Home Remodelling & Renovation
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<strong>Home</strong> <strong>Remodelling</strong> & <strong>Renovation</strong><br />
Daisy Mark<br />
Bond University<br />
Abstract<br />
Many homeowners and investors renovate their properties with the objective of adding<br />
value and maximising their return, either in the form of a higher sales price for a residential<br />
property, or a higher rental income for an investment property. However, many Australian<br />
Gold Coast homeowners are also renovating their properties to better suit their lifestyles or<br />
to upgrade outdated fittings to reflect more modern designs and trends.<br />
If you want to remodel your new house, I think below mentioned all the renovation tips and<br />
tricks will help you in getting your dream house.<br />
I. Introduction<br />
Whether you’re looking to increase the property value of your home ahead of a sale or<br />
closing on a house you can’t wait to make your own, chances are there’s a renovation or<br />
remodelling project in your future. Which means you’ll have a lot of things to consider,<br />
not least among them how to find a contractor, how to mitigate costs, and, no less<br />
important, how to translate your ideas into reality. We tapped some of our most trusted<br />
renovation sources and combed our archives to bring you this compendium of power<br />
home remodelling ideas for every room, including tried-and-true advice from the experts,<br />
checklists to help you get started, and stunning before-and-after kitchen, bath, and living<br />
room transformations for inspiration. So whether you’re rev<strong>amp</strong>ing a space to make it<br />
more functional or simply more beautiful, this handy guide is your one-stop shop for all<br />
things home renovation.<br />
II.<br />
How the style of our homes has changed throughout the decades<br />
Australian House & Garden has been a fixture in Aussie homes since 1948, making this year<br />
their 70 th birthday. To celebrate, their April issue was all about the styles that dominated<br />
the last seven decades.<br />
THE FIFTIES: 1948-1957
It was a time where frozen foods were a new thing and Laminex was introduced. Welcome<br />
to the '50s!<br />
<strong>Home</strong> design had influences of Minimalist, Modernist design, with open plan, steel framed<br />
windows, louvre windows, butterfly and flat roofs featuring.<br />
Architects of the era included Robin Boyd and Harry Seidler.<br />
Palettes included coral pink, lemon, teal, turquoise combos e.g. watermelon, peony pink,<br />
spice brown, bitter yellow. Smoked versions of all these together.<br />
Cream was the base for mixed pastels, heritage shades of red, green, blue and gold<br />
altogether.<br />
THE SIXTIES: 1958-1967
Enter the swinging '60s, where Minimalism and Modernism continue.<br />
A-frame houses, exposed-beam ceilings, architecture-designed project homes, courtyard<br />
houses and clinker houses were en vogue.<br />
Exposed structural concrete, pavilion-style architecture, sliding internal timber wall panels,<br />
steel framed windows, stegbar aluminium sliding doors were all the rage.<br />
The '60s palette had brights in block red, orange, teal, turquoise, purple, lime, emerald.<br />
Architects big in this decade included Joern Utzon, Bryce Mortlock, Ken Woolley, Philip Cox,<br />
Leslie Walford, and decorators like Reg Riddell and Raymond Splatt.<br />
THE SEVENTIES: 1968-1977<br />
Moving into the '70s, we welcome split-level design. Exposed-beam ceilings and architectdesigned<br />
project homes were still, big but now there are Moorish influences that celebrate<br />
embellishment, along with Spanish and Mexican influences.<br />
Indoor/outdoor flow became an important design factor, and there was an inner-city<br />
terrace revival.<br />
Recycling building materials gained traction, and IKEA popularises with, flat-pack and flatpack<br />
kitchens becoming exciting projects.<br />
Palettes of this era were earthy and warm, including spice colours such as turmeric,<br />
cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika. Earth and ochre shades were also big.<br />
This decade saw white walls that had punches of bright colour…lime, red, cobalt blue, and<br />
40 shades of beige.
