Renovating your home is meant to be a wonderful experience… isn’t it?
The stress and workload can be overwhelming and the project that was meant to be exciting turns into a bit of a letdown.
Whether you’re a first-time DIYer or a long time reno lover, these helpful hints on how to nail your renovation are bound to be useful.
1. Don’t skimp
Saving money is always a bonus, but there are some things you really shouldn’t skimp on!
Your bathroom, plumbing, and finishes should always be high on your priority list.
If you aren’t sure how to connect a toilet, don’t take the risk. Just get a professional!
2. Green is good
Try to be as green as possible. It’s not just trendy, but by putting a little extra cash into things like solar hot water and rainwater tanks you can make a difference for years to come.
Not only will it be more eco – friendly but it does add value to the property and save you money on water and electric bills.
3. Get your hands dirty
Learn some skills so you can help out. If you’re already confident in one trade why not shadow one of your tradesmen for a day and see if you can learn a few things to ease their workload. It’s always good having another pair of working hands.
4. To be or not to be the project manager
Decide whether you’re going to do it 100% yourself or invest in a project manager. This should be one of the first things you consider. While it’s all well and good to tackle a home reno if you’re confident and have experience, sometimes the thing that people struggle with most is project coordination.
If you aren’t 100% sure what the difference between an architrave and a skirting board is, it’s probably a good idea to consult a professional, even if it is a little pricier.
5. Plan plan plan!
Consult an architect first. This is especially important if you plan on doing any structural work to the building and it’s also useful to have a second (or third) opinion when it comes to decisions that determine how the entire house will look.
So whether you’re undertaking your very first home renovation or this is one of many, it’s important to consider hiring professionals to get the job done correctly the first time and sometimes saving money isn’t as important as getting a quality finish.
Home renovation is meant to be fun, don’t let the stress overwhelm you!
Happy DIY-ing!
