year – and all good parties tend to end up in the kitchen.’

Tom and Jacky chose three colourways – white, black and burgundy – for their open-plan kitchen-diner at the rear of the house, combining the units in bold blocks of colour with ice-white porcelain floor tiles, bamboo worktops and cream walls for a stylish contemporary look.

‘The white reflective surfaces make the most of the light, while the flooring, cabinets and black glass splashback all have a high-gloss finish which adds to the feel,’ says Tom. ‘We painted the walls in cream flat oil to create a subtle sheen and a neutral backdrop for the kitchen’s working area.’

The original kitchen door was moved to create space to wrap the new L-shaped run of units around the corner of the room. This has provided space for cooking and food preparation, while a large working island takes centre stage and a separate bank of wall units incorporates the fridge-freezer and extra storage cupboards.

Once the new kitchen and appliances were in place, interior designer George was able to reflect Jacky’s love of English country style with a bold fl oral wallpaper on two feature walls, one of which frames the opening to the kitchen area.

This wallpaper helps to divide the space by signalling a change of mood from the working kitchen area to the entertaining and living spaces. A mix of vibrant, softly curved furniture complements the contemporary kitchen design perfectly. ‘There is a second living room at the front of the bungalow featuring a double-height ceiling, which continues the airy, open-plan feel,’ says Tom.

Upstairs, the new family bathroom is simple but stylish with white sanitaryware, chrome fittings and neutral wall and floor tiles, while a contemporary freestanding bath makes a stunning focal point.

The newly extended master bedroom has mirrored wardrobe doors and a wallpaper featuring horizontal stripes to create the illusion of a wider, more spacious room, plus it has its own en suite shower. Luke’s larger bedroom also benefits from a wall of mirrored wardrobes and built-in storage.

The exterior of the bungalow was rendered to blend the old brickwork with the new. George gave Tom and Jacky a choice of colours, and they opted for green.

‘All the houses on our street are a mix of styles,’ says Tom. ‘They’re set back from the road, so you don’t particularly notice it that much. None of our neighbours has raised any concerns about the green render, which we think works well.’

Inevitably, the couple’s budget for the seven-month project was stretched, as they chose high-spec finishes and fittings. ‘Jacky and I manage budgets all the time in our line of work, so we had always criticised renovators on TV makeover shows if they went over budget,’ Tom laughs. ‘Our budget was over before we even started. We wanted a high-spec look and were not keen on having to replace things in a few years time, so it all mounted up. It’s amazing how much money is spent on items you don’t see, like pipework.’

He and Jacky are thrilled with the bungalow’s transformation – and its resultant rise in value. As Tom says: ‘It was well worth the outlay. Every time I come downstairs, I’m impressed. We were right to trust our instincts and stay here.’

The costs
Building work	£120,000
Designer’s fee	£13,000
Decorating and furniture	£10,000
Kitchen	£4,793
Appliances	£3,624
Flooring	£1,700
Worktops	£1,600
TOTAL	£154,717

Dream Camper Floor Plan Contest

Read article : Dream Camper Floor Plan Contest

Dream Camper Floor Plan Contest – Part 2 http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/dream-camper-floor-plan-contest-part-2/"> Dream Camper Floor Plan Contest – Part 2&BODY=I found this article interesting and thought of sharing it with you. Check it out: http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/dream-camper-floor-plan-contest-part-2/"> 12 more reader submitted dream floor plans including raw concepts, wild ideas, and subtle refinements.  And the winner of the first ever dream truck camper floor plan contest is… Just last week we visited a prominent truck camper manufacturer and the subject of our dream camper floor plan contest came up.  We talked with great excitement about the variety of ideas our readers were presenting, and encouraged them to study the plans when they debuted.  No, we didn’t give them a sneak peak.  It’s more fun to tease. None of the submitted designs, including mine, are anywhere near production ready.  That was never the intention or spirit of this contest, nor is it possible without delving into details like plumbing, electrical, and code compliance.

The true potential of this contest is to give truck camper users from around the United States, Canada, and the world the opportunity to directly inspire professional truck camper design teams.  You know, the folks responsible for the truck campers you see debut here on Truck Camper Magazine, at RV shows, and dealer lots?  This was your shot to show them your big idea, and possibly change the course of truck camper design history.

