Want To Renovate But Don’t Know Where To Start?

Here’s our step-by-step guide to home improvements. Have fun!

1. Set out your goals. 

Work out your why…Is it to live in and enjoy for the next 30 years, or to flip? To add more light or more space or make the home more modern? Answering these questions will help formulate your plan. For our past and present clients, think of this as our ‘Plan of Attack’ document we put together at the beginning of your property search. Write out what you're doing and why, this will be your anchor throughout the process. 

2. Council approval? 

Understanding if your planned works need council approval is imperative to a successful renovation. Putting plans through council for approval takes time, often longer than you’d think. So doing this early in the process is an important step, you may need the expertise of engineers, architects or draftspeople and will need to factor these costs into the budget. Necessary approvals vary from council to council, you can find out via the local council website if your works will trigger an approval.  

3. Design and planning 

Pinterest is your best friend. Whether you are renovating cosmetically or more substantially, we recommend creating a pinterest board of inspiration to streamline your thoughts and ensure your design is going to be cohesive throughout the property.

We find a lot of clients want to jump into a reno before they've even moved in and we completely understand that. You want to put your stamp on it and get that ugly wallpaper gone, stat. However, with more substantial work it can be a good idea to live there for a few months to understand the property better, where the sun falls, what you like and loathe about different aspects of the property. Sometimes as you live in the home for a while, the renovation you thought you wanted to do can change. 

Research hacks on how best to renovate and design various aspects of your home. For example.. If you’re renovating the kitchen you need to think about many things before you jump in and order cabinetry. 

A few questions to ask yourself: 

Will the stove be gas, electric or induction? If you are changing from gas to induction for instance you will likely need an electrician to increase the wiring capacity. Do you like your stove under the bench or at eye height? Storage is key.. But the more drawers you install over cupboards, the more expensive it'll be. Where are you placing the PowerPoints? Where are you placing downlights or feature lighting? 

A few hacks: 

Locate your dishwasher near the sink. Aim for 1200mm between your main wall and island bench, although when space is tight you can get away with a minimum of 900mm. 

To avoid the fridge sticking out of the cavity, make sure you build your cabinetry deep enough. Fridges come in all different sizes, so you’ll need to know which fridge you’re buying before finalising your kitchen design. Your cabinetry will need to be between 700–850mm deep to ensure a flush finish. 

4. Budget 

This will determine what you can and can't do, and to what level of finish. If you’re overwhelmed with the amount of work ahead of you or can’t afford it all at once, consider staging the process. For example, paint, carpet and kitchen first, bathroom and garden next year. Write down the non negotiable costs (ie structural / electrical / plumbing), before you start buying expensive tapware and light fittings! 

Work out whether you'll coordinate the renovation yourself or hire a project manager or builder. Typically the deciding factors will be whether your time allows you to manage the project and whether you've got the financial resources to hire someone and outsource it. Obviously there are pros and cons either way. 

If you are doing a major renovation, we highly encourage working with an architect over a draftsperson. 

5. Sequence of work 

This is where working with a builder or project manager comes in handy as they know the correct sequence of works and will coordinate all necessary trades on your behalf. If you are going it alone, in the case of our hypothetical kitchen reno… here's a likely series of works: 

Run your design and layout past all trades you have booked, they may flag a few things you haven't thought about. 

Once everyone is happy with the plan in place, demolish the existing kitchen. 

Get the plumbing and electricals put in position. 

Get any plasterwork done and paint. 

Doors and windows: All trims, skirtings and architraves should go in before the cabinets.

Cabinets: Install the carcasses, leaving the doors until later so there is access for the appliances, like the dishwasher.

Bench tops, sink and taps: The bench is usually cut to fit the sink so have them installed together.

Paint and splashback: Finalise all the painting before tiling or installing the splashback and laying the floor.

Flooring: Lay the floor after the cabinets, but before the appliances.

Appliances and lighting: Call the plumber and electrician back to install these.Cabinet doors: Hang the doors, position the drawers and add any open shelving. 

Throughout the process always remember why you are renovating and make sure you don't overcapitalise. If in doubt about layouts or where to spend and save, check out some recently sold property in your area and see what seems to have commanded a strong result. You could also call a local agent to get their opinion on what buyers in the area are looking for. Even if you’re going to live in it for 20 years, this can be a very interesting point of view. 

Lastly, but certainly not least(ly?) we are here for you!! You know we love nothing more than talking to people about their homes and how they can get the most out of it, not just for enjoyment and long term liveability, but also for resale purposes when the time comes!

So feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions!