Airbnb Update – September 2021

Just a quick update on how our Airbnb renovations are going since our last post in August, how much progress we’ve made, and when we estimate we’ll be live on Airbnb for bookings. For all our Airbnb related posts click here.

Eventually, the aim is to turn these posts into more detailed monthly posts around the ups and downs of being an Airbnb host (if we ever get there).

So what’s happened since our last post in August?

Bathroom/Laundry/Toilet

Since our last post, all of the tiling in the bathroom and the toilet has been completed. We are waiting for grouting and silicone to be completed by our contractors in some of these areas, but it’s looking more and more like a bathroom. We have the vanity installed (from Timberline) and shower fittings installed in the bathroom. We are waiting for the shower screen to arrive, and be installed (ETA this week). Our toilet is installed, and it has a soft close lid which is amazing to have in a house full of boys who seem to have a habit of slamming everything they touch.

I’m expecting delivery of the LED mirror (a similar one here for inspiration) for the bathroom this week. Our bathroom contractors have told us that the bathroom and toilet areas should be completed by the end of this week (our fingers are crossed).

After the contractors leave we still have a few jobs to do like painting the ceiling, toilet walls, and installing towel rails and toilet roll holders.

If you would like to see the inspiration behind our Bathroom renovations check out our Pinterest board here.

Kitchenette (Mini Kitchen)

Still needs a shelf to maximise the space, but we love it

The mini kitchen under the stairs has become my favorite part of the space downstairs. The kitchen cupboards are from IKEA (purchased for under $650 including delivery) and we installed them ourselves. We weren’t happy with the benchtops from IKEA so we found a local carpenter to do the benchtop.

One of the drawers is only 20cm wide so we’ve had to be quite imaginative with the space to make it usable. We’ve made some custom changes to it ourselves and it now stores glasses and plates. My husband custom-made dividers to stop the plates from making noises when the drawer is opened.

Over the weekend we installed a LED light in the space which has really brightened it up. We also purchased all our mini kitchen appliances, and have given them a test run.

We still have a few minor things to finish off in the mini kitchen. This includes a shelf that hubby is working on to maximize the bench space. I also need to finish shopping for plates, and odds and ends.

If you would like to see the inspiration behind our Mini Kitchen renovations check out our Pinterest board here.

Other Renovation Activities

We are in the process of finishing off the install of the last door. This one took a little longer than expected as we needed to wait for the bathroom tiling to be completed.

Next month with the weather improving we intend to start working on the outdoor areas that need a little attention.

What Airbnb related renovations are still to be done?

This list seems to get bigger and bigger:

Finish laundry design and order from IKEA
Put laundry together
Get plumber to install laundry taps and sink
Carpenter to measure up the laundry benchtop and install
Put a shelf up in the kitchenette
Paint the bathroom/toilet ceilings
Paint the toilet walls
Put in 2 plantation shutters
Put in a new curtain
Repaint the outdoor pavers
Replace the outdoor cushions
Replace lawn
Oil pool deck
Oil outdoor furniture
Finish off outdoor veranda (painting, cornice and lights)
Buy a new outdoor umbrella

How much have we spent to date?

$16,588 (Spent up to the end of August 2021)

This amount includes everything from new flooring throughout, new bathroom/laundry/toilet, new doors, new furniture, curtains/plantation shutters, and any outdoor updates required.

If you would like to see a bit more detail around our monthly expenses use the link here. We have a category called renovations.

When are we aiming to start listing our Airbnb?

Originally our plan was to start listing for guests by Spring 2021 (September 2021). However, as you can tell we are not ready for guests. We are tentatively aiming to list on Airbnb in early December.

What does it look like now?

Here are a few current photos of the space.