I know, crazy talk.  Then again, crazier things have happened.  I’m going to lobby the industry to take your designs and ideas seriously, as I do with our bi-annual truck camper survey coming up this fall.  Together, we will change the course of campers.

Far be it for us to determine who should win the best dream camper floor plan, except that’s exactly what we had to do.  This is, after all, a contest, and we are the big cheese, cheesette, and cheese-cat for this electron-only magazine.  After considerable review, and a tail gesture we interpreted as positive, we have a winner.

The winner of the first ever dream truck camper floor plan contest is…

Karl Pettitt, Elmhurst, Illinois – Winner

Above: Click to enlarge this floor plan and the others below to see them bigger.

Although I don’t currently own a truck camper, I would like to in the future.  I often think of what an ideal floor plan would be so this was a fun exercise.  I first did the layout in a program that was to scale.  The dimensions should be pretty accurate.

The floor length is 11-feet.  The total length is 19-feet, 9-inches.  The width is 8-feet.  It’s a single-slide, dry bath, flatbed model.

Although there are a few flatbed model campers on the market, I think there is a great deal of room for more.  Specifically, I think there is room for a larger model that takes full advantage of the ability to place the door anywhere.

To this end, I created a floor plan layout that places the door towards the front of the curb side of the camper.  This allows for greater flexibility in the placement of the bathroom, which I put across the entire rear of the camper.

The slide allows space for both a dinette and a small couch that can turn into a bed.  Placement of the kitchen towards the front, along with the heaviest components such as the fresh water tank, battery bank, and propane tanks, will help in keeping the center of gravity as close to the front as possible.

The placement of the entertainment center allows for viewing either on the main floor or the cabover.  There is overhead storage above the kitchen and couch that makes up for the lack of floor cabinets.  There is also ample windows allowing light in from either side of the camper as well as views.  I think this would make an ideal camper for a family with the potential to sleep up to six people without the use of a bunk.

#16 – David Miller, Branson, Missouri – Honorable Mention

My camper is designed with the premise that the most important things about a truck camper use are (1) the nice, soft, queen bed for sleeping, and (2) the nice bathroom for showering; not a wet bath.

The dining aspect needs less emphasis because, typically, the meals are simple and small.  In most cases, weather dependent, we eat outside at the picnic table.  Thus there is no need for a large dining table.

There is also no need to accommodate guests for sleeping.  If the grandkids are camping with us, they will sleep in a tent outside.  The concept of having the table convert to a bed is unnecessary, and a waste of space for us.

The attached drawing is for a non-slide design to fit a full-size short bed pickup.  I figure this camper will hang over the back of a 6’6” truck bed by approximately 27-inches.

Here are the wonderful features of my perfect truck camper:

It has a dry bath and shower.  This is extremely important.

The dining area has been reduced in size to only seat two adults.  The table is curved and the back of the seat cushion is curved to give the feeling and seating of a corner booth in a restaurant.  The only slight difficulty is that the person who sits down first will have to slide in and cannot get back out until the other person stands up, but, that is just like a corner booth in a restaurant and won’t be too much of a hassle.

There is a closet on both sides of the bed in addition to the foot lockers.  The television is mounted above the table, on the wall of the dry shower.

As you can see, the bed and the dry shower get the most emphasis, and the dining facilities are minimized.  It’s the perfect camper for two adults who want to shower every day after a good nights sleep.

#17 – Jake Schultz, Washington – Honorable Mention

A Folding Camper for the Ford Ranger

This camper is designed to be less than 780 pounds to work within the payload limit of a Ford Ranger.  It’s also designed to be 64-inches wide, with a maximum travel height of 82-inches.  These dimensions allow the camper to fit into a standard 84-inch garage in the folded configuration.

The camper features a full stand-up heigh interior of 76-inches, as shown.  A sun-dome could be added for an additional three-inches of interior height.

The camper has a double-pivot folding hard wall roof and sides with an open and panoramic cabin.

The camper can be used in one of four configurations:

1. Wide open with magnificent panoramic views to the aft sides and back.

2. Open to the aft sides and back, with screen netting in place.

3. Polycarbonate window panels in place (inboard of netting) for inclement weather.

4. Window panels in place and privacy curtains on the interior.

There would be comfortable seating for two at the dinette with the cushions angled slightly inward to account for the wheel well.

