Home Remodelling & Renovation

Home Remodelling & Renovation
Daisy Mark
Bond University
Abstract
Many homeowners and investors renovate their properties with the objective of adding
value and maximising their return, either in the form of a higher sales price for a residential
property, or a higher rental income for an investment property. However, many Australian
Gold Coast homeowners are also renovating their properties to better suit their lifestyles or
to upgrade outdated fittings to reflect more modern designs and trends.
If you want to remodel your new house, I think below mentioned all the renovation tips and
tricks will help you in getting your dream house.
I. Introduction
Whether you’re looking to increase the property value of your home ahead of a sale or
closing on a house you can’t wait to make your own, chances are there’s a renovation or
remodelling project in your future. Which means you’ll have a lot of things to consider,
not least among them how to find a contractor, how to mitigate costs, and, no less
important, how to translate your ideas into reality. We tapped some of our most trusted
renovation sources and combed our archives to bring you this compendium of power
home remodelling ideas for every room, including tried-and-true advice from the experts,
checklists to help you get started, and stunning before-and-after kitchen, bath, and living
room transformations for inspiration. So whether you’re revamping a space to make it
more functional or simply more beautiful, this handy guide is your one-stop shop for all
things home renovation.
II.
How the style of our homes has changed throughout the decades
Australian House & Garden has been a fixture in Aussie homes since 1948, making this year
their 70 th birthday. To celebrate, their April issue was all about the styles that dominated
the last seven decades.
THE FIFTIES: 1948-1957

It was a time where frozen foods were a new thing and Laminex was introduced. Welcome
to the '50s!
Home design had influences of Minimalist, Modernist design, with open plan, steel framed
windows, louvre windows, butterfly and flat roofs featuring.
Architects of the era included Robin Boyd and Harry Seidler.
Palettes included coral pink, lemon, teal, turquoise combos e.g. watermelon, peony pink,
spice brown, bitter yellow. Smoked versions of all these together.
Cream was the base for mixed pastels, heritage shades of red, green, blue and gold
altogether.
THE SIXTIES: 1958-1967

Enter the swinging '60s, where Minimalism and Modernism continue.
A-frame houses, exposed-beam ceilings, architecture-designed project homes, courtyard
houses and clinker houses were en vogue.
Exposed structural concrete, pavilion-style architecture, sliding internal timber wall panels,
steel framed windows, stegbar aluminium sliding doors were all the rage.
The '60s palette had brights in block red, orange, teal, turquoise, purple, lime, emerald.
Architects big in this decade included Joern Utzon, Bryce Mortlock, Ken Woolley, Philip Cox,
Leslie Walford, and decorators like Reg Riddell and Raymond Splatt.
THE SEVENTIES: 1968-1977
Moving into the '70s, we welcome split-level design. Exposed-beam ceilings and architectdesigned
project homes were still, big but now there are Moorish influences that celebrate
embellishment, along with Spanish and Mexican influences.
Indoor/outdoor flow became an important design factor, and there was an inner-city
terrace revival.
Recycling building materials gained traction, and IKEA popularises with, flat-pack and flatpack
kitchens becoming exciting projects.
Palettes of this era were earthy and warm, including spice colours such as turmeric,
cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika. Earth and ochre shades were also big.
This decade saw white walls that had punches of bright colour…lime, red, cobalt blue, and
40 shades of beige.

Lime green, fuchsia, turquoise, purple, avocado green -- people were not afraid of colour in
the '70s. Texture was also important (just check those carpets, and we loved a good shag
pile rug).
Architects and designer names of this era included Marion Hall Best, Leslie Walford, Nola
Charles, Barry Little, Babette Hayes, Bryce Mortlock, Ken Woolley, Philip Cox, Michael
Dysart, Glenn Murcutt.
THE EIGHTIES: 1978-1987
Moving into everyone's favourite decade to forget, townhouses rose in popularity. Stucco
and rendered exteriors flooded in, as well as designer kitchens.
The garden became more important, and bi-fold doors were in fashion. An extension of this
was the popularity of green living, such as solar panels and recycling, and energy-efficient
housing.
Other design notes include Plantation-style louvres, and the rise of Neoclassicism: pillars,
glass bricks and curves.
The colours of the '80s were defined by pink, peach, apricot, celadon and teal teamed with
grey and white. But don't forget your “Hot-Shot” brights – including pink, yellow and aquainspired
Ken Done.
Sophisticated moody hues, such as night sky and storm, with red highlights were also big.
On the softer side, romantic punchy pastels like rose, hyacinth, and primrose were popular.
Natural Australian hues including bottlebrush, banksia, wild honey, sandstone and ghost
gum were a stylish choice.
There were also lots of Provence sunflower yellows, cornflower blues with timbers, nautical
blues and whites and primaries as accent colours.

