Renovation Blog
Expert tips, trends, and insights for apartment renovations
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Richard Bechara
Managing Director
With a Bachelor of Construction Management and experience in the renovation industry since age 15, Richard brings deep expertise to every apartment transformation. His hands-on approach and knowledge of strata requirements has made Fine Touch Group Sydney's trusted renovation specialist.
How Much Does an Apartment Renovation Cost in Sydney? (2026)
Real 2026 Sydney apartment renovation costs, by size and by room, plus the strata, access and compliance costs no other guide spells out. Includes a cost estimator and the questions to ask before you sign.
Bathroom Renovation Cost Sydney (2026): Real Prices for an Apartment
What a bathroom renovation actually costs in Sydney in 2026, priced for an apartment, not a house. Real tier bands, where the money goes, the waterproofing and strata costs cheap quotes skip, and why a $10k bathroom is a leak waiting to happen.
Kitchen Renovation Cost Sydney (2026)
Real 2026 Sydney apartment kitchen renovation costs, by tier, with where your money actually goes (cabinetry is 30 to 40 percent) and the apartment factors that move the number: lift access, galley layouts, and strata rules on moving plumbing.
2-Bedroom Apartment Renovation Cost Sydney (2026)
What it really costs to fully renovate a 2-bedroom apartment in Sydney: $80,000 to $130,000, with a room-by-room split, the strata and access add-ons other guides skip, and a direct answer to whether $100,000 is enough.
Apartment Bathroom Renovation Cost Sydney (2026)
What an apartment bathroom actually costs in Sydney in 2026, priced for a unit, not a house. Real tier bands ($15k to $45k+), why a small footprint is not a small bill, and the four apartment-only costs cheap quotes skip: whole-floor waterproofing to AS 3740, a strata by-law, lift access, and acoustic underlay.
Strata Bathroom Renovation Cost & Approval (Sydney, 2026)
The true cost of a strata bathroom is more than the build. Real 2026 numbers for the by-law (~$990 + $175.70 LRS), the special resolution, the 6 to 12 week approval wait, and the leak liability a registered by-law transfers to you, from a 30-year Sydney strata specialist.
Strata Approval for Renovations: The Complete NSW Guide
The plain-English NSW walk-through of getting a renovation approved in strata: cosmetic (s109), minor (s110), and major work (s108), what each vote needs, the real approval costs (~$990 by-law plus $175.70 to register), the 6 to 12 week timeline, and who carries the leak liability afterwards.
Strata By-Laws & Renovation Rules in NSW: What the By-Law Actually Does
What a NSW strata renovation by-law actually says, why it transfers waterproofing liability to you (and to whoever buys your apartment next), what it costs to draft and register, and how to get it right before any work starts. Sourced to the SSMA 2015 and NSW Government.
Do I Need Strata Approval to Renovate My Apartment?
A direct yes/no/depends decision guide by work type. Cosmetic work needs no approval, minor work needs an ordinary resolution, and anything touching waterproofing, plumbing or structure needs a special resolution and a by-law. With a quick-reference table for the jobs people ask about most.
Renovating in a Strata Building: What to Expect (Sydney)
What actually changes when you renovate in a strata building: the approval vote, the lift booking and bond, the permitted work hours, the acoustic ratings your by-law will demand, and the neighbours who can object. A plain-English guide from a 30-year Sydney strata specialist.
How Long Does an Apartment Renovation Take in Sydney?
A bathroom takes 2 to 3 weeks on site, a kitchen 3 to 4, a full apartment 8 to 16. The longest wait is strata approval (6 to 12 weeks), but it runs in parallel before work starts, so it does not stack on the build. The real timeline, stage by stage.
Renovating While Living in Your Apartment (Sydney): Stay or Move Out?
Whether to live in your apartment during the renovation comes down to one question: is the bathroom or kitchen out of action, and for how long. A direct guide to when staying works, when it does not, and how to keep a single-bathroom apartment liveable through the build.
Small Bathroom Renovation Ideas for Sydney Apartments
Practical ideas to make a small apartment bathroom feel bigger and work harder: wall-hung vanities, large-format tiles, frameless glass, niche storage and the layout moves that matter in a tight footprint. Grounded in real Fine Touch apartment projects across Sydney.
Ensuite Renovation Guide (Sydney Apartments): Cost, Size & Waterproofing
What an ensuite renovation costs in a Sydney apartment (from $15k, $25k to $35k mid-range), the minimum workable size, the NCC ventilation rule for windowless ensuites, and the AS 3740 waterproofing that a tiny wet area still has to meet. A specialist's guide to the smallest, trickiest room.
The Apartment Renovation Checklist (Sydney)
A strata-specific, phased renovation checklist for Sydney apartment owners. Approvals, by-laws, lift bookings, work hours & waterproofing sign-off, in order.
Apartment Bathroom Renovation Process: What Actually Happens, Stage by Stage
The real start-to-finish process for a Sydney apartment bathroom renovation, stage by stage, with how long each part takes. Strata approval and by-law, strip-out, rough-in, whole-floor waterproofing to AS 3740, screed & tiling, fit-off, then the certificates, plus the slab, pipe and lift-access realities a house guide skips.
Essential Waterproofing Guide for Sydney Apartment Renovations
Apartment wet areas in NSW must be waterproofed to AS 3740: enclosed shower walls to 1800mm, the entire floor tanked, every penetration sealed. Here is exactly what the standard requires, why a renovated apartment bathroom transfers the leak liability to you (and the next buyer) forever, who can legally do the work, and what it costs to get right.
Removing Walls in Sydney Apartments: Structural vs Non-Structural Guide
Planning to create an open-plan apartment? Learn the crucial differences between structural and non-structural walls, approval requirements, engineering needs, and costs before removing any walls in your Sydney apartment.
What to Consider Before Renovating Your Apartment
From strata approvals to budget planning, discover the essential considerations for a successful apartment renovation in Sydney. Learn how to maximize space, choose the right style, and work with neighbours.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Renovate Your Apartment in Sydney
The complete apartment renovation journey for Sydney, in order: scope & budget, strata approval & by-law, design & DA/CDC, choosing a licensed builder, booking the building, the build, and handover. Written by a 30-year strata specialist, with the strata steps threaded through every stage where generic house guides leave them out.
A Homeowner's Guide to Renovating an Apartment in Sydney
Thinking about renovating your apartment in Sydney? This comprehensive guide breaks down the process step-by-step, covering everything from planning and budgeting to strata approvals and maximizing ROI.
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