Home Renovation: Where to Source Affordable Items?

keeperofthegood on 31/03/2025 - 18:05

I'm currently building our materials list for an upcoming renovation once we settle on our new property. Like any good renovation project, our budget is tight.
Does anyone have recommendations for stores (I'm in Sydney) or websites that sell decent quality items such as kitchen and bathroom tapware, door handles, vanities, basins etc, but for a relatively affordable price?

I grew up overseas and there were some shops that sold good quality stuff that was taken out of other places, factory seconds, container damage, etc. I've found a couple of websites that do this for appliances, but not for a decent kitchen tap, etc.

Would love your input!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 31/03/2025 - 18:40
    +2

    FB Marketplace or Gumtree. You'll find used bargains, and that's where any semi-legit seconds will be advertised.

    • spackbace on 31/03/2025 - 18:41

      Get a bonus S25U at the same time!

      • keeperofthegood on 31/03/2025 - 19:18

        What does this mean?

        • Shoocat on 01/04/2025 - 12:39
          +3

          It's a reference to a recent post by an Ozbargainer who got scammed on FB marketplace when trying to buy a Samsung smart phone.

          • keeperofthegood on 01/04/2025 - 12:49

            @Shoocat: Haha thanks, I must have missed that one, but I do love a good inside joke!… I've always wanted to be a part of one.

    • foxmulder on 31/03/2025 - 18:44

      search for demolition sale?

      • 87percent on 31/03/2025 - 19:05

        I’ve seen lot of builders selling excess stock on gumtree.

    • keeperofthegood on 31/03/2025 - 19:19

      Yea I just hate how scammy Marketplace is, I try and avoid it. But I guess that's probably the way.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 02/04/2025 - 17:32

        We're talking tapware, door handles, vanities, basins. Unlikely to get fakes or hidden issues as you would with iphones.

  • dtc on 31/03/2025 - 19:19
    +1

    IKEA. Bunnings for some things.

    • keeperofthegood on 31/03/2025 - 19:20

      I've heard really bad things about the quality of plumbing items at Bunnings. Definitely checking IKEA but some of their options feel really cheap. I'd hate to have to replace stuff after a year or two.

      • foxmulder on 31/03/2025 - 19:39

        Costco?

        • try2bhelpful on 01/04/2025 - 01:10
          +1

          Got a tap from Costco it seems to be good quality.

      • dtc on 31/03/2025 - 21:55
        +1

        Depends what you are after. Some taps are just taps and are fine (basic taps where you turn the handle are hard to mess up). Same with basins and sinks and door handles. You can look at them and figure out whether they are good or not. And if you buy a $8 cabinet handle and the chrome comes off after 5 years, just replace them - you are probably bored by then anyway.

        Reece is a slightly higher end for tapware and sinks etc.

        You cant have 'I want it cheap' and 'I want a guarantee that its good quality'.

        Ikea kitchens are ok, but they are not long long term - have pretty think backing (the cheaper stuff is cardboard - not that the back of the cabinet against the wall matters that much I guess). You can find online 'custom' cabinet makers, where you give them your measurements and they present you with a pre cut pack for installation. eg https://goflatpacks.com.au/ (not a recommendation)

      • dandandan on 31/03/2025 - 22:06

        Bunnings sell the likes of Caroma, some of the Mondella stuff is okay, plus they price beat and warranty is good. Find what you want or style you like, probably at Reece first, then google as even Harvery Norman has good deals on bathroom supplies at times.

      • ForkSnorter on 01/04/2025 - 07:09

        Definitely checking IKEA but some of their options feel really cheap. I'd hate to have to replace stuff after a year or two.

        Unlikely. Everything I've heard and seen suggests IKEA kitchens are solid, even if they don't look very high-end. Just avoid the products that have bad reviews.

        And keep in mind, people are more likely to review a product if it breaks or something goes wrong, which means reviews are sometimes skewed to negative experiences even if the majority of customers were satisfied.

        • try2bhelpful on 01/04/2025 - 07:21

          IKEA furnishing AirBnB around the world.

      • Dr Phil on 01/04/2025 - 09:37

        Ikea has much better taps with much better waranty

        • keeperofthegood on 01/04/2025 - 09:41

          I haven't really heard many actual reviews of their tapware. But I'll try and delve a little deeper into reviews.

  • Benoffie on 31/03/2025 - 19:44
    +1

    Auction houses regularly have renovations clearances. Builders and building suppliers will regularly clear ex display.

    But this is all a trade off - can you wait? Is it the right size/fit/colour? Are you willing to forgo warranties?

    Narrow down what you want then use Google Shopping to narrow that further with prices/discounts. There's several bathroom wholesalers around the country that discount everyday but then Tradelink, Harvey Norman will have big sales coming up soon too.

    Vanity is harder. Cheap, white then go order a $200 one from a wholesaler. Anything fancy and even ex display or damaged you're dropping $1000. This then becomes about where you're wanting the biggest impact.

  • tenpercent on 31/03/2025 - 20:24

    Temu?

  • try2bhelpful on 01/04/2025 - 07:34
    +1

    I would start with thinking about the aesthetic you are trying to achieve and how long you expect the renovation to last before redoing. When we did our warehouse conversion 30 years ago flip mixer taps for anywhere apart from the kitchen was pretty rare. We splashed out on some expensive Swedish tapware (not IKEA) and the stuff is still going strong and looking good 30 years later. Something isn’t a bargain if it doesn’t last and dates quickly. I would go for timeless and good value rather than cheap. Make sure you have very clear ideas before buying anything. We’ve found there are some interesting tapware and storage hardware places in the back blocks of industrial estates around Melbourne. Usually found them by Googling for specific items and then going out to see what they had.

  • jam scone on 01/04/2025 - 07:47

    Bunnings clearance (ex demo) stock are always good value, right place right time though. Usually stock is down near the trade entrance or end of isles.

    I purchased a nice 900mm vanity cheap. Another time 2 skylights for $50 each, ended up only using 1 so sold the 2nd on FB for $200 (retail for $400).

    • keeperofthegood on 01/04/2025 - 08:59

      That's such luck of the draw, but I do really love a good Bunnings clearance. I got an Ozito steel deck mower for 50% off this weekend - absolute bargain!

  • Darayus on 01/04/2025 - 08:39
    -2

    Go to Aliexpress. they cost 25% of the Australian supply, and the service is great. I renovated my kitchen, got the kitchen sink tap with a faucet and water filter, and touched on and off in one unit ( which is non-existent in AU) for A$ 225, including delivery. It is not the same, but it has very few features. It was best around $ 1200 at HN and other tap suppliers.

    • keeperofthegood on 01/04/2025 - 08:58

      Thanks for the tip. I'm wondering how long ago you installed yours, and how it has held up over time?

      • Darayus on 01/04/2025 - 10:44
        +1

        7 months and perfect and robust.

  • saltypete on 01/04/2025 - 09:11
    +1

    You are doing the right thing in giving yourself time to look.
    Theres no 'one stop shop' for bargains. All you can do it have your materials list and check it against a range of places. If you know what youre looking for things pop up.
    For a reno - any project really you juggle Time, Cost and Quality - you can get any 2 you like, but never all 3.
    I avoid Bunnings for key items unless they are a clearance that works for me and are decent quality. I do buy all my fixings etc from them to save time.
    Trips to buy things are a major time killer. I save time by buying a range of extras that might be needed for part of the job, then returning anything i didnt need. Saves extra trips to get the bit you didnt think you need.

    • keeperofthegood on 01/04/2025 - 09:28
      +1

      Ha I've got an endless pile of items to return to Bunnings because I've been doing this for a while now.

  • CodeXD on 01/04/2025 - 09:29

    Like any good renovation project, our budget is tight.

    🤔

  • Boioioioi on 01/04/2025 - 09:56
    +1

    Don't cheap out on anything to do with plumbing. Water damage will cost you more. When I say don't cheap out, don't buy second hand. Something from bunnings or ikea with decent reviews will be fine.

    Honestly the time and effort that goes into renovating is so much I don't think its worth using second hand goods. Unless they are in immaculate condition.

    • keeperofthegood on 01/04/2025 - 09:58

      I was hoping for something more like extra items people purchased but couldn't return, etc. Definitely take your point, it's just so hard to know where the balance of cost and quality lie. I'm happy to spend a bit more for something that will last 20 years, but it's really hard to tell which brands are mid-range priced, but actually quality.

      • Boioioioi on 01/04/2025 - 10:00
        +1

        Yeah I agree with you mate. We are doing a renovation on a tight budget at the moment too.

        I think the best thing to do is check reviews. Especially for tapware. I funnily enough found a toilet spigot on the street while out on a walk(new in packaging). In a pinch one day I needed one so I used it. Worst thing ever, the threads are slightly loose so it just won't ever stop leaking!!! $12 one from bunnings is fine. Looking at reviews for the two products on bunnings shows which one is good which one is bad.

        When it comes to things like vanities, go look in person. We chose to go with Ikea things, it was nice to see the quality for ourselves in the showroom, and know that if there are any issues they are good to deal with.

        I am in Brisbane but can't comment, but there are good local stores too. One that we like is Builders Discount Warehouse.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join