The camper would feature a modified full-size bed available at all times.  There would be a 24-inch cabinet for hanging clothes under the foot of the bed.

To save weight, the roof would be built for structure and snow loads only, not to stand on. The floor would be to stand on only if the camper is on the ground or in the bed of the truck, again to save weight.

There would be no jack stands.  The camper is suspended from the owner’s home garage root trusses to remove and store.

There would be an ice chest under one seat and Porta-Potti under the other.  There would be no refrigeration systems or black water tank.

All systems are in one four-foot module along the right side for minimum weight and system run lengths.  The module contains the propane tank, propane heater, two-burner stove, sink, fresh water tank, grey water tank, battery, converter, inverter, and small item storage.

#18 – Mark Larson, Phoenix, Arizona – Honorable Mention

This is my drawing for one of my dream campers.  Please excuse the poor scale on the toilet, lavatory, and kitchen sink.

I know this would be better as a flatbed model because of the side aisle going to the cabover and the location of the shower.  It could also be an above the bed rail model.  I’m with you wanting a camper with no slide outs.  You had a great design of your own.

#19 – Kari Miller, Branson, Missouri – Honorable Mention

My truck camper is the best design ever.  Here are the great features:

1. There is actually a solid wall between the over cab bedroom and the rest of the camper.  This creates total privacy, similar to a fifth wheel with an isolated separate bedroom.

2. The step to the bedroom is offset so there is not direct line of sight into the private bedroom.

3. There is room at the foot of the queen-size bed to access the closet and a real two-drawer dresser, which is what is needed for storing clothes in a camper.

4. A narrow, but deep and tall closet is behind the refrigerator is accessed from the step.

5. Instead of wasting room on a full table top and a table that converts to an unnecessary bed, this camper has a bar top for dining.  The seating consists of two bar stools which can be clamped down for traveling.  People spend many hours sitting on a bar stool so, obviously, these would be comfortable.  Plus, for most eating situations, people will either sit outside at the picnic table, or go out to eat at a restaurant.  There is a big window over the bar top so it would be pleasant sitting.

6. There is a slide-out pantry between the bar top and the range

7. The bathroom has a dry shower, which is important.

8. This camper should fit in a full-size short-bed pickup.  There are no slides, and it is
hard-sided.

#20 – Mike Cianci, Loveland, Colorado

Here’s my plan.  It’s fairly basic.  I chose a wet bath because it’s easier to clean.  Put it in the forward section near the wardrobe with a privacy curtain so nobody has to see your business.  And it’s easier to keep the bed/bath/dressing area cleaner.

I chose wardrobes with shelves or drawers which is more practical than hanging closets.  Who is bringing their tux and ball gown while truck camping?  There are overhead bins throughout where practical.

There would be LED lights, two batteries on a movable tray, and a small solar setup.  Only simple shades are necessary; no cornice, or valance boxes around the windows.

There would be 12-volt and 110 AC throughout, two Fantastic fans – one in the bedroom and kitchen – and an air conditioner   There would be a full-size skylight/dome in the bath with a side wall exhaust vent.

The sofa could be a jack knife-style, or have storage underneath.  And it would have two pull-out tray tables mounted in or adjacent to the armrest.  Plus it would pivot for easy egress from the sofa while eating or using computer, similar to tray tables on airliners in first class.

The television would be on standard pivot for bedroom and living room viewing, and would recess in a cabinet above the slide out pantry.  The rear exit door would have a platform deck for easy entry/egress.

#21 – Kevin Pinassi, New York, New York

#22 – John Wells, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

My design is a modification of the Chalet Ascent S100F, a limited production model (six total!) that Chalet discontinued to pursue production of their more profitable double and triple-slide models.  We love ours because it is completely usable with the slide in or out.

It has huge floorspace when the slide is out for entertaining friends and for ladies to dress in Civil War hoops (don’t ask).  The front bath allows a full height pleated curtain immediately behind the dinette to be drawn across to create a dressing room with access to bath, bed, and wardrobe.