Architects, designers and other big names: Barry Little, Pia Francesca, Ruth Levine, Ann
Gyngell, Tibor Hubay, Leslie Walford, Warren Head, George Freedman, Neville Marsh, Clive
Lucas, Ray Siede, Allen Jack & Cottier, Guilford Bell, David Hicks (UK), Tricia Guild, Laura
Ashley
Retailers tapping into the passion for design also started to rise. They included Artes Studio,
Arredorama, De De Ce, Design Warehouse, Designer Rugs and Robyn Cosgrove.
THE NINETIES: 1988-1997
Moving out of the '80s to the '90s, which, to be fair, was still pretty '80s, it was all
about Industrial cool: warehouse conversions and minimalism (with lots of white and grey)
were all the rage.
Around this time, there was a revival of classic designer furnishings triggering knock offs.
Retro '50s and '60s style is back with block contrasting colour, just fresher.
Another design influence was Post-modernism, or the ornamentation on clean shapes.
But there was also a Memphis influence, with New Country gaining traction. The
corrugated-iron bark look was big, people.
Smart homes made their debut (can you believe it?). Green houses, including recycling and
energy efficiency are front of mind.
In terms of the palettes, “Watercolour” hues were in, including (clean but not too vibrant)
blues, geranium pinks, buttery yellows, greens -- and they weren't afraid to use all of these
in juxtaposition.

“Calypso” and “punchy pastels”, richer, stronger versions used side by side. Muddier
versions of popular colours, as well as rich aubergine, turquoise, teal, cobalt, and terracotta
were au fait.
Heritage green, red and beige, as well as neutrals with grey undertones were a hit.
Architects and designers big in this era were Meryl Hare, Ruth Levine, Pia Francesca, Ros
Palmer, Adelaide Bragg, Darryl Gordon, Leslie Walford, Geoff Lopez, Lindsay Clare, Burley
Katon Halliday, Engelen Moore, Andree Putman, Marc Newson, Philippe Starck, Sir Terence
Conran, Tricia Guild, and Martha Stewart.
Retailers like Space Furniture, Euroluce and King Furniture made their mark on the design
scene.
THE NOUGHTIES: 1998-2010
Just a decade ago, homes were featuring metal and glass to ramp up the industrial look, and
it seems that hasn't waned in popularity.
Small space living became a trend, along with indoor-outdoor rooms to maximise flow
(something we're still all about today). Light became a feature in and of itself, and so walls
of glass emerged in design.
Home became known as a refuge.
We began to see an east-meets-west fusion, as well as colonial and country with a modern
twist.
Open plan kitchens are another trend we began loving last decade, as well as the idea of
your bathroom as a sanctuary.
The home office became an important feature in homes, and more and more of these
homes were smart homes and/or eco homes.

Minimalism was still alive and kicking, but Maximalism was also around: pattern on pattern,
texture on texture.
Palettes featured a lot of greys – from dove to charcoal. Mondrian colours like red, yellow
and blue were also of note.
Designers Guild had a big influence with its bright assemblies of aqua, lilac, purple and
chartreuse.
We also loved our earthy colours, especially with grey undertones, such as taupe and
mushrooms.
But there was an obsession with white on white, which could often be seen in the kitchen.
III.
Tips for buying a house to renovate
Before you buy a house in Gold Coast with the intent to renovate, make sure you consider
these tips.
Make of list of your wants and needs
When buying a house there is the obvious advice such as, don’t rush, do your homework,
look around and don’t buy the first house you fall in love with.
Before you set out on the house hunt create a brief, outlining what you are looking for, a
wish list so to speak but be realistic.
Be wary of already-renovated houses
You also want to be careful not to buy something that has undergone previous work
where you will be paying a premium for a renovation that isn’t to your taste and that you
will want to change at a later date.
Consider how much work you really want to sign up for
Structural work is when the bills start rolling in, you need a house that just needs a face lift
and doesn’t require moving the stairs, knocking out structural walls or large additions in
the form of another story.
We suggest finding a house that already has character as it will be generous, enabling you
to create an interesting aesthetic with less effort and expense.

