Efficiency Building Group

30/08/2024

By 2023, this Preston home was way overdue for an update. The rear extension screamed 1980s so loudly, it was like Def Leppard and Poison were wailing from the wood-pannelled walls. And, after 18 years, the owners were keen to have a kitchen and bathroom/laundry with enough space that awkward shimmying wasn't required when more than one person at a time tried to use them. Interior designer magic-ed up elegant roomy spaces to cook and wash without increasing the home's existing footprint. We then got to work, and the owners were back in their home within 6 months, having spent much of the build time travelling overseas. Now, they love their practical, stylish interiors, which provide an uninterrupted outlook of their huge Preston backyard (none of which was sacrificed by the renovation), including their beloved gum tree, which they can also view through the delightful picture window of their stunningly reimagined bathroom. Photos by

28/08/2024

Just a nice little deck and pergola job coming along nicely in preston , looking forward to posting this one complete we always love a deck and pergola, ready for summer nights relaxing

23/08/2024

The owner of this Ivanhoe home knew she was onto a winner when she came across it for sale in 2008. After getting under the house and investigating the stumps before the auction, her dad gave her the thumbs up, and she was confident to bid. After a decade of renting it out, she ripped up the carpet and replaced the kitchen, but knew she ultimately wanted to double the footprint. Her handy dad drew up some basic plans, which were fleshed out by a draftsman. The owner found us after a search of local builders and was impressed by our completed work. Over seven months, we built a second story with spacious areas to rest and retreat, and updated the kitchen, bathroom and living area of the existing 1975 section. Now the owner, her partner, their two American staffies, and her parents (when they visit from the Mornington Peninsula) can spread out into the many comfortable spaces and enjoy family meals at the dining table made by - you guessed it - her very clever dad 👨

16/08/2024

Thanks Mel!

16/08/2024

It's a cosy nooks kind of Friday. Here are some of our favourite peaceful spaces we've created for clients recently. We hope they're enjoying the serenity! #

09/08/2024

Thanks Sonya!

09/08/2024

Thanks Holly!

02/08/2024

Though they were happy transplants from Melbourne's south-east, the owners of this 1960s brick villa had a bit of work to do when they moved in in 2020. They painted the pink walls a less garish colour and pulled up the matching salmon carpet to reveal gorgeous hardwood floors. The remaining work - a new ensuite and updated laundry - was beyond their DIY scope, however. So, after spotting our signs up on several projects around their Preston 'hood, they reached out, and we started work in 2023. The laundry (which felt almost as long as a lap pool) was divided in two, freeing up space for a beautiful ensuite with sage green tiles and polished brass fittings. The new laundry was a fresh and welcoming space to process the endless washing produced by a baby and toddler. The wall dividing the lounge and kitchen was removed, and the dated arch of another wall was filled in. The work was finished ahead of schedule in 8 weeks while the clients continued living in the home. They were delighted with the process and outcome, telling us afterwards that we were "wonderful at working around the kids and a chaotic house. We recommend Efficiency to everyone!" Photos by Words by

26/07/2024

Happy Friyay! The Efficiency team is looking forward to the weekend after a week of hard work at our Reservoir and Thornbury sites. Enjoy the action pics!

19/07/2024

The owners of this classic Preston Californian bungalow spent six happy years raising their small children close to the market, a fab chilcare centre, and the local primary school. However, the house faced west, meaning the rear living areas were cold, dark, and depressing through the long Melbourne winters. They hired a building designer to maximise light and space, and we started work in early 2022, finishing bang on time 9 months later. Now, the owners have a second story to stretch out into, heaps of storage, and flexible open spaces to enjoy with friends and family. Their simplest and happiest delight, however, is sitting by the timber-framed lounge window in their comfy vintage armchair with a coffee, looking out onto their deck and beautiful garden, and being warm at last! Photos by Words by

12/07/2024

The owners of this sweet Californian bungalow (purchased in 2009) tolerated its crappy 1980s extension for 13 years and 3 children. The laundry received all the best northern sun, the timber kitchen was a dated eyesore, brown aluminium window frames caused much aesthetic sadness, and the charmless bathroom contained the world's tiniest bath (great for babies, terrible for anyone over four foot). Finally, in 2022, enough was enough. They called in interior designer .kneipp, who, along with , tapped into the owners' adoration of all things Australian mid-century and came up with a sophisticated version of a fibro beach shack. The piece de resistance was the kitchen - a delightful mix of post-war diner and caravan, replete with suspended cabinet/tiara. Having seen our signs up on sites around their neighbourhood, the owners entrusted us with bringing the designs into reality. Over six months, we built an extension with lounge, kitchen, laundry, parents' retreat with ensuite, main bathroom, and study. Curves and round windows feature throughout; light now floods into the entire home, and beautiful finishes (including vintage light fittings and drawer handles) bring visual and tactile joy. The owners are truly living their vintage dream!Photos by Words by

