Fixed BTL Refurb Package — A Case Study

Ellice Construction completed a fast, cost-controlled light refurbishment of a one-bed retirement living apartment for an estate agency & property investor. The goal was to create a calm, safe and rent-ready home with broad appeal to older residents—modernising kitchens and bathrooms, refreshing finishes, improving lighting, and minimising future maintenance—without the disruption or spend of a full rip-out.

Before

After

  • Whole home

    • Full redecoration: warm neutral walls, white ceilings/woodwork to maximise light.

    • New dense-pile carpets to living room & bedroom; LVP to kitchen for durability.

    • Warm-white lighting upgrade (new wall lights & pendant), sockets/switches checked and rationalised.

    • Consistent, easy-operate window treatments (simple curtain poles and drapes).

    Living room

    • Make-good walls/ceilings, reseal skirtings, tidy cabling and outlets.

    • Cleaned and refreshed feature fireplace and surround.

    Kitchen (compact U-shape)

    • Retained layout; upgraded touch points:

      • Shaker cabinet fronts with easy-grip knobs.

      • Walnut-tone worktops with softened leading edges.

      • White bevelled metro tiles with mid-grey grout.

      • New electric hob/oven & stainless extractor.

      • Re-sealed 1.5 bowl sink, new mixer tap.

      • Pendant task light and LVP flooring.

    Bedroom

    • Redecoration, new carpet, warm-white wall light, and matching curtains.

    • Cleared circulation to suit mobility aids if required.

    Bathroom

    • Converted to walk-in shower: low tray, framed glass screen.

    • Large-format stone-effect tiles to walls/floor; chrome thermostatic shower set.

    • Heated towel rail, mirrored cabinet, white vanity.

    • Strategically placed grab rails; full re-silicone and ventilation check.

    • Safety & comfort: low shower threshold, grab bars, rounded edges, firm thresholds.

    • Visibility: light-boosting palette with contrast at worktops/tiles/sockets to aid depth perception.

    • Low maintenance: wipe-clean tiles, LVP in wet areas, durable carpets elsewhere.

    • Even, warm lighting: reduces glare and improves night-time orientation.

    • Compact kitchen: kept the efficient U-shape and used light tiles plus continuous worktops to reduce visual clutter while maximising prep space.

    • Modernising on a light-refurb budget: focused spend on high-impact touch points (tiles, tops, lighting, appliances) while retaining sound elements and services.

    • A bright, cohesive apartment that photographs well and meets the expectations of age-restricted renters.

    • Reduced maintenance burden through robust finishes and tidy detailing.

    • Delivered snag-free and ready to market, supporting faster lettings and stable returns.

    • Dual-aspect living room with fresh décor and warm wall lighting.

    • Shaker-style, U-shaped kitchen with walnut-tone tops, metro tiles, and new hob/oven/extractor.

    • Contemporary walk-in shower room with grab rails, heated towel rail, and large-format tiling.