There are no appliances in the slide, minimizing slide-out weight, and wear and tear on electrical and gas connections while maximizing efficiency of the refrigerator.  While we love our camper, please allow me to debut … drum roll… The Wellspring S110F.

My modifications to Chalet’s original design are as follows:

There would be 10-inches of increased length in the main cabin.  On the slide-out side, this extra wall space at the junction of the overcab and cabin strengthens the exterior at the crucial front corner tie-down.  We have already noticed flexing at this point and have taken steps to greatly reinforce this important structural location.  On the kitchen side, this extra 10-inches allows an increase in much-needed counter space, as well as under and over cabinetry.

I would also add about four to five inches to the side-to-side width of the wet bath.  The wardrobe doors and bathroom door would still function even with the slide in.

Additionally, I’d add half-penguin cabinets to the night stands at either side of the bed in the nose of the overcab.  These units would be open-shelved on the sides, half-depth and about 3/4 height, with a small rail or lip on the shelves and top edge to keep books, phones, clock, etc from falling out during travel.

I’d also add a three drawer cabinet with open top shelf and top rail at the foot of the bed on the bathroom side.  I’ve avoided the side hampers as I feel they add significantly to the difficulty of changing the bedclothes, though they could be added quite easily as an option.

#23 – Bob Dold, Monson, Massachusetts

Attached is my submission for the dream floor plan contest.  It is based off an EarthRoamer layout modified with a fore/aft dinette and an undercover slide-out compressor refrigerator chest.  I chose the slide-out compressor fridge since they are more efficient than a three-way refrigerator, and it allows for additional counter space.

One of my favorite features of the EarthRoamer plan is how the closet and bathroom doors can be opened and secured to provide a changing area outside the wet bath with access to the closet.  The wet bath has a wooded floor grate to provide a cleaner surface for the bath when the shower isn’t being used.

Access to the toilet cassette is through the rear storage door which drops down and can be used as a counter when cooking outside.  Another door above the horizontal door to the left of the spare tire can be used to store chairs and other lighter items out of the weather.

I prefer the side entry design as it allows the entire back wall to be used for storage and it allows access to the camper from the curbside when parked without having to remove bikes/trailers from the back of the camper.

The pantry to the left of the closet would be a bank of drawers with a window air conditioner unit above to provide for cool air without the expense and height of a roof mounted unit.  The dinette would be a little under three feet wide and can convert to a single bed if needed.

Large awning windows on either side provide lots of light and views with storage cabinets above them (not shown).  The overcab queen bed runs north/south to allow for getting out of bed without having to climb over your significant other, and has windows on both sides along with a skylight/Fantastic fan for good ventilation while sleeping.

Another feature I don’t see included on many campers any more is a pass through.  I would like the ability to stealth camp and having the pass through allows one to enter and exit the camper without having to go outside.

#24 – Floyd Schotel, Williams Lake, British Columbia

I’ve been dreaming up my ideal truck camper for a little while now, so you’re design contest is a great opportunity to share my napkin sketches!

For fuel efficiency, handling, and stealthiness, my ideal truck camper would be a low profile pop-up design to fit a 6.5-foot bed, full-size pickup.

The camper body extends past the bumper, dropping down for a low step-in side door.  Inside steps lead to the floor height.  This way the back of the camper is open to mount bikes, fuel, spares etc.  Also, the side door is a natural access to the curb or side picnic area.

Most of the windows are in the soft sides of the pop-up.  That way the camper will be more secure when in the locked down position.  In fact, the camper may look more like a service truck than a camper when in travel mode.

I’d keep the camper as small and tight to the truck as possible.  To keep things simple, I can do without a toilet/black tank, but a collapsable shower would be nice.

This camper is designed for boondocking and overland excursions as well as urban stealth camping.  I love the idea of taking my bed and a hot shower with me in a compact camper for a road trip.  No need to stress about finding a hotel, and a meal can be fixed anywhere, pronto!

#25 – Glenn Yauney, Milwaukie, Oregon

Here is an idea of a dream truck camper floor plan.   We started with the floor plan of a 1140 Arctic Fox.   We added a rear slide-out and side entry.

We would prefer a camper with both a rear and a side slide-out.  When towing a trailer, a rear door entry is awkward, thus we prefer a side entry into the camper rather than a rear entry design.   We added a large closet in the rear slide-out opposite the entry door for boots, outdoor clothes, etc.

