Easiest way to add a second toilet?
27 days ago
We have found a family home for sale in an area we love. Great neighbourhood and nice block. However it’s really a bit small for us and in particular lacks a second toilet, which we really need. What’s the cheapest and easiest way to quickly incorporate a second toilet? We’ve got an idea for a reno to push out the back wall by a few metres to add an ensuite to one bedroom and extend that bedroom and the living/dining area. However we wouldn’t be able to do that for at least a few years. What’s the best interim option that gets us a second toilet?
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27 days ago- 27 days ago
Not sure on the first. Here is an earlier pre-Reno floor plan with the original toilet position. It’s on stumps.
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Comments (19)Hi Josie love that area! I used to live and work nearby..... Without knowing the budget or what you intend eg living there / going to make it a family home / investment property, there are quite a few options that depend on answers to the above. sticking with your original question, there are companies around that prefab the entire second storey that is installed in 1-2 days ( the structure install only- doesn't include roof prep etc) This includes the roof, finished walls (exterior and Gyprock internals). Your builder then needs to do the staircase, paint, finishes, bathroom fit off etc but it is very cost effective and is in the $1500m2 range. you obviously need to renovate the existing but $2500m2 is a good guide as others have said.... It really depends on your taste and again, whether it is a home for you or an investment. I understand the detonate thinking, however the existing layout can be worked with. Before detonating, it would be smart to speak to the Council about your setbacks etc of the existing home as quite often the existing home is closer to the boundary than what a new home could be. For a quick and dirty answer to replacement cost for a new double storey home, speaking to a double storey project builder with standard designs will allow you to see what works without a lot of expense as they can advise if their designs will fit. This will give you a budget and allow you to see some designs. you may even see some ideas you like and with which a designer can build on (no pun intended ) cheers...See MoreChanging a laundry to en-suite & adding separate toilet to bathroom
Comments (30)Hi Paul In apartments, the killer for layout changes are always drains, then water supply, then load bearing walls. Before you consider doing any changes to the layout, I would advise you to locate the drains (pics would be good) as they will likely restrict you. The drains are important for obvious reasons but also important is the fall (ie downward slope) of any drain you wish to install in a separate location. It means you have to take into account more height the further away from the existing drain you go. It is likely that your existing laundry trough/basin has a drain going down to the floor, and this is going to interfere with the proposed ensuite entry location. Ditto if it is going into the wall. The big one is the new shower. It will need to have a 50mm waste (drain) in the centre of where your washing machine now is.... and the question is where is it going to go.... I would suggest swapping the vanity and shower over to access the existing trough waste if it is large enough. In a lot of these older apartment buildings, the waste sizes are down at 38mm, which is not going to drain fast enough for a shower. If your existing waste is that size, you will need to have a hob to the shower as it will fill up, and you will also need to check health regs to see if it is allowed in your state. To get the drain for the new ensuite vanity and new laundrette sorted, I would punch through the new kitchen wall and run drainage along the wall behind the new cupboards and around to the existing kitchen sink waste. This will give you plenty of fall and a place to hide the pipes. For the new basin to the existing, you will need to see if you can get it around to the existing basin waste in the bathroom adjacent by running it around and under the bath. Cheers...See MoreHow do we add a butlers pantry and straighten the hallway?
Comments (11)some extra ideas without changes to external walls or windows, removing the ens bath would allow an extra biw and giant shower (although an external door from the ensuite could be great for access to the pool or courtyard) strongly suggest you keep the hallway entry to the powder room for easy access from garage and home office and, adding sliding doors could make the home office more flexible for a future baby's room, the original study divided into garage storage and mudroom, walk in new pantry with sink, replacing the crooked central walls allows for the pantry, extra storage, private access to the minor bedrooms and bathroom and a better location for the heater ...simple refurbishing of the kitchen and ensuite with relatively minor demolition and reconstructing of walls and storage could easily use up $150,000 so probably best to plan and price each area separately but there are extras like the sink in the pantry and handbasin in the family toilet that will improve comfort and be much better value than changing any external doors or windows...See MoreChanging laundry into bathroom with toilet
Comments (7)You're most welcome! I'm sure there will be some bathroom trade experts that will chime in soon that can give you a better idea of pricing - but it helps to have a concept in mind before anyone can provide anything vaguely accurate (can i even say "vaguely accurate"? lol). If you post an image with your measurements and a couple of photos, a few renovators will be happy to give you their 2 cents worth too. to get you thinking, these are the questions I would ask my clients before starting a project: What is the scenario for your mum using this potential bathroom? Have you thought about future proofing - as in, you may need to think about easy access for her down the track. She may one day have trouble negotiating a small, framed shower cubicle. What sort of storage does your mum need? Also, lighting and possibly heating? Also, will both doors be necessary? It looks like a decent sized space - guessing around 1.8 x 2.5ish meters? - but you will have more options if you can shut off the exterior door. I will post a really basic floorplan that you can show your plumber. This will give you an idea of the higher end of costs if you wanted a large shower. You can also ask about an in wall cistern to to save space, but they can be $$. But then again, You may not need it....See More
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Kate