Weigh up the pros and cons of each house you view
At the open house take photos and notes so you can return to them when comparing the
properties you have viewed to weigh up the pros and cons of each. Compare all potential
properties against your initial brief.
Create a budget that includes costing for each renovation
Be realistic when identifying the extra costs involved, such as maintenance, aspects that
will need replacing and possible structural changes you may intend to do in your
renovation. Calculate these proposed costs.
The final step
Before signing any contract it is wise to obtain a professional termite check and to contact
a qualified building inspector to provide you with a full report on the property, ensuring
you are not biting off more than you can chew.
Have your builder provide you with quotes for all the work and renovations you want to
make – you may choose to do some yourself but its good to compare how much it will cost
to do it yourself or get a professional to do it.
IV.
Simple ways to elevate your home space
Layer textures
“This room was a study in texture because the color was monochromatic," says Katie Maine
of Maine Design. "We wanted the room to feel really tactile. The bed has an antique
Belgium throw at the bottom, the rug is raw silk, and the cabinet is a mix of oak, vellum, and
leather. Taking things in the same color family but delineating them based on their texture
feels rich and inviting without being loud.”
Update traditional fixtures
The key to this bathroom, Maine says, is the updated, eclectic mix. “We took a traditional
marble and cut it up into a herringbone pattern to make it a little fresher. It's almost
European with old-world elements but constructed in a more modern manner. The faucet
gives it a fashion forward feeling.”
Decorate with meaningful objects
“This is the chicest mudroom you'll ever be in," Maine gushes. "Each family member has a
built-in to put their things in. It's all about balance and a natural feel." She adds, "We didn't
want the room to seem like we put a bunch of things that matched on the table, but we
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
arrangement."
Marry antiques with playful touches
"This rooms speaks to the idea that you can take an antique Italian cabinet and pair it with
an Van Der Straeten lamp—that you can have those two worlds in the same room. You
shouldn't be afraid to do that; it looks good and intentional," Maine advises. "The lamp is
playful but still elegant and beautiful, and it takes the seriousness out of the room.”
Go for a pull-out faucet
True to his aesthetic, David Mann of MR Architecture + Decor loves the simple, upscale look
of this modern room. “This kitchen is about the sleek lines and the finish," he says. "The
faucet is a pull out—when you group functions like that together, it makes it even sleeker.”
Add drama with small details
“We selected the Van Der Straeten tables to add a layer of character: The scale was exactly
right, but also, because of the thorns on the table legs, it added character to the room with
everything else being so streamlined," Mann explains. "The space needed that.”
Accessorize your ceiling
Designing a home is a team effort, Mann says. "Lindsey Adelman’s work is absolutely
extraordinary. One of the things that I love about working with her is that she personally
ensures the piece we are putting in a room is like jewelry—she works on the scale with us
and the quantity of the fixture heads so it really becomes the art of the room, as seen here.”
Merge different aesthetics
“Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is my idol and all things, in my brain, go back to him," Mann
raves. "We were doing an apartment in a Stern building which had classical architecture,
and we were bridging two design sensibilities. So in my mind, bringing this particular chaise
in related right back to our own aesthetic, which kept it clean and simple. It also added a
little bit of style.”
Add warmth through handmade pieces
“This was a new-build home that was kind of cold, so I needed to warm up the space and
give it that California modernism," begins Peter Dunham of Peter Dunham Design. "I
brought in a lot of organic, handmade things to warm up the space—like the handwoven
curtains, the big wicker chaise, and the Nakashima-style table. The interplay of textures is
also important to make the space interesting. The biggest thing to me was bringing in
warmth in a modern vocabulary.”