05/07/2024

After surprising themselves in 2013 with the winning bid for this 1950s 3-bedroom Coburg home, the new owners moved in with their baby and looked forward to eventually updating the interior. While the yellow kitchen cupboards, frilly curtains, and timber wall panelling had their retro charm (swipe through to see), they were edging ever closer to the end of their lifespan. 10 years, another baby, and a series of Covid lockdowns later, the need to renovate became more urgent, and they reached out to Efficiency for some sprucing! We removed the wall dividing the kitchen and lounge, instantly opening glorious views of a Merri Creek tributary. Next, we laid reclaimed floorboards in the kitchen, which seamlessly matched the original lounge boards (hidden for decades under floridly textured carpet). Finally, a new functional and modern kitchen with pendant lights (goodbye 1980s fluro battens!) made the home's common areas contemporary and future proof. New insulation brought cosiness. The owners plan to install sliding doors opening out to a deck, but for now, they love spotting lizards, listening to birdsong, and welcoming the occasional kookburra peeched on the windowsill of their beautiful new kitchen. Photos by Words by

28/06/2024

When the owners inspected this Californian bungalow in 2014, they didn't dawdle, making an offer that very day. Situated in just the right pocket of Preston they'd had their eyes on - and where they had missed out on other properties - this neglected beauty was not going to get away! Initially, they were satisfied to just redo the kitchen, but working from home with a toddler during the covid lockdowns brought the home's flaws into sharp focus (hello draughts and awkward layout!) But should they have a second baby or renovate? After receiving two recommendations from the Mums in Darebin page, they reached out to Efficiency and we started work in 2021, taking 6 months all up to freshen the dining area and build a rear extension with lounge, bedrooms, bathroom, laundry, plus an alfresco area and garage/man cave with outside powder room. But why not have a reno AND a second baby? The owners were thrilled we live up to our name because they were able to bring their newborn home to this brand-sparkling-new family sanctuary. Photos by Words by

21/06/2024

We have been lucky to complete two separate projects on this Brunswick Edwardian beauty. In 2011, we built the staircase and attic lounge space. Then, in 2023, the owners reached out to us again: the kitchen was tired, the pine floors were unattractively orange and pocked with borer holes, and the ducted gas heating blew dust around, causing wheezes and sneezes. Requiring most urgent attention, however, was the combined bathroom and toilet, which had become completely untenable for a family of four, including two gorgeous daughters in their early twenties. Now, the stylish new bathroom and separate powder room make for less-pressured mornings. The up-to-the-minute kitchen with maximised functionality flows seamlessly from the elegant living area. Recessed bookshelves display the owners' favourite books and objects, and bifold windows open onto a kitchen servery - linking the outdoor space with the beautiful interior. Engineered floorboards and wall panel heating have seriously upped the cosiness. Here since 1998, the owners are so delighted with the outcome that they'll be here for at least another thirty years! Photos by . Words by .

15/06/2024

Sneak-peek of our recently completed Coburg project! More pics coming soon.

24/05/2024

04/04/2024

We always love to see some roofing cover on our jobs now we can stay dry also nice and safe with a full rap scaffolding preston job #3072

04/03/2024

Frame stage coming along nicely at our preston project next is the second story beams and floor followed by second story framing and roof #3072

27/02/2024

So demo was completed and then we started set out and sub floor, foundations are crucial to starting your project off on the right step, we have now finished stumps timber sub floor framing, under floor insulation which is very important when building on timber sub floor, flooring has now been laid and now onto framing stage watch this space for framing pics

19/02/2024

Bathroom renovation under way in a apartment in Fitzroy there is nothing easy about doing a renovation with soild brick , concrete slab all combined in a apartment building, this renovation is coming along nicely and I look forward to seeing the final product stay tuned

06/02/2024

Fresh job for 2024 this shows what was there and now after the demo a blank canvas, this job in preston will be having a rear extension and second story put on , watch this space for the coming stages of the build , next will be foundations stumps and sub floor

30/01/2024

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Efficiency Building Group

Efficiency Building Group specialise in the design & construction of new homes, bathroom renovation, kitchen renovation, home extension & development projects in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne & greater Melbourne area.

With over 20 years industry experience, you can be confident you are teaming up with a quality and trusted builder.

Damian Heales & the Efficiency Building Group are an an accredited Green Living Builder. They are passionate about designing a home that exceeds the statutory requirements.

Efficiency Building Group have the expertise to incorporate subtle features that will significantly reduce the impact your home has on the environment. Not only will you be making a difference to the environment you will also be adding value to your property.

For further information contact Damian at the Efficiency Building Group
☎ 0432 533 335
📧 [email protected]
💻 https://www.efficiencybuilding.com.au/

🔴⚪️🔵

19/12/2023

Check out this 1930 retro renovation amazing curves, colours , design just in time for Xmas thanks Santa #3072

02/12/2023

Starting to feel a lot like Xmas Efficiency Building Group looking forward to a break Bars open 😉

14/11/2023

It’s a curve type of day , check out this on point deck it’s the new trend to have curves and this Reno is not shy of them #3072

11/11/2023

At Efficiency Building Group we will remember them #3072

30/10/2023

All framed up, plumbing and electrical rough in completed now ready to move on to plastering at this kitchen , bathroom , laundry and toilet Reno for a lovely repeat customer in Brunswick

19/10/2023

Watch this space for a polished concrete slab , we will wait till the correct setting of the concrete has cured then polish , the mix is one of my favs that I even have in my own house 👍 💪

12/10/2023

Just love the colour of these tiles matched with the vanity sink at this bathroom we completed in reservoir #3073

28/09/2023

The reassurance of being in great hands though there renovations when the owners of this job in preston , they have a great team of people working on there project , we will be insuring to hit every detail the best possible way we can .kneipp #3072