Taking on a renovation can be long, stressful and full of complications. Many Australians spend a fortune only to deal with the headaches of no-shows, poor quality workmanship and disappointing results. Imagine having to spend extra thousands of dollars to fix minor imperfections done by a poor installation team or having to drag out the renovation process due to a mistake in the schedule or budget.
As someone who has experienced this first-hand, I know how stressful it can be especially when you have a busy lifestyle. Whether you are renovating or rebuilding, it’s a huge investment and your time is valuable.
So… To help you avoid making common yet costly renovation mistakes, I’ve put together a list of simple yet effective tips to help save you time and money.
The renovation process can be very time consuming with many critical tasks, so it is essential to be organised. I recommend making a renovation timeline for tasks to be completed in a certain order. This will help you follow a step-by-step process to ensure the project runs smoothly from initial design to completion. For example, it is much easier to install things like flooring, cabinets, and sinks before having an electrician do wiring or install appliances.
It is also really helpful to make a list of tasks required, the length of the task, and who each task is allocated to – this is a great way to save time, avoid clashes, and have the perfect overview of a project. You can also use this to consult with experts so both parties are clear on the expected date of completion and can adjust if needed.
BONUS TIP: Don’t forget to plan for minor setbacks and delays – have the flexibility to allow for changes.
Renovation costs can add up very quickly, so it is important to get detailed costs and professional quotes from architects, designers, and builders. Make sure you shop around for quotes from different contractors – this will help you see where you could splurge and save.
Setting a budget will also help you keep track of specific costs of labour and materials throughout the process to avoid over-spending. If possible, I also recommend having a contingency plan to cater for unexpected costs – about 5% of your total cost.
BONUS TIP: If you’d like to save on money... Consider things like switching materials, refurbishing, and making cosmetic fixes.
A great start would be to ask yourself what you want out of this renovation. Be specific with your goals – this will give you a clear path to structure the scope of work. Do you want to create a kitchen that is perfect for entertainment? Or maybe you want to install a sliding door, so you can step out to a patio.
Having a clear vision helps avoid last minute changes in ideas which can lead to time clashes, disappointment, and over-spending. It is always good to know what you want so experts can take the time to understand your vision, bring it to life and create your ultimate dream space.
If you are operating on a tight budget, there are a few DIY renovation hacks you could do to transform your home, without spending a fortune.
Something as simple as adding a fresh coat of paint could refresh the room instantly, brighten the interior and add personality. You could also install new lighting to highlight design features, set the mood and brighten dark spaces. Adding minimalist storage ideas could also help you stay organised and avoid clutter.
If you plan on a DIY project, be sure to research lots before-hand so you have the right tools for it!
Pick a style that makes you fall in love with your home – a style that speaks to you, expresses your personality, and maximises your comfort and leisure. There are endless styles to choose from, so take your time when finding inspiration and choosing a design style. Think about what kind of colour palette and materials you want and visualise these elements before starting.
To help you find exactly what you’re looking for, I recommend consulting one of our in-house expert interior designers. They can provide professional ideas and opinions, add a few tweaks here and there to tailor the perfect design style just for you.
Whether you are looking to renovate or rebuild, these 5 tips will help give you total peace of mind throughout the renovation process. Renovations are NOT cheap, so you want to make sure there are no room for mistakes, and you get the best value at a cost-effective price to achieve your dream kitchen or bathroom.
Looking for the best way to finance your renovation?
Whether you want to build your dream home or increase the property’s value, renovating can be very expensive. Many Australians struggle to find the best finance method and end up paying more than they should.
You see …
A lot of people pay up-front in cash but end up tying their savings to one property.
Some decide to take out loans with hefty interest rates.
Some go through the unnecessary headaches of refinancing…
And some take out loans on a credit card only to rack up interest charges.
When deciding on a finance option, you will either set yourself up well financially or fall into unmanageable debt. That’s why finding the best finance option is crucial if you want to pay for your renovation without financial stress.
Now you may be wondering, “What is the best way to finance my renovation?”
The best option depends on you - the key is to choose a method that suits your individual circumstances and financial situation. By doing this you can achieve your dream home and minimise additional financial charges.
So, to help you figure out what type of finance is best for you…
If you hold investments you can cash in or have the savings, cash is always your best option. Paying cash helps you avoid paying interest and you will not have to worry about loans, bank fees, or interest rates.
This is great option if your renovation project is small and you don’t want to bear any financial risk.
BONUS TIP: Do not tie all your savings to the renovation - have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses such as a medical emergency or a car insurance excess.
This is one of the most common ways to fund renovations and is more ideal if you are looking to do a major renovation project. The equity in your home is the difference between the value of your house and the amount you owe on the mortgage. Although interest rates are lower compared to personal loans or credit card – the amount you can borrow is based on the equity in your home. Don’t forget that going with this option means you will end up with a bigger mortgage, increased repayments, and longer duration.
