Renovating your home can be a scary prospect even if you’ve been through the experience before and know the challenges of keeping your project on track.
Upgrading a home is a mixture of science and art, and you need to be on top of the quality of construction, as well as design and the aesthetics.
Renovators fall into three basic categories: owners who want to maximise the value of their home before sale, those wishing to improve their lifestyle and buyers who have bought a renovators delight at a discount.
As experienced local agents, we’ve worked with prospective buyers seeking property in need of renovation and sellers who want to make critical improvements to enhance the value of their home before sale.
The key to a successful renovation is planning and diligence. It is essential to have a vision for your project and obtain a minimum of three quotes so you find the contractors who can deliver within a budget and a timeframe.
We’ve pulled together seven tips that will help you prepare for a renovation.
Ignore TV shows
Nothing will put you in a world of renovation pain than believing the pricing you see in reality TV shows. Labour costs are a fundamental reality of renovation and rarely gets a mention on the small screen, while material costs are also often donated by sponsors. Budget in the real world, not the world of reality TV.
Quotes come in writing
Always insist on receiving a quote in writing rather than believing a verbal estimate. When the bill comes in, you may find yourself with a nasty surprise.
Expertise counts
If your budget will stretch, call in the experts. An architect, lighting consultants and interior designers can transform your project and give you options you’d never have considered. And given you’re investing in your most significant financial asset, consider the dollar value they might add.
Focus on you
Unless you want to sell the property quickly, renovate for your lifestyle. For example, don’t feel obliged to install a guest room if you never have guests, or have numerous bathrooms. If you’re a shower person and don’t like baths, save yourself the expense of a tub.
Minimise your role
Consider hiring a general contractor who co-ordinates sub-contractors for the entire project. You want to avoid juggling tradespeople. One bad apple will throw out your timeline and cause friction with the others.
Stop and shop
Avoid buying materials from multiple suppliers. That quickly gets very confusing, especially when it comes to delivery schedules. Ideally, you’ll purchase from only one or two suppliers. It will make it easier to time when materials arrive, keep your project on schedule and you should be able to negotiate a package discount.
Be tactile
Don’t rely on the internet. Instead, go to each shop and touch the items you want to buy. For example, tapware can look amazing online but turn out to be cheap and nasty when you open the box. Instead, ask for swatches of cloth and buy small test-cans of paint. Take your time with your decisions and always ask about warranties on the products you purchase.