Top 5 renovation mistakes and how to avoid them
To help you dodge any renovation disasters, the expert team at Three Bird Renovations share their list of the five most common and costly mistakes you need to avoid in your project.
Ready to hire?
To help you dodge any renovation disasters, the expert team at Three Bird Renovations share their list of the five most common and costly mistakes you need to avoid in your project.
Ready to hire?
Renovating your home is likely one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make – second only to buying it. So, you definitely want to get it right. We often see first-time renovators, bursting with excitement, dive headfirst into their projects.
While their enthusiasm is commendable, rushing in without proper planning can lead to some major regrets. The wise person who said, “failing to plan is planning to fail,” was spot on.
Starting a renovation without a clear vision is like setting out on a road trip without Google Maps – you’ll likely end up lost and far from your desired destination. It’s just too risky! The same goes for your home renovation.
The first thing we teach in Three Birds Reno School is the importance of a vision board and how to create one for your project. This becomes your renovation bible, visually summarising your end goal on one page. Share it with your architect, builder and other trades and watch how it gets everyone on the same page. It’ll also make choosing fittings and fixtures a breeze.
Do you have your vision board ready to share with your dream team?
This one should be a no-brainer. Imagine getting towards the end of your renovation and realising you’ve blown your budget – or worse, you don’t have the funds to finish. Yikes!
Overspending due to poor planning, mismanaged quotes, or not adding a contingency budget for unexpected costs can be devastating.
Start with a detailed budget, stick to it, and always add a little extra for those “just in case” moments. Trust us, your future self will thank you.
When you’re hiring tradies for a project, you’ll want to do your very best to ensure they’re reliable, skilled and professional before giving them the go ahead to join your dream reno team.
Start by verifying their credentials and licences to confirm they are legally allowed to perform the work and have adequate insurance coverage. A licensed tradie should have no problem showing you these, it’s all part of their business.
If you’re employing someone, you’ll want to know they’ve done the job before! A renovation site is not a place for rookies, unless they’re apprentices under the careful guidance of an experienced pro. So look for tradies who have successfully completed similar projects and can provide a portfolio of their work.
Checking references and online reviews will give you insight into their reputation and reliability. Again, any good tradie should have no problem producing these for you if they’re proud of their work.
Clear and responsive communication is a must, as it helps set expectations and prevent misunderstandings. Always request detailed written quotes to avoid hidden costs and ensure transparency. A written contract outlining the scope of work, payment schedule, and timelines is vital for protecting both parties.
In today’s market, finding good tradies can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But it doesn’t have to. With a little help from hipages, you can connect with trusted tradies in three easy steps:
We love a good DIY project, but some jobs should be left to the pros. There are so many reasons why you should never DIY a job that needs a licensed tradie. You might think you’re saving money by doing everything yourself, but when you factor in the time and the potential for mistakes, it often doesn’t pay off.
For specialised jobs (especially those involving power and water) hire licensed professionals. In Australia, it’s mandated by law that some jobs be completed and certified by licensed professionals, like electrical work and water-proofing.
You should never attempt to DIY these jobs for your own safety and to avoid costly mistakes. Non-compliant work can lead to legal issues, fines and complications when selling your home or claiming insurance. Licensed professionals ensure that all work meets these standards, providing peace of mind and avoiding future hassles.
Play to your strengths. For us, that’s planning, design, and project management. We leave the tricky stuff to the experts. Yes, it costs more upfront, but the job is done quicker and the results are top-notch.
A beautiful garden is the cherry on top of your dream home renovation. But forgetting to budget for landscaping is a common mistake. Treat your landscaping budget like your home renovation budget – itemised and with a healthy contingency figure! Since landscaping usually happens at the end of the renovation, make sure there’s money left for it by planning ahead.
Jobs like laying turf can be easy to DIY with the help of a few friends but if you’re looking for someone with greener thumbs, the good news is that you can find your local landscapers in one place at hipages.
An experienced landscaper brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity, ensuring that your garden looks fabulous and functions well too. They understand the best plants for your climate, soil type and maintenance preferences, to ensure your garden not only survives, but thrives.
Their expertise in plant varieties, irrigation systems and drainage solutions will mean that every aspect of your outdoor space is expertly planned and executed. A professional landscaper can save you time and effort by handling all the details, from design to implementation, allowing you to sit back and enjoy your new garden.
Renovating your home should be an enjoyable and satisfying experience, not a stress-inducing nightmare. By avoiding these five common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to a successful renovation that stays on budget and meets your vision.
Happy renovating!
Save thousands on the things you need to renovate or maintain your dream home.
Three Birds Renovations is a people-powered brand dedicated to inspiring and empowering women on their ‘dream home’ journey, no matter how big or small their project and budget.
Founded by best friends and busy mums, Bonnie, Erin and Lana, are seasoned renovators, best-selling authors of Australia’s number one home improvement book, creators of popular online courses, Three Birds Reno School and Three Birds Styling School and brains behind the Three Birds Dream Discount Card. Over 40,000 students worldwide are designing, building and styling their homes using the Birds’ knowledge, templates and support network.