Storage space is also at a premium, so I propose one that has both ample wardrobe closets and storage space equipped with larger drawers.  You can’t have too much storage space.

Exterior storage isn’t shown, but basement and exterior storage are also a must.

#26 – TJ and Kelly Kretschmar, Kansas City, Kansas

I am a mechanical engineer and have the ability to convert .pdf’s to CAD.  The Unimog part of the drawing can be found in the technical manual from Mercedes Benz website.  I printed the drawing to .pdf, then converted it to CAD.  I then printed the drawing for the Pangea concept and converted the drawing to CAD.

The reason I choose to draw this concept in CAD was to see if it was physically possible to put a garage bay in an expedition vehicle, and to incorporate my own ideas into the same space that would fit on a Unimog chassis with a single rear axle.

I deleted the interior of the lower living area so I could insert my own concept.  The items that I used from the original GXV drawing are the exterior walls, entry door, cassette toilet, and spare tires.  The loft area and access stairway is also GXV’s design, only with one bed instead of the two indicated in their drawing.

I used the Unimog drawing to make sure the entry door, center of gravity, and departure angle were going to work with the design.

We like the Pangea Lifting roof on a Unimog concept, but wanted it to double as a toy hauler.  We put one bed in the loft area to give the dinette area a sense of a vaulted ceiling.  The unit can be used in the down position for extreme cold weather.  The garage door folds down allowing access to spare tires.  The ATV slide out is similar to a Tommy Lift gate.

The camper would be able to detach with its own hydraulic jacks and allow for the installation of a dump bed.

This, of course, is just a dream.  For now our 1994 Hallmark Ute and 2006 Nissan Titan will have to suffice.

Related Items:

Case Study: How To Make Money On A Renovation

Read article : Case Study: How To Make Money On A Renovation

From the expert

Cherie Barber is a renovator on TV’s The Living Room and runs renovating-for- profit workshops. Cheriebarber.com.au

One of the guaranteed ways to add value to a home is to reconfigure the layout to add an extra bedroom and create open-plan living. These are the two key things on my radar when I size up a property and as I’m studying the floor plan, tapping walls and pacing it out.

When I came across this house in Sydney’s west, in an area that has already demonstrated great capital growth, I didn’t hesitate to snap it up. With a few tweaks to the layout and a better connection to the generous outdoor area at the rear, I knew I could tap into the full potential of the existing three-bedroom brick home. This was a wise investment.

Open sesame

The jumble of sprawling living areas offered abundant space, but no open-plan flow. By removing a gyprock wall between the traditional living and dining areas, the new L-shaped living space is now a free-flowing, light-filled gem that spills into the back sunroom and updated kitchen. With this redefined living area, I was able to eke out a new bedroom in the centre of the house. By closing off the arch in the entry foyer and stealing space from the living room, I created a new bedroom, opening off the hallway. Two vented skylights compensate for the absence of a window. It’s now a four-bedroom house in an area favoured by families. In fact, a tenant was secured on a one-year lease immediately upon completion of the renovation.

← Slide →

Cosmetic refresh

The bathroom was dated, but its vanity, shower and bathtub were fine, so only a simple makeover was needed. Gerflor vinyl flooring and new tiles for the shower floor were supplied and installed for less than $300, while White Knight Tile Paint was used to mask the decorative tiles.

← Slide →

Budget-friendly floors

The patchwork quilt of flooring left by the assortment of old rooms certainly couldn’t stay. Durable laminate floorboards in a honey colour called Chestnut now unify the whole house. They’re a fraction of the cost of hardwood floors, yet still provide the warmth of timber.

Related

Window to the world

The rear of the house was blessed with an abundance of windows, wrapping around two sides of the sunroom and offering a restful, leafy view. However, the addition of new bifold doors off the living area and sunroom has created a seamless indoor/outdoor flow onto the large verandah and sprawling deck beyond. Not surprisingly, the garden needed just as much TLC as the house, and nearly $3000 was spent on plants, turf and landscaping supplies.

