Are you planning to renovate your Melbourne home in the near future? Renovating your home is an exciting project which can be daunting at times, too. But, if you’re well-prepared and have done your homework, remodelling your home can be successful.
Whether you’re remodelling your home yourself or using a professional construction company, you need to know what is required before the work begins. That helps you make informed decisions. Your research could include looking for the best plumber Melbourne homeowners have used when renovating kitchens or bathrooms. Or finding the right team of painters to handle the painting job.
Use these seven tips to help you plan a hassle-free home renovation project so you can rest assured the end results will be successful.
1. Why Are You Renovating?
It’s essential to know why you want to renovate your home in the first place. Are you doing it to increase the resale value of your property? Or do you want to modernise your rooms to make them more comfortable for you and your family? Perhaps you have aesthetic preferences you want to pursue.
For investment purposes, it’s always a good idea to gauge the value of homes selling in your neighbourhood to ensure you’re not overcapitalising. This way you can decide how much to put into your home renovations without losing out on its resale value should you decide to sell.
2. Decide on a Budget
Before starting any home remodelling project, decide on a budget and make sure you stick to it. Plan for some unexpected costs and include a contingency plan in your budgeting. This could include ordering in take outs while the kitchen is being gutted or staying a few nights in a hotel while the bathrooms are being renovated.
By having a budget to work with, you avoid running into financial trouble by overextending yourself. A budget also guides you on what type of renovation you can undertake without breaking the bank.
3. Get References
Relying on people who have experience in home renovations will make your life a whole lot easier. To find the right team for your project, you could ask your family, friends, or even your neighbours for references.
Getting references from homeowners who have already used the services of these people gives you peace of mind the job will be done professionally.
4. Tidy Up the House
Before breaking down walls or taking out the old kitchen, you need to tidy up the house. This means decluttering and getting rid of the junk you no longer need. And, if you want to keep some items, then store them in a space where renovations won’t take place.
Home remodelling can take many months so make sure you store your stuff out of the way for both the workers and yourself. You don’t want to be tripping over boxes every day! You need to also store personal belongings such as jewellery somewhere safe while having contractors working in your house.
5. Be Prepared for Disruptions
Whether the project is DIY or you’re relying on a team of contractors to manage your home renovations, there’s going to be disruptions to your daily routine. This will have an impact on anyone else living in the house too. Be prepared and develop a routine that works for everyone.
Minimise day-to-day disruptions by talking with your contractors so you know when they’re going to be working in your home. If you’re doing the work yourself, advise the other members of the household when and how the work will be taking place so they can plan their day around you.
6. Consider the Safety of Kids and Pets
Home remodelling is hazardous work and as an adult you are more aware of these dangers. If you have kids and pets in the home, safeguard them against these hazards. This could include telling the children to stay away from areas where work is being done and keeping your pets locked up in a fenced-off space.
Make sure all tools are locked away when not being used. Consider installing child safety gates and covering electrical points with covers for extra protection. And look out for any hazardous materials being used and ensure they’re out of reach of inquisitive kids and pets.
7. Have a Renovation-Zone Free Area
If you’re only renovating certain areas of your house, designate parts of your home where your family can relax without worrying about getting in the way. A renovation free area should be accessible and comfortable. It can be an area where the kids can do their schoolwork or you can watch television without being disturbed by the work being done.
Living in a home that’s being renovated can lead to conflicts within the family. Having a place to go to at the end of the day, that’s free of dust and noise, allows you some downtime.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to hire a qualified plumber Melbourne home renovators are using or signing up a construction team, being prepared is key to a stress-free home remodelling project. This includes setting your budget and ensuring your family is safe during renovations. By using these tips, you’ll be well-prepared for all eventualities ensuring a hassle-free home renovation project.
