Want to avoid a costly renovation mistake? Budgets can be tight, and mistakes can be easy to make. However, there are common renovation hiccups you can avoid. From fixing structural issues first to getting council approval, sticking to the plan and investing in the right materials, these are the reno mistakes to avoid.
Renovations are a big investment, and not everything can go according to plan. However, there are things you can do to avoid a costly renovation mistake.
For a fuss-free renovation the key is planning ahead: from lodging your development approval to surveying your boundaries, using the correct materials and fixing any structural issues before they cost you money and unnecessary stress.
Having development approval from your local council before you begin work is critical. If you do begin work that is off-plan or undertake renovations outside the scope of your local council’s development and planning rules, you can be heavily fined, have to remove the work you’ve done and start again, or in the case of a heritage building, restore it to its original form.
Much of the permission and planning details you need can be found on your local council’s website, with guidelines about timeframes for approval, cost per application, and how to appeal if you need to make changes. This information can help you know how far in advance you need to start your application process, and what professionals you might need to consult and plan with.
Often when renovating, it’s tempting to focus your time, energy and funds on cosmetic renovations and things you want to change (such as updating an older kitchen or installing that new bathroom), when in reality, your costliest home renovation mistake might be ignoring something that needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
It might not be sexy (such as removing a dead tree overhanging your home), or even visible to the naked eye (such as fixing a leaking roof), but it might be necessary to ensure the structural integrity of your home. Consult with the right experts to ensure that you’re putting your renovating dollars where they need to go, in order to protect your home.
Fences might make for great neighbours, unless you get the boundary wrong and build it on land not belonging to you. Fencing is one of the most common home renovation mistakes people make.
Issues include building on your neighbour’s property, not getting council approval, building too high, or not using the approved building material – all of which can end up costing you big dollars to tear down and replace.
To avoid these common fencing issues, consult with council, have survey work done to check you are building within your boundary and check your material is approved. It also can be important to have a friendly chat with your neighbour to know what you have planned, especially if you’re constructing a shared fence.
Everyone has a budget to stick to, and while it can be tempting to go for a cheaper material or product, it is often better to invest in quality materials for high use areas such as benchtops and floorboards that will stand the test of time, rather than something that you’ll need to replace in a year or two.
However, when it comes to avoiding expensive renovation mistakes, it’s not just about using quality materials. It is also about making sure you order enough of them. From timber cladding to tiles, check your measurements, discuss with your tradie and order enough materials to cover the job (and a few items to spare) to ensure you don’t run out of essential materials.
A simple round trip to the hardware store might not seem like a big deal if you don’t have enough, but time is money, and if you need to order a specialty item such as tiles from interstate, you’ll have to pay extra delivery fees. At worst, the material you need might be out of stock.
One of the biggest renovation mistakes you can make is changing your mind. The internet is filled with cautionary tales from fellow renovators trying to sell their surplus materials: expensive tiles being offloaded at a discount, tabletop counters that mismatch, and tins of paint that just weren’t the right shade for the bedroom.
While some cosmetic items can be switched out with just a modest hit to your bottom line, others can seriously impact your budget. Common pitfalls include changing the location of major appliances such as a fridge or a washing machine in a room, purchasing appliances such as a TV or air conditioner that are too heavy for walls, or selecting furniture and rugs too big (or too small) for a room.
The key to avoiding these mistakes is to plan ahead before time, have everybody in the household sign off on the plan, and have a concrete understanding of the workaround if things do go wrong. Remember that changing your mind can impact more than just the cost of materials: it can also blow out project timelines.
Keen to avoid a costly renovation mistake? Save time, money and get the job done right with the hipages app. Download the app, post your job, and up to three tradies will be in touch to make sure your renovation goes smoothly.
Planning a big renovation project but not sure where to start? Well, like anything in life – your renovation process needs a plan. Because without one, home improvement projects can quickly experience blown budgets, increased timeframes, and drama a-plenty.
From setting your objectives, budgeting, organising your development application (DA), and finding the right team, here are our practical planning tips for your next reno.
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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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