Gosia and Janusz Wolnik are among the Victorians who’ve renovated to get their home ready for a sale. Picture: Wayne Taylor
Victorians were the nation’s most prolific renovators during a nationwide lockdown earlier this year — because we couldn’t get to the footy.
And Melburnians are turning to the tools again to cope with a second lockdown, adding value to their homes instead of just watching Netflix.
A Canstar Renovating Survey shows 38 per cent of Australians ignored fears of losing income or employment and tipped a few thousand dollars into renovating their home.
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Victorians led the charge, with almost half of the state’s homeowners surveyed tackling a renovation worth an average $3618, according to the figures.
Kitchens, outdoor landscaping and painting, as well as bathrooms were our top priorities.
Canstar financial services executive Steve Mickenbecker said he suspected frustrated footy fans in Melbourne losing a significant winter pastime to COVID-19 restrictions had driven the high activity.
Lockdown renovations have been popular in Victoria.
“There’s something about Melbourne, the culture is a little bit different than the rest of the country, it’s a bit more around the house in winter,” Mr Mickenbecker said.
“But it’s winter and there’s no footy to go to, so you have to fill the gap.
“You can either spend that time watching Netflix, or you can invest it in your property.”
OUR TOP RENO TARGETS
Kitchen – 15%
Outdoor landscaping or painting – 14%
Bathroom – 13%
Bedrooms – 13%
Outdoor entertaining areas – 10%
Garage – 9%
Laundry – 9%
Living area – 8%
Dining room – 8%
Home office/study – 5%
Source: Canstar Renovating Survey
He said while state-level survey results were collated from a small sample size, about 100 people in Victoria, strong sales at do-it-yourself hardware havens hinted they were on the money.
And with approximately 80 per cent of those who did renovate opting to DIY, it’s likely they have continued throughout the city’s second lockdown — via home delivered tools and materials.
Bunnings national customer advocacy manager Steve Hoffman said shopping online had “become the new normal for a segment of our customers” and that renovations continued.
“We’re hearing from customers that undertaking a DIY job provides a useful physical and mental distraction to the challenges of extended time at home,” Mr Hoffman said.
Kitchens like the one at 43 Carlton Road, Dandenong North have been a priority for updates.
Plants, paint and power tools were among the most popular items being ordered, but hygiene products as well as swing sets and cubby houses were also on shopping lists.
Independent research commissioned by Bunnings found 50 per cent of Australians planned a spring cleaning project.
Ray White Mount Waverley managing director Courtney Matthews said he was regularly taking calls from “mum and dad handypeople” in lockdown asking about what they could do to give their home a lift.
“I’m video-walking through with people and talking through what can be ordered from Bunnings online,” Mr Matthews said.
He was also finding many local tradesmen were being booked in for September to handle more advanced projects.
“I reckon there will be a flurry of activity post-lockdown,” he said.
43 Carlton Road, Dandenong North has been extensively renovated.
Almost half of Victoria’s homeowners took on home renovations during Australia’s first lockdown. Picture: Wayne Taylor.
Janusz and Goska Wolnik are selling their 43 Carlton Road, Dandenong North, home after relocating their kitchen, turning their garage into a studio and replacing a wall segment with a window for more natural light.
A retired engineer, Mr Wolnik said he did as much of the work himself as he could, but brought in professionals for anything involving electrical or plumbing work.
“It can be a pretty enjoyable experience — especially when you are done,” he said.
The Carlton Road home is now for sale at $620,000-$680,000.
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