Bright home interior featuring a neutral lounge area, timber furniture, and wide sliding doors opening onto a sunny backyard with a pool.

A Pre-Sale Renovation Done Right

|

This project in The Junction was a different kind of engagement for Martrick.

Rather than a family building their forever home, the brief here was focused and commercial: renovate a substantial five-bedroom home to present at its best before sale. The owners wanted the property to reflect the quality of the location, a coastal suburb 600 metres from Bar Beach, and to appeal to buyers looking for something considered and complete.

Working alongside architect Steve Rankin from REV Design, Martrick delivered a full internal renovation alongside external upgrades that transformed how the home looked and felt throughout.

The Scope

The work covered the full interior of the home, along with an external pergola, new tiling, and replacement of windows and doors throughout.

The design approach leaned into the coastal setting. A large blackbutt pivot door became the centrepiece of the entry, setting the tone for the rest of the home. External stonework and a fresh paint scheme reinforced the coastal character without overworking it.

The result was a home that felt cohesive and considered, with updates that read as intentional rather than cosmetic.

Finding and Resolving Issues Mid-Build

During construction, faulty cladding was identified on the property.

Rather than working around it, the decision was made to replace it entirely with James Hardie Linea cladding. It added a step to the process, but it was the right call. Leaving a known issue in place on a property heading to market would have been the wrong outcome for everyone involved.

Identifying and resolving it properly meant the finished home could be presented without qualification.

The Outcome

The finished home presented well above expectations for the location and the brief.

The combination of updated interiors, refreshed exteriors, and considered design detailing created a home that felt genuinely renovated rather than touched up. The coastal character of the suburb came through in the material choices and the overall presentation, and the property came to market in strong condition.

The rear opens out to a covered alfresco and pool, made for coastal living

A calm main bedroom, kept simple and light

Sheer curtains soften the afternoon light in the living room

Timber and stone carry the coastal palette through to the kitchen

A Final Thought

Pre-sale renovations are often underestimated as a project type.

The scope is usually contained, but the margin for error is not. The work needs to be resolved, practical issues need to be dealt with honestly, and the finished result has to hold up to scrutiny from buyers, agents, and inspectors alike.

This project is a good example of what that looks like when it's handled properly.