Renovating can completely change the look and feel of any living space. However, it is not a trivial undertaking as the project’s success heavily depends on the time you spend researching and planning your desired look. Furthermore, in a big city like Sydney, diving headfirst into a renovation project without proper planning and budget can cost you an arm and a leg; that too without your project turning out the way you desired.
Renovation without planning: a recipe for disaster
Even though house renovation may seem like a simple project, however, when the time comes, you’ll want to add one thing after another to your checklist for your renovation project.
Effective planning is the key to the success of any renovation project on a budget, especially in an expensive city like Sydney. Renovations can cost you around 20,000 dollars or more, depending on your wants. Without proper planning, you can easily spend upward of a hundred thousand dollars, regardless of whether you want a complete makeover or some replacements in your living space.
Tips for renovating on a budget
Plan the process
Plan out the entire project. Think through your needs, list your wants, and determine your ultimate objective for each room in your house to create a detailed strategy before beginning the remodeling process.
Depending on the scale of renovation, you may want to consider moving out expensive furniture and fixtures to a storage unit so that they don’t get damaged during the process. Furthermore, if you have a lot of furniture that needs moving, you may consider hiring professional moving services such as Optimove Sydney to carefully and responsibly move your items. A renovation plan can help you keep track of project progress and stop you from deviating too much from your original requirements.
Set a realistic budget
If you are serious about renovating your home on a budget, you need to set a tight and fast budget. A common mistake people make when budgeting is to make an overly optimistic estimate of the amount of money they will require, rather than starting with a base estimate and increasing it as you research your needs.
You are bound to encounter unexpected expenses, which can inflate your estimate by 20 to 30%. Get professional help planning to get the most accurate budget estimate and avoid unforeseen expenses. Always set your budget in line with how much you can afford. Always include additional costs such as council permits in your budget.
Know what you want
Looking at the unlimited options available on the market can leave you confused, but knowing what you want can help you narrow down your choices.
Are you going for a chic, contemporary vibe or a more classic one? Do you want your living space to stand out or blend in? All these choices can guide your decisions on what you want.
Ultimately, the materials you get should reflect your desired design aesthetic. Every element of the room, from the walls to the ceiling to the floor and windows, must work together to create the desired effect, whether you want a colorful style or something a bit more classic. Instead of focusing on the decor of individual rooms, consider the overall effect.
If you take a more holistic approach and plan how you will furnish the space after the renovation ends, the results will look more cohesive. Furthermore, as you continue researching, you’ll realize that you don’t have to shop high-end to get the items you love. You can easily get the same, if not better, at a lower price elsewhere.
Set a project timeline
Always be flexible with the project timeline, as renovation projects can take longer than you initially expected. The project can get delayed for several reasons, ranging from poor weather, a shortage of supplies, or sick leaves.
Make a plan outlining the tasks and the sequence they should be completed before initiating the renovation process. The renovation process can be rough due to the sheer volume of effort involved. With a plan in place, you can keep your momentum going and your mind on the task until the job gets done.
For example, you may think replacing a light fixture or knocking down a wall or two won’t make a difference to your plans and budget. However, reality can differ vastly as costs and project timelines can take quite a hit from these arbitrary decisions. Select your new upgrades before removing old ones to ensure a smooth remodeling process and timeframe.
Invest in quality
High-quality materials last longer and even wind up saving you a lot of money in the long run, compared to low-quality materials that may require substantial repairs down the road.
Things like long-term viability, environmental effect, structural strength, thermal efficiency, noise reduction, and resilience to fire, pests, and dampness should all be considered. Furthermore, to improve your home’s ecological footprint, you can opt for lightweight framed construction, which uses timber and steel. You can also consider reusing materials and elements from an old structure you want to remodel.
If you do your homework in advance, you may find the furniture, art, and furnishings you want for your house at rates that won’t break the bank once the renovation starts. Use resources like online retailers, thrift shops, and second-hand furniture shops to determine how far you can stretch your budget.
Conclusion
Many homeowners, at some point in their lifetimes, will have to decide whether to undertake a major home makeover. It may be a satisfying experience, whether your goal is to increase your home’s worth or revitalize your living space. However, if not careful, renovations can end up costing you a fortune.
Regardless of whether you want to enhance your family home or are looking to make a profit – renovation requires substantial planning and budget.
You can easily avoid problems with careful planning. Keep these tips in mind to avoid making expensive mistakes and limit the chaos throughout the home renovation project. Your meticulous preparation will pay off when you move into your dream house.
