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Whether you’re planning a small bathroom remodel or considering a full home renovation, there’s a high chance you are already feeling overwhelmed. One Google search can leave you with hundreds of different opinions about the best way to approach things – and that’s why we’re here to help. With over 130 000 quotes submitted on ServiceSeeking.com.au every month from real, Australian businesses, we definitely know our stuff when it comes to renovation pricing. This guide will equip you with all the information you need to prepare for and survive your next renovation, particularly if you’re a first timer…

Which renovations offer the best return?

Not all renovations give a positive return on investment – some will actually cost more than you will ever make back. Whether you’re renovating to sell now or later down the track, here’s our pick of the best.

Kitchen: Experts say a kitchen renovation is one of the top investments a homeowner can make. Buyers want a house that requires minimal effort and that they can visualise themselves living in – a modern kitchen will help achieve this. A premium kitchen renovation can increase the property’s values as much as $50,000.

Bathroom: Buyers now expect 2+ bathrooms as the bare minimum and want to see modern fixtures and fittings. Like the kitchen, the bathroom is one of the more complex renovations given the various trades involved, but the return can be well worth the investment.

Facade: Forget what your mother told you about judging a book by its cover, because that’s exactly what home buyers and renters do. Adding to the street appeal of your home is always almost beneficial, even if it’s just a matter of repainting the front door or fence.

Outdoors: Outdoor/indoor integration has become increasingly popular, particularly in Australia where the climate is not too extreme. Like the kitchen, the outdoor area is a space where buyers can visualise themselves – either playing with the kids or entertaining family and friends. Luckily, many outdoor improvements can be done DIY or with the help of handyman.

Kitchen

Where to save money?

• Pre-fabricated Kitchens

Pre-fabricated or ‘flat-pack’ kitchens cost a fraction of the price of a custom built one, and you often can’t tell the difference. If you are handy with a hammer, these kitchens can also be constructed DIY, removing the cost of installation experts.

• Fresh paint

Re-painting your walls and cabinets is another way to transform your kitchen without the massive price tag. If your existing cabinets are in good shape, adding a fresh, modern colour can make your kitchen look brand new.

Bathroom

Where to save money?

• Tile paint

If re-tiling your walls is going to be too expensive, there’s cheaper, alternative ways to achieve a similar look. Tile paint is designed to modernise dated ceramic tiles, and is available in a range of different colours. This kind of paint is inexpensive, durable and very easy to apply (for all the DIY’ers out there).

• Mirror, mirror

If your bathroom is looking dark and dingy, mirrors are an inexpensive way to let in new light and make the room appear more spacious. Replace small shaving cabinets with large wall mirrors, before you go installing new windows or skylights.

Living Room

Costs

Timeframe:  Floorboards can take up to 4 weeks including delivery & installation, therefore you can expect a living room renovation to take 2-4 weeks depending on the tasks involved.

Where to save money?

If you’re looking to increase the visual appeal and buyer value of your living room, your main focus should be the floors and the walls.

• A fresh coat of paint

Newly painted white walls (for as little as $200) will transform the room into a blank canvas for you or a new buyer to decorate upon. Expect to increase the rooms value by 2-3%.

• Floating floorboards

Stripping back old carpet to reveal old timber floorboards is often cheaper and more impressive than installing new carpet. If the original surface isn’t timber, consider the cheat-method of floating floorboards which can be purchased and installed at a more affordable price – around $70/m2. We bet you won’t be able to tell the difference!

Outdoor

Costs

Timeframe: A simple garden can be created over a weekend, while structural projects like a pool can take up to 8 weeks. 

Where to save money?

• Light it up

It might sound obvious, but setting up an outdoor lighting system will ensure you make the absolute most of your backyard area (in the day & night). Solar lights are an eco-friendly option that absorb the sun’s energy during the day and automatically switch on in the evening. There’s no point having an outdoor entertaining area if it’s not equipped to be used all night.

• Nature’s shade shelter

Forget building an expensive pergola or installing outdoor awnings and go au naturale. Just like your home, the value of a tree will only increase over time. If you buy them around 2 metres tall, within a few years they will provide a beautiful, natural source of shade for your outdoor entertaining area.

Bedroom

Costs

Timeframe: 2-4 weeks (carpet installation, painting and bed delivery will be the most time consuming elements).

Where to save money?

Image from Zesty Nest

2. Overspending

In saying that, overshooting the budget is the most common story we hear from renovators.  The best advice we can give is to be realistic when planning your budget and always factor in an extra 10% buffer to deal with unexpected expenses. Our renovation budget template is your ultimate partner in crime – it helps you to break down the individual tasks and expenses so nothing slips through the cracks. It’s also good to make a list of negotiable and non-negotiable expenses so you end up with a result you’re happy with. 

3. Forgetting about landscaping

The humble front and back yard is so often overlooked by renovators – when it should be one of the first considerations. Before buyers even set their eyes on your marble benchtop, they have to enter through the front garden. It sets the tone and expectation for the rest of the house. Also, buyers love to see a backyard space they can visualise themselves in, so make sure to put some thought into this area of the house. 

4. Hiring the wrong tradie

Too many times we hear horror stories from customers who have hired tradies based on no reviews or recommendations. The result? Not good! Luckily, websites like ServiceSeeking.com.au now allow you to access credible, trusted contractors in your local area. You can check reviews posted by real customers and even flick through photos of their previous work to see what kind of portfolio they have. Always ask your tradie to show proof of licence, and if they hesitate, move on.