Thinking About Renovating?
Renovation Quotes
from local renovators
A renovator's dream can quickly become a renovator's nightmare if you're not properly prepared for the project ahead. While it is easy to fantasize about renovation as if it is the easy, carefree alternative of moving house, things can swiftly go wrong without a little forethought and careful consideration of the different stages involved in a successful renovation.
Don't get caught out when planning your renovation - follow this handy checklist to make sure it all runs as smoothly as possible.
1. Research like crazy
What do you want? Where do you want it? How much do you want it to cost? How long do you expect it will take? The questions are endless and fairly exhausting, but knowing the answers before you begin will make your home renovation go a lot smoother. You can't expect a renovator to be able to provide you with an accurate quote when all you have is a rough idea in your head. It's best for both parties if you have clear specifications that you want met.
2. If you need a permit, apply for it ASAP
Council approval, permits and certificates are the sort of things that will get sorted quickly if you have all the time in the world - or take forever if you've left it to the last minute. Check with your council to find out which permits you may need to continue your renovation and make your applications early in the process to avoid all unnecessary delays.
3. Engage professionals to help plan
Even a seemingly simple renovation still has to satisfy the building code and other standards, so it's always worth considering hiring a professional to help out. For example, if you're planning on modifying your kitchen or installing a gorgeous outdoor spa you will have to talk to an electrician specialising in renovation to ensure you're keeping your 'wet and dry' areas separate and aren't creating a potential safety hazard. Professional insight is a real asset to you during the early development of your renovation - ensure you properly understand which options are and are not available.
4. Keep it sensible and stylish
Kitsch may be cute, but it won't always sell well. If you think you might need to eventually sell your home then it's definitely worth putting some effort into ensuring that you aren't making a style faux pas. Research current trends; take into account the area your house is in and what market it's likely to attract; and even hire an interior designer to ensure that the final result will be both beautiful and marketable. Also, avoid making rash decorative decisions - what seems like a 'great, unique idea' to a caffeinated brain early in the morning may haunt you for years to come.
5. Be prepared to live in a construction zone
It's not all light and laughter in the world of renovation - be prepared to get a little dirty. Depending on what you're planning, your renovation could easily interfere with your daily life and that of your family. What will you do when the bathroom is mid-renovation? How will you prepare dinner when the kitchen is in pieces around you? Even the most organised, efficient renovator will admit that things don't always arrive when they should or have to be sent back for alterations.
Have a plan (and even a back up plan) for what you'll do while your house is partway renovated. If that means asking the plumber to install some 'temporary' solutions or moving back to Mum's for a week, then so be it. Just be prepared for the unexpected.
6. Only hire certified tradies
It can be tempting to cut corner and try to find a cheaper solution - whether that's DIY or good ole Joe Blow from the Yellow Pages offering to do it half price - but please be wary of false economies and remember that certification is there to protect you and your family from risk.
A certified tradesperson will be licensed and have appropriate public liability insurance for if something goes wrong. They'll also be able to provide you with construction certificates that will add value to the house should you decide to sell. On top of that, if it's an appliance alteration such as a replacement stove top then you'll have the added advantage that it won't void your warranty.
Ask your tradies to present their licenses and insurance certificates before they start work on your property. Alternatively, post your job with Service Central and our certification system will ensure that only certified tradies are given the opportunity to quote on your renovation job.
7. Work out your budget before you begin
Renovation budgets can be pretty complex things to figure out - you have to factor in how much you have to spend, how much you'll need to spend on materials, how much the service providers will charge and then your research will probably reveal a myriad of other, hidden costs.
Then there's the unexpected - it's a good idea to add 10 - 20% on top of your budget for when the carpenter reveals stump damage or the plumber finds pipes that need replacing or the electrician discovers asbestos. Having a little set aside for unexpected circumstances turns major disasters into minor inconveniences.
Renovation Quotes
from local renovators
