Renovation planning guide

November 22, 2021 Robert Hayes Home Improvement

Renovating is an exciting time when you can see your dream home come to life or spruce up an older property for sale. Whether you are doing it yourself or with a little help it can be a daunting process, and a lot of hard work. From budgets to timelines, and materials through to project management, there’s plenty to consider. But don’t let that put you off the journey as the end result and the overall experience can be truly rewarding.

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Budget>
Why renovate>
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Pros & cons>
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Planning your renovation

Planning is the most important part of the renovating journey. It’s best to consider the basics first – like budgets and timelines – and then move onto the more detailed parts of the project. Start with creating a basic scope of works that should include a list of everything that needs to be done. Carefully consider what can be updated and what requires replacing. This will help you estimate a realistic budget taking into account the cost of materials, layouts, and trades. Use a spreadsheet or budget tracker to keep an eye on costs and track all aspects of the renovation project. A vision board is another great idea, not only as a source of inspiration, but to help you identify the overarching style and look.

Finally, do plenty of research. When taking on a renovation project, it pays to be as knowledgeable as you can. This will help eliminate any surprises that might blow the budget and give you a better idea of all the moving parts within the project.

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Set a renovation budget

Whether the renovation project is big or small, you will need to have a clear idea of how much you can afford to spend. This will ultimately be guided by the amount you have saved, or how much you want to borrow. It’s important to note, funds usually dictate a project and will help inform how much of the work will need to be DIY, and what areas to prioritise if money is tight. Need help? Use a renovation cost estimator to plan your budget.

As a guide follow this budget guide:

Forecast your budget: Document the exact cost of materials, fixtures, fittings, and labour costs.

Track everything: Contacts, dates, costs, receipt, and paperwork. Keeping everything in an orderly manner will help you stay on top of the project and plan accordingly for any major changes if delays or mishaps occur.

Pay attention to the details: Continuous small costs add up, so constantly revisit the budget and alter plans accordingly. Don’t continue to spend if you can’t afford to finish parts of the job – instead prioritise what needs to be done.

Plan for the unexpected: Factor a sum of money into your budget for unforeseen costs. Any type of building project will throw up surprises and these will be less stressful if you are prepared. The recommended buffer is between 15 and 20%.

Don’t rush: Review all contracts line-by-line before signing, also consult your budget before committing to any expenditure.

Reasons for renovating

Like any project, it’s important to have a good understanding of your goals and why you want to achieve them. So how you renovate will often be dictated by the circumstances.

Renovating to sell

If you’re renovating for profit and intend to sell the property, the focus will be on adding value, appeal and maximising return on investment (ROI) within the shortest possible timeframe. This means you must approach the project without emotion, treating everything like a business decision.

Renovating to stay

On the other hand, if you’re planning to live in the property longer term, the process will be a delicate balance of smart decision making and emotional choices. You will want to consider how the space suits your family and what your dream home ideally should look like. Typically, this type of project will include some features from your personal ‘must have’ list you splash out on.

Planning to stay in a home long term may also make you more willing to pay extra for fixtures, fittings and tradespeople. Don’t forget, you will eventually need to sell, so avoid any design elements that are too niche or that won’t stand the test of time.

Buying to renovate

Restoring and upgrading an older home seems like a fun and affordable option, but many people are shocked to find out the real costs involved – especially if there are structural changes. Make sure you get a proper building inspection to identify any costly fixes like asbestos and pests before you buy. But don’t let the challenges put you off. Try and choose a property in a good location that needs mainly cosmetic work, not structural alterations and speak to real estate agents about what kind of things people want in a home.

Finally, do the proper due diligence on any property before purchase including checking council and title restrictions.

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Set a renovation timeline

Renovating offers endless possibilities, but change does take time, so planning is essential. Months before you start work you will need to apply for any necessary planning approvals with the council to have these in place before work commences. Then six to eight weeks out you will want to be preparing trade schedules and organising material delivery. It’s a good idea to factor in time for unexpected delays, so you won’t be left disappointed – or financially stretched – if things take longer.

In terms of the actual building time it will vary depending on the scope of works and the rooms being worked on, but here is a rough guide room-by-room:

Kitchens: 2 – 9 weeksBathrooms: 1 – 3 weeksLiving rooms: 1 weekBedrooms: 1 weekGardens: 1 – 2 weeks
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Pros and cons of renovating

The biggest benefit of renovating is the value it can add to your home or asset, which can be especially useful if you are planning on putting it on the market straight away. While for those renovating to stay, if done properly it can drastically improve your living space. But while rolling up your sleeves and getting started straight away seems like a no brainer there are some downsides.

So here is a list of pros and cons to mull over.

Pros

Adds value – If done well a renovation is a way for homeowners and investors to add value to their house in terms of functionality, liveability as well as financial value.

Can be a rewarding experience – Both financially and personally the challenge of successfully remodelling a home can have lasting benefits

Cheaper than upgrading to a new home – Buying a new home includes paying stamp duty, but also takes a lot of emotional investment and time spent house hunting. While renovating does take time and money it tends to have bigger gains.

It will improve your home – Even the most budget makeover will add to your property, and if you spend more you can totally overhaul an ailing property.

It’s personalised to your style and needs – It’s hard to find something on the market that totally suits you and your family. There is the option of building new but that comes with a whole lot of other challenges and may restrict your location. Renovating means you get the best of both worlds.

Budget can be adjusted to suit your finances – Not everyone has $100,000 laying around so when you renovate you can make choices that suit your budget. A renovation also takes time so you can scale up or down if your circumstances change.

