5 things to know before you start a home renovation

With Nine’s The Block making a return to Aussie screens, spring renovation fever slowly begins to take hold with many individuals looking to make some additional home improvements.

However the reality of renovating can be a little different to a TV makeover – big projects can be a big headache and are notorious for putting the most committed relationships to the test. Not to mention the dust, delays and red tape.

In the lead-up to the busy spring home renovation season, hipages trusted tradie and tv personality Jason Charles, shares his top tips to help Aussie homeowners get on top of their renovations. With over 30 years’ experience, Charles shares his words of wisdom to ensure you’re a little wiser and better prepared when your project kicks off.

Budget is everything. Every project has a cost and it’s always important to plan ahead to ensure your home renovation dream is within your budget. Your project is very likely to go over budget, typically because of unexpected expenditure, unforeseen delays, or poor planning. This is why it makes sense to build in a 10-20% budget buffer for your project, as well as have a solid understanding of your project beginning to end so you can anticipate hidden costs.

Here are 10 expenses homeowners forget to budget for when planning an extension.

You also need to prepare yourself for the unexpected – because stuff will happen even if you have planned everything meticulously. How could you know your wall had asbestos in it or that your neighbour would have a problem with your plans for a rooftop pool?

There will be changes to your project – either because you change your mind when you see it all coming together, or to make something more practical. Try to keep changes (variations) to a minimum as this impacts the timeline of your project, as well as the costs your builder has carefully calculated.

Here are 10 things to remember during a home renovation.

Beginning renovations on your home can be both an exciting and daunting step in creating your dream home, and the biggest question is – when can I move back in? Ask your builder to provide you with a scope of work in your contract that includes the anticipated timeframe.

However, keep in mind that the timeframes of your project can change, and may be delayed at some point outside of your builder’s control. This can be caused by any number of things including delayed materials, red tape/permits, and the weather to name a few. The key here is to be flexible and patient.

Your home will be unliveable and/or extremely dirty for most or all of the project. And sometimes, projects can be too big, overwhelming or outright hazardous, so there is no getting around the fact that you may have to live somewhere else during your renovation – particularly if you are having your bedrooms and bathrooms/kitchens renovated. Build this into your planning and arrange alternative accommodation well in advance. Being out of the house can help manage the stresses of your renovation project. Try to keep close by so you can keep across the exciting progress!

Follow these tips for moving house.

When it comes time to hiring a tradie, Charles recommends connecting with businesses via hipages to guarantee that you’re speaking with someone that is licenced and registered. In doing this, you’ll also be able to see examples of the tradie’s previous work and recommendations provided by local homeowners.

No matter the size of your job, always work with a licenced tradie and ensure you have an open dialogue, and have three itemised quotes (in writing!). This should cover the cost of inclusions, exclusions (ie materials used) and estimated time frame and can save time on any awkward situations that can occur down the road.

Now find out, what I wish I’d known before hiring a contractor.

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