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Reno, reno, hello hello!

Post-lockdown – the first one – we touched on the ‘whys’ of taking on a renovation at your place. Here we’re looking at reeling those ideas in before you go jumping around and heading online looking for tiles.

So, before you get excited, sort your renovation must-haves. Define your ‘Wishlist’ and make friends with your budget.

We know that renovation prospects are definitely something to get excited about – yippee new stuff, more space! But, before you go frantically ringing tradies, sit down with pen and paper and nut out the specifics. This includes . . .

  • Your ABSOLUTE must-haves i.e. The areas of your renovation you definitely want to achieve i.e. new ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, dining onto new deck, kitchen/lounge/dining expansion.
  • Plan for the future i.e. Even if you are not planning to carry out all your renovations in one hit, it’s important you factor in any future build plans you’ve got in the pipeline. Why? So, you can avoid overspending, doubling up i.e. busting down walls that only went up a year ago now that you’ve saved enough to do the kitchen.
  • Budget speak, the more honesty you throw at it and the harder line you take from the start, is a greater safeguard the deeper into your build you go.
  • So, keep home truths at the fore i.e. older homes do typically cost more to renovate, it costs more to build up from the ground, a kitchen and bathroom will typically cost you more than moving walls around to create an additional bedroom.

 Budget tip – We often suggest adding an additional 10% onto your margins – it’s better to budget up and save later, rather than budget on the downlow and find yourself caught short halfway through your build.Renos are something to have a song and dance about – but make sure you boogie with the right ideas and the best people guiding you.

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Lockdown Over – Time to Lock Into Your Home Renovation Plans

With extra time spent at home in the past two months – tidying the garage, playing with the kids and turning a hand to bread making (FYI did you know bread maker sales have increased 1184% between March – April). And with all that time spent at home, you might have also thought more intently about future reno plans. And that’s a good thing! Why? Because it’s good to give all renovation dreams serious thought before you go jumping into them down the track. Mulling over, jotting down and coming to grips with all the ins, outs and whys of alterations in your pad, ensures that money’s well spent and time invested when push comes to shove.
We know that everyone will have different reasons for wanting to bust through walls and expand spaces – or shrink rooms.

Here’re just a few points that might sway you towards changing up your space . . .
– Nothing flows together – i.e. the kitchen’s jammed next to the main bedroom, which is down the other end of house, miles away from the lounge, which is facing the road instead of north towards the backyard, which means the front deck never gets used.
– It’s locked up – i.e. the kitchen, dining and lounge are all packed into a space which are hidden away from each other with wall, after wall – which means you run a rabbit warren just getting from couch to kitchen sink.
– Old bones playing up – i.e. remedial works might be needed if you’ve sprouted a roof leak, the cladding’s coming away or joinery needs replacing.
When it comes to getting the most out of any reno – big, small or in between – speak up, ask questions and don’t be afraid to keep talking.

The right architect will have a listening ear, great communication pathways and expertise to ensure a job well-done from beginning to end.