Cowan Building takes a look at the common mistakes would-be renovation kings and queens make when taking on a new project.

 

The warmer weather is here, and as the familiar warmth of the sun returns, so does the desire to spruce-up, cash-up and renovate.

 

But before you smash out that wall, or gut the bathroom there are a few common mistakes homeowners hastily make that can end up causing you major headaches and huge delays.

 

All About CASH$

 

Many renovations simply stop still due to financial restraints. Most times, this is due to budget blow-outs caused by some unforeseen incidents or bad planning. It is really important you get a realistic quote when it comes to any renovation and be cash ready. It is not advisable to pop any renovation on your credit card. This can lead to extreme stress and can cause many projects to come to a hasty halt.

 

The best way is to plan alongside a professional builder who can give you a detailed quote of what it will cost to get the entire job done. Then seek out a financial institution to help you achieve your goal and budget. Always leave a little breathing room, particularly for larger jobs.

 

You will need to get a good picture of the total cost; this will also help with financing for larger jobs.

 

Break down costs;

·      Materials

·      Fixtures and fittings

·      Professional help

·      Permits

·      Council costs

·      Rubbish removal/skip hire

 

 

Get REAL

 

If you work a 9-5 job and have a child or four, it’s vital you are realistic with your time – particularly for big projects. The ‘we can do it all ourselves’ approach will lead you down a very stressful and frustrating path.

 

Yes, you may save some money, however, the vast majority of these types of projects end up costing a lot more, not to mention the stress involved, on yourself and those around you. While it is certainly worthwhile pitching in when you can, if you have never undertaken any construction type work before or have limited knowledge of building/renovating – it’s best to seek professional advice. DIY are riddled with horror stories of things going very very wrong and costing huge amounts of money and time to fix.

 

It is advisable that with all major renovations, a budget for a professional builder is taken into account.

 

PLAN PLAN PLAN

 

It’s really important to plan out your renovation, it’s costs, timelines, and expectations right down to the final feature and the lick of paint. Ask yourself:

1.     What do we want to achieve?

2.     What are the most important features?

3.     What are the exact costs?

4.     What can we realistically do it ourselves?

5.     Council rules?

6.     Regulations/permits needed to complete the renovation?

7.     Professional help?

 

If you can’t financially do the entire renovation right now, what are the most important features you want to get done first? Prioritizing is key to a good plan.

 

Call the Experts

It’s vital you call in the experts and get the right advice before you start swinging a sledgehammer or tinkering with wires. You can choose to have a project manager undertake your whole task for you, or you can organise your tradies individually, depending on the work required.

 

Remember only use registered tradies and ensure your plumber and electrician are qualified to do the job at hand. Home insurance policies do not take lightly to DIY work that could lead to a possible insurance claim.

 

If you are experienced it also pays to get some help. Allowing others to help with the organisation side of things such as permits, and sorting council regulations can take the weight-off and allow you to enjoy the project.

Need help? You know who to call.

 

Happy Renovating