If DIYing it can be done whenever it suits you – Plenty of people choose to renovate their own home outside of work hours giving them the flexibility of when they work. It can also be rewarding to come home and build rather than staring at the television.

There may be government subsidies available – The government is constantly trying to stimulate the economy and building is one of the key areas of focus. For example, the coronavirus saw the HomeBuilder grants launched that gave applicants a $25,000 cash bonus towards their build.

Cons

Costs can spiral out of control – Old homes can throw up some nasty surprises like water damage, asbestos and building faults. It can also be easy to underestimate the amount of work needed and the cost.

It can be a lot of work and stress – Renovating is not an easy ride, and while you may be doing for profit it also needs to be a labour of love or it may end up sucking your time and stressing you out.

Projects can be delayed – The general rule in building is ‘what can go wrong will go wrong’ so expected hiccups and delays on the journey.

Works may uncover existing problems with the structure – It is every renovator’s nightmare finding that the problems underneath are worse than you thought. In severe cases the cost may derail the whole project.

Town planning and permits

Generally speaking, most property extensions and larger renovation projects will need to be signed off by the local authorities. This means you will likely require a development application or assessment. First, it is important to gather the information you need about your property and talk to your neighbours to see if they will have any objections to your plans and adjust them accordingly. If you are bringing in an expert like an architect, now is the time to get them on board.

Next you will lodge an application with your local council. In some cases, expedited approval can be obtained so head online, or contact your local council or state planning authority, to get as much information as possible before applying.

How to obtain a building or planning permit

Types of extensions

If your renovation includes expanding the footprint then this is generally classified as an extension. Typically, this indicates a much bigger job and will require major structural changes, so unless you’re a jack of all trades you will need to bring in help like architects, builders and town planners.

Before getting started here are a few types of extensions to consider that may be options depending on the current size of your block and structure of the property.

dding an extra story

Turning a single-storey home into a double storey is a complex process. An extra floor needs to be suitable for your needs but also safe. The first step will be getting plans drafted. This will guide how high you can go and what rooms you can include. An architect or registered builder will need to be brought in to create a plan, ensure your home is structurally sound, and to check that the foundations are adequate.

n extension

If increasing the floor space of a house by extending out, it goes without saying that the first considerations be whether you have the space and if council will allow it. Once you have checked think about cost. As a general guide a basic light-frame addition may cost you anywhere between $1,800 to $3,000 per square metre. For high-end or heavy-duty projects this increases dramatically up to $15,000 per square metre. This type of remodel not only creates more floor space but can increase natural light and airflow into your home.

Garage conversion

Converting a car space into a room can be a great way to add to a home. They can make an ideal bedroom, study or media room. However, many councils may not class a garage as inhabitable so you will need the appropriate permits for this type of extension.

Loft conversion

Transforming the attic into a living space can add a magical room to your home. People tend to think a loft conversion is an easier job than adding another level. However, often it is just as much work as you will likely need to make changes to your existing home to support extra weight and install stairs.

Using an architect/draftsperson

Overhauling a home can be a big job, so enlisting an architect or draftsperson might be a good idea. These experts should be brought in if there are structural changes or a complete redesign is needed. The key is to bring them in as early as possible to benefit from the advice throughout the process.

Hiring an expert does come at a cost and you should expect to spend about 10% of your budget on their service. But remember, in many cases they can also advise on ways to save money, so the investment can pay dividends elsewhere. If your needs aren’t so complicated, a draftsperson or building designer can draw up the plans. Regardless of the expert you opt to use, ensure you check their credentials and that any plans they create comply with building and planning regulations.

Finding a builder vs DIY

Rolling up your sleeves and flexing some DIY muscle is a great way to save on costs when renovating. But if you don’t have the skills and experience you may need to bring in an expert to do the job to avoid costly or dangerous mistakes. As a general rule here are some jobs that are best to leave to the experts and things you can do yourself.

Experts jobs:

Structural workBrick layingHardscapingElectricsPlumbingRoofingTilingInstalling kitchensInstalling complex storage like built-ins

DIY jobs:

PaintingDecoratingRipping out old cupboards and kitchensWall prepBuilding furniture

How to find the right tradesperson?

Picking the right tradie is often a choice that could make your renovation experience a dream or a nightmare. So, taking the time to research and find the right tradespeople is essential. Reliable references are a great place to start. Ask your friends and family for recommendations, if they can’t help try and get at least three quotes from different companies that operate in your area. This will help get an idea of market price for the project, as well as let you gauge who you’re dealing with.

Remember the onus is on you to pick the right tradespeople so check they have accreditation and don’t be shy to ask for past references. It’s worth noting, the cheapest quote isn’t always the one to go with. Be on the lookout for a combination of quality work and materials, good references and a contract that offers a guarantee on timeframes, work, and where all costs are itemised.

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Project management

A successful renovation is a well-managed renovation, so every project needs a designated person to oversee the operation. Some people choose to hire a professional project manager at an additional cost, and it may be money well spent if you want to avoid stress and mistakes. Meanwhile, many amateur home renovators successfully manage their own renovation projects too.

If you are taking on the job here are some tips to help things run smoothly:

Have a plan – having a detailed idea of how the project will run will ensure success.Use a spreadsheet to keep track of costs, dates, materials and trades.Set a detailed schedule – this includes noting down key deadlines and ensuring milestones are met.Keep paperwork up to date – invoices, receipts, quotes, contracts and plans need to be kept and filed.Keep an onsite diary – details are easy to forget so having a daily ledger will help keep track of any important facts, issues, risks or delays.

The post Renovation planning guide appeared first on realestate.com.au.

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