FAQ | Cornerstone Property Group

Frequently asked questions

We have collated a list of the answers to the questions we are most frequently asked by our valued clients. If your question isn’t listed below we would love to hear from you, please get in touch via the form below.

How much does a bathroom cost?

The answer is more complicated than what you might think and can be as long as a piece of string! Bathrooms are very personal and the centrepiece (along with the Kitchen) of any property and prices vary considerably. For example, you can get a nice porcelain tile for around $50/m2 to anywhere up to more than $200/m2, and in contrast cheap or on sale for $20/m2. Things like tap ware can vary the price of a bathroom simply based on the colour. Throw in vanities and basins and they will vary anywhere from $100 to upwards of $1,000.

At Cornerstone Property Group we work with our clients budget to ensure we are creating value whilst maintaining good quality products with longevity. When we provide a quote for your bathroom, rather than including Builders, Mid, or Premium range fittings, or specific products you may not like, we give you an allowance to buy what you want! Our Interior Designer will help you with this and at the same time give you our special trade prices saving you thousands!

Starting Price – $35,000
A full makeover of your existing room (smaller size), with no structural or layout changes.

$40,000 – $45,000
In addition to above (larger size) with layout changes.

$50,000 +
Your dream bathroom with all the bells and whistles.

Don’t take our word for pricing, we have gathered some helpful information below from some trusted and reliable sources in Canstar and Domain.

How much does a kitchen cost?

Like bathrooms, kitchens can vary a lot in price as there are so many considerations for this space. Layout is key to any kitchen and this can impact the price a lot depending on whether you keep the layout the same (cheapest) or you move it around or in fact totally relocate the kitchen (most expensive). An often forgotten or overlooked cost is electrical and plumbing. Electrical can add thousands to your kitchen depending on whether your main switch board needs upgrading and whether there is enough power actually coming into your property if you plan on having an induction cooktop for example. You then also need to consider lighting! Things like LED strip lighting, pendants over islands, these all add up. Luckily our team is very experienced in identifying these potential issues and making you aware of the costs so there are no nasty surprises.

Other considerations for Kitchens that affect pricing are things like flooring, bench top, splashback types and appliances. A lot of kitchen companies don’t do flooring (with the kitchen) so it is important when comparing quotes (Cornerstone Property Group can do your flooring as well) to compare apples with apples especially if a company is providing new flooring and one isn’t, as this can increase the price several thousand dollars. Cabinetry and bench tops is perhaps the most varied costing of a kitchen and there are literally hundreds of options and a myriad of prices! Luckily our Interior Designed can help navigate this for you and steer you on course.

Stone is by far the most expensive and there are heaps of options from marble or natural stone (most expensive) to engineered stone (YDL, Caesar etc) Porcelain panels and then laminates (cheapest) The choice all depends on budget and the application or purpose for doing the kitchen makeover. Clients often baulk at laminate bench tops nowadays, however they are not what they used to be 10-20 years ago (ugly) they are really aesthetically pleasing, some mimic stone and they are a fraction of the cost of stone and come with amazing warranties (7 years +).

Getting into the cabinet finishes, again the mind is blown with options. Starting at the crem de la crem is 2 pack sprayed cabinets, hard wearing and fully customisable to any colour you desire and natural timbers. Then moving down the price chain are things such as thermo laminated (fully profiled one piece) to non-reflective, finger print resistant products to standard cut and edged laminate. Our Interior Designer can assist in this process.

Appliances (oven, cooktop, rangehood & dishwasher) can vary considerably, however you don’t have to break the bank to get good quality at affordable prices. A basic builders or entry level package will set you back between $2000-$2500, whereas a good quality mid range brand such as Bosch or Westinghouse will cost between $3000-$4000. On the other end of the scale or popular premium brands such as Smeg and Miele, where you can expect to pay in the vicinity of $6500 +. If you are after the ultimate then Gaggenau packages will set you back a minimum of $20,000.

At Cornerstone we work with our clients budget to ensure we are creating value whilst maintaining good quality products with longevity. When we provide a quote for your kitchen rather than include Builders Range, Mid Range, or Premium fittings or specified products you may not like we give you an allowance to buy what you want!.

Starting Price – $30,000
A full makeover of your existing room (smaller size), with no structural or layout changes using standard laminate cabinets and bench tops.

$35,000 – $45,000
In addition to above with Stone benchtops, designer laminate and layout changes.

$50,000 +
Your dream Kitchen with all the bells and whistles.

Don’t take our word for pricing, we have gathered some helpful information below from some trusted and reliable sources in Open Agent and Domain.

How much does a leaking balcony cost to fix?

If your balcony is leaking to a room downstairs or even worse a neighbour, the most likely cause is failure of the waterproofing membrane (or in cases the absence altogether). If you’re lucky, it could be something else however this is very unlikely.

The very first step is to arrange a specialist leak detection company to ascertain what the cause is and verify it. Do not engage a plumber to do this unless they are specialist leak detectors as they are not specialists in this area. We can recommend a few leak detection companies who are great at what they do and provide comprehensive detailed reports. A few hundred dollars for a leak detection can save you thousands. You don’t want to complete a full balcony renewal when you don’t need to.

Once the leak detection report confirms waterproofing failure you have a few options. At Cornerstone Property Group we only recommend and conduct full balcony renewals to ensure the issue won’t happen again and the job is done properly. We don’t do patch or repair jobs as these never address the root cause and can lead to bigger problems down the track.

Option 1 – Full renewal of balcony (recommended) from $20,000 for a small balcony (up to approx 12m2)

20m2 balcony will cost approx $29,000
30m2 balcony will cost approx $41,000
50m2 balcony will cost approx $65,000

This involves removing all the tiles and waterproofing back to the concrete slab or in the case of timber sub-floors the flooring right back to the timber floor joists. The area is then re-sheeted in external grade sheet flooring, waterproofed in accordance with AS4654, tiled and grouted (we always recommend epoxy grout for added waterproofing). If it is on a slab the slab is prepared and then waterproofed in accordance with AS4654, screeded (to generate the required drainage falls) and then waterproofed again in accordance with AS4654, tiled and grouted.

Option 2 – Epoxy Grout

Sometimes if the grout has decayed (common issue as buildings move and grout is cement based) this lets water in under the tiles and thus leaking below. But remember and be aware! The job of your waterproofing membrane is to stop the above, so if someone says the leak is because of the grout decay they are correct to a degree and you should ask “but if that is the case shouldn’t the waterproofing membrane prevent the water from leaking below” as the answer is YES! You can remove the grout and then re-grout the balcony with an Epoxy grout (a lot of companies will recommend this, you may have heard some on the radio or TV, we DON’T). Epoxy grout is an impermeable product and is waterproof in itself (won’t stain, discolour and let any water in and is also elastic meaning it can withstand some building movement whereas normal cementitious grout can’t). The major reason why we don’t recommend this is because it’s not addressing the root cause (that the membrane has still failed) and you can’t possibly dry out the sub-floor of water, so what is happening in your ceiling? This is going to decay timber members rotting them until you have structural problems (big cost). Your plaster ceiling is going to go mouldy, need replacing and create Health hazards!

The above is why we don’t recommend this. We understand some customers can’t afford to do a full renewal right now and this should only be used as a short-term fix until you can afford to do it properly.

The above will set you back anywhere from $2,500+.

Option 3 – UV Resistant Membrane

Similarly to the above and only for a temporary fix until the job can be done properly, an expert can prepare and waterproof over the top of the existing tiles to prevent further leaks. This would be slightly cheaper than the epoxy option however it will look ugly and it is not recommended to put furniture on it, foot traffic will be fine.

How much does a full renovation cost?

The biggest cost in your renovation will be the kitchen & bathroom. Refer to the kitchen renovation and bathroom renovation faqs for our detailed price guides on these areas.

A complete home renovation can be a costly and therefore long-term project. Consider if you were to renovate your kitchen and bathroom together, it’s a minimum of $50,000. Prioritisation may need to take place to fit your budget such as focusing on a particular room or element at a time.

Common elements for a full home renovation include: (Price indications are based on an average 3 bedroom, 1 living room home.)

Flooring – Carpet, sanding and polishing existing and Hybrid (floating). Prices vary with carpet being the cheapest and Hybrid being the most expensive. Carpet will be around $2,500 – $4,000 depending on quality. Sanding and polishing will be approximately $2,700 – $4,000 depending on the condition of the floor and finish. Hybrids and floating floors will be approx. $4,500 – $7,000.
Painting (internal). Depending on the finish required, number of colours and condition of the existing property painting can vary a lot. Most of the labour with painting is not in the actual painting it is in the preparation of the surfaces! The actual painting is very quick, however sanding, filling, gapping and making rough surfaces look nice takes time. Expect to pay between $10,000 -$15,000 for a professional job.
Window furnishings/Blinds. There are many options to choose, from sheer curtains to single and double roller blinds to shutters. This all depends on budget and style. For standard block out roller blinds (most common) you would be paying approx. $2,500 – $3,500.
Heating & Cooling. Most commonly are split systems or heat pumps (language varies). These are refrigerated systems that both heat and cool and are a very popular economical choice. There is a control unit that mounts inside the house and a condenser that mounts on the exterior (usually a wall or roof out of the way). For the most economical price the inside and outside unit are mounted back-to-back and prices start from approximately $2,900 for an LG 3.5kw or approx. $3,300 for a Daikin 3.5kw. For more complex installs that can’t be achieved back-to-back costs vary.
Laundry. Very similar to a kitchen, the layout (size of cabinetry) and finishes can vary the price a lot. A very common and economical renovation is to have a tall cabinet for storage, bench with sink and cabinets with washer and dryer under the bench, finished with overhead cupboards and a tiled splashback. Expect to pay a starting price of $10,000 (no changes to flooring or painting) anywhere up to $25,000 for a bigger or more complex space.

Bathroom FAQs

I’ve never renovated before, what help will you give me?

