This case study explores the renovation journey of Josh and Tara, a couple who have lived in their unit for six years and wish to undertake significant upgrades. Their planned renovations include installing floating flooring, removing a wall to enlarge the living room, updating the bathroom and modernising the kitchen. Despite having received quotes from builders, they encountered hurdles when seeking approval from the Owners’ Corporation.
They wrote to the Strata Manager, who informed them that these renovations require approval from the Owners’ Corporation at a General Meeting. They also need a by-law and detailed plans.
Josh mentioned that a solicitor friend is drafting the by-law. They submitted all the plans and the by-law to the Strata Manager. The Strata Manager arranged a meeting of the Owners’ Corporation, but the renovations were not approved. The plans were missing a detailed scope of works and a structural engineer’s letter confirming that removing the internal wall (not common property) would not affect the building’s structural integrity.
Josh now needs the builders to provide a detailed scope of works, including how they will remove materials and protect common property. He also needs to hire a qualified engineer to provide the necessary letter. The by-law must be redrafted. Although his friend is not charging for the additional work, it is taking extra time. Josh has to find an engineer and arrange for them to visit the unit to provide the letter.
This process has delayed Josh by at least four weeks. He resubmits all the documentation, and another meeting is scheduled in three weeks. This time, the Owners’ Corporation approves the by-law and the renovations can begin. Unfortunately, the delay means their builder has taken on another job, so Josh and Tara must wait for the builder to finish that job before starting their renovations.
Solution
Had Josh and Tara engaged specialists, Steadman Williamson Hart, the work would have been scoped correctly to begin with, removing delays and ensuring that the builder could start as planned. While the ‘mates rates’ from their solicitor could save some costs on by-law creation, this has meant delays to the project and extra expenses elsewhere.