5 reasons why your apartment renovations might be easier than you think
From navigating structural changes to gaining strata approval and concerns over upsetting neighbours, the prospect of renovating an apartment may seem daunting. But with the right team and knowledge, these transformations are not only possible but can be surprisingly straightforward. We’re setting out to debunk some myths and provide a different perspective to help you transform your living space and lift the value of your apartment.
(1) Load bearing walls can be moved
If you can show the owners corporation (also known as the body corporate) that the work will not adversely impact the building, it will be completed by a licensed builder and signed off by a registered and qualified engineer, they are usually happy to approve the work.
(2) Some walls are not load bearing
Surprisingly a lot of brick walls in 1990s and 2000s-era apartments tend not to be load bearing. Sometimes you can see this because the brick wall stops short of the concrete soffit when you cut out the cornice. This means they can be removed or easily moved and replaced with a lightweight wall in a different location. You do have to be careful though — some walls that are obviously hollow and presumed to be lightweight can have hidden structural elements such as columns or plumbing, so a little bit of investigation may be required in the planning stages.
(3) You don’t need to involve the council
If the changes you plan to make are internal and don’t impact the streetscape, you don’t need to involve council. Without getting too technical, if you’re not changing the shape or function of a room you don’t need approval. If you are, an architect who is qualified as a design practitioner, such as Ballast Point, can help you organise approval through an automated mechanism called Complying Development Certificate (CDC).
(4) You have a right to improve your property
Although you need strata permission before commencing work, if the changes are internal there are limits to what they can prevent you from doing. You can be assured that you have a right to improve your property and that if you fail to get permission there are other avenues including Fair Trading in NSW and ultimately NCAT. But the thing to understand is the workings of your body corporate and what it is they are worried about. If you can show that you are organised, you have a professional team which includes appropriately qualified, credible and competent people, and you have a plan to minimise disruption then 99 times out of 100 you won’t have a problem.
(5) You are only limited by your imagination
You may think that your options are limited and that an apartment is what it is. But there is a world of possibility in every apartment. Many apartments are built by volume apartment builders and designed in a production line where design optimisation is not as important as getting a product to market quickly before the bank closes in. Almost every apartment has hidden potential and the ability to improve light, space, storage and colours. Great design can transform spaces.
If you're inspired by the possibilities of apartment renovation and eager to explore creative design ideas, be sure to check out one of our blog posts "Transform your apartment - 7 design ideas to elevate spaces and boost value"