Lime green, fuchsia, turquoise, purple, avocado green -- people were not afraid of colour in<br />
the '70s. Texture was also important (just check those carpets, and we loved a good shag<br />
pile rug).<br />
Architects and designer names of this era included Marion Hall Best, Leslie Walford, Nola<br />
Charles, Barry Little, Babette Hayes, Bryce Mortlock, Ken Woolley, Philip Cox, Michael<br />
Dysart, Glenn Murcutt.<br />
THE EIGHTIES: 1978-1987<br />
Moving into everyone's favourite decade to forget, townhouses rose in popularity. Stucco<br />
and rendered exteriors flooded in, as well as designer kitchens.<br />
The garden became more important, and bi-fold doors were in fashion. An extension of this<br />
was the popularity of green living, such as solar panels and recycling, and energy-efficient<br />
housing.<br />
Other design notes include Plantation-style louvres, and the rise of Neoclassicism: pillars,<br />
glass bricks and curves.<br />
The colours of the '80s were defined by pink, peach, apricot, celadon and teal teamed with<br />
grey and white. But don't forget your “Hot-Shot” brights – including pink, yellow and aquainspired<br />
Ken Done.<br />
Sophisticated moody hues, such as night sky and storm, with red highlights were also big.<br />
On the softer side, romantic punchy pastels like rose, hyacinth, and primrose were popular.<br />
Natural Australian hues including bottlebrush, banksia, wild honey, sandstone and ghost<br />
gum were a stylish choice.<br />
There were also lots of Provence sunflower yellows, cornflower blues with timbers, nautical<br />
blues and whites and primaries as accent colours.
Architects, designers and other big names: Barry Little, Pia Francesca, Ruth Levine, Ann<br />
Gyngell, Tibor Hubay, Leslie Walford, Warren Head, George Freedman, Neville Marsh, Clive<br />
Lucas, Ray Siede, Allen Jack & Cottier, Guilford Bell, David Hicks (UK), Tricia Guild, Laura<br />
Ashley<br />
Retailers tapping into the passion for design also started to rise. They included Artes Studio,<br />
Arredorama, De De Ce, Design Warehouse, Designer Rugs and Robyn Cosgrove.<br />
THE NINETIES: 1988-1997<br />
Moving out of the '80s to the '90s, which, to be fair, was still pretty '80s, it was all<br />
about Industrial cool: warehouse conversions and minimalism (with lots of white and grey)<br />
were all the rage.<br />
Around this time, there was a revival of classic designer furnishings triggering knock offs.<br />
Retro '50s and '60s style is back with block contrasting colour, just fresher.<br />
Another design influence was Post-modernism, or the ornamentation on clean shapes.<br />
But there was also a Memphis influence, with New Country gaining traction. The<br />
corrugated-iron bark look was big, people.<br />
Smart homes made their debut (can you believe it?). Green houses, including recycling and<br />
energy efficiency are front of mind.<br />
In terms of the palettes, “Watercolour” hues were in, including (clean but not too vibrant)<br />
blues, geranium pinks, buttery yellows, greens -- and they weren't afraid to use all of these<br />
in juxtaposition.
“Calypso” and “punchy pastels”, richer, stronger versions used side by side. Muddier<br />
versions of popular colours, as well as rich aubergine, turquoise, teal, cobalt, and terracotta<br />
were au fait.<br />
Heritage green, red and beige, as well as neutrals with grey undertones were a hit.<br />
Architects and designers big in this era were Meryl Hare, Ruth Levine, Pia Francesca, Ros<br />
Palmer, Adelaide Bragg, Darryl Gordon, Leslie Walford, Geoff Lopez, Lindsay Clare, Burley<br />
Katon Halliday, Engelen Moore, Andree Putman, Marc Newson, Philippe Starck, Sir Terence<br />
Conran, Tricia Guild, and Martha Stewart.<br />
Retailers like Space Furniture, Euroluce and King Furniture made their mark on the design<br />
scene.<br />
THE NOUGHTIES: 1998-2010<br />
Just a decade ago, homes were featuring metal and glass to r<strong>amp</strong> up the industrial look, and<br />
it seems that hasn't waned in popularity.<br />
Small space living became a trend, along with indoor-outdoor rooms to maximise flow<br />
(something we're still all about today). Light became a feature in and of itself, and so walls<br />
of glass emerged in design.<br />
<strong>Home</strong> became known as a refuge.<br />
We began to see an east-meets-west fusion, as well as colonial and country with a modern<br />
twist.<br />
Open plan kitchens are another trend we began loving last decade, as well as the idea of<br />
your bathroom as a sanctuary.<br />
The home office became an important feature in homes, and more and more of these<br />
homes were smart homes and/or eco homes.