Let the outdoors in
It's important, Dunham continues, that the house match the surroundings. "I wanted to turn
this Newport Beachhome on the water into a contemporary beach house, mixing in vintage
light fixtures, California walnut wood countertops, and modern textures like the marble
mosaic tile to make the space warm and inviting. The dining room and living room are open
to each other, so they needed to have a continuous visual relationship." Specifically, he says,
smaller elements like the faucet can pack a powerful statement and serve key functionality.
“I tend to go for a gooseneck style faucet because of its pretty lines, and also for its
functionality. The shape allows for more maneuvering in the sink when working in the
kitchen.”
Turn small spaces into reading nooks
Multi-use spaces are also key to creating a thoughtful practice space with lots of style,
Dunham says. “Here, we wanted to create something airy and bright; with all those funky
slope ceilings that come with a tudor house, we made something much cleaner, to give the
sense that you're up in a treehouse. The whole apartment is 400 square feet, so this little
area created an opportunity for me to build in banquettes right under the windows. What I
am always trying to do—and this goes back to my English roots—is to create definitive
destinations to attract people, particularly close to windows where people naturally want to
go. They spend time reading and working on their computer at that table.”
Break up a large living room with extra seating
“This living room was huge, so I created two or three different destinations within the room,
this being the one closest to the fantastic view of Hollywood," explains Dunham. "The sofa
pulls you into the room with its low back against the window, designed to encourage people
to lean at an angle to talk and still see the view at the same time. The wicker chair—which I
just love—turns to both areas. It's a big sculptural piece in the middle of the room, where
there was once a no-man's-land between the fireplace and the view.”
V. Great Ways to Bring New Life to a House
1) Change Interior of your house- The exquisitive looks of your house will depend upon your
smart choice of choosing an interior for your house. First of all, decide an interior theme for
your house depending upon your personality and style. You could choose a same interior
theme for the entire house or you could choose different themes. A better idea would be to
choose a theme simple and neutral for some of the rooms of the house. If you need to take
guidance and can rely and love the tastes of an interior designer, you can hire for one.
2) Change the paint colours for walls- The best recommendation while choosing a paint
colour is to look upon the facing of the windows and then altogether setting up a
combination of colours based on the areas which receive sunlight and the areas which do
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
warmer paint colours for those rooms. The choice of colours will make your home a perfect
place for summers as well as winters.
3) Add home enhancing decorations Plants can add to the bounty of your house. As they
signify life. You can put plants both indoors and outdoors to enhance certain portions of
your house. These are the type of objects that draw attention to themselves and they can
be a subject of conversations for the first time visitors too. Curtains can be used to bare
windows to give these areas a certain look. While looking up for curtains, you could go for
light coloured curtains with intricate designs .Make a smart choice while choosing for
curtains. It is recommended that you avoid see- through materials. A better option would be
to go for elegant materials such as natural silk, linen and cotton.
4) Go for crown moulding- Crown moulding provides a room a sense of completion. It brings
the ceiling and the walls together which makes a perfect sense i.e making of a perfect house
out of an old worn-out house. The added advantage of crown moulding is that it does not
incur high costs.
5) Hardwood is preferred over carpets- Wall- to -wall carpeting in a home is a thing of past.
Though it is warm and soft , but it does not provide a gleaming look to your house. In
modern times there is no way for carpets if one wants to give his / her house a sophisticated
look and not an outdated one.
6) Accesorize your home- Accesories at home makes a mediocre house look extravagant. It
is one of the simplest and easiest ways of giving an old house a modern look. Putting gold
mirrors, gold made accessories etc. can enhance the luxury of one's house. This is
interesting and can make one's house a luxurious place. Everyone wants to design their
house in such a way which reflects one's style and personality. So it is a fruitful way to
exhibit your luxurious lifestyle.
7) Separation of space according to requirements- Privacy is an important aspect of one's
life. Unlike the old house systems where most of the activities used to take in one place, the
separation of spaces according to one's requirement out of old spaces is preferred in
modern times. This can be made easy by making study room, other activities room a
separated ones. Look you are renovating your house for comfort, so don’t forget to bring
these changes which are a preliminary ones for enjoying comfort. Life can be made better
this way!
8) Remodeling the Kitchen- Most people consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home,
and because of this, updates in this room pay off. According to HGTV, you can expect to
recoup 60%-120% of your investment on a kitchen remodel, as long as you don’t go
overboard. You should never make your kitchen fancier than the rest of the house, or the
neighborhood.
Why You Shouldn’t Invest in a Deluxe Kitchen

