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Renovating a House

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Renovating a House

Renovating your home, whether for profit, comfort, or simple aesthetic desires, is an exciting task. However, it can also be an extremely large task, taking considerable time and finances to plan and execute.

This article will explore everything there is to know about renovating a house, from common motivations and helpful budgeting techniques to profitable renovation ideas, room-specific renovations and average renovation costs. Finally, we’ll discuss how you can confidently choose a reliable renovations specialist to take on your project.

Kitchen renovation

Why renovate your home?

Renovations can be done to improve energy efficiency, increase value, future-proof a home, or improve aesthetics and comfort. Each of these can be achieved in different ways:

Energy efficiency
Swapping out energy-guzzling appliances and inefficient water systems can reduce your home’s carbon footprint. This is a double whammy, typically contributing to the home’s value while improving liveability and financial sustainability. You can also make your home greener through insulation, layout improvements, and window and door upgrades.

Value
Renovations can be a great way to increase the value of your property, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

Future-proofing
Renovations can address electrical, plumbing and general structural issues, repairing and improving pre-existing infrastructure. This will result in your home having lesser future utility and maintenance costs.

Aesthetics
Renovations can simply be to update the appearance of your home to the latest trends or your own unique taste.

Increased comfort
You can make your home more comfortable by making it more efficient and stylish. Consider renovations that fit your lifestyle. These renovations could include improving the functionality of your kitchen or office spaces to suit your own needs.

Renovations can be done on a small or large scale and provide many benefits to homeowners. The most important thing to remember when going forward with renovations is your goals and budget.

Renovation Budgeting

The most important thing to consider when planning your renovation is your budget, especially when renovating for profit. Effective budgeting can be accomplished using these useful tips:

Compare quotes
When planning a renovation, comparing at least three different builders is a good idea. This will help you understand what is possible within your budget.

Allocate value per room
Consider the value of different rooms to your overall home value and allocate your budget accordingly. This usually means spending about 10% of your home’s value in total and 20% of that total on each room.

Make an emergency plan
Factor in unforeseen delays and hidden costs by building an emergency fund into your budget. This should be a 15 to 20 % buffer.

Assess your home
Plan around your home rather than against it. Look at your home’s strengths and identify areas that need repair or maintenance. Order potential renovations by priority and allocate accordingly.

Explore rebates and incentives
Research local government rebates and incentives and see how they may help reduce the cost of your overall renovation.

When planning your renovation, you’ll also need to factor in the overall timeline. The longer the renovations take, the more extensive the costs may be.

Additionally, you’ll need to consider the impact of extensive renovations on your living situation and that of any other inhabitants. This may include the need for temporary accommodation. A renovation can take anywhere from several weeks for minor renovations to 15 months for full home renovations.

Green paint samples on wall

Full home renovation

A full home renovation refers to renovations completed in every area of the house. Full home renovations can take anywhere from 6 to 15 months; however, completing a renovation in bulk can ensure that your home is of high quality across the board. In the below sections, we’ll discuss how you can strategically plan your renovations to add value to your home, as well as some great renovation ideas for each area of the house.

What Adds Value to a House in Australia

Most renovations will improve the value and interest that your home gets. However, if you’re interested in primarily renovating your home for profit, then here are some useful tips for you:

Keep it simple
If you’re looking to appeal to future buyers, it’s safer to go with a neutral colour palette. Bright colours may be your preference, but neutral tones are more in line with modern style conventions.

Liquid gold
Paint is the liquid gold of renovations. A coat of paint can make an old home look new and is a cost-effective way to renovate.

Make a good first impression
Before anyone even steps across the threshold, they will see the front of your home. Because of this, it’s important to remember the power of exterior renovations when improving street appeal.

Never underestimate a good barbecue
Australians love the outdoors, and that includes the comfort of their backyard. Consider outdoor renovations such as built-in barbecues or a brand-new deck.

If you’re looking for more general renovation ideas, we’ve got you covered. Read on for kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom and outdoor renovation ideas below.

Kitchen Renovation Ideas

The kitchen is a high-value area of the home, meaning any improvements you make will typically add significant value. Renovating your kitchen will benefit your whole household, as kitchens typically have high foot traffic and functional requirements. Some great kitchen renovation ideas include:

Improving storage space
If you don’t have enough storage space in your kitchen, it can be a major problem. Tupperware and appliances can take up a lot of space, leaving you little room to work. Luckily during a kitchen renovation, you can opt for custom storage spaces perfectly tailored to your needs in terms of capacity, placement and size.

Upgrading your appliances
Consider installing high-quality, energy-efficient appliances to make your kitchen more modern and functional. Additionally, modern appliances can contribute to the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen with sleek stainless steel finishes.

Dressing up your island
Consider replacing your old countertops with new engineered stone ones. This can give your kitchen a more sophisticated and modern appearance. Create a warm, inviting space by incorporating antique-style lighting and brass fixtures. Focus attention on your kitchen island for a dramatic effect.

Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Coming closely behind kitchens, bathrooms are also a fantastic area to renovate if you’re looking for profit. This is another frequently used room of the house and requires close attention to detail regarding functionality. Some great bathroom renovations you might consider include:

Cutting future costs
Water-efficient showerheads can help save water and improve your home’s green credentials.