Minimalism was still alive and kicking, but Maximalism was also around: pattern on pattern,<br />
texture on texture.<br />
Palettes featured a lot of greys – from dove to charcoal. Mondrian colours like red, yellow<br />
and blue were also of note.<br />
Designers Guild had a big influence with its bright assemblies of aqua, lilac, purple and<br />
chartreuse.<br />
We also loved our earthy colours, especially with grey undertones, such as taupe and<br />
mushrooms.<br />
But there was an obsession with white on white, which could often be seen in the kitchen.<br />
III.<br />
Tips for buying a house to renovate<br />
Before you buy a house in Gold Coast with the intent to renovate, make sure you consider<br />
these tips.<br />
Make of list of your wants and needs<br />
When buying a house there is the obvious advice such as, don’t rush, do your homework,<br />
look around and don’t buy the first house you fall in love with.<br />
Before you set out on the house hunt create a brief, outlining what you are looking for, a<br />
wish list so to speak but be realistic.<br />
Be wary of already-renovated houses<br />
You also want to be careful not to buy something that has undergone previous work<br />
where you will be paying a premium for a renovation that isn’t to your taste and that you<br />
will want to change at a later date.<br />
Consider how much work you really want to sign up for<br />
Structural work is when the bills start rolling in, you need a house that just needs a face lift<br />
and doesn’t require moving the stairs, knocking out structural walls or large additions in<br />
the form of another story.<br />
We suggest finding a house that already has character as it will be generous, enabling you<br />
to create an interesting aesthetic with less effort and expense.
Weigh up the pros and cons of each house you view<br />
At the open house take photos and notes so you can return to them when comparing the<br />
properties you have viewed to weigh up the pros and cons of each. Compare all potential<br />
properties against your initial brief.<br />
Create a budget that includes costing for each renovation<br />
Be realistic when identifying the extra costs involved, such as maintenance, aspects that<br />
will need replacing and possible structural changes you may intend to do in your<br />
renovation. Calculate these proposed costs.<br />
The final step<br />
Before signing any contract it is wise to obtain a professional termite check and to contact<br />
a qualified building inspector to provide you with a full report on the property, ensuring<br />
you are not biting off more than you can chew.<br />
Have your builder provide you with quotes for all the work and renovations you want to<br />
make – you may choose to do some yourself but its good to compare how much it will cost<br />
to do it yourself or get a professional to do it.<br />
IV.<br />
Simple ways to elevate your home space<br />
Layer textures<br />
“This room was a study in texture because the color was monochromatic," says Katie Maine<br />
of Maine Design. "We wanted the room to feel really tactile. The bed has an antique<br />
Belgium throw at the bottom, the rug is raw silk, and the cabinet is a mix of oak, vellum, and<br />
leather. Taking things in the same color family but delineating them based on their texture<br />
feels rich and inviting without being loud.”<br />
Update traditional fixtures<br />
The key to this bathroom, Maine says, is the updated, eclectic mix. “We took a traditional<br />
marble and cut it up into a herringbone pattern to make it a little fresher. It's almost<br />
European with old-world elements but constructed in a more modern manner. The faucet<br />
gives it a fashion forward feeling.”<br />
Decorate with meaningful objects<br />
“This is the chicest mudroom you'll ever be in," Maine gushes. "Each family member has a<br />
built-in to put their things in. It's all about balance and a natural feel." She adds, "We didn't<br />
want the room to seem like we put a bunch of things that matched on the table, but we<br />
wanted it to feel like there was a story, as if the items had been collected by the family.