For example, a historic home in my neighborhood has been on the market for more than
two years. During the owner’s last open house, I went in to check it out, and immediately
saw why the house hasn’t sold. The quaint Arts and Crafts style home was built in 1900 and
has a lot of charm. Unfortunately, the homeowners had invested over $60,000 upgrading
the kitchen.
The enormous kitchen, easily the size of the living room, features appliances and
countertops that might look more at home in a fancy restaurant kitchen. The style, size, and
quality of the kitchen don’t fit in with the rest of the house, or the neighborhood. If you plan
on selling your home within the next five years, keep potential buyers in mind before you
start on any major remodel; many people won’t pay for a fancy, deluxe kitchen.
A Little Paint Goes a Long Way
When it comes to how much you spend on a kitchen remodel, prices can run the gamut,
from $5,000 to $75,000, or more. Get the biggest bang for your buck on a kitchen remodel
by looking at color. Fresh paint, in modern colors, can go a long way towards updating the
look of your kitchen. Plus, paint is relatively cheap.
You might want to consider using low-VOC paint; this makes your kitchen more eco-friendly,
and helps your family avoid breathing in dangerous chemicals, like benzene, that off-gas
from regular fresh paint.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models. Energy Star-rated appliances are better
for the environment, and they also help you save money, because they use less energy.
Potential buyers often look for ways to save money when shopping for a new home.
If you’re looking upgrade your appliances to save energy, learn more about the the best
time of year to buy large appliances.
9) Making moderations in bathrooms- If your home only has one bathroom, you can recoup
a large chunk of your investment by adding another one. HGTV estimates that you can
recoup 80%-130% of whatever you spend adding a bathroom.
When it comes to finding room in your house for an extra bathroom, take a look at any extra
rooms or underutilized spaces. Consider other spaces, such as closets or areas under the
stairs, too. If you want a half-bath you need at least 18 square feet. If you want a full bath,
including a stand-up shower, you need at least 30 square feet. If you want a bathtub, make
sure you have at least 35 square feet to work with for a bathroom addition. See these
bathroom design and remodeling ideas to get you started.
Like any project, the cost of adding a bathroom depends largely on the types of additions
and accessories you want to use, and the cost of each of these items. You can save money
by frequently checking Lowe’s and Home Depot; they often drastically reduce prices on
sinks and toilets that have been floor models. You can also find great prices on tubs, doors,
toilets, and fixtures if you shop at a Habitat for Humanity Restore.

10) Energy-Efficient Insulation
If your home lacks basic insulation, and has old doors that let in plenty of hot and cold air,
home inspectors working with potential buyers will include this in their reports. Homes that
haven’t been modified with energy efficiency in mind cost more to live in and maintain.
Updating your home to save energy doesn’t have to cost a lot of money and can make your
home more appealing to potential buyers. You can save $2,500 or more each year just by
making some changes. For example, you can add extra insulation to your attic for $200 or
less, and this small change can save you hundreds each year on your utility bill.
Seal cracks around the house to save even more money on energy costs, and to make your
home more appealing to buyers. The U.S. Department of Energy (USDE) estimates that the
average house has enough leaks to equal a 3×3 foot hole in the wall. You can find leaks in
your home during the winter. Anytime you feel a draft or cold spot, you’re in an area that
leaks air. You can purchase a thermal leak detector for $40 or less (e.g. Black & Decker
TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector). These handheld devices alert you to temperature
differences around your home. This then allows you to add caulk or insulation where you
need it the most.
You can often discover leaks, and areas that need more insulation, in these areas:
Around doors and windows
Around electrical sockets and light switches
In recessed lighting
Around the attic hatch
In the basement
Anywhere ducts or wires go outside the house
Another easy retrofit is to use CFL light bulbs in all light fixtures. CFL bulbs use 75% less
energy than traditional bulbs and each one saves, on average, $40 in energy over the course
of its lifetime. You also save on cooling costs because CFLs emit 75% less heat than
traditional bulbs. You can easily calculate how much you can save simply by counting the
number of lights you have in your home.
You can also install a programmable thermostat. Most buyers expect to see programmable
thermostats these days, and they can save you money. Energy Star estimates that installing
a programmable thermostat will save the average homeowner $180 per year in heating and
cooling costs.
If you need to replace your hot water heater, consider spending a bit extra to purchase a
high-efficiency water heater. Savvy home buyers know these water heaters can really trim
energy bills. If you use less than 41 gallons of water each day in your household, a tankless
water heater saves you 24%-34% on your water heating costs. If you use more, count on a
savings of 8%-14%.
11) A place for recreation- Recreation is becoming a fundamental concept existing in one's
life. But people mostly visit recreational places like park, zoo, museums, theme parks etc.
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,
building a place for recreation in houses is in trend. Building swimming pools, indoor games,
Gyms, home theaters etc. in houses serve the purpose of recreation in home.
VI.
Major renovation mistakes
1: Not researching
Many renovators base their property price research on causal searches on real estate
websites. They see that similar homes in their area are selling for good prices, but they fail
to take into account that different streets within suburbs can have very different price
thresholds.
Neighbouring homes can have an effect on your final sale price, especially if they have very
poor street appeal. Always think about your intended market and the demographics within
the local area.
2: Underestimating costs
One of the biggest mistakes many renovators make is underestimating their project costs.
Getting quotes on the cost of building materials is a start.
But have you factored in architect's fees, local council fees, labour costs, professional fees,
the cost of unexpected delays, additional contingency costs for problems found during
renovations, GST and other taxes? Most people don't think about these elements, which can
cause them to blow out their budget.
3: DIY projects
While DIY projects can be a good cost-cutting tactic, it’s important to remember that there
are some tasks that are best left to the professionals. If you undertake DIY projects yourself
and aren't competent, you may have to spend money fixing faulty work further down the
track.
4: Not sticking to a budget
A shortage of funds may mean that you’re unable to finish the project. If your renovation
isn't completed you won't be able to sell the property at the profit you initially anticipated.
While it’s tempting to opt for luxurious fittings or finishes, try to stay within the parameters
of your budget.
5: Renovating the wrong elements
A common problem with many renovations is that the owner has spent money renovating
the wrong elements, and chosen options that are unlikely to add value to the property type
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
avoid spending the bulk of your budget on low-traffic rooms or areas that are not used
frequently, such as a guest bedroom or laundry.
6: Underestimating the disruption factor
While the thought of a modern and completed renovation is exhilarating, you need to
carefully consider the reality of the project in process. A large-scale renovation can be noisy
and disruptive to family life.
7: Selecting a builder based on price alone
While it is always tempting to go for the lowest quoted price, you need to consider the
implications of doing so. Does the builder have the required experience? Will they provide a
warranty on the project?
VII.
How to save money on home renovations
1. Increase efficiency, not size.
If you can reorganize and equip your kitchen for maximum utility, you may not need to blow
out the walls to gain square footage. Start by replacing space–hogging shelves with cabinet–
height pullout drawers 8 inches wide, containing racks for canned goods and other items.
2. Bring in natural light without adding windows.
Before cutting a big hole in the side of your house and rearranging the framing, consider less
invasive—and less expensive—ways of capturing light. To brighten up a windowless bath or
hallway, for instance, you can install a "light tube," which slips between roof rafters and
funnels sunshine down into the living space.
3. Hit the recycling center.
Do–it–yourselfers can reap big savings with recycled or lightly used fixtures and building
materials.
4. Donate your trash.
Before you begin a remodeling job, invite the local Habitat for Humanity chapter to remove
materials and fixtures for later resale.
5. Do your own demo.
Knocking down may not be as costly as rebuilding, but you can still shave dollars by doing
some of the demolition yourself—as long as you proceed with care.

