Changing Contractors to Do Flooring Works Post Strata Approval?

Homr on 22/09/2024 - 14:10
Last edited 22/09/2024 - 15:20 by 1 other user

Hi Bargainers, got a couple of questions for the OzBargain brain trust.

Long story short - I recently bought an apartment which is currently tenanted and I'm moving in next month when their lease expires.

I told the Property Manager that I'd like to get the floors changed from carpet to hard flooring and asked what the process is. They pretty much said, no problem we know a few people that can do installs, and we can arrange approval for you with the strata committee.

Anyway, the PM went ahead and submitted all the relevant documents for me. While waiting for approvals, I've been researching hybrid vs laminate, etc etc and getting quotes. Last week the PM told me the flooring installation has been approved by the strata and told me to reach out to these particular contractors / installers to get your laminate floorboards installed.

I told them thanks but I'm still shopping around to get my quotes and I'm planning to use hybrid floorboards, not laminate. They said to me that I must use the exact product (laminate) with specifications and contractors on what they put on the application for me. Any changes to it then I must start the approval process again and gain approval.

I'm like WTF? Can anyone advise if this is correct? What can happen if I go with a different contractor?

Thank you all.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • CyberMurning on 22/09/2024 - 14:21
    +9

    Yes. Get approval again once you have made a decision. Welcom to the sucked strata world.

    • MS Paint on 22/09/2024 - 15:07
      +3

      This reply space is reserved for HeWhoKnows in 24 hours time.

  • MS Paint on 22/09/2024 - 14:23
    +6

    Thanks again for the reminder to only ever live in a freestanding house. Cheers

  • djsweet on 22/09/2024 - 14:26

    Just use whatever contractor you want. Strata probably won’t notice if it’s hybrid vs laminate anyway. Who cares. Hopefully they will keep their nosey asses out of it.

  • hasher22 on 22/09/2024 - 14:45
    +2

    Strata is like the HOA in USA, they think they can dictate everything…….

    I wouldn't even have seeked permission, just would have done it anyways.

    When I painted my hinges of the my front door black and the fire reps came to inspect my alarm and fire door, they reported that I painted my hinges black and strata had a little hissy fit that I painted it but I was well within my legal rights to paint it. The only thing that would have been illegal if the paint was so thick that it prevented or made it hard for the door to open and the door was not suitable to use. Nothing about I can't change the colour. Effing power trips…… disgusting really…

  • freefall101 on 22/09/2024 - 14:47
    +2

    Sounds like the property manager screwed up the application or there was a communication issue, but basically it sounds like you just need to get it approved again. If it went through fine last time though, just list who you're planning on going with and resubmit with the new flooring type. It's purely red tape, but that's strata for you.

    You're about to either find out whether the strata is easy to work with or a nightmare though when you try change it.

    • sam-1966 on 23/09/2024 - 17:33

      …and did the property manager charge you for submitting the request?

  • TALL1one on 22/09/2024 - 14:49
    -2

    Worst case the STRATA ask you to remove the hybrid floorboards as they were not approved on your application, by a set date and then fine you for every day after said date you still have the hybrid floorboards

  • bazingaa on 22/09/2024 - 14:59

    welcome to subscription-based property

  • brendanm on 22/09/2024 - 16:38
    +1

    Death to strata.

  • Ocker on 22/09/2024 - 17:52

    I assume the property has a body corporate to manage affairs?
    If so then I am surprised they have any say in what you do within the walls of your unit - they are only responsible for common areas.

    • brad1-8tsi on 23/09/2024 - 07:51

      Your assumption would be incorrect.

      A change from carpet to hard flooring can affect the amenity of those on the floor below and adjacent properties.

  • FullPrice on 22/09/2024 - 19:17
    +2

    Nobody living underneath you will want to hear the noise from your hybrid flooring.

    • Homr on 22/09/2024 - 19:29

      That's all sorted, my build already has 5mm underlay

    • elgrande on 22/09/2024 - 20:56
      +2

      Yeah, the neighbors above me in a previous appartment put floorboards in, strata approved and all. It was hell. Moved out.

  • loropy9 on 22/09/2024 - 21:31
    +3

    My best guess is that the property manager will get their cut from the job and that's why they want everyone to go with their contractors. Plus to ensure that you don't do a dodgy install and end up transmitting excess noise to the unit below. You find your own contractors, make sure they use the rated materials and start the approval process again. They can't knock you back because you/your family member suffer asthma, allergies to dust mites etc. Therefore they can't live in a carpeted unit and you need to have the floorboards. On a side note, if you are planning to live in the unit long time, do yourself a favour and get proper full timber floor instead of the laminate/hybrid crap. 10-12mm laminate or hybrid has very poor noise dampening properties and you'll have daily complaints from your neighbours. 18-20mm real timber with 5mm underlay will make all the difference. It's expensive, but it's well worth it.

  • hornbill on 22/09/2024 - 21:33

    They will approve easily when they are getting a kickback from preferred installers.

  • tabitha731 on 23/09/2024 - 08:23

    Of course you have to go thru the whole approval process again if u change any part of your application process. You shouldn’t have submitted your application for approval in the first place until you were absolutely certain with your decision. Approval from a reasonable strata would usually be quick, if it’s in line with normal apartment living. Just keep in mind, everytime u submit an application to strata for any renovations, there is a charge to get the votes from the committee. So it literally pays to get yourself sorted out before you submit an application to renovate. Always see the fact that you’re submitting a form for application to renovate as a contract…. Any changes to said contract .. you have to go right back to the start!

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