Bringing your Pinterest board to live and embarking on your renovation takes careful consideration and a lot of planning.

Whether your first renovation or your fifth, the same steps still apply in order for it to be successful and as stress free as possible!

Our step by step guide to a successful renovation

Set a budget

It can be hard to set a budget if you have no idea of what renovation costs are.

Know what the maximum amount of money you have to spend is and ensure you source quotes from 3 different professionals for each major task involved in your renovation, so you can be sure you’re paying a fair price, to be able to allocate your budget accordingly.

Your budget and plan will determine how much of your renovation you DIY and what you enlist tradespeople or a professional renovation company for.

Don’t forget about hidden costs such as council fees and in general allow 10-20% of your budget for extra costs, so you’re not in for a nasty surprise part way through your renovation.

According to data from HomeAdvisor, the average Australian renovation ranges between $18,439 at the lower end and $75,656 at the higher end, with an average cost of $46,339.

Seek council approvals and building permits

Check with your local council to ensure you are able to renovate and meet regulations and guidelines. If you are renovating a unit, townhouse or apartment you will also need body corporate approval.

Your renovation is required to meet basic requirements for health and safety as stipulated by the Building Code of Australia. This permit ensures that your plans are in accordance with local council regulations and must be acquired before you embark on renovating.

Your builder will be able to assist in gaining these council approvals and any permits required before embarking on any work.

Finalise your design

The thought of renovating a whole house can be overwhelming. Start by breaking the house into subsections and list what you want your needs and wants are that you want to achieve in each room. You can then bring these rooms and sections together to determine your whole renovation.

You want to avoid major changes part way through as this could cost you time and money to make significant changes down the track, so make sure the final plans are exactly what you envisage for your renovation.

Set deadlines

If you are embarking on a major renovation you may want to consider timeframes and deadlines for each stage of your renovation.

For example you may want to consider upgrading your bathroom first as this is more of a standalone room of the house, compared to the kitchen which may need to be renovated as part of a bigger space.

Setting deadlines will mean you can live in the home whilst necessary if required or know how long you’ll be renting for if the home isn’t habitable.

Choose materials

A classic renovation pitfall is determining a timeframe before choosing materials.

Some materials, such as tile and natural stone can have longer lead times than others, which could cause hold ups if you’re relying on them for a significant part of your renovation. The same goes for furnishings, some furniture especially if made to order can take many weeks.

Always consider the materials in the planning stages of your renovation before setting deadlines

Following these steps before starting your renovation should ensure it runs safely, smoothly and stays within budget!

If you’re embarking on a renovation and don’t know where to start – contact AMS Property Renovations! We are experts with over 30 years experience in home renovations and can guarantee we bring your project in on time and on budget.