None of it is too old, none of it is too new, but there's a comfort and a soul to the<br />
arrangement."<br />
Marry antiques with playful touches<br />
"This rooms speaks to the idea that you can take an antique Italian cabinet and pair it with<br />
an Van Der Straeten l<strong>amp</strong>—that you can have those two worlds in the same room. You<br />
shouldn't be afraid to do that; it looks good and intentional," Maine advises. "The l<strong>amp</strong> is<br />
playful but still elegant and beautiful, and it takes the seriousness out of the room.”<br />
Go for a pull-out faucet<br />
True to his aesthetic, David Mann of MR Architecture + Decor loves the simple, upscale look<br />
of this modern room. “This kitchen is about the sleek lines and the finish," he says. "The<br />
faucet is a pull out—when you group functions like that together, it makes it even sleeker.”<br />
Add drama with small details<br />
“We selected the Van Der Straeten tables to add a layer of character: The scale was exactly<br />
right, but also, because of the thorns on the table legs, it added character to the room with<br />
everything else being so streamlined," Mann explains. "The space needed that.”<br />
Accessorize your ceiling<br />
Designing a home is a team effort, Mann says. "Lindsey Adelman’s work is absolutely<br />
extraordinary. One of the things that I love about working with her is that she personally<br />
ensures the piece we are putting in a room is like jewelry—she works on the scale with us<br />
and the quantity of the fixture heads so it really becomes the art of the room, as seen here.”<br />
Merge different aesthetics<br />
“Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is my idol and all things, in my brain, go back to him," Mann<br />
raves. "We were doing an apartment in a Stern building which had classical architecture,<br />
and we were bridging two design sensibilities. So in my mind, bringing this particular chaise<br />
in related right back to our own aesthetic, which kept it clean and simple. It also added a<br />
little bit of style.”<br />
Add warmth through handmade pieces<br />
“This was a new-build home that was kind of cold, so I needed to warm up the space and<br />
give it that California modernism," begins Peter Dunham of Peter Dunham Design. "I<br />
brought in a lot of organic, handmade things to warm up the space—like the handwoven<br />
curtains, the big wicker chaise, and the Nakashima-style table. The interplay of textures is<br />
also important to make the space interesting. The biggest thing to me was bringing in<br />
warmth in a modern vocabulary.”
Let the outdoors in<br />
It's important, Dunham continues, that the house match the surroundings. "I wanted to turn<br />
this Newport Beachhome on the water into a contemporary beach house, mixing in vintage<br />
light fixtures, California walnut wood countertops, and modern textures like the marble<br />
mosaic tile to make the space warm and inviting. The dining room and living room are open<br />
to each other, so they needed to have a continuous visual relationship." Specifically, he says,<br />
smaller elements like the faucet can pack a powerful statement and serve key functionality.<br />
“I tend to go for a gooseneck style faucet because of its pretty lines, and also for its<br />
functionality. The shape allows for more maneuvering in the sink when working in the<br />
kitchen.”<br />
Turn small spaces into reading nooks<br />
Multi-use spaces are also key to creating a thoughtful practice space with lots of style,<br />
Dunham says. “Here, we wanted to create something airy and bright; with all those funky<br />
slope ceilings that come with a tudor house, we made something much cleaner, to give the<br />
sense that you're up in a treehouse. The whole apartment is 400 square feet, so this little<br />
area created an opportunity for me to build in banquettes right under the windows. What I<br />
am always trying to do—and this goes back to my English roots—is to create definitive<br />
destinations to attract people, particularly close to windows where people naturally want to<br />
go. They spend time reading and working on their computer at that table.”<br />
Break up a large living room with extra seating<br />
“This living room was huge, so I created two or three different destinations within the room,<br />
this being the one closest to the fantastic view of Hollywood," explains Dunham. "The sofa<br />
pulls you into the room with its low back against the window, designed to encourage people<br />
to lean at an angle to talk and still see the view at the same time. The wicker chair—which I<br />
just love—turns to both areas. It's a big sculptural piece in the middle of the room, where<br />
there was once a no-man's-land between the fireplace and the view.”<br />
V. Great Ways to Bring New Life to a House<br />
1) Change Interior of your house- The exquisitive looks of your house will depend upon your<br />