6. Consider long–term costs, not just short–term gains.
If your addition calls for clapboard siding, for instance, you can save more in the long run by
ponying up now for the preprimed and prepainted variety.
7. Tap your contractor's sources.
When it comes to things like flooring, ask your subcontractor if he has odds–and–ends stock
left over from other jobs.
8. Limit recessed light fixtures.
"The more recessed lights you put in, the more it's going to cost," says Tom Silva, This Old
House's general contractor. In addition to the fixtures, there's the labor to cut all the holes
and insulate them properly.
9. Consult an architect.
Depending on the scale of your project, you might not need a full–on architectural
commission, which involves extensive meetings, multiple job–site visits, and several sets of
construction drawings, to the tune of about 8 percent of a project's construction budget.
10. Partner with a contractor.
Though the practice is controversial among the trades, some contractors will offer
consulting and mentoring services to skilled do–it–yourselfers on an hourly basis.
11 . Plan with stock sizes in mind.
"Ask yourself, 'Why am I building something 10 feet wide if plywood comes in 4–foot–wide
sheets?'" says Lisa Stacholy, of LKS Architects, in Atlanta.
12. Make decisions early.
Start prowling the aisles at the hardware store or home center way before the wrecking
crew shows up. Get a good feeling for what you want in fixtures and appliances and what
they cost.
VIII.
Conclusion
“Renovating isn’t for the faint hearted but its well worth the effort, especially when you get
the property revalue and you can see the difference you’ve made to the value of your
house.”
You have many options for home improvement projects that add value to your home.
Remember that home improvements don’t pay off like they did in 2004-2005, when the
housing market peaked. If you plan to remodel, concentrate your efforts on smaller projects
that make your home more appealing to budget-minded buyers. Focus on energy
efficiency and small upgrades that add character and comfort to your home.

IX.
References:
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