← Slide →

Kitchen central

Putting in a brand new kitchen would have totally blown my target of completing the renovation, inside and out, for as close to 10 per cent of the total value of the property as possible. That’s my recommended budget for any cosmetic renovation, but it was an ambitious target in this case, as there were also structural changes, like the bifold doors and creating a new bedroom. By keeping the kitchen cabinets but replacing the fronts and benchtop, I was able to complete the kitchen – including new appliances – for about $3000, plus labour.

← Slide →

Colour my world

Now for the wow factor! I decided to marry the beige tones of Taubmans Penguin March with a blaze of punchy blue wallpaper. The entire length of the living area and one wall of the long hallway are now decked in Lines wallpaper. The large master bedroom at the front of the house basks in the luxurious blue of Taubmans Shindig.

The bottom line

It was three weeks of intensive effort to transform this rough diamond into the inviting family home it is today. But the ultimate sign of the successful renovation of an investment property is whether the numbers stack up. With a total interior/exterior renovation cost of $67,760, it came in at just a whisker above 12 per cent of the cost of the property – a fantastic outcome. But did it turn a profit? The triumphant answer is yes, it certainly did. I purchased the house for $550,000 and it was revalued post-renovation at $690,000. This is a gross profit of $72,240. That’s the kind of outcome an investor seeks.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Labour carpentry & building $19,420
Electrician $3500
Plumber $635
Roof spraying (done by painters) $1500
Painting $2000
Wallpaper installer $880
Garden excavator $750
Cement renderer $2640
Construction labourer $675
Rubbish removal $4425

SUBTOTAL: LABOUR COSTS $36,425
Materials timber & all hardware $9539
Flooring (supply & install) $4450
Bifold doors $6363
Kitchen doors & panelling $1585
Kitchen benchtops $645
Kitchen appliances $975
Bathroom flooring $160
Bathroom tiles (supply & install) $100
Curtains & blinds $1718
Wallpaper $520
Paint $1480
Skylights $800
Equipment hire $260
Turf, plants & Landscaping $2740
TOTAL $67,760

Fort Governor's Estate, Grahamstown, South Africa

Read article : Fort Governor's Estate, Grahamstown, South Africa

> Fort Governor's Estate

Grahamstown

Safari/Game Lodge, Self Catering

(8 units)

(1 customer review)

Our cottages are located within the 9000ha Fort Governor's Estate just outside Grahamstown. With fantastic views out to the reserve from the privacy of your own deck, you can enjoy a romantic retreat or a relaxed getaway with a group of friends. So sit back, cool off in the pool, dig your toes into the sea sand of our boma, pour a drink and relax around a roaring fire. Each chalet has a spacious bedroom with a super king bed (that can also be converted to twin beds if you let us know). The bathroom leads off the bedroom with a shower, toilet and basin, complete with our luxury, eco-friendly toiletry range. We are able to accommodate 2 - 3 adults per chalet (with the 3rd adult sleeping on the sofa in the lounge). Alternatively, families with children under 12 would be able to sleep 2 smaller kids on the L-shaped sofa. Please let us know when making your booking. Unit facilities include: air-conditioners, full kitchens, wood-burning indoor fireplaces, outdoor decks complete with sun loungers and an outdoor dining tables and private braai areas. Every lodge has a swimming pool with easy access for all our guests. Game drives can be arranged at an additional cost. Please note:
***All rooms are non-smoking.
***Please note that we are based on a game farm and access to the lodges is via gravel road. Low-rise vehicles and sports cars are not advised. Read More ›

> Fort Governor's Estate

Grahamstown

Safari/Game Lodge, Self Catering

(8 units)

(1 customer review)

Our cottages are located within the 9000ha Fort Governor's Estate just outside Grahamstown. With fantastic views out to the reserve from the privacy of your own deck, you can enjoy a romantic retreat or a relaxed getaway with a group of friends. So sit back, cool off in the pool, dig your toes into the sea sand of our boma, pour a drink and relax around a roaring fire. Each chalet has a spacious bedroom with a super king bed (that can also be converted to twin beds if you let us know). The bathroom leads off the bedroom with a shower, toilet and basin, complete with our luxury, eco-friendly toiletry range. We are able to accommodate 2 - 3 adults per chalet (with the 3rd adult sleeping on the sofa in the lounge). Alternatively, families with children under 12 would be able to sleep 2 smaller kids on the L-shaped sofa. Please let us know when making your booking. Unit facilities include: air-conditioners, full kitchens, wood-burning indoor fireplaces, outdoor decks complete with sun loungers and an outdoor dining tables and private braai areas. Every lodge has a swimming pool with easy access for all our guests. Game drives can be arranged at an additional cost. Please note:
***All rooms are non-smoking.
***Please note that we are based on a game farm and access to the lodges is via gravel road. Low-rise vehicles and sports cars are not advised. Read More ›

