Moving Into an Apartment - Buying the essentials + reno

OzFrugie on 03/09/2014 - 22:46
Last edited 03/09/2014 - 23:30

Hi Ozbargainers,

I just bought my first apartment and would like to get some ideas what, where and when (e.g. Boxing day or half yearly sale) best to get some of the essentials stuff.

Basically, I am looking to buy:
1. Dishwasher
2. Washing Machine
3. TV
4. Air conditioners (I'm thinking split system better?)
5. Sofa

Also, since the apartment is a bit dated, I'd like to get some reno done before I move in in about 6 weeks time.
1. I'd like to get stone kitchen bench to replace the current one.
Which stone is the best / offer best value?
2. Replace the current lighting throughout the apartment, and change it to LED downlights for more modern feel
3. Bathroom reno & change the toilet to Japanese toilet (Toto?)

If you guys have any experience of doing any of the above, please give me some suggestions/advice/where and when best to get them.
Which renovators are reputable with their quality and offer good value etc?
I live in Sydney by the way.

Thank you in advance.

Cheers.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • yjun355 on 03/09/2014 - 23:16

    Couple of tips when I got mine done few years back:

    A. Go to good guys n Harvey Norman store. When you look around you quickly work out what model you after. It might seem there are lot of options, when u look into your requirement same model stands out. Then it's just like buying specific item. In analogy, just like buying a phone. You work out what phone u want (premium, economy or cheap).

    B. stick to decent brands. Dishwasher I says smeg n boash. Washing machine - Samsung , TV - Samsung. You fill find equivalent to nexus 5, lg 2 products. Your iPhone 6 equivalent is extra premium.

    C. Do look for decent energy rating products

    D. At the time I took appliances online as benchmark for price. Mind you I have seen cheaper other places for some things but they will be within 5% of best available price. So save hassle researching. At time I just went to Harvey Norman, they price matched all including delivery. At time didn't feel comfortable buying white goods online in case of warranty issue. But if I buy now, I'll just buy appliance online. Not much difference as warranty claims with manufacturer anyways.

    Renovators not sure how it works now. Unfortunately, still old school with word of mouth. Other people might have better advice on that.

    Hope it helps. What do others think? Maybe things different now. I did mine 5 years ago.

    • JimB on 11/09/2014 - 16:14
      +1

      Smeg dishwashers are rubbish. Bosch, Akso, Miele, AEG, are all decent.

      You have a lot of questions which are very vague, maybe break it down.

      What is your budget?

      • OzFrugie on 12/09/2014 - 02:07

        My budget is ~15k

        Btw is Nick Scali good? hows their lounge/sofa & other furniture quality?

        • JimB on 12/09/2014 - 13:20

          $15k for the things you want to buy, including or excluding renovations?

          Nick Scali is reasonable quality.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2014 - 09:22

    Buying all your big ticket electrical items from the same store should come with a hefty discount.

  • hellbound on 08/09/2014 - 13:34

    Depending on how the benchtop is attached to the cupboard you may find it's not possible to remove the old one without destroying the cupboards.
    Complete bathroom reno's are expensive, and can take a long time unless you throw lots of cash at it.
    Also check with your council about required permits for the renovations

    check out womo.com.au for reviews of tradies, it's a starting point at least.

  • emiko on 12/09/2014 - 13:34
    +1

    Omega and smeg are same company. Omega is very bad quality.
    My gas cook top rusted within a week new and been replaced twice same thing happened then I just couldn't bother anymore.

    • JimB on 12/09/2014 - 14:10
      +1

      Actually Omega and Smeg are not the same company.

      They were however distributed by the same company in Australia- Hagemeyer (Blanco, Smeg, Omega, JVC etc) I think that's changed.

      In terms of product they aren't made by the same company or group.

      I think a few Omega salespeople perpetuated this myth "buy the Omega, it's half the price of Smeg and made by the same company".

      I bought an Omega 90cm cooker/oven combo for a rental property, paid about $1,000 for it 5 years ago at the Hagemeyer warehouse sale (Blanco, Smeg, Omega, JVC etc), still working and I'm happy with it for the price.

      Regardless, Smeg is overpriced for what you get.

      I think Bosch provides the best quality for the price. Sure Miele is better made, but you'll be paying close to double due to their premium pricing and strategy of not discounting whatsoever. And a Miele is not twice as good as a Bosch, twice as good as Smeg, but not a Bosch.

      If your cooktop rusted a few times, I'll speak to the shop and ask them if you can pay extra and replace it with a Bosch.

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