5 things to know before you start a home renovation
As much as renovating your home is exciting, being aware of common issues and challenges will help you prepare for the unexpected and be a little wiser and better prepared when it all starts.
As much as renovating your home is exciting, being aware of common issues and challenges will help you prepare for the unexpected and be a little wiser and better prepared when it all starts.
There’s no way around it — big projects can be a big headache. A major home reno can put even the most chilled-out relationships to the test, not to mention the dust, delays and inevitable red tape.
That’s because, unlike reality TV, where a home can be transformed in a few hours, days, or weeks, a home reno will always throw you an unexpected curve ball. After all, how could you know your wall had asbestos in it? Or that your neighbour would have a problem with your plans for a rooftop pool? Or that your pipes in the bathroom need replacing?
Your renovation budget is one of the most important things to consider for your renovation project. How much can you afford to spend? What are the most important things you want to achieve with this budget? What are your 'must-haves' and what are your 'nice-to-haves'?
Once you've created your budget, add a 10%-20% buffer. Even the most well-planned projects can fall victim to unexpected expenditures or rising labour or materials costs, which is why having a contingency is so important.
Other unexpected costs could include:
Once your house renovation is in full swing, allocate expenses against each line item in your budget so you can see where you're at with spending and avoid surprises.
With well-documented global supply chain issues dramatically impacting the construction industry in Australia (some sources say that the overall cost to build a house in Australia will be over $75,000 more in 2023 compared to 2022), having a contingency is more critical than ever.
No matter how good your project management skills are, there will always be changes – either because you change your mind when you see it all coming together, you need to make something more practical, or because of issues with planning, permits or unexpected work along the way.
You may even need to cut some things to save money if you're over budget in other areas. Try to keep changes to a minimum where you can, as constant variations can impact the project's timeline, costs, and drive your builder (a little) doolally.
Sorry to say it, but although planning is 100% important, and you shouldn't start your house renovation without it, timeframes are still likely to change.
Delays are super common with home renovations and can be caused by several things, including delayed materials, red tape/permits and the bad weather, to name a few. The key here is to be flexible and patient.
Stay in regular contact with your contractors so you know where the project is and can be prepared for when timeframes change.
Depending on the size of your renovation and the areas you're renovating, you need to be practical about the fact that you'll need to live somewhere else during the work.
This is particularly true if you are having your bedrooms and bathrooms/kitchens renovated. Build this into your planning and arrange alternative accommodation well in advance. If you need to stay home with the renos in full swing, chat with your builder about the order to complete the work, so you know what's possible.
While you might be tempted to DIY as much of your reno as possible, you'll need to hire tradies too.
Even if you're confident with your own skills, working with the experts can make all the difference and will save you more time than you can imagine. Did you know it's illegal to do some types of work (such as electrical and plumbing) yourself too?
Home reno professionals will:
The best way to prepare for a home reno that's (almost) as seamless as a TV show is to plan, plan, plan and always hire licensed tradies. They've seen it all before and can help you prepare for what's ahead, as well as save you significant time and money.
When it comes time to hire tradies, you must ensure they are suitable for your job. No matter the size of your job, always request a fully itemised quote, including the cost of all materials used. This can help keep all those unexpected additions to a minimum.
Before you start your new home reno, you’ll need to strip out all the rooms being renovated. That means pulling out carpets, fixtures and fittings, tiles and more. For stripping the house before renovating, expect to pay:
As a guide to the breakdown of your total costs for a major renovation or building project, expect to pay:
With global supply chain issues well documented, the average cost of materials for a home reno is rising.
Some of the costs for common home renovation items as of February 2023 include:
Remember, these are ballpark figures. Getting quotes from licensed plumbers, electricians, and tile removal services is the only way to know for sure what anyone will charge. This will also give you a good idea of current market rates.
The home reno process will look like this:
Planning is essential, from deciding on practical considerations like the rooms you’re renovating or adding to your floor plan, to creative decisions like the look and feel of the final product. Visit showrooms, gather inspiration online, and seek quotes from tradies. And don’t forget to put together a detailed budget and timeline.
Reno-ing is a messy process, and you’ll need to remove as much of your furniture and personal goods as possible and maybe even relocate yourselves
This involves removing your fixtures and fittings, cabinetry, and appliances and removing the wall and floor tiling for a kitchen or bathroom. It sounds like a couple of hours of DIY, right? You couldn’t be further off the mark, especially when removing the tiling. It is tough physical work, but you also need the right equipment and know-how. You also need to be licensed to work on any aspect of your home’s plumbing and electrical systems – so DIY demolition is out of the question for many of these jobs.
Don’t forget you’ll also need to store or remove all the waste and are obliged to dispose of it in an approved way – not on your nearest pavement
Now you’ve got your home ready for reno; it’s time to let the tradies get to work transforming your house into a dream home. Get ready to channel your inner interior designer too, as it’s nearly time for those finishing touches
Renovating your home is exciting, and getting your hands dirty can be highly rewarding. But DIY projects may not always be the best, or only option for your home.
Let’s take a look at some of the common home renovation projects and find out — when can you DIY and when is it time to hire a professional tradie?
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Hiring an experienced tradie to help transform your home can mean the difference between DIY disaster and a smooth, skilled and stress-free renovation.
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