We have finance partners with easy access to great deals. Ask us about one of our finance options.
Personal loans are a fast and convenient way to fund renovations because they are processed quickly. Once approved, the funds are deposited as a lump sum directly into your account. There are 2 types of personal loans: secured and unsecured. A secured loan lets you use an asset (such as a car) as collateral for the loan. This means there is less risk for the lender so interest rates on a secured loan are much lower compared to an unsecured loan.
Personal loan interest rates are extremely helpful with budgeting because they can be fixed for the duration the loan. A great option if you are looking for a simple yet cost-effective way to fund your dream renovation.
Note: Interest rates on a personal loan are generally lower than credit cards, but higher than mortgages.
If you want something quick and easy, this might be the option for you. Low interest credit cards are easy to apply and be approved for. They are great for smaller projects and are also extremely convenient, especially if you are purchasing renovation products online.
If you budget strategically, you can even finance a project without paying interest – but make sure you to stay up to date with your payments to avoid late payment fees, penalties, and interest.
This option is ideal for long-term projects. Using a line of credit gives you access to funds as you need them, while only charging you interest on the balance owed rather than the total loan amount. Although interest rates are generally higher compared to standard loans, using a line of credit gives you great flexibility to pay for the cost of materials and labour when needed.
If you want to minimise your interest and borrowing fees, I recommend exploring these methods to determine the best finance option for you. It will help you save thousands of dollars, and ultimately fast-track you to building your dream home.
We know financing a renovation can be challenging, that’s why we recommend taking advantage of our fixed prices! Knowing exactly what you are paying goes a long way – having certainty means you can estimate project costs and plan around it.
No hidden costs, no misleading quotes, just fixed prices for turn-key solutions.
So, to help you pick a style that works best for you…
Here are 7 popular interior design styles that will transform your home:
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Choosing the perfect design style for your home can be overwhelming. With endless choices of colours, materials, and layouts – it can be hard to decide which style you like best.
Maybe you have no experience with interior design.
Or maybe you feel like your style is all over the place.
Or maybe you have a lot of ideas but don’t know where to start.
Whether you are looking to design your dream home or refresh your space, it always helps to have an idea of what style you like. This will keep you on track to creating a beautiful home you can appreciate and enjoy.
A great place to start is to have visual comparisons of different design styles. This way you can see which design style sparks your interest and makes you feel like home. Every style has it’s unique set of features and benefits with an on overwhelming amount of design elements you need to consider.
So, to help you pick a style that works best for you…
Here are 7 popular interior design styles that will transform your home:
A design with less curves and more clean, crisp lines. It involves using a monochromatic colour palette and pairing it with natural materials like metal, glass, and steel. Although modern designs usually have earthier tones, a bold colour is often used to help break up the neutrals.
The modern style is often known for it’s simplicity and uncluttered spaces. Modern homes embrace natural light to create a more airy, open space feel.
This style features a mixture of both straight and soft curved lines to create a sleek, timeless, and fresh interior.
Contemporary designs emphasise simplicity with neutral colours and colourful accents whilst using fabrics like linen, silk, and wool to add texture and warmth to the space.
Impressive lighting and hard surfaces also play a key role in creating the right mood and ambience of a contemporary design.
A minimalist design is all about keeping a space simple yet functional. Less is more when it comes to this style – it strips away the decorative layers and uses an open floor plan, lots of light to create a space that is clean, and simple in form and function.
This style extracts elements from old factories and industrial spaces typically converting them to lofts and other living spaces. Industrial homes showcase neutral colours and materials such as exposed bricks, metals, unfinished wood and recycled materials.
This design is all about hardware, metals, and distressed finishes. The presence of metal pipes, walls and doors is also another key element in this design greatly inspired by old factories and laboratories.
The Scandi design focuses on functionality, minimalism, and simplicity. A neutral colour scheme paired with a neutral or light wood flooring is very common in this design.
This style incorporates simple yet bold accents, layering different textures to create space that is warm and cosy. With use of natural wood tones and a space plan that maximises natural light – this style will celebrate your connection to nature.
A space that is traditional will often have study crafted furniture, elegant wallpaper, textured rugs, and warm colours. This design style is elegant, warm and calming at the same time. Choosing a style like this gives you more freedom to experiment and play with different colours, textures and furniture pieces.
This style celebrates symmetry, patterned fabrics and statement pieces.
You want to choose a design style that makes you fall in love with your home. Ask yourself what design elements you want for your dream home. What kind of textures and patterns do you gravitate towards? Do you want a neutral or custom colour palette? What kind of lighting do you want? Depending on what look and feel you want, you can stick to one style or extract different elements from a combination of styles.
Still not sure which style is right for you?
Chat with one of our expert interior designers to discover your design style!