Are you looking to finally doing up your dream home? Renovating is an immensely pleasurable experience; however home renovations can be tricky and costly if you haven’t planned things right. Home renovation projects are increasing in popularity here in Australia, as they increase the value of your property and make for the type of lifestyle you want to live. And, as Australians tend to do, we are getting stuck in and doing it ourselves too.
Besides specialist projects like installing a pool or building a major extension (where you’ll likely hire a professional) we often look to DIY projects to save costs. It is however highly important that you budget accordingly, as sometimes DIY projects can end up more expensive than originally planned.
What To Look Out For
So how do you get the ball rolling without finding out later down the track you’ve run over budget? Check out these renovation budget ideas before you start ripping up the floors:
- Make a list of the changes you want to make – whether it’s a bathroom fitout or a kitchen redesign, or even a simple lick of paint on the walls, you’ll want to have steadfast idea of the end result before you begin.
- Find out exactly what you need – with your budget and end result in mind, it’s time to figure out exactly what tools and products you require, and write up a price list.
- Look for bargains and bulk buy if possible –the best way to save on DIY projects is by shopping smart. It may take a bit more time but it’s worth it in the long run.
- Cater for external costs – this is where you can often end up over budget along the way where it may already be too late to turn back. Think of things like potential labour costs when you hit a road block, costs of accommodation if the project forces you out of the house and other hiring costs like transport.
- Budget for when things hit the fan – always, always, ALWAYS have a contingency budget. While you’ll surely do your best to avoid problems during a DIY, you need to expect the unexpected.
Now that you’re armed with a renovation plan, let’s take a look at some popular home renovation ideas and why they can make such a difference to your home.
Kitchen Redesign
Nowadays, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms and likely quite central to your home. Large amounts of time are now spent in our kitchens compared to generations gone, as they are not only where things are stored and where food gets made, they are a focal entertaining area and likely one where the kids run in and out of to play and communicate.
Kitchen redesigns are therefore one of the first and most popular renovations people do to their homes and will seem to make the whole house feel new. They’re also one of the best renovations you can do to increase the value of your home – so it’s no secret that a good kitchen can make a huge difference when it comes to selling or buying a home.
Lighting Changes
You might have some stark 1-point lighting per room if you have an older-style house. You might not think it – because it’s all that you’re used to – but older light fittings often bring down the look of the rest of your home. Older fittings also have high energy costs – so changing to new fixtures will start paying for themselves over time.
A new lighting plan will brighten up your environment and drastically change the way you feel about your home. Let’s have a look at what to think about when committing to a new lighting plan.
Firstly, think about what type of ambience you want your lighting to provide in each room. Some may have more natural light than others. Consider where your lights will go and what sort of lighting you want in specific areas of the house.
After considering the merits of how you want your lighting to affect rooms, determine where you want your light fixtures to be. Do you want to be able to turn the kitchen light on and off as you enter from the living room *as well as* on and off from the hall on the other side of the space?
Decide what order you want for the switches and how you want them grouped; also note any specialty switches you might want.
Bathroom Revamp
Your bathroom is perhaps a room used as a personal sanctuary for a moment in time – especially when you have a new family.
Had enough of the purple and lime green shower tiling? Well, you have a couple of options, rip it out and start afresh; or for a more budget-friendly method, put the sledgehammer down and re-paint the tiles instead.
Get creative too. A bathroom doesn’t just need to be a utility room – you can also make it comfortable. Hand railings, a bigger bathtub, a new (or extra) showerhead (to stop mum and dad fighting over the hot water) or an extra bathroom sink are just a few upgrades to think about when renovating a bathroom.
Other things to consider upgrading are a bathroom’s vanities, power points, lighting, tapware and hand rails.
New Paint
For home DIY projects, interior painting is one of the easiest you can do. Quick and affordable, interior painting is a great way for you to freshen up the home with little to no training.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Tarp: to cover your carpet or hardwood floor from paint drips and splatters.
- Sponge: to clean your walls as prep work.
- A ladder
- Painter’s tape: Make sure to get taper’s paint. You don’t want to get tape that takes off paint when you peel it off.
- Paint tray: buying a pre-package set comes with brushes, brushes and rollers, which will save you some money.
Here’s what to do:
- Prep your walls by taking off any nails; filling in any holes with putty so the surface is smooth; and cleaning it off with a damp sponge. Remember: paint sticks better to clean walls.
- While taping, make sure it’s flat down to prevent bleed through paint on surfaces you didn’t intend to paint.
- Lay the tarp down flush against the baseboard and cover any furniture necessary.
- Use primer where/if necessary.
- Paint in a ‘W’ pattern. Don’t worry if the first coat looks a little spotty, especially when painting over dark colours. Going over it with a second coat will adjust that.
Budget Options
When looking to do renovations on your house without the necessary capital – no need to worry, you still have options. When looking to fund your renovations Yes Loans can help. Our personalised loans come with a range of options and loan protection insurance. Once you have finalised your budget contact one of our personalised loan specialists or apply direct for fast, efficient pre-approval.