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Clever Ways to Cut Costs on Your Renovation
Follow these practical renovation tips to claw back the budget in some areas and splash out in others
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When it comes to extending or renovating your family home, many people can be disheartened by the endless decisions and seemingly huge budget needed to get what they want. However, before you ditch your plans due to unrealistic costs, take a look at these tips for ways in which to bring down the final bill.
Experts in the design industry will be at this year’s Home Shows Australia – a series of events throughout the year in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne – waiting to give you key advice on your renovation plans. At the Home Shows you’ll also discover the latest innovative exhibitors and learn how their products can make a positive impact on your home, the environment, and your pocket.
So, read on and arm yourself with invaluable tips for keeping a tight rein on your project’s finances.
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► For free tickets to the upcoming Perth Home Show, 9-11 August, click here
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Experts in the design industry will be at this year’s Home Shows Australia – a series of events throughout the year in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne – waiting to give you key advice on your renovation plans. At the Home Shows you’ll also discover the latest innovative exhibitors and learn how their products can make a positive impact on your home, the environment, and your pocket.
So, read on and arm yourself with invaluable tips for keeping a tight rein on your project’s finances.
__________________________________________________________
► For free tickets to the upcoming Perth Home Show, 9-11 August, click here
__________________________________________________________
Create a Budget and Stick to It
Right from the outset, you should set yourself an estimated budget and assign certain amounts for different parts, such as labour, materials, and the decorative touches. This will give you a guideline when it comes to making design decisions, otherwise you could blow it on extravagant items and run out of money very quickly.
An estimated budget also gives designers, architects or builders a good idea of the scale of the project, what you’re after, and how they can make it work in line with your funds.
Bonus Tip: It’s worth holding back 10 per cent of your budget as a contingency fund in case anything unexpected crops up, as well as helping you stay on target.
Right from the outset, you should set yourself an estimated budget and assign certain amounts for different parts, such as labour, materials, and the decorative touches. This will give you a guideline when it comes to making design decisions, otherwise you could blow it on extravagant items and run out of money very quickly.
An estimated budget also gives designers, architects or builders a good idea of the scale of the project, what you’re after, and how they can make it work in line with your funds.
Bonus Tip: It’s worth holding back 10 per cent of your budget as a contingency fund in case anything unexpected crops up, as well as helping you stay on target.
Plan, Plan, Plan
The more you plan ahead and distribute the budget wisely for each area, the more you will limit unforeseen costs and delays. If your renovation project includes planning a new kitchen or bathroom, ensure any designers are included in the project right from the start, so that every aspect, such as the position of services and task lighting, is considered before building work gets underway.
Bonus Tip: Find inspiration online and create a moodboard of your ideas that you can refer to whenever you meet a designer or architect. Also, head to a Home Show near you to discover the latest eco-friendly products, such as innovative appliances and electrical gadgets, that will help cut your bills in the long term,
The more you plan ahead and distribute the budget wisely for each area, the more you will limit unforeseen costs and delays. If your renovation project includes planning a new kitchen or bathroom, ensure any designers are included in the project right from the start, so that every aspect, such as the position of services and task lighting, is considered before building work gets underway.
Bonus Tip: Find inspiration online and create a moodboard of your ideas that you can refer to whenever you meet a designer or architect. Also, head to a Home Show near you to discover the latest eco-friendly products, such as innovative appliances and electrical gadgets, that will help cut your bills in the long term,
Be Smart About Hiring Help
Before you hire any professional, make sure you chat to plenty of experts in the field to compare and contrast advice and quotes. The easiest way to chat with a handful of experts in a short amount of time, is to visit a Home Show and book a number of free one-to-one consultations. With more than 280 leading suppliers exhibiting at the shows, you’ll be spoilt for expert opinions and advice, and be able to nail all your questions in one day.
Bonus Tip: It’s vital that you compare quotes on jobs and don’t simply choose the first one you’re given. Try to visit previous projects that they’ve worked on to check out the overall quality and finish, and be wary of staggeringly low quotes as they’re usually cheaper for a reason. Also, any tradesperson that can start straight away should also come with a warning sign.
Before you hire any professional, make sure you chat to plenty of experts in the field to compare and contrast advice and quotes. The easiest way to chat with a handful of experts in a short amount of time, is to visit a Home Show and book a number of free one-to-one consultations. With more than 280 leading suppliers exhibiting at the shows, you’ll be spoilt for expert opinions and advice, and be able to nail all your questions in one day.
Bonus Tip: It’s vital that you compare quotes on jobs and don’t simply choose the first one you’re given. Try to visit previous projects that they’ve worked on to check out the overall quality and finish, and be wary of staggeringly low quotes as they’re usually cheaper for a reason. Also, any tradesperson that can start straight away should also come with a warning sign.
Know Where to Spend Vs Where to Save
Spend time assessing your priorities and the deal breakers. For example, keen cooks might insist on splashing out on professional-style appliances, while spending on quality, robust flooring and extending to create a large, sociable layout is going to be top priority for busy family homes.
