Stambyte

[Aussie]

Hi all,

Has anyone here been through the stambyte process? Our apartments are going to have this done next year, beginning in April or May and continuing for 5 months. The board has said that the time needed in an individual apartment was 5-6 weeks.

I'm quite happy about the idea of it. Our block was built in 1951, so it's high time that we freshened the fixtures etc in the bathroom and kitchen areas and improved piping and wiring.

I just wondered how disruptive it was to everyday life. We are hoping that ours will be done while we are away sailing for the summer But then I wonder if we should stick around for it. We can live on the boat, so that's okay, but would it be necessary for us to be on hand for any reason?

The other thing is choosing stuff for the bathroom. We have a reasonable choice of tiles and taps etc to choose from, but I was wondering if it was worthwhile to opt for some of the extras - like floor heating and towel warmers. Anyone have those things? Are they a good idea or not?

Also we were debating whether to retain a bath with shower inside the bath (it's a small bathroom, you can't have both seperate) or do you think it's good to go with a glassed in shower cabin and then the other space can potentially house a washer and drier?

I'm just looking for ideas on that as well as advice from those who have been through the stambyte process.

[Brandy]

Sorry, I didn't have time to answer before. We went through a stambyte way back when, before children. We decided to keep our tub, because we felt if we had kids in the apartment we wanted a tub. So it really comes down to your needs and future selling capabilities.

Our laundry room for the building was almost never in use, so you could sign up for several hours if no one needed it. We signed up once a week and used it ALL day! Everyone else signed up less than once a month. Being that doing laundry was NEVER an issue, we didn't hesitate in keeping the tub.

We lived on the first floor and felt it was a great apartment to begin a family in. We felt it was better with a tub for a family, and besides, I love taking baths! But maybe, you are more interested in the ease of having your own washer and dryer, especially if there are laundry issues. A think a family would prioritize easy washing possibilities, either in the apartment or as we had it, than a tub.

As far as being around for it, we were there for the first couple of days. They ended up needing to take care of more things because they damaged walls in our apartment. We weren't around when that happened, but we were able to tell them which wallpaper we were interested in over the phone. Really, I don't see it as an issue if you aren't around. Have they asked you to be available?

Before the change, we moved All of our belongings into one room of the apartment. We covered everything in plastic, and put our valuables in a safety deposit box at the bank.

As I remember, it wasn't really that big of a deal. One day to pack everything up, one day to clean up and unpack it all.

Oh, yeah, the floor heat and towel heater. NICE luxuries. I don't think it really costs that much more. I think they are a good investment, for the luxury of having warm feet and a warm towel! We have a house and invested in these things. Very nice. The floor heat is also a great way to dry kids clothes in the winter. They just spread their mittens, jackets, pants, etc., out on the floor, and they dry very quickly.

I remember that you said you had a dog. I was thinking about her and the tub. There are always those larger plastic tub/laundry baskets that are great for using as a tub to bathe babies or dogs!

Good luck with all your decisions!

[Aussie]

Brandy,

Thankyou for taking the time to write such a long and helpful response. We will have to catch up this summer (can you believe I'm already dreaming about summer - I've obviously been in Sweden too long)

We had a meeting last night about all of this and it looks like they are starting at our end of the building, so we will be the first apartment done! That's good news for us. We are going to a block of apartments in town that have just had their stambyte completed to see a sample of the work next month, so it's all about to happen.

We live in an ettan, as it's just the two of us (well, the 5 of us if you count the dog and birds), so we were thinking that this is hardly a "family apartment", so a tub is expendable. I think I've had one bath in the 4 years I've been here, so I won't miss it particularly. I was curious about later resale - do people want a bath or is the shower okay given that this is an apartment for 1 person or a couple.

We don't have laundry issues - the laundry is directly below our apartment and is easy to book, clean and well run so I'll continue to use it, but thought I'd at least install the plumbing and electrical outlet for machines in the bathroom for future owners. More and more people prefer their own stuff these days.

The floor heating and towel rails look like nice touches, so I think we'll more than likely choose them as extras as well as raising the height of the benches in the kitchen - the 1950's women must have been a lot shorter than me

It doesn't sound like it will be too hard to pack everything into the main room and then cover with plastic sheeting. We can clean up when we get back from sailing. That's a relief as I know my guy would be restless just hanging around here waiting. And we have a mobile phone, so we can be easily contacted especially if we stick close to the coast.

I'll let you know how it all goes. Thanks, again ;D

[Brandy]

IMHO a one room apartment without a tub, but with the plumbing and wiring for machines is an excellent idea.

I, too, am looking forward to the summer! I've been outside shoveling for the past hour. Plus about a total of 3 hours yesterday.

Ski season soon! But to tell you the truth, I just feel so out of shape! I need to get to the gym!

Good luck on your stambyte!

Brandy