Many homeowners buy their properties with one clear goal in mind – to renovate and upgrade the existing property into their dream home. Often this option is more affordable than buying your dream mansion outright. If this is the reason for your property purchase, you’ll more than likely be eager to get your renovations started. Before you start tearing down the walls, it’s important to consider a few expert tips for Property Renovation Project. You’ll need to think about everything from permits to the equipment hire Melbourne and other Australian cities offer potential renovators.
Renovation Tips to Keep in Mind – Property Renovation Project
Property renovations can involve anything from adding an extra bathroom to building an outdoor entertainment area. While TV shows about DIY renovating can make it look very easy, it’s worth noting that not everything is as easy as it appears. Read on for a few expert pointers before you start your renovation project.
Budget
While there’s nothing wrong with dreaming big, it’s crucial to list everything you’d like to do and then start pricing the materials and contract costs. Calculate the budget you have available. Knowing exactly what your budget restraints are will enable you to compare material costs and determine the extent of the property renovations you can do.
Get the Right Permission
There are about 537 councils across Australia. Whether or not you need permission for building additional structures depends on where you live. Always assume you’ll need a Development Application (DA) and do the relevant research. Find out from the council where you live what types of renovations require permits and which can just be done without local consent. Get the relevant permits and permissions BEFORE buying any materials.
Decide on the Design
Deciding on the design of the room or area that you’d like to renovate is crucial. This will help you decide the type and cost of the materials you’ll require.
Importantly, don’t design bathrooms or kitchens without the assistance of a certified plumber from Mason plumbing company. These experts will be able to tell you where pipes and plumbing need to be placed. They’ll also provide you with the appropriate quotes for doing the job. Our experts recommend not tinkering around with plumbing pipes if you don’t have any expertise in that field! If needed, consult with an architect to get accurate plans for the space you have.
Decide on DIY Vs Expert Help
Based on the renovations you want to do, you need to determine if you’ll be using expert builders, tilers and roofers or if you have enough DIY expertise to do the job. Be sure to get quotes from different contractors and factor these costs into your budget.
Hire Equipment Rather than Buy
One of the aspects that make DIY projects so appealing is the availability of equipment. Whether you’ll need a jack hammer, floor or painting equipment the good news is, you can hire these items from a reputable equipment hire company.
Hiring equipment is considerably cheaper than buying machinery that you might not have a need for after your renovations. Discuss your intentions with your local equipment hire company and they’ll advise you of the right types of machinery needed for each step of the Property Renovation Project.
Quality Materials
When it comes to building, never opt for cheap materials. The materials you use around your home should be sturdy, durable and meet the necessary safety requirements. Always leave some money in your budget in case you need a few extra meters or sheets of materials. When using wood and timber, consider getting a pest controller to do a termite treatment on the materials.
Ensure Your Renovations Add Value
While you might not want to sell your home any time soon, it’s important to factor in the resale value of your home after renovations. The rule of thumb is that renovations should always add value to your home. If done correctly, they’ll add value years after being done, helping you to have a quick sale.
A few renovations that add value to your property include the following:
- Quality neutral coloured concrete or Caesarstone countertops
- Modern kitchen cupboards with additional storage space
- Under cabinet lightning in kitchens
- Added storage areas or spaces such as a pantry in a kitchen corner
- Additional storage cupboards in larger bedrooms
- Outdoor entertainment area
- New garage doors with modern safety features
- Outdoor blinds installed in the outdoor entertainment area
- Quality skylights throughout dark areas of the home such as kitchens and hallways
- Enclosed shower in a bathroom that currently only has a bath
- Modern bathtub and sink with water saving features
- Modern taps in kitchen and bathroom
- Ensuite bathrooms in large bedrooms
- Modern windows and awnings
- Redoing the landscape to feature native Australian plants with eco-friendly features
- Adding solar lighting to a dark garden area
Final Thought
If approached correctly property renovations can be fun and more importantly add a considerable amount of value to your home. Adding space, extra rooms and modern facilities can easily put you a few steps closer to your dream home.
Use our expert tips to get the ball rolling and make your renovation project as stress-free as possible!