5 Things to Consider When Renovating Your Home - Get In My Home
building/renovating, guide, Renovation January 26, 2016 January 26, 2016
Renovations can be stressful and time consuming, regardless of the scale, but the key to a positive experience is forethought and planning. Whether you need to accommodate a growing family or want to update the style of your home, we’ve covered the key considerations to keep in mind when doing your renovation research!
As much as we would all like to have an unlimited budget, it is not a reality for most people. Before selecting materials or planning new designs, work out how much you can afford to spend. If you don’t have the money saved, work out what you can borrow and determine if it is wise to invest that money back into the home. This is particularly important if you are updating the home before selling.
2. Will you use a contractor or DIY?
Depending on the scale of your renovations, it might be possible to undertake some of the work yourself. Keep in mind, some work will need to be performed by licensed tradespeople – particularly electrical and plumbing work. Try asking friends or neighbours if they can recommend a reliable contractor but make sure to get multiple quotes from different companies before make your decision. When considering different options, think about factors such as cost, experience, and availability.
3. What about the exterior?
The exterior of your home is often forgotten during renovations. If you are renovating with the intention to sell, subtle changes can make a big difference to the overall appearance of your home. Street appeal can be enhanced with elements like a custom garage door that matches the style of the home – heritage designs or aluminium grille doors are popular options and you can get them from companies such as Steel-line. Consider incorporating decking or pergolas as well as these can make a big difference to your home.
4. Where can you cut costs?
Don’t spend money for the sake of spending. Renovations can be expensive and in cases, that money won’t be recouped when you sell the home so save where you can. For example, can you remove the floor coverings and utilise the floorboards? Can you use click-together laminate over the top of those old tiles? This could be done instead of removing old materials and laying new flooring, consequently reducing labour costs.
5. Can you live-In while the renovations are going on?
This is something many homeowners forget to factor into their budget. When renovations are happening in the kitchen or bathroom, these spaces may be out of action for several days. Over this time, you may be forced to buy dinners and lunches. If undergoing major renovations, you may even have to live elsewhere (like a hotel) for a while. Knowing about these inconveniences is important before you begin so the extra expenses can be worked into your budget.
Choosing to renovate your home is a big and stressful decision, but you can have a successful renovation if you consider these key factors. Have you renovated recently and got some recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!
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