Home renovations are exciting. However, jumping in to get started without proper planning can lead to mistakes that could prolong the project or make it go over budget.
Before breaking ground, here are 10 questions that you should ask yourself.
1. Why are you renovating?
The first thing you should be certain of is the reason for renovating your home. Do you want to add value to the property so you can sell it for profit or increase the rental price? Do you just want to update your home’s style? Whatever the reason may be, setting an objective will help you make the right decisions once planning is underway.
Determining your “why” will help you visualise your end goal, keep track of the progress of the renovation and steer it in the right direction.
2. How much is your budget?
Funding is very important when undertaking a renovation. So, determine your budget before you get started and stick to it. The more precise your estimate is, the better.
Perform some thorough research by talking to your friends who have done a renovation or consulting online forums. Reach out to property experts and get sample quotations for the materials from suppliers. Once you’ve determined the right budget for your reno, add at least 20% to cover any unforeseen expenses and issues that may arise during the process.
With your budget at hand, you’ll know if you have enough money to fund the reno or if you will need finance. Either way, it’s advisable to stick to your budget once the renovation is underway. Resist all temptation to divert from your initial plan and you will not blow out your bank account.
3. Will you renovate in stages?
The next thing to consider is whether to renovate the entire property at once or to break up the project into stages.
This should be easy to answer once you’ve determined your budget and your source of funding. If you can finance the renovation fully with your savings or with a loan, then do it in one go. But if you don’t have the financial flexibility, know that there’s nothing wrong with renovating your home in a series of instalments.
You can start with renovating the kitchen or living room, and then tackle the rest of the interior when you are financially ready. The exterior can be dealt with last, after a few months of building up your funds.
4. How do you want your new space to look?
Before undertaking a renovation, decide on the new design of your home.
How do you want it to look like? If you don’t know yet, get some ideas on the web (Pinterest is a great place to start) or in home improvement magazines. You can also employ the services of an interior designer if you have the funds available.
However, you want to do it, knowing how you want your home to look following the renovation allows you to set your expectations and articulate what you want.
5. What are the state requirements?
Regardless of your city or state, requirements need to be met before home renovations can begin.
If you are doing a major renovation, one thing you will definitely need is a construction permit. To be certain, contact your local council right away to clarify this requirement. Building materials should also be complete before undertaking a renovation so that the construction crew can focus solely on the work.
Also, don’t forget to draw up a work schedule and make sure that both parties (your family and the contractors) are aware of it. Specific project stages like moving the furniture and security planning (among other things) should be clearly scheduled.
6. Are you inclined toward a particular trend?
Let’s get one thing straight: it’s rarely a good idea to renovate your home simply to follow a trend. Trends are great for redecorating and swapping out accessories — not for restructuring your home. Renovations are quite costly. You don’t want to spend money today, only to renovate again after a few years because the design is already outdated.
Our advice? Go for a timeless design that can accommodate trends in the future. Most modern designs nowadays can count as timeless. Modern homes also have high marketability should you decide to sell. Older more traditional homes have a market for specific property shoppers, but modern homes will probably gain more enquiries.
7. Do you plan to anchor your home?
If you are renovating a two-storey home, you might want to consider anchoring it. Anchoring is a visual technique that separates a beautiful two-story structure from an odd-looking building that’s standing on its own. Most two-storey homes look either top heavy or like they are simply sticking out of the ground — neither is a pretty picture.
One of the easiest ways to anchor a home is through landscaping. Surrounding the home with dense, dark-coloured plants can help the structure look more ‘anchored’ to the ground. Planter boxes can be great as well.
The idea is to add visually heavy elements to the bottom part of your home.
8. How much time and effort are you willing to invest?
Aside from the financial burden, a renovation will also require time and effort.
Plenty of homeowners miscalculate a renovation completion date, failing to take into account the time it takes to plan, find contractors, source the materials, and schedule the actual work. All of these stages will take a considerable chunk of your time and can leave you sapped of energy for anything else.
Determining how much time you can spare right from the start can help you set the project stages accordingly and significantly reduce your stress levels as you move through the reno.
9. Is it time to upgrade your balustrade and fences?
Another thing to consider if you own a two-storey home is the condition of the balustrades and handrails. Old homes often have non-compliant or outdated balustrades and a home renovation is a good opportunity to modernise them.
While you’re at it, think about whether it’s time to add a boundary fence around your home. Fences can be aesthetically pleasing and also useful in demarcating your entire property.
10. How much professional help do you need?
Unless you are experienced in construction work, you will most likely require professional help.
DIY projects are exciting, can be a source of pride, and will probably save you some cash at first, but if you’re not pro the best outcome can’t be guaranteed. Some tasks of a home renovation require precision that only professionals are able to perfect.
If you are not adept will tools and hard labour, a DIY project may lead to mistakes, redo’s, and a waste of materials and effort. In the end, you may end up spending more.
Getting professional help from renovation experts, like Renovare, will make sure that everything is done correctly and according to plan. It will also save your effort and energy, so you can focus on other important household errands and responsibilities.
Call us at Renovare today on 0400 881 540 and let us help you make the best decisions before undertaking a renovation. Our renovation experts can transform your property into the home that you’ve always wanted.