Last year we listed 10 all too common home renovation mistakes that new homeowners make, now we’re back to give you some more things to avoid when your looking to do some Home Renovations Brisbane.

1. Not budgeting correctly, or at all!

This is something a lot of people overlook when starting home renovations. It’s always a good plan to consult a Contractor when drawing up a budget because they can tell you if you’re not budgeting enough or even if your ideas are too ambitious! And when you come to a number, stick with it. Its never a good idea to change plans halfway through in case you cant afford it. A good rule of thumb is to budget at least 10-20% of the original budget to leave some wiggle room in case specific changes are necessary.

2. Opting for Cheaper Materials or Labour

We all can understand the allure of a bargain. When we’re drawing up a budget, it’s perfectly normal to try and cut corners and get more out of you money. But what you need to understand is that yes, in the short term cheap materials or labour do lower costs (even greatly,, in some instances) but in the long term its no secret that cheap doesn’t last, and you will have to spend even more money to repair or replace whats broken. So, It’s best if you opt for materials or contractors that will guarantee high quality.

3. Too many changes mid-renovation

If you have an idea for a change in the plan midway through renovation, its always a good idea to check with your builder or designer to see if that change is feasible or even necessary. Remember, what seems like a small change to you could drastically oppose what they’re already working on.

4. Starting renovations too soon in a new house

Say you’ve just moved into your new home, and something about it just doesn’t sit right with you, but you can’t figure out exactly what it is because you don’t know the house well enough. This is where many people would start making preparations for a renovation, this is never a good idea.
Before even thinking about renovating, you have to get to know your house and how it flows practically. little things such as where in the kitchen do you make your coffee in the morning, where you relax after work, where peoples eyes are drawn to when they first enter your house could all be helpful in deciding what you’d like changed or added to it.

5. Not asking enough questions

At the end of the day, it is your house. Even if you’re hiring builders, contractors and designers its your investment, and you deserve to know all you want to know about what is going on. So, we encourage you to ask as many questions as you like! there is no such thing as a dumb question. Ask away!

6. Expecting renovation to go according to plan without a hitch

Even if you hire the absolute greatest home renovations Brisbane, don’t expect there not to be hiccups along the way. There is always going to be unexpected problems. Newer buildings are much easier to work on as its much more controlled, but when working with older buildings, it’s trickier to follow the plan to a T, Who knows what is behind that wall you want to knock down? It’s best to expect the unexpected, and have a plan in place that can handle slight modifications.

7. Rushing to the finish line

Now we’re aware that renovations never go exactly to plan, its absolutely essential to not rush the job. You must allow time for the professionals to do what you hired them for well and not under a time crunch. For a big project, a 3 – 6 month time window is not unheard of, even planning a few extra weeks could help considerably down the track, if plans need to be redressed and worked. You have to respect the fact that any renovation is a big undertaking!

8. Focusing too much of the budget on Technology

It’s very understandable that you would want a house outfitted with all the best that technology has to offer, but you have to keep in mind that most likely a few years down the track that ‘top tier’ technology you have fitted your house with is now obsolete and outdated. That is the nature of tech. You also have to think about the possibility of selling the house, the possible new owners wont be impressed with outdated systems.

9. Placing too much importance in following trends

It is absolutely essential that you tailor your renovations to what is applicable and necessary to your home, not what is popular at the moment. If you spend too much time chasing trends, you will end up spend more money in the long run because most trends fade with time, then you’re left with the same problem as buying cheap materials, you’re left with an outdated design in need of repairs!

10. Everyone involved must be on the same page

Keep everyone involved in the loop of what you’re planning especially concerning interiors. If you go out and but new lights, furniture etc. Its a very good idea to keep a log of everything you’re buying. Not only for if or when you want to sell your house this will come in handy, but also so your team can have a better sense of the how the end product will look.
These are 10 common mistakes made by new home renovators. If all of this seems too intimidating, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Expand Renovate, we have the best team and can assure your home renovations Brisbane will fit your every need! Contact us Here!
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