smart choice of choosing an interior for your house. First of all, decide an interior theme for<br />
your house depending upon your personality and style. You could choose a same interior<br />
theme for the entire house or you could choose different themes. A better idea would be to<br />
choose a theme simple and neutral for some of the rooms of the house. If you need to take<br />
guidance and can rely and love the tastes of an interior designer, you can hire for one.<br />
2) Change the paint colours for walls- The best recommendation while choosing a paint<br />
colour is to look upon the facing of the windows and then altogether setting up a<br />
combination of colours based on the areas which receive sunlight and the areas which do<br />
not receive sunlight. If a window is facing towards east, a better choice would be to choose
cooler tones for that room. And if the window is facing towards west, one can go for<br />
warmer paint colours for those rooms. The choice of colours will make your home a perfect<br />
place for summers as well as winters.<br />
3) Add home enhancing decorations Plants can add to the bounty of your house. As they<br />
signify life. You can put plants both indoors and outdoors to enhance certain portions of<br />
your house. These are the type of objects that draw attention to themselves and they can<br />
be a subject of conversations for the first time visitors too. Curtains can be used to bare<br />
windows to give these areas a certain look. While looking up for curtains, you could go for<br />
light coloured curtains with intricate designs .Make a smart choice while choosing for<br />
curtains. It is recommended that you avoid see- through materials. A better option would be<br />
to go for elegant materials such as natural silk, linen and cotton.<br />
4) Go for crown moulding- Crown moulding provides a room a sense of completion. It brings<br />
the ceiling and the walls together which makes a perfect sense i.e making of a perfect house<br />
out of an old worn-out house. The added advantage of crown moulding is that it does not<br />
incur high costs.<br />
5) Hardwood is preferred over carpets- Wall- to -wall carpeting in a home is a thing of past.<br />
Though it is warm and soft , but it does not provide a gleaming look to your house. In<br />
modern times there is no way for carpets if one wants to give his / her house a sophisticated<br />
look and not an outdated one.<br />
6) Accesorize your home- Accesories at home makes a mediocre house look extravagant. It<br />
is one of the simplest and easiest ways of giving an old house a modern look. Putting gold<br />
mirrors, gold made accessories etc. can enhance the luxury of one's house. This is<br />
interesting and can make one's house a luxurious place. Everyone wants to design their<br />
house in such a way which reflects one's style and personality. So it is a fruitful way to<br />
exhibit your luxurious lifestyle.<br />
7) Separation of space according to requirements- Privacy is an important aspect of one's<br />
life. Unlike the old house systems where most of the activities used to take in one place, the<br />
separation of spaces according to one's requirement out of old spaces is preferred in<br />
modern times. This can be made easy by making study room, other activities room a<br />
separated ones. Look you are renovating your house for comfort, so don’t forget to bring<br />
these changes which are a preliminary ones for enjoying comfort. Life can be made better<br />
this way!<br />
8) Remodeling the Kitchen- Most people consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home,<br />
and because of this, updates in this room pay off. According to HGTV, you can expect to<br />
recoup 60%-120% of your investment on a kitchen remodel, as long as you don’t go<br />
overboard. You should never make your kitchen fancier than the rest of the house, or the<br />
neighborhood.<br />
Why You Shouldn’t Invest in a Deluxe Kitchen
For ex<strong>amp</strong>le, a historic home in my neighborhood has been on the market for more than<br />
two years. During the owner’s last open house, I went in to check it out, and immediately<br />
saw why the house hasn’t sold. The quaint Arts and Crafts style home was built in 1900 and<br />
has a lot of charm. Unfortunately, the homeowners had invested over $60,000 upgrading<br />
the kitchen.<br />
The enormous kitchen, easily the size of the living room, features appliances and<br />
countertops that might look more at home in a fancy restaurant kitchen. The style, size, and<br />
quality of the kitchen don’t fit in with the rest of the house, or the neighborhood. If you plan<br />
on selling your home within the next five years, keep potential buyers in mind before you<br />
start on any major remodel; many people won’t pay for a fancy, deluxe kitchen.<br />
A Little Paint Goes a Long Way<br />
