When your home feels less homely, it may be time to consider renovating. A renovation can be as simple as shifting the furniture around to achieve better spacing. Other times renovations demand more intense work, such as painting, re-tiling, and additional installations like shelves and entertainment units. Some of the most laborious renovation work will be done on the structures of buildings themselves, such as extensions or changing parts of the infrastructure.
Building a home extension in Chadstone right now could be a good investment, as properties are selling for a median of 1.3 million in the area, and market value is projected to rise. This is called “house flipping,” the process of renovating a house to sell for profit.
No matter the reason or magnitude of your renovations, there are a few standard “rules” that anyone considering renovating their home should follow. This article will explore the do’s and don’ts of home renovations and how you can make your home the way you envision it.
It may come as no surprise, but renovating is a lot of work. It’s taxing on the mind, the body, and the wallet. Not to mention that with home renovations in a city like Melbourne, a city known as a hub for arts and culture, there are a lot of different options to factor in. It’s time to plan like you’ve never planned before!
The first thing you want to do is solidify your intentions. Which room(s) are you thinking of renovating? Why? Is this an aesthetic renovation or a functional one? What do you need? Ask yourself all these questions and more.
Once you’ve answered these questions, you should have a pretty clear concept of what you want out of your renovations. Now it’s time to gather as much information about the intended space as it currently exists. This means measurements, such as where windows are, where power outlets are, and the locations of wall-mounted brackets and hard wires. This is to understand what is actually possible in your room and what might present an obstacle.
It may help to draw an accurately measured floor plan (or acquire one from whoever has access to it) of your room or house. This will be an invaluable tool in the process to come. Sketch some rough ideas of what you’d like for your room. Where and what kind of furniture might you like? Write a list of things you’d like to have that room be able to accommodate.
Once your plans are made, it’s time to start looking online. Take a look at your desired uses for the renovations and start exploring what options are out there. Take a look at furniture, and start budgeting. How much can you reasonably afford these renovations?
Again, make lists. Compare what you want with what is possible, and set a rough timeline for your project. A paint job is a relatively simple task and can be hashed out over a decent weekend’s worth of work. A paint job and full re-outfitting will take a much longer time and may require a few more hands. Structural work can potentially take weeks. For example, laundry renovations in Melbourne generally take an average of 1-2 weeks for a complete remodelling!
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This looks different depending on the kind of work you’re doing. If you’re merely getting in new furniture, then either sell or discard the old furniture. If you’re planning to paint your walls, you’ll want to move any items up against the wall away from it. For items that can’t be moved, cover these with newspaper, tape, cheap clothes, and tarps to protect them from errant paint. These jobs can be done in small bursts, starting with the least essential items, leaving the most essential items to be covered up on the day you start your renovations.
Bigger jobs may require you to entirely empty out your room, in which case you’ll need boxes to store bric-a-brac and items that are stored in furniture like bookshelves or chests. See what you want to keep, sell, or throw away, organise it, and move it elsewhere until your renovations are done.
The efficiency of renovations can also be streamlined by buying locally. If you’re working on bathroom renovations in Hawthorn or Glen Iris buying your fixtures from outside the area will increase the time you spend waiting for your renovations to be complete – and, therefore, a longer time without a functional bathroom.
When you have professionals working on large-scale or structural renovations on your house, it may be desirable to get out of dodge until they’re done, popping in occasionally to check on the house.
When budgeting and planning, always (we can’t stress this enough) always overestimate your expenditure. If you estimate for the cheapest options, you’re pigeon-holing yourself into a tight budget. One that could potentially fail you sooner than you realise and force additional expenditure from other areas of your life.
If you overestimate, you’re always sure to have the minimum amount of money you need, and if you need extra money, you’ve got it because you were always prepared for the more expensive circumstances! When budgeting for anything, it’s always best practice to round up, not down.
Part of the appeal of renovating is increasing the value of your property. However, if this is a factor in your renovations – be sure to take into account property market trends in your area. Depending on what you’re planning, your expenditure on renovating may exceed any value you gain from the house depending on where it is, what’s around it, and projected property value.
Always be sure to check current market trends before investing in heavy-duty renovations.
Looking for premium materials and experienced contractors? At DPV Home Renovations, we assist with home renovations for Prahran, Balwyn, Surrey Hills, and Canterbury homes wanting an elegant makeover.
Unless you’re renovating purely to sell the property– also known as house flipping– it can be beneficial not to follow interior design/architectural fashion trends. While these can result in excellent aesthetics, paying attention to what’s hot right now can potentially blow your bank.
If you choose to make your investment flashy and stylish, it is ideal to ensure there is a market that will return that investment. Look at the area you’re hoping will funnel any money spent on your investment back into your pocket and renovate accordingly.
If this is your home for the foreseeable future, do whatever makes you comfortable! This is your home, your living space, your paradise.
DPV Construction is a leading and award-winning renovation and construction industry name. Our company is based on a foundation of quality, trust, functionality, and aesthetics.
If you’re looking at renovations and need a professional touch with an eye for detail, contact us on 0431 234 491 or at info@dpvconstruction.com.au.
