Taking on a renovation at home can be a big job! Sometimes, the smallest projects end up blowing out and the large projects\u2026well, they\u2019re a feat to say the least! Add the seemingly never-ending costs on top of logistics, styling and lifestyle interruption, and it\u2019s easy to understand why many people feel overwhelmed with the idea of successfully renovating their home.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve put together our top 5 tips for a successful renovation, without breaking the bank!<\/p>\n
By popping just one or two of these tips in your toolbox, we\u2019re confident your renovation experience will be less stressful and much more empowering!<\/p>\n
The first step towards a successful renovation is to create a budget. We\u2019re talking an excel spreadsheet, with separate tabs for each room, an itemised list of what materials and appliances need to be upgraded and a rough estimate of how much each room is going to set you back. Now you have a starting point! If the numbers are scary, this is a great time to scale them back. If you\u2019ve come under what you originally thought you\u2019d spend, fantastic!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s at this stage of your planning that we suggest making a list of your non-negotiables. For example, if you absolutely want to have a marble benchtop in your kitchen rather than a laminate top, pop that on the list! Or perhaps there are a couple of walls that really need to be removed to open your living space. Take some time to consider what your non-negotiables are before starting your renovation. This will make on-the-fly decisions a little easier when the time comes (and let\u2019s face it, the time will come!)<\/p>\n
BONUS TIP: Revisit your budget every couple of weeks to make sure you\u2019re still on track and contingencies are accounted for.<\/p>\n
Sourcing multiple quotes throughout the renovation process could save you thousands of dollars! Our recommendation would be to make 2-3 comparisons before locking in any trade. The same process applies even if you\u2019ve engaged a Builder\/Project Manager to contract trades through their business. Shopping around for the best possible price takes time, but it\u2019s well worth the investment. If you have engaged a Builder\/Project Manager to manage your renovation and trades, be sure to have this conversation with them prior to signing the dotted line to make sure everyone is on the same page.<\/p>\n
This tip is arguably one of the most important when it comes to getting the best bang for your buck throughout your renovation. Why are you renovating your property? To sell? Are you making updates with the intention of renting? Or are you simply giving your home a refresh to turn this place into your forever home?<\/p>\n
Depending on your answer here, there are a number of avenues to explore before taking to the walls with a sledgehammer and ripping up carpet (even though it\u2019s incredibly satisfying).<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s explore this a little further. If you\u2019re planning on living in your home for years to come, there\u2019s nothing stopping you from spending some extra cash on premium features, spacious extensions, and the highest quality materials.<\/p>\n
However, if you\u2019re planning to sell or rent your property, it\u2019s important to take a more strategic approach with your renovations. The aim is to increase the value of your property\/potential rental return without spending a fortune. For example, if you\u2019re planning to rent your home, you may opt for waterproof floating floorboards instead of hardwood timber. Perhaps you might just choose to freshen up the kitchen cupboards with a coat of quality paint, or replacing doors and benchtops if you like the existing layout.<\/p>\n
A common mistake people make when renovating their home is not considering why they\u2019re doing it in the first place. Instead, they spend tens of thousands of dollars on upgrades and unfortunately don\u2019t see this reflected in their rental return or the final sale price of the home.<\/p>\n
Now you have your budget set, your non-negotiables identified, and your trades confirmed, the fun can really begin! We\u2019re big believers in bagging a bargain when it comes to materials and appliances, but it\u2019s important to know when to spend the extra buck to save you some frustration (and money) down the track.<\/p>\n
Example: You might choose to redo your kitchen with a flat pack rather than a custom-made kitchen through a local specialist. This is a tried and tested, fantastic option that\u2019s worked for many DIYers and those on a budget.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, we wouldn\u2019t recommend settling for a cheap, non-durable brand of paint to splash the walls of your home. Instead, engage professionals who use the highest quality, durable, scratch resistant paint to ensure you\u2019re not stripping back the walls shortly after you\u2019ve repainted.<\/p>\n
While we\u2019re on the subject, we\u2019d like to finish off with one final tip: never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint! We\u2019re not just talking walls. If you\u2019re looking to freshen up your space but don\u2019t have the budget for a full rip out and redo, why not consider popping some fresh splashes of paint throughout your home? Think feature walls, cupboards, bedroom doors, tiles (with the right paint type), and even your furniture! You\u2019ll be amazed what a cheeky change in colour palette can do for the spaces in your home.<\/p>\n