The Block favourite Tom Calleja shares his top tips for budding renovators
Australia’s obsession with property is showing little sign of slowing down, with hit shows like The Block continuing to fuel our love of renovation.
And if the past 20 years of The Block have taught us anything, it’s that going into a renovation unprepared and without the right people on your team can lead to disaster.
The latest research from hipages shows that 73 per cent of Australians would prefer to renovate their homes over buying a new one, so getting it right from the start is paramount.
Former Block contestant and plumber Tom Calleja, who renovated House 1 on last year’s season of The Block: Tree Change with his wife, Sarah-Jane, says there are plenty of things that can go wrong in even the most basic of renovations.
The fan favourite is back for this year’s series, lending his plumbing skills to the teams on Charming Street with a fleet of plumbers for hipages.
He shares his top tips for how to avoid renovation traps and build your dream home.
1. Know what you’re working with
While it’s easy to spot things that need fixing on the outside, Calleja says it’s important to get an idea of what’s going on with the bones of a house before you start a renovation.
He says home owners should tick off three basics before they kick off any renovation work: foundations, plumbing and electrical.
He says ensuring the home’s foundations can support any renovation work, including floor plan changes and extensions, is key. Check for cracked walls and ceilings, squeaky floorboards and water leaks. These can all be signs of movement in a house.
When it comes to plumbing and electrical, the problems could be hiding under the house and in the walls.
Calleja advises you get a licenced plumber to check your pipework for any signs of damage such as tree roots. A qualified electrician can check the home’s wiring and circuitry to ensure everything is in working order.
“The last thing anyone wants is to get halfway through renovations [and] realise the job is much bigger than anticipated,” he says.
2. Always use a licenced tradesperson
While it’s tempting to DIY your reno to keep costs down, there are some jobs that must be completed by a licenced professional.
While simple jobs like painting are relatively low risk, you need to call in the pros for anything that requires structural work, plumbing, gas and electrical.
“Waterproofing is another big and super-important job that often needs fixing after someone has had a crack without really knowing what they’re doing,” Calleja says. “In fact, as a plumber, I often get called in to diagnose a lot of waterproofing problems.”
Research from hipages shows the average cost of fixing DIY mistakes is $4500.
“Not only does a licensed tradie mean getting the job right the first time, but it also means your home is still covered by insurance if something does go wrong,” Calleja says.
“Play it safe and don’t attempt anything outside of your skill set.”
3. Cost out the job properly
Building costs have ballooned in Australia in recent years, in part due to a lack of supply and the increased cost of materials.
Sticking to a budget can be hard in a volatile environment, but getting multiple quotes for a job will give you a better understanding of what the job will cost.
Bear in mind that the cheapest quote is not always the best. Ensure you look at timelines for delivery, quality of materials and what is and isn’t covered in the job.
Calleja says getting three quotes will help you determine a budget and timeline for the project delivery.
“To understand each quote in greater detail, it’s best to get each tradie on the phone,” he says. “This will also give you the opportunity to get an understanding of their experience and ask questions.”
4. Look for budget-friendly alternatives
Calleja says budgets can easily blow out on renovation jobs, so being smart about material selections is a great way to keep your finances in check.
Being willing to compromise on brands or materials can help ensure the project runs to budget. Also, look for opportunities to reuse existing fixtures and fittings where possible, source quality second-hand pieces or upcycle existing items.
“For bathroom renovations, opting for wall-panelling products over wall-to-ceiling tiles is a great way to cut costs on labour and materials, Calleja says. “These were quite popular in this season of The Block.
“If you’re renovating your kitchen, you can use stone copies that are made of timber instead of pure stone. This way you can get the same aesthetic without breaking the bank.”
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