Once you’ve identified the big spends of the project, you can start to look at areas that you can save on. Consider combining high and low-end materials, such as wooden bench tops with a statement marble surface on the island, to claw back some cash. Teaming a basic bathroom suite with black stand-out tapware will also create impact without a huge price tag – it’s all about balancing a quality ‘star of the show’ with less-costly support acts.
Bonus Tip: Consider the importance of adding space and, where you can, value to your home. For example, is an extension necessary, or do you simply need to rework the layout to get what you want from your home, such as an open-plan kitchen-diner? Seek advice from experts on extensions, storage solutions and alternative layouts.
Spend time assessing your priorities and the deal breakers. For example, keen cooks might insist on splashing out on professional-style appliances, while spending on quality, robust flooring and extending to create a large, sociable layout is going to be top priority for busy family homes.
Once you’ve identified the big spends of the project, you can start to look at areas that you can save on. Consider combining high and low-end materials, such as wooden bench tops with a statement marble surface on the island, to claw back some cash. Teaming a basic bathroom suite with black stand-out tapware will also create impact without a huge price tag – it’s all about balancing a quality ‘star of the show’ with less-costly support acts.
Bonus Tip: Consider the importance of adding space and, where you can, value to your home. For example, is an extension necessary, or do you simply need to rework the layout to get what you want from your home, such as an open-plan kitchen-diner? Seek advice from experts on extensions, storage solutions and alternative layouts.
Try DIY?
Have you considered if there are some elements of the project you can manage yourself to save some money? Decorating and landscaping, for example, are relatively simple tasks if you have the right tools and get the right advice from online or at one of the Home Show seminars. Plastering, bricklaying and tiling, however, is skilled work, which is very visible if not done well. Be realistic with your skills and don’t attempt anything that could be more costly to rectify.
Bonus Tip: Can you call in help from skilled friends in return for a skill of your own? Swap your accounting or computing expertise for some tiling work, for example. What a great way of boosting friendships and saving money!
Have you considered if there are some elements of the project you can manage yourself to save some money? Decorating and landscaping, for example, are relatively simple tasks if you have the right tools and get the right advice from online or at one of the Home Show seminars. Plastering, bricklaying and tiling, however, is skilled work, which is very visible if not done well. Be realistic with your skills and don’t attempt anything that could be more costly to rectify.
Bonus Tip: Can you call in help from skilled friends in return for a skill of your own? Swap your accounting or computing expertise for some tiling work, for example. What a great way of boosting friendships and saving money!
Keep it Simple
The easiest way to cut the costs of your renovation plans is to keep your ideas extremely simple and low key. For example, if you can update your existing kitchen with a lick of unit paint and a new bench top, rather than pulling the whole thing out, then you’ll save a fortune – and a lot of hassle. Or, maybe a bathroom overhaul could involve a simple revamp of the suite, tiles and floor, without moving any of the plumbing, to save time and money. The more of your home’s footprint you can keep the same, the cheaper it will be.
Bonus Tip: Adding statement wallpaper or a bold paint colour is a simple way of transforming a room instantly. Then follow the theme through with impactful accessories, like a bright rug or shapely armchair, and your space will have a whole new feel for less.
Looking for more expert advice on renovation projects? Visit your nearest Home Show for live presentations from industry experts, where you can probe them with your questions. Plus, book a one-to-one consultation with a professional where you can share your ideas and get your key questions answered. Click here to find your nearest show and see a calendar of dates.
Your turn: How have you cut costs on your renovation? Tell us in the comments.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
The easiest way to cut the costs of your renovation plans is to keep your ideas extremely simple and low key. For example, if you can update your existing kitchen with a lick of unit paint and a new bench top, rather than pulling the whole thing out, then you’ll save a fortune – and a lot of hassle. Or, maybe a bathroom overhaul could involve a simple revamp of the suite, tiles and floor, without moving any of the plumbing, to save time and money. The more of your home’s footprint you can keep the same, the cheaper it will be.
Bonus Tip: Adding statement wallpaper or a bold paint colour is a simple way of transforming a room instantly. Then follow the theme through with impactful accessories, like a bright rug or shapely armchair, and your space will have a whole new feel for less.
Looking for more expert advice on renovation projects? Visit your nearest Home Show for live presentations from industry experts, where you can probe them with your questions. Plus, book a one-to-one consultation with a professional where you can share your ideas and get your key questions answered. Click here to find your nearest show and see a calendar of dates.
Your turn: How have you cut costs on your renovation? Tell us in the comments.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
You’ll love Australia's largest Home Shows! They're gigantic, packed with the best products and new releases from... Read More
You’ll love Australia's largest Home Shows! They're gigantic, packed with the best products and new releases from... Read More
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We were keen to have a timber island bench for our new kitchen. We are on a pretty tight budget so instead of trying to find a large piece of timber, I bought a second hand marri table for $300. We will remove the top form the base and have it fitted to the cabinets. I found a table that is already the exact size. My cabinetmaker is happy to use it and will refinish it for me.
Well done I like your cost saving thinking and its recycling!