How a Couple Completed a Renovation During Covid-19
An Australian bathroom renovation completed during lockdown delivered a couple's dream and changed a business forever
Vanessa Walker
25 July 2020
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor.
Who lives here: Terri Jesse and Liam Beasley
Location: Northcote, Victoria
Scope of work: Baulch Services reconfigured a bathroom and laundry into a bathroom, ensuite and European laundry. The company also built a wardrobe, hallway cupboards and painted the home’s interior.
Design brief: Modern, bright and light with bold colour and warm timber highlights.
Budget: $115,000
Time frame: Three months (during the first wave of Covid-19 restrictions), from initial meeting to finished project.
Background: When Baulch Services’ projected income plunged significantly in just two days at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the owners scrabbled to sort through leads, hoping to find homeowners who would be in a position to renovate remotely.
It wasn’t just important, it was vital: Melbourne-based Baulch Services is owned by a couple – Megan Baulch, who works as project manager, and Stewart Baulch, a plumber and builder – who derive all of their income from the business.
Vanity: Natural Timber Decor
Location: Northcote, Victoria
Scope of work: Baulch Services reconfigured a bathroom and laundry into a bathroom, ensuite and European laundry. The company also built a wardrobe, hallway cupboards and painted the home’s interior.
Design brief: Modern, bright and light with bold colour and warm timber highlights.
Budget: $115,000
Time frame: Three months (during the first wave of Covid-19 restrictions), from initial meeting to finished project.
Background: When Baulch Services’ projected income plunged significantly in just two days at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the owners scrabbled to sort through leads, hoping to find homeowners who would be in a position to renovate remotely.
It wasn’t just important, it was vital: Melbourne-based Baulch Services is owned by a couple – Megan Baulch, who works as project manager, and Stewart Baulch, a plumber and builder – who derive all of their income from the business.
Vanity: Natural Timber Decor
The bathroom before works
Within a short time, they found what they were looking for. A couple, Terri Jesse and Liam Beasley, had bought a house in February and had contacted them wanting to tweak the layout of their existing bathroom to become a bathroom, an ensuite and a European laundry. Crucially, they were living offsite and renting nearby.
“We got in contact and asked them if we could do their renovation virtually, and thankfully they were a yes,” says Megan. It was a quick switch in more than one way for the project manager. “I hadn’t even used Zoom before.”
Within a short time, they found what they were looking for. A couple, Terri Jesse and Liam Beasley, had bought a house in February and had contacted them wanting to tweak the layout of their existing bathroom to become a bathroom, an ensuite and a European laundry. Crucially, they were living offsite and renting nearby.
“We got in contact and asked them if we could do their renovation virtually, and thankfully they were a yes,” says Megan. It was a quick switch in more than one way for the project manager. “I hadn’t even used Zoom before.”
The ensuite after works
For Jesse, the timing couldn’t have been better. “By early March we knew that Covid-19 restrictions were coming and everyone was unsure how this would impact the process,” she says.
Lockdown laws meant gatherings of more than two people who were not a family were difficult. “But we were in an ideal situation not living at the property, meaning trades could come and go as needed.”
Thinking of giving your bathroom a makeover? Find a specialised bathroom designer near you on Houzz to discuss your options
For Jesse, the timing couldn’t have been better. “By early March we knew that Covid-19 restrictions were coming and everyone was unsure how this would impact the process,” she says.
Lockdown laws meant gatherings of more than two people who were not a family were difficult. “But we were in an ideal situation not living at the property, meaning trades could come and go as needed.”
Thinking of giving your bathroom a makeover? Find a specialised bathroom designer near you on Houzz to discuss your options
Unlike the typical introductory in-person meeting, the first time Baulch Services’ team met with their client to go over the design brief, the meeting took place on a 15-minute Zoom call.
Even then, Megan could see the benefits. “It saved time, for a start,” she says. Also, having all of the team on one call – including her as project manager, Giulianna del Popolo as designer, and Stewart as builder – made the team feel more informed about expectations, and allowed better coordination throughout the project. In short, it meant nothing was lost in translation, as sometimes happens between construction professionals.
This proved to be better than passing on the job sequentially from role to role within the company, and a process the company may keep.
