The Ultimate House Renovation Guide

Whether you’re updating an old home, creating a more comfortable space, or hoping to add more value to your property, house renovations can conjure both excitement and dread in equal measures. While there are plenty of benefits to be had, when things go wrong, renovations can be overwhelming and stressful. Our guide to renovating a house will help you avoid common renovation pitfalls.

Understanding the Scope of Your Renovation

Supposing it’s a more beautiful, more functional, or more valuable home you’re trying to create, understanding the totality of what needs to be covered is the first step to forming a clear renovation plan. Every successful project starts with research and planning, after all.

Assess your current space: Walk through your home and note areas that need attention, such as outdated fixtures, worn-out flooring, or inefficient insulation.
Set clear objectives: Are you aiming for aesthetic upgrades, like modernising a kitchen or bathroom? Do you need improved functionality, such as storage or reconfiguring spaces? Defining your priorities helps you focus your efforts on what matters most.
Consider hiring a professional property inspector: A professional inspector can identify hidden issues like structural weaknesses or outdated electrical systems that could impact your plans. While this is an additional cost upfront, it may yield considerable savings during your house renovations.

Planning and Budgeting for Your Renovation

Planning a house renovation can be very exciting, but it’s easy to get carried away with grandiose ideas. A solid plan can help you establish a clear path and may help you avoid those “what were we thinking?” moments. The reality is, that not every idea is financially feasible when considering the cost of renovating a house. If you don’t create a plan and an achievable budget at the outset, you could end up spending more than you can afford. Proper planning and budgeting also ensure you’re not living in a construction zone for longer than necessary.

Estimate the Cost of Renovating a House

Decide how much you are willing to spend in total, then break this down into sections of the home. Figure out what your priorities are and think about where you can cut costs. Research how much things will cost by asking for multiple quotes.

General Cost Breakdown:

Labor: 30-50% of the total cost.
Materials: 20-40%, depending on quality.
Permits and Fees: 5-10%.
Contingency Fund: 10-20% for unexpected expenses.

For those looking to save money, DIY house renovations can be a great option, especially for smaller projects like painting, tiling, or installing insulation. However, it’s important to know your limits—some tasks, like electrical work and plumbing, are best left to professionals.

Create a Realistic Budget

Set a detailed budget that aligns with your renovation goals.

Break down the expected costs per room.
Get quotes to give you a realistic idea of how much things cost, rather than estimating or guessing.
Make sure the budget is within your financial capacity.
Reserve additional funds for unexpected costs.

Remember the Unexpected Expenses

Part of renovating a house also includes handling surprises, like discovering your “vintage” plumbing is held together with duct tape. If you can reserve a contingency fund for unforeseen costs such as this, these types of surprises can be managed more effectively without crippling the rest of your house renovations.

Managing the Renovation Process

Establishing a Renovation Timeline

Establishing a realistic renovation timeline is critical for keeping your project on track. Start by breaking the project into phases—such as demolition, structural work, plumbing/electrical, insulation, and finishing touches—and assign a timeframe to each. Supply delays and weather disruptions are common in house renovations so be sure to factor in some additional buffer time for unexpected issues like these.

Setting milestones is equally important. These key checkpoints, such as completing demolition or installing glass, can help you measure progress and ensure the project stays on schedule. Setting milestones also makes it easier to communicate with contractors and hold them accountable. A realistic renovation timeline not only keeps the project organised but also reduces the likelihood of budget overruns and additional stress.

Communicating Effectively with Your Team

Establish open lines of communication: Create open communication with your contractors and designers. Set expectations for how often you’ll receive updates—whether it’s daily, weekly, or at key milestones.

Be specific about your goals, preferences, and concerns: If you have a particular vision for a room, share images, photos, or sample colours to avoid any ambiguity. Similarly, encourage your team to communicate openly about any challenges they encounter, such as material shortages or unexpected structural issues, so you can address them together as soon as possible.

Ensure regular check-ins to foster collaboration: Regular check-ins mean your renovation remains aligned with your vision. By maintaining clear and consistent communication, you’ll create a smoother, more efficient renovation process and a final result that meets, (or hopefully exceeds) your expectations.

Post-Renovation Considerations

Conducting a Final Walkthrough

A final walkthrough is an important house renovation tip that should never be overlooked. This is your opportunity to ensure that every detail of the project has been completed to your satisfaction and that the work meets the agreed-upon standards.

During your final walkthrough:

Check for quality craftsmanship, proper installation of fixtures, and any unfinished details.
Test appliances, plumbing, and electrical systems to ensure they’re functioning easily and correctly.
Check for any paint flaws, flooring misalignment, or any other minor imperfections that may need addressing.
Ensure the site has been cleaned up and any debris, rubbish, and packaging is removed.

This final step of the renovation process is one that shouldn’t be rushed. The walkthrough will not only give you confidence and peace of mind but will also provide a chance to address any concerns with your contractor/s before they consider the project complete.

Maintaining Your Newly Renovated Home

After investing your time, money and energy into renovating a home, you want it to keep its just-finished charm. Dedicating some time to maintaining your newly renovated home is key to making that fresh look and feel last longer.

Cleaning: If your renovation included new appliances, fixtures, or materials, refer to the manufacturer’s care instructions. Proper cleaning and maintenance can extend their lifespan and keep them functioning efficiently. For example, you may need to avoid harsh chemicals on natural stone or hardwood floors.

Protect surfaces: Use coasters, mats, rugs and protective pads to prevent scratches, stains, or water damage on countertops, floors, and furniture.

Seasonal checks: Depending on your renovation, seasonal upkeep may be needed. For example, cleaning gutters, inspecting roofing, or resealing decking to protect against weather-related damage.

Top Tips When Renovating a House

Prioritising Energy Efficiency

Prioritising energy efficiency is a smart move that can save you money and considerably reduce your environmental impact. By incorporating insulation upgrades into your renovation plans, you’re making a long-term investment in your home’s energy efficiency.

Renovations often involve opening up walls, ceilings, or floors, providing the perfect opportunity to upgrade or install insulation without the added expense of deconstructing finished spaces later. Proper insulation helps regulate indoor temperatures, reduces the strain on heating and cooling systems and can lower energy bills. It can also improve comfort levels by eliminating drafts and helping maintain consistent temperatures throughout your home.

When refreshing or installing insulation, consider modern materials like polyester or glasswool, which offer superior performance compared to older options. Pay special attention to key areas such as under floors, ceilings, and external walls, as these are common sources of heat loss.

Avoiding Common Renovation Pitfalls

There are so many elements to think about during house renovations that it’s easy to overlook some of the unseen things. Particularly important is insulation, which can make a huge difference to the comfort and energy efficiency of your home.

Insulated homes stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter and rely less on artificial heating and cooling. That’s why insulation is one of the best things you can incorporate into your renovation. Providing more effective temperature regulation, insulation can help you save significantly on your power bills. It also plays a vital role in improving air quality and soundproofing, elevating the overall comfort of your home.

Looking For The Perfect Insulation For Your Renovation?

Check out the range of quality insulation products at Pricewise Insulation. We offer insulation for every area of the home by some of the most reputed Australian and international brands. Easy to handle and softer to the touch, our insulation batts are perfect for DIY house renovations.