When it comes to how much you spend on a kitchen remodel, prices can run the gamut,<br />
from $5,000 to $75,000, or more. Get the biggest bang for your buck on a kitchen remodel<br />
by looking at color. Fresh paint, in modern colors, can go a long way towards updating the<br />
look of your kitchen. Plus, paint is relatively cheap.<br />
You might want to consider using low-VOC paint; this makes your kitchen more eco-friendly,<br />
and helps your family avoid breathing in dangerous chemicals, like benzene, that off-gas<br />
from regular fresh paint.<br />
Energy-Efficient Appliances<br />
Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models. Energy Star-rated appliances are better<br />
for the environment, and they also help you save money, because they use less energy.<br />
Potential buyers often look for ways to save money when shopping for a new home.<br />
If you’re looking upgrade your appliances to save energy, learn more about the the best<br />
time of year to buy large appliances.<br />
9) Making moderations in bathrooms- If your home only has one bathroom, you can recoup<br />
a large chunk of your investment by adding another one. HGTV estimates that you can<br />
recoup 80%-130% of whatever you spend adding a bathroom.<br />
When it comes to finding room in your house for an extra bathroom, take a look at any extra<br />
rooms or underutilized spaces. Consider other spaces, such as closets or areas under the<br />
stairs, too. If you want a half-bath you need at least 18 square feet. If you want a full bath,<br />
including a stand-up shower, you need at least 30 square feet. If you want a bathtub, make<br />
sure you have at least 35 square feet to work with for a bathroom addition. See these<br />
bathroom design and remodeling ideas to get you started.<br />
Like any project, the cost of adding a bathroom depends largely on the types of additions<br />
and accessories you want to use, and the cost of each of these items. You can save money<br />
by frequently checking Lowe’s and <strong>Home</strong> Depot; they often drastically reduce prices on<br />
sinks and toilets that have been floor models. You can also find great prices on tubs, doors,<br />
toilets, and fixtures if you shop at a Habitat for Humanity Restore.
10) Energy-Efficient Insulation<br />
If your home lacks basic insulation, and has old doors that let in plenty of hot and cold air,<br />
home inspectors working with potential buyers will include this in their reports. <strong>Home</strong>s that<br />
haven’t been modified with energy efficiency in mind cost more to live in and maintain.<br />
Updating your home to save energy doesn’t have to cost a lot of money and can make your<br />
home more appealing to potential buyers. You can save $2,500 or more each year just by<br />
making some changes. For ex<strong>amp</strong>le, you can add extra insulation to your attic for $200 or<br />
less, and this small change can save you hundreds each year on your utility bill.<br />
Seal cracks around the house to save even more money on energy costs, and to make your<br />
home more appealing to buyers. The U.S. Department of Energy (USDE) estimates that the<br />
average house has enough leaks to equal a 3×3 foot hole in the wall. You can find leaks in<br />
your home during the winter. Anytime you feel a draft or cold spot, you’re in an area that<br />
leaks air. You can purchase a thermal leak detector for $40 or less (e.g. Black & Decker<br />
TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector). These handheld devices alert you to temperature<br />
differences around your home. This then allows you to add caulk or insulation where you<br />
need it the most.<br />
You can often discover leaks, and areas that need more insulation, in these areas:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Around doors and windows<br />
Around electrical sockets and light switches<br />
In recessed lighting<br />
Around the attic hatch<br />
In the basement<br />
Anywhere ducts or wires go outside the house<br />
Another easy retrofit is to use CFL light bulbs in all light fixtures. CFL bulbs use 75% less<br />
energy than traditional bulbs and each one saves, on average, $40 in energy over the course<br />
of its lifetime. You also save on cooling costs because CFLs emit 75% less heat than<br />
traditional bulbs. You can easily calculate how much you can save simply by counting the<br />
number of lights you have in your home.<br />
You can also install a programmable thermostat. Most buyers expect to see programmable<br />
thermostats these days, and they can save you money. Energy Star estimates that installing<br />
a programmable thermostat will save the average homeowner $180 per year in heating and<br />
cooling costs.<br />
If you need to replace your hot water heater, consider spending a bit extra to purchase a<br />
high-efficiency water heater. Savvy home buyers know these water heaters can really trim<br />