Tiles: Beaumont Tiles
Even then, Megan could see the benefits. “It saved time, for a start,” she says. Also, having all of the team on one call – including her as project manager, Giulianna del Popolo as designer, and Stewart as builder – made the team feel more informed about expectations, and allowed better coordination throughout the project. In short, it meant nothing was lost in translation, as sometimes happens between construction professionals.
This proved to be better than passing on the job sequentially from role to role within the company, and a process the company may keep.
Tiles: Beaumont Tiles
Jesse and Beasley had a small head start at the design stage. “Prior to the restrictions we had been to different showrooms and had been looking for inspiration online, so we had a good idea of how we wanted the spaces to look and feel,” says Jesse.
In their first FaceTime call, their designer del Popolo picked up the keys from the letterbox, let herself in, and filmed as she walked though the home, with the couple on the video call.
In their first FaceTime call, their designer del Popolo picked up the keys from the letterbox, let herself in, and filmed as she walked though the home, with the couple on the video call.
The new ensuite entrance as seen from the master bedroom
To get around product and stock shortages due to delays on importing goods during Covid-19, the team narrowed the choice of fittings and fixtures to those they knew were in stock and readily available in Melbourne.
Still, Jesse and Beasley admit they had to place a lot of trust in del Popolo to select fixtures and fittings. “Not being able to see them firsthand was a risk,” says Jesse. “But she created great mood boards with links to each fixture so we could review them online.”
The trickiest part was making the tile choice without del Popolo to guide them through the selection in person.
To get around product and stock shortages due to delays on importing goods during Covid-19, the team narrowed the choice of fittings and fixtures to those they knew were in stock and readily available in Melbourne.
Still, Jesse and Beasley admit they had to place a lot of trust in del Popolo to select fixtures and fittings. “Not being able to see them firsthand was a risk,” says Jesse. “But she created great mood boards with links to each fixture so we could review them online.”
The trickiest part was making the tile choice without del Popolo to guide them through the selection in person.
Instead, del Popolo visited showrooms first and put aside samples for the couple’s consideration. Jesse and Beasley then visited once she had left and looked through the tiles before making their choice. She also dropped selections into their letterbox for consideration.
Floor tiles: De Lucia Tile Company
Floor tiles: De Lucia Tile Company
The main bedroom prior to the renovation. The new ensuite door is positioned to the left-hand side of the bedside lamp.
The new wardrobe by Dreamcraft Interiors
Meanwhile, drawings and refinements were sent via email with the team taking Jesse and Beasley through the finer details on Zoom calls.
Project management software, which the company had previously used ad hoc, came into its own. It made design and build variations easy to track and invoice for.
Meanwhile, drawings and refinements were sent via email with the team taking Jesse and Beasley through the finer details on Zoom calls.
Project management software, which the company had previously used ad hoc, came into its own. It made design and build variations easy to track and invoice for.
The new main bathroom
It also means Baulch Services was able to share photos and progress reports daily, enabling the couple to stay informed and up-to-date.
“We felt like we were across the project the entire time despite not being able to attend the worksite,” says Jesse.
It also means Baulch Services was able to share photos and progress reports daily, enabling the couple to stay informed and up-to-date.
“We felt like we were across the project the entire time despite not being able to attend the worksite,” says Jesse.
For Megan Baulch, the most challenging aspect was scheduling the trades so they didn’t overlap, as well as complying with the evolving Covid-19 renovation guidelines. This was particularly important because the bathroom and ensuite are relatively small spaces.
The project was completed smoothly and on time with Jesse and Beasley moving into the home in late-June 2020. The couple is thrilled with the result and say the virtual process had some unexpected advantages.
“In some respects, holding consultation meetings remotely saved us time in travelling to meet in person, and these could be coordinated around other commitments,” says Jesse.
On the downside, they nominate not meeting the trades who worked on the project as a disadvantage. “We have heard so much about everyone who has worked on our project and they’ve done a fantastic job, but not getting to meet them and say ‘hi’ and thank them feels a little strange,” says Jesse.
“In some respects, holding consultation meetings remotely saved us time in travelling to meet in person, and these could be coordinated around other commitments,” says Jesse.
On the downside, they nominate not meeting the trades who worked on the project as a disadvantage. “We have heard so much about everyone who has worked on our project and they’ve done a fantastic job, but not getting to meet them and say ‘hi’ and thank them feels a little strange,” says Jesse.
The laundry after works
Overall, the key to the project’s success was the human aspect, rather than the practical details.
