Turn on the TV on most nights and you’re almost certain to come across at least one ‘reality’ home renovation or improvement program, as exciting as they might make home improvement look, real world renovating can be tough – not just on your back but on your bank account as well.
So, before you get carried away by the glitz and glam on your TV screen, consider the following tips and questions.
Plan ahead
While it doesn’t make for entertaining TV, some fastidious planning is always involved in any successful home renovation project.
Before starting out on a project, know how much you can afford to spend, which rooms you will renovate, how extensive the project will be, how long it will take and who will help.
In fact, before you even think about picking up a hammer, be sure you know where or at what you are swinging it.
Is it in the home renovation budget?
Creating a realistic budget at the outset of the project is perhaps the most important element of a successful home renovation.
A well-crafted budget will allow you to prioritise work and materials, to determine the overall scope of works, and importantly, to avoid the dreaded ‘reno blow out’.
Include all material costs, labour fees and additional expenses such as pest control provisions in your budget. And don’t forget to allow for costs you didn’t anticipate.
While the results of those TV home improvements might look remarkable, spending too much on finishing touches that don’t add real value can be a fast track to serious over-capitalisation.
Pick and choose
TV home renovation projects have it all: from the backyard makeover to knocking down walls left, right and centre. In fact, any extensive project is not only likely to cost a tonne but may also be difficult to carry out.
One easy way to minimise your expenses and maximise your profits is to only target the most important rooms of a house.
Generally speaking, the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms are the rooms that most impact comfort levels – and the overall value of the property – so be sure to prioritise your project plan in favour of these rooms.
Finally, when undertaking a home renovation, always remember to shop around, whether you’re in search of light globes or looking for a landscaper to add the final touches. You won’t regret it when it comes to selling time!