Project Duration
Project Brief
DAME Build was commissioned torenovate and prepare for sale a residential property at Bastings Street, Northcote, a home with a rich history and significant personal value to its former homeowners. Once a cherished family residence, the property had begun to show the marks of age and wear. The former homeowners approached us with the request to breathe new life into the home, restoring its character while ensuring it was ready to impress potential buyers.
Client Brief
The former homeowners’ request was both meaningful and straightforward: to restore the integrity of the house, enhance its livability, and create a refreshed canvas that would appeal to a broad range of buyers. This meant focusing on both structural soundness and aesthetic detail, ensuring the property was durable, functional, and visually compelling.
Before
Structural Repair Work
The restoration began with addressing the house's most critical needs. DAME Build stabilised the brickwork beneath the property, repaired roof leaks, and restored damaged plasterwork throughout the interiors. These essential interventions restored the home’s structural integrity, ensuring that every area was safe, stable, and dependable.
Interior Paint Restoration
One of the most transformative aspects of this project was the complete interior paint restoration. All walls, ceilings, and woodwork, including windows, trims, skirting boards, and arches, were carefully prepared through sanding, gap filling, and detailed surface work before receiving two coats of premium paint. We selected a crisp white paint to enhance natural light, create a sense of openness, and provide a clean, timeless backdrop.
After
Before
Flooring Update
The original wooden floors were also restored to their natural beauty. Once dulled from years of use, the timber was polished to a warm finish, enhancing the overall aesthetic and providing a harmonious balance with the freshly painted walls. Moreover, select areas received updated flooring, improving the overall flow and consistency of the home's spaces.
Lighting Enhancements
Lighting was upgraded throughout the property with the replacement of all downlights and the installation of new hallway fixtures. This not only improved energy efficiency but also accentuated the freshly painted interiors, giving every room a brighter, more polished look.
Carpentry and Repairs
Attention to detail defined every stage of this restoration. DAME Build team repaired the doors, restored plaster around skylights, and addressed more minor imperfections that, while subtle, make a profound difference in how a home presents. These careful considerations reinforced a sense of quality and care, ensuring the property was not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical for everyday use.
Bathroom Refresh
The bathroom was restored to deliver a modern, clean look without requiring a full-scale renovation. DAME Build replaced grout and caulking to create a seamless, polished finish, while worn fittings were upgraded to improve both style and functionality. These enhancements ensured that the bathrooms matched the elevated standard of the rest of the home.
Outdoor Updates
The property’s exterior was equally crucial in shaping first impressions to potential buyers. A complete repaint was conducted using high-quality Dulex paint, applied to the gable, door, fascia, weatherboards, picket fence, verandah, eaves, and rear side of the home. The metalwork was refinished for durability and uniformity. The verandah, once weathered and overlooked, was skillfully restored to become a welcoming feature of the façade. All existing trees were removed, and a carefully selected artificial tree was introduced, ensuring the landscape appeared neat, low-maintenance, and visually cohesive. These outdoor enhancements helped reconnect the home with the street, creating an inviting entry point that mirrored the care taken inside. Altogether, the refreshed exterior and structural improvements presented a modern, well-maintained home ready to be enjoyed again.
Outdoor Enhancement
The Result
The project at Bastings Street Northcote, demonstrates the power of careful and precise home renovation. Structural integrity was restored, finishes were carefully renewed, and the property emerged with a sense of freshness that felt both timeless and market-ready. Between its original purchase in 2005 and eventual sale in 2025, the residential property has increased in value by nearly 300%.
The restoration further enhanced its market position, achieving a sale price over $300,000 above the appraisal. This outcome reflects both the quality of workmanship and the strategic vision that guided the transformation.
For the former homeowners, the result brought not only satisfaction but also peace of mind, knowing their once-beloved home would be cherished and enjoyed by its new custodians.
Explore other residential and commercial DAME Build’s projects. This preparation for sale at Northcote is just one of many where DAME Build showcases how intentional renovation can significantly improve any property value.