Our team of experts from Customer Service to our Interior Designer and Project Manager will guide you every step of the way. This will ensure it is not only a successful renovation but an enjoyable one. Every client and their needs are different; thus, the level of help and support is tailored. At the end of the day clients can be as involved or uninvolved as they like. We have clients from across the country and overseas we do absolutely everything for. They can approve and select items from the comfort of their lounge!

How long does the renovation take?

One of the great things about having Cornerstone Property Group do your works is the delivery speed. We understand that any work or renovation can be painful and disruptive, so our process has been refined to create the least amount of disruption to you. For a smaller standard bathroom we complete the works in 2-3 working weeks (Mon-Fri). For a bigger more complex bathroom it will be 3-4 weeks. Most other companies are around 6+ weeks! We are so comfortable committing this we will even pay you if we are late.

Can I live in my home whilst the works are done?

Absolutely, our team of professionals can work around you and your family. A few considerations to think of though are:

If it is a single bathroom property remaining will be difficult as the shower and toilet will be out of action for the duration of works. We can (if the site permits) arrange portable shower and toilets (at additional costs). Showering at work or the gym is often easy but going to the toilet in the middle of the night, not so much…
There will be noise. If you are working from home, there will be noise disruption.
It is a building site, as tidy and clean as we are there will be materials, tools and items that we need on site. Unless you have a garage or space for these it can get challenging.

Do you arrange plumbing and electrical?

Yes, we have our trusted partners that work for us so you only have to deal with the one company and project manager making the process simple and easy.

Do you supply everything?

We sure do, from the tiles to the taps, vanity and toilet and even lighting and fans we supply absolutely everything for your job so you don’t have to worry.

Can I supply tiles and fittings?

No unfortunately. We work with a range of suppliers we know and trust and don’t put inferior products in our bathrooms. One reason is warranties become very complicated if you are supplying the tap for example and the tiles if something goes wrong, we also don’t have control of the items which can disrupt the project timeline. The other reason is unless you are buying on a super cheap black Friday sale you won’t get the items as cheap as you will if you select through us with our Interior Designer!

What brands can I choose from?

A big benefit of engaging Cornerstone Property Group is we give you an allowance to spend on your fittings, fixtures and tiles so you can basically choose whatever you want! Over the years we’ve tried and tested many suppliers to find the best. Our preferred partners offer the widest range and quality products and we great prices we pass onto you. Our Port Melbourne showroom provides you the opportunity to select products you need and if you don’t like these, we can source them.

What is the warranty?

2 years non-structural, 6 years structural and 7 years waterproofing for extended peace of mind.

Can I do some of the work myself?

Unfortunately not. If you are wanting to do some of the work or engage your own plumber for example we are not the right company for you. We offer a fully project managed solution that is built on years of experience. We can’t warrant other people’s work and we need unrestricted exclusive access to the area to be able to warrant our work.

Kitchen FAQs

I’ve never renovated before, what help will you give me?

How long does the renovation take?

The time varies dependent on the materials selected. Once your quote is approved we conduct a check measure and start working on your fixtures & fittings schedule and plans. We don’t remove your existing kitchen until we have to so the actual time you may be without a kitchen can be for as little as 2 weeks.

For a basic custom laminate kitchen (stock or standard colours) we can turn this around in approx. 4 weeks with a tiled splashback. For customers under extremely tight time frames that are looking to refresh their kitchen quickly and either sell the property or rent it out Ikea can be a good option. In a lot of cases Ikea has everything on the shelf ready to go (plain colours) so this can be done in 2-3 weeks if everything is available.

The average kitchen that has Polytec or Laminex cabinets and a stone benchtop will take approx. 6 weeks to complete depending on the selected materials availability. For a more bespoke kitchen with 2 pack cabinets and stone this will be approx. 6-8 weeks.

Can I live in my home whilst the works are done?

Absolutely, our team of professionals can work around you and your family. A few considerations to think of though are:

The kitchen will be out of action for a minimum of 2 weeks which can be a fairly big consideration.
There will be noise. If you are working from home, there will be noise disruption and distractions.
It is a building site, as tidy and clean as we are there will be materials, tools and items that we need on site. Unless you have a garage or space for these it can get challenging.

Do you arrange plumbing and electrical?

Yes, we have our trusted partners that work for us so you only have to deal with the one company and project manager making the process simple and easy.

Do you supply everything?

We sure do, from the sink and tap to appliances we supply absolutely everything for your job so you don’t have to worry.

Can I supply appliances?

Yes you can, or simply pick what you want and we can procure them.

What brands can I choose from?

Cornerstone’s preferred suppliers are Polytec (cabinets) and YDL (stone), however we do have access to all major and local suppliers if you have a specific preference.

What is the warranty?

2 years non-structural, 6 years structural for the works. Appliances and kitchen materials are subject to their own product warranties.

Can I do some of the work myself?

How long will the works take?

Once all materials are selected and confirmed as being in stock, from start to finish we can have works completed in 6-8 weeks. This time frame is based on a full internal renovation with all our offered elements. From acceptance of our proposal to commencement of works there is approx. 2-3 weeks worth of work to be done with our Interior Designer, selecting and procuring all of the materials and items. From acceptance to commencement of works a minimum of 3 weeks would be required (depending on our lead times as well).