Creating the full spa experience
Bring luxury into your bath time routine with underfloor heating for those nighttime baths or winter showers. To achieve a luxurious look, consider replacing your standard bathtub with a freestanding one. This way, you can pamper yourself in style.

Getting more from your space
Increase shower features such as built-in shelving for a stylistic and functional touch. Consider other space-saving features such as floating vanities or hanging shelves.

Living Room Renovation Ideas

If you’re looking to improve the comfort of your home or just want to entertain in style, there’s no better place than the living room. Some great ways to renovate your living room include:

Getting groovy
Bring back the retro feel of the 60s and 70s with a cool freestanding fireplace straight out of the swinging sixties era. Add a VJ panelled feature wall, painted with a burst of vibrant colour to create a groovy space in your home.

Showing off the view
Adding a large glass window or sliding door can showcase your beautiful backyard or view. Additionally, this will bring plenty of natural light into your home, elevating the space as a whole.

Bedroom Renovation Ideas

Bedroom renovations can be fantastic additions to your home, especially if you have a growing family. Sleep easy in your freshly renovated bedroom with renovation ideas such as:

Adding an ensuite
Are you tired of battling it out with the household for some bathroom time? You might consider adding an ensuite to the master bedroom. These nifty spaces will make your life easier and bump up your property value in the event you want to sell.

Getting creative
Create a unique bedroom space with wainscoting, a combination of decorative boards, panels, or moldings that extend partway up a wall’s face. Offering a plethora of options, from flat panel, raised panel, beadboard panel, shiplap panel and overlays, wainscoting adds a unique touch to any room.

Cuddling up with a nice book
If you’re more of a bookworm, you might consider putting in some built-in shelves for your collection and any extra items you want to store.

Outdoor Renovation Ideas

Impress your guests with your own personal outdoor getaway. Outdoor renovations are a fantastic way to fully enjoy your home while boosting your home value. Some awesome outdoor renovation ideas include:

Adding an outdoor kitchen
If you like entertaining guests, consider having an outdoor kitchen to reduce the mess and clutter inside the house.

Keeping sun safe
Install an outdoor shade or undercover structure and keep your household safe from the sun while spending time outdoors.

Adding a pool
Pools are coveted by Australians nationwide as one of the coolest renovations available! Adding a pool can increase your home’s value and keep everyone happy during summer.

Bathroom with freestanding bathtub and couples sink

How Much Do Renovations Cost?

Budgeting for a renovation is an excellent way to keep your project on track. How much you’ll need to pay depends on the project’s scope. For example, a household renovation could be anywhere from $20,000 for minor renovations to $300,000+ for a major transformation. We also take a look at the individual cost of each room below (all of the prices below show a general median plus or minus, there are works that would most certainly go above or below these numbers):

Kitchen ($50,000 ±)

A kitchen renovation may include the following:

    • Cabinetry and benchtop replacement
    • Demolition services
    • Electrical and plumbing modifications
    • Structural and layout changes
    • Replacement of fixtures and appliances

Bathroom ($30,000 ±)

A bathroom renovation may include the following:

    • Fully stripping out pre-existing features
    • Wall frame adjustment
    • New tiling, tapware and vanity
    • New shower screen and mirror
    • Repainting
    • Floor replacement

Living/Dining room ($15,000 ±)

A living/dining room renovation may include the following:

    • Structural and layout changes
    • Electrical modifications
    • Replacement/installation of light fixtures
    • Repainting/Wallpapering
    • Flooring replacement

Bedroom ($5,000 ±)

A bedroom renovation may include the following:

    • Built-in storage installation
    • Electrical modifications
    • Replacement/installation of light fixtures
    • Repainting

Outdoor ($60,000 ±)

An outdoor renovation may include the following:

    • Pool installation
    • Garden upgrades
    • Patio installation
    • Cladding installation

If you plan ahead for the costs and risks of renovations, you’ll be much better off. However, once the work starts, you need to be able to trust your builders to do the job right.

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How to Choose a Builder for a Renovation

Choosing a builder for your renovation requires a lot of careful consideration, communication and comparing before deciding. Do some research online to find a few potential builders to contact. You can also ask friends or family who have done renovations for recommendations.

Once you have a list together, it’s simply a matter of knowing the right questions to ask. Some questions we recommend asking include the following:

Do you have any previous experience with renovations?
Ask to see their renovations and additions portfolio. Renovations can be more challenging than new construction, as you have to work with an existing structure. This can require extra planning and care to ensure the preexisting structure is not damaged.

What renovation services do you provide?
Depending on where you are in your renovation project, you may need design services or council approvals. What services do your renovation specialists provide? Will you need to fill in the gaps? How will this inflate costs?

With the advice in this article, you can confidently move forward with your home renovation. If you want to renovate your home, it’s essential to have a clear budget and goals in mind. This will help ensure a successful outcome. Always clearly communicate your budget and goals with any builders you approach, and take your time to ensure they’re the right fit for your project.

If you’re looking for a custom renovation project, Forme Homes is here to help. Whether through a new build, knockdown rebuild or complete home renovation, Forme Homes specialises in bringing your dream home to life. Contact us today if you want to talk to our renovations team about your future project.