We all know how rewarding renovating a home can be. Renovating can rejuvenate a space, add value to your asset and breathe a new lease of life throughout your living space. It’s also no secret that renovating can be a straight-out nightmare. The stress can be multi-faceted like a diamond, just not as pretty, straining your relationships, your bank account and your sanity. Having project-managed countless renovations over the years, I have learned some important tips for minimising all of the above. Follow these steps and who knows, you might even enjoy it.
Do Your Homework
Before you start out, be sure to research. Talk to professionals you trust to give you sound advice. Give yourself a realistic amount of time for your renovation project. Make a schedule that you know you can realistically stick to. Assess the capital gain – increase the value of your property. Be realistic with what can be done and what will be unaffordable or unnecessary to change. Seek professional help for specialised areas. Plumbing, electrical and structural changes will need an expert hand in order to ensure good workmanship, avoid unsafe hazards and costly mistakes.
Identify the Exterior Issues
Answer these questions: Are there cracks on the exterior walls? What shape is the roof in? Does the spouting need replacing? Examine interior walls and joinery. Are there cracks on any of the interior walls that need fixing? Are the walls needing a paint or wallpaper to freshen them up? Is there adequate insulation in the home? What state are the door and window joinery in? Does any of it need replacing, or is a fresh coat of paint sufficient?
List Kitchen and Bathroom Priorities
Answer these questions: is the kitchen functional with enough storage space? Do the utilities like oven, hob or dishwasher need replacing? Is the pantry large enough? Are the bathrooms tired and in need of an update? Does the white ware need replacing? What shape is the plumbing in? Consider these two areas in your budget and don’t cut corners on using good quality appliances. Flooring, lighting – these are areas that will come next. Do the carpets need replacing or wooden floors need resanding? Is the lighting adequate for the home or is it dated and no longer functional?
Professional Help
Team up with an experienced interior designer. Having as little or as much input as you need, an expert designer can help you to streamline the process, select the right materials and save money in the long run. Once all these larger areas have been ticked off your checklist, you can start on the design process – the pretty part. New curtains, wallpaper and lighting will add the all-important finishing touches to complete your newly renovated space.
If you have questions regarding renovating to sell, talk to Tommy’s Real Estate experts. They can provide you with helpful home improvement recommendations at where to best spend your time and money.
Article Contributed by: Interior Designer Wendy Bradford