“We really trusted Giulianna, Megan and Stewart throughout the whole process, and that trust was key,” says Jesse. “We trusted that any issues or concerns would be brought to our attention right away; that solutions or suggestions had been well-considered; and that we would be updated at the end of each day with a progress report.”
Overall, the key to the project’s success was the human aspect, rather than the practical details.
“We really trusted Giulianna, Megan and Stewart throughout the whole process, and that trust was key,” says Jesse. “We trusted that any issues or concerns would be brought to our attention right away; that solutions or suggestions had been well-considered; and that we would be updated at the end of each day with a progress report.”
The laundry before works
It was only after delivering a dream renovation, and when the first round of Covid-19 restrictions had eased, that the Baulch Services team was able to meet their client face-to-face.
Beasley was dropping some pot plants around in preparation for moving in, a week prior to hand over, when Megan introduced herself. “In some respects it felt like I was meeting someone famous,” she says, with a laugh. “We had communicated so much over digital platforms and the occasional phone call, it felt surreal meeting in person.
“Getting to know our customers during a renovation journey is one of the reasons we enjoy this work so much,” she says. “I can’t say we really got to know Liam and Terri that well during this renovation journey. We are, however, extremely grateful for the trust they put in our team to transform their home during Covid-19. It’s a renovation that we will never forget, that’s for sure.”
Your turn
Have you successfully completed a renovation or home makeover during Covid-19? In the Comments below, tell us how you did it. And if you found this story interesting, like it, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Thinking of giving your home a makeover? Here are 5 Design Trends You Need to Know About Before Renovating
It was only after delivering a dream renovation, and when the first round of Covid-19 restrictions had eased, that the Baulch Services team was able to meet their client face-to-face.
Beasley was dropping some pot plants around in preparation for moving in, a week prior to hand over, when Megan introduced herself. “In some respects it felt like I was meeting someone famous,” she says, with a laugh. “We had communicated so much over digital platforms and the occasional phone call, it felt surreal meeting in person.
“Getting to know our customers during a renovation journey is one of the reasons we enjoy this work so much,” she says. “I can’t say we really got to know Liam and Terri that well during this renovation journey. We are, however, extremely grateful for the trust they put in our team to transform their home during Covid-19. It’s a renovation that we will never forget, that’s for sure.”
Your turn
Have you successfully completed a renovation or home makeover during Covid-19? In the Comments below, tell us how you did it. And if you found this story interesting, like it, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Thinking of giving your home a makeover? Here are 5 Design Trends You Need to Know About Before Renovating
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I can relate! We kicked off our home extension just a few weeks before lockdown in March. The build was the third and final stage to update our home and this time, included new master bedroom plus ensuite and WIR, open plan living and dining area onto existing kitchen, new home office and additional chill out zone / media for the kids. We also went with an opening roof over the outdoor paved area.
With COVID lockdown looming, we were initially unsure if the builders would need to “tools down”, leaving us with an exposed house going into Winter. Our builders are local and a family run operation consisting of father and many sons; who did a great job.
Work commenced three weeks prior to lockdown in Sydney and the entire three month job was done whilst my husband and I worked full time jobs from home; with two kids home schooled 11 + 15 years - not the initial plan! A false wall was created to keep us as seperate as possible from both the elements and the builders in a COVID safe way; throughout much of the structural work. Much of our communication was done via phone and email.
Overall, it was a very stressful time for all and in the early “unknown COVID” days, I found myself travelling to bathroom and tile suppliers to purchase everything upfront and online, in the event, they were shut down. This coupled with doing Zoom meetings from my car, all made it quite surreal. My husband set up shop at the front of the house, working off an ironing board as nothing else was available.
We’re very thankful to have come through that challenging time with good health and absolutely thrilled with the house results. Our home is transformed and the value added has made the struggle and uncertainty of it all, well worth it. Thanks so much to Sibyl, Gregory [and sons] from House to Home Constructions - our local builders whom over the past 5 years have completely transformed our house in a three stage build from design to staged completion. The extension looks like it was always part of the house.
I also love the rectangular blue tiles. Could you give details please?
We got ours from Elite Tiles in Brisbane. They were new from Italy. Our designer had just seen them and recommended them and sent us to have a look. We bought them on the spot. They have a handmade look, but are not handmade. The colour varies from tile to tile and the texture is subtle and to me they look like pieces of the sea. I love them!