The top five things to consider before renovating

Whether you’re planning a quickie DIY bathroom reno or inviting an army of tradies into your home, here are the most important things to think about before you renovate.

1. Decide what you want out of your renovation

Are you renovating to flip or are your intentions more long-term?

Before you start stalking kitchen showrooms, figure out what you want out of your renovation. Let the big picture guide your decisions along the way.

Maria Magrin, a real estate agent at Belle Property Annandale, says budget and lifestyle come into play.

“You might not be able to do everything at the same time, but what you do, do it well,” she says.

Homeowners planning to stay somewhere long-term might consider premium materials, to make life more comfortable.

Those planning a quick sale should aim to make the home attractive to the broadest range of potential buyers, without breaking the bank.

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2. Realistically assess your budget

Understatement of the day: renovating is expensive.

It’s good to know whether you’re biting off more than you can chew. And whether it’s worth chewing even harder.

Sarah Wood is director of The Middlewoman, a building company that provides project management.

“People have no idea how much it’s going to cost, so they can’t make a decision about what to do,” Wood says.

She advises obtaining an estimate of costs from a builder or quantity surveyor before making any big decisions.

Research finance options to ensure the renovation is as cost-effective as possible. And don’t underestimate the pressure a huge mortgage can place on family life, especially with young children.

“It will ruin a relationship if it’s not done properly,” Wood says.

3. Consult the experts

If you’re planning a DIY renovation, contact your local council to learn about any relevant regulations.

For bigger jobs, it’s important to ensure your house can support the work you have in mind. Experienced builders and qualified building inspectors can advise on this.

If you’re engaging a builder, they should be able to guide you through the council process to get planning and building approvals in place. Don’t forget to check their references or view examples of their work.

Architects traditionally act as project managers. You can also engage the services of a specialist project manager, if you’re not going to oversee it yourself.

Wood, of The Middlewoman, says there are thousands of choices to make during a renovation, and a project manager can help make the job easier.

“I recommend [couples renovating] look at it as a business exercise … They could have a meeting with each other once a week, rather than let it take over their lives,” she says.

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4. Get the timing right

Delays can be infuriating and costly. That’s why it pays to think about timing before you revamp your home.

Ideally, you don’t want your shiny new floorboards installed before the cabinetry. Or your Caesarstone bench put in before the new ceiling is in place.

Anoushka Allum, an interior designer and decorator at SmartSpace Interiors, says great tradespeople often have a full schedule.

“You might want to plan this early on and wait until they can fit you in, so you get great quality. It’s worth waiting for,” Allum says.

Also decide whether you need to move out while the work is under way – especially if the bathroom is going to be out of action for a while.

“So many people try to live through it and it’s tough, especially with kids.”

5. Picture all the elements of a room before you start

If you’re going to shell out big bucks on a renovation, you want it to look fabulous.

That means deciding from the outset how you want each space to look. An interior designer or decorator can help.

“They will take you through a process to draw out your style and bring it to life, giving you guidance along the way,” Allum says.

This includes working to a budget, using drawings, mood boards and samples to craft the look you want.

If you’re going it alone, scour magazines, books and blogs for inspiration. Start a file or board on Pinterest to store your favourite images. Look for recurring trends in your selections. Pick one or two key items and build your design choices around them.

Onwards and upwards!

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