Rooms and Rates

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Cottage

(5 units)

from 1000.0 p.u per unit

Details

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Description:The open plan layout of each chalet combines a large, modern kitchen area with a gas stove and oven, ample workspace, casual dining area with a wood-burning fireplace and a comfy L-shaped lounge area that looks out over your private deck to the veld beyond. The couch in the lounge can sleep 1 extra adult or 2 children under 12. Each deck has its own private braai area and outdoor dining table as well as sun-loungers. Read More ›

Facilities:

• Air Conditioning
• Balcony
• Fireplace
• No Smoking
• Safe
• Tea and Coffee
• View
• Fully Equipped
• Bed Linen supplied
• Towels
• Oven
• Freezer

from 1000.0 per unit

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Mountain Retreat

(1 unit)

from 1500.0 p.u per unit

Room information

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  x 4 (main is King)

  Ensuite Bathroom (Shower only)

Details

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Description:Our Mountain Retreat is ideal for families who want a break away from it all. We offer 2 en-suite bedrooms with king beds, 1 room with bunk beds and a sofa-bed in the lounge. We also offer a large kitchen and open plan room with a wood-burning fireplace all overlooking an expansive deck area with sweeping views out to the horizon. Sleeps 4 adults and 2 children. Read More ›

Facilities:

• Air Conditioning
• Balcony
• Fireplace
• No Smoking
• Safe
• Tea and Coffee
• View
• Fully Equipped
• Bed Linen supplied
• Towels
• Oven
• Freezer

from 1500.0 per unit

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Orchards Lodge

(1 unit)

from 2000.0 p.u per unit

Room information

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  x 3 (main is King or Twin)

  Ensuite Bathroom (Bath and Shower)

Details

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Description: The lodge has 3 en-suite rooms with super king extra length beds that can be converted to twin rooms if required.

Facilities:

• Air Conditioning
• Fireplace
• No Smoking
• Safe
• Tea and Coffee
• Fully Equipped
• Bed Linen supplied
• Towels
• Oven

from 2000.0 per unit

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Uniondale Lodge

(1 unit)

from 2500.0 p.u per unit

Room information

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  x 4 (main is King or Twin)

  Ensuite Bathroom (Bath and Shower)

Details

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Description: 4 x super king extra length bed that can also be converted to twin rooms on request.

Facilities:

• Air Conditioning
• Fireplace
• No Smoking
• Safe
• Tea and Coffee
• Fully Equipped
• Bed Linen supplied
• Towels
• Oven

from 2500.0 per unit

Reviews of Fort Governor's Estate

(1 review)

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Rene | 2017-07-10 00:00:00.0

Pictures of Fort Governor's Estate

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English Afrikaans Xhosa German

Breakfast on request Lunch on request Lunch Box on request Dinner on request Caters for Vegetarian

Bird Watching Braai / Barbecue Flower Viewing Farm activities Game Viewing Garden Horse Riding Mountain Biking Swimming Pool Walking / Hiking 4x4 Trails

Airport Shuttle Service Curio Shop Cots available Family friendly Fireplace on premises Laundry Service No Pets allowed Secure off-street parking Parking available Room service Safe available

Air Conditioning Fireplace No Smoking Safe Tea and Coffee Fully Equipped Bed Linen supplied Towels Oven

• Balcony
• View
• Freezer

Children age 12 and over are charged as adults.

Map of Fort Governor's Estate, Grahamstown

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Fort Governors Estate , Portion 1 of Farm 223 , Albany, Grahamstown

From Grahamstown: Take the N2 in the direction of Peddie/East London and continue on the N2 for 20km. As you pass a large bend in the road, 800m further on the left hand side, you will see a sign on the left hand side that says "Fort Governor's Estate, Stoneyvale".

Nearby Establishments

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