energy bills. If you use less than 41 gallons of water each day in your household, a tankless<br />
water heater saves you 24%-34% on your water heating costs. If you use more, count on a<br />
savings of 8%-14%.<br />
11) A place for recreation- Recreation is becoming a fundamental concept existing in one's<br />
life. But people mostly visit recreational places like park, zoo, museums, theme parks etc.<br />
for recreation. How is the idea of having recreation at home? Don't get surprised! It's a
trend now. In earlier times, this idea probably wasn't much popular. But now – a – days,<br />
building a place for recreation in houses is in trend. Building swimming pools, indoor games,<br />
Gyms, home theaters etc. in houses serve the purpose of recreation in home.<br />
VI.<br />
Major renovation mistakes<br />
1: Not researching<br />
Many renovators base their property price research on causal searches on real estate<br />
websites. They see that similar homes in their area are selling for good prices, but they fail<br />
to take into account that different streets within suburbs can have very different price<br />
thresholds.<br />
Neighbouring homes can have an effect on your final sale price, especially if they have very<br />
poor street appeal. Always think about your intended market and the demographics within<br />
the local area.<br />
2: Underestimating costs<br />
One of the biggest mistakes many renovators make is underestimating their project costs.<br />
Getting quotes on the cost of building materials is a start.<br />
But have you factored in architect's fees, local council fees, labour costs, professional fees,<br />
the cost of unexpected delays, additional contingency costs for problems found during<br />
renovations, GST and other taxes? Most people don't think about these elements, which can<br />
cause them to blow out their budget.<br />
3: DIY projects<br />
While DIY projects can be a good cost-cutting tactic, it’s important to remember that there<br />
are some tasks that are best left to the professionals. If you undertake DIY projects yourself<br />
and aren't competent, you may have to spend money fixing faulty work further down the<br />
track.<br />
4: Not sticking to a budget<br />
A shortage of funds may mean that you’re unable to finish the project. If your renovation<br />
isn't completed you won't be able to sell the property at the profit you initially anticipated.<br />
While it’s tempting to opt for luxurious fittings or finishes, try to stay within the parameters<br />
of your budget.<br />
5: Renovating the wrong elements<br />
A common problem with many renovations is that the owner has spent money renovating<br />
the wrong elements, and chosen options that are unlikely to add value to the property type<br />
and location. To avoid this, ensure that you engage in thorough market research and consult
professionals who can guide you through your renovation planning. Generally, you should<br />
avoid spending the bulk of your budget on low-traffic rooms or areas that are not used<br />
frequently, such as a guest bedroom or laundry.<br />
6: Underestimating the disruption factor<br />
While the thought of a modern and completed renovation is exhilarating, you need to<br />
carefully consider the reality of the project in process. A large-scale renovation can be noisy<br />
and disruptive to family life.<br />
7: Selecting a builder based on price alone<br />
While it is always tempting to go for the lowest quoted price, you need to consider the<br />
implications of doing so. Does the builder have the required experience? Will they provide a<br />
warranty on the project?<br />
VII.<br />
How to save money on home renovations<br />
1. Increase efficiency, not size.<br />
If you can reorganize and equip your kitchen for maximum utility, you may not need to blow<br />
out the walls to gain square footage. Start by replacing space–hogging shelves with cabinet–<br />
height pullout drawers 8 inches wide, containing racks for canned goods and other items.<br />
2. Bring in natural light without adding windows.<br />
Before cutting a big hole in the side of your house and rearranging the framing, consider less<br />
invasive—and less expensive—ways of capturing light. To brighten up a windowless bath or<br />
hallway, for instance, you can install a "light tube," which slips between roof rafters and<br />
funnels sunshine down into the living space.<br />
3. Hit the recycling center.<br />
Do–it–yourselfers can reap big savings with recycled or lightly used fixtures and building<br />
materials.<br />
4. Donate your trash.<br />
Before you begin a remodeling job, invite the local Habitat for Humanity chapter to remove<br />
materials and fixtures for later resale.<br />
5. Do your own demo.<br />
Knocking down may not be as costly as rebuilding, but you can still shave dollars by doing<br />
some of the demolition yourself—as long as you proceed with care.
