20 tips for planning a successful house renovation

When planning a house renovation, it can be tempting to skip to the exciting stage of choosing new paint colours, fixtures and fittings, but in order for any renovation to go smoothly, there are several things to think about before you even begin.

Before you decide how extensively to renovate, you need to know what your end goal is for your home. Are you renovating to raise the resale value of your home, or will you be staying put for years to come? Consider the condition of your neighbourhood before you begin, and know which renovations are a good return on investment, and which will be considered overdoing it for the area. Having a specific plan in place for your future will help you decide how deep to go with your project.

Plus: 11 important things to do when planning to sell your home.

Knowing your budget – and sticking to it – is one of the most important parts of renovation planning. Remember to add in a contingency fund for any unexpected costs – and expect to use it – as well as incidental costs like the cost of eating out for a kitchen reno, or even taking a hotel for a night or two. It can be easy to want a top-of-the-line renovation, but perhaps all you need are some cheap upgrades which will make your house look more expensive. Do your research and plan your budget before ever lifting a hammer.

If you’re hoping for a brand-new home for a particular event or holiday, make sure you look at your end date and work your way backward. Be sure to pencil in a few weeks to a month at the end for wiggle-room in case there are delays on the way to avoid disappointment. Find out how to complete a renovation without getting a divorce

Take the time to chat with friends, family and neighbours about the renovation work they have done, and the challenges they have faced during the process. Having a wealth of information from homeowners who have been in your shoes can be invaluable in the planning process, and this information may alter your end plan.

DIY renos are a great way to save money, have a sense of accomplishment, and involve the entire family, but they can turn disastrous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Know which tasks you can safely tackle, and which should be handled like the pros, like a potentially load-bearing wall, asbestos or lead paint. If you’re feeling unsure, here’s how to find a good contractor to help.

These are the 12 home improvement projects you should never, ever DIY.

Any good contractor will have no problem providing references, and copies of liability insurance before a job begins. Don’t rely solely on client testimonials, search out actual customers that can give you a firsthand account and answer any questions you may have. For any project, ask to see before and after images of a contractor’s prior work, and most importantly – trust your gut and know which questions to ask.

Look out for these 13 signs you’re about to hire a dodgy tradie.

To make any house renovation as simple as possible, declutter, pack up or move any items in the renovation zone. For a whole-home renovation, consider renting an offsite locker or onsite storage pod to keep all your belongings secure and clean during the process.

If you’re an experienced DIYer, you are likely good at working around the disruptions of a house renovation. However, if you’ve hired a contractor for any part of the job, be sure to be clear about your daily routine, and work with the contractor to come up with start and end times that cause the least disruption in your family’s day. After all, no one wants to encounter tradespeople while you’re still in your bathrobe.

There’s nothing more frustrating than being in the middle of a job when you can’t find the tool you need. Before you begin your renovation, reserve an area of your home to act as mission control to keep all your tools, materials, manuals and checklists in one place.

Discover 32 ways to save during a home renovation.