6. Consider long–term costs, not just short–term gains.<br />
If your addition calls for clapboard siding, for instance, you can save more in the long run by<br />
ponying up now for the preprimed and prepainted variety.<br />
7. Tap your contractor's sources.<br />
When it comes to things like flooring, ask your subcontractor if he has odds–and–ends stock<br />
left over from other jobs.<br />
8. Limit recessed light fixtures.<br />
"The more recessed lights you put in, the more it's going to cost," says Tom Silva, This Old<br />
House's general contractor. In addition to the fixtures, there's the labor to cut all the holes<br />
and insulate them properly.<br />
9. Consult an architect.<br />
Depending on the scale of your project, you might not need a full–on architectural<br />
commission, which involves extensive meetings, multiple job–site visits, and several sets of<br />
construction drawings, to the tune of about 8 percent of a project's construction budget.<br />
10. Partner with a contractor.<br />
Though the practice is controversial among the trades, some contractors will offer<br />
consulting and mentoring services to skilled do–it–yourselfers on an hourly basis.<br />
11 . Plan with stock sizes in mind.<br />
"Ask yourself, 'Why am I building something 10 feet wide if plywood comes in 4–foot–wide<br />
sheets?'" says Lisa Stacholy, of LKS Architects, in Atlanta.<br />
12. Make decisions early.<br />
Start prowling the aisles at the hardware store or home center way before the wrecking<br />
crew shows up. Get a good feeling for what you want in fixtures and appliances and what<br />
they cost.<br />
VIII.<br />
Conclusion<br />
“Renovating isn’t for the faint hearted but its well worth the effort, especially when you get<br />
the property revalue and you can see the difference you’ve made to the value of your<br />
house.”<br />
You have many options for home improvement projects that add value to your home.<br />
Remember that home improvements don’t pay off like they did in 2004-2005, when the<br />
housing market peaked. If you plan to remodel, concentrate your efforts on smaller projects<br />
that make your home more appealing to budget-minded buyers. Focus on energy<br />
efficiency and small upgrades that add character and comfort to your home.
IX.<br />
References:<br />
Finder. (2018) The guide to successful home renovations | Finder. Retrieved 12 June, 2018,<br />
from<br />
https://www.finder.com.au/renovating-your-home<br />
Sonia Taylor. (2018) How the style of our homes has changed throughout the decades |<br />
Honey-<strong>Home</strong>s. Retrieved 12 June, 2018, from<br />
https://homes.nine.com.au/2018/04/03/14/22/house-and-garden-70-birthday-styledecades<br />
BetterremovalistsGoldCoast. (2017) End of Tenancy Moving Tips | Better Removalists Gold<br />
Coast. Retrieved 12 June, 2018, from<br />
https://www.betterremovalistsgoldcoast.com.au/end-tenancy-moving-tips/<br />
<strong>Home</strong>stolove (2016) Tips for buying a house to renovate | <strong>Home</strong>s to Love. Retrieved 12<br />
June, 2018, from<br />
https://www.homestolove.com.au/tips-for-buying-a-house-to-renovate-2942<br />
Frances bailey (2017) simple ways to elevate your space | Elle Decor. Retrieved 12 June,<br />
2018, from<br />
https://www.elledecor.com/home-remodeling-renovating/homerenovation/g9978563/how-to-redecorate-experts/<br />
Heather Levin. (2015) <strong>Home</strong> Improvement & Remodeling Ideas that Increase <strong>Home</strong> Value |<br />
Money Crashers. Retrieved 12 June, 2018, from<br />
https://www.moneycrashers.com/7-home-improvements-to-increase-its-value/<br />
James Glave (2017) Ways to Save On Your Remodel | This Old House. Retrieved 12 June,<br />
2018, from<br />
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/21-ways-to-save-your-remodel-0