Three little words – mid project changes – the pesky little culprit that’s often behind renovation budgets that spiral out of control.
One small change to the plan can lead to another and before you know it, the project is in a death spiral, right into the depths of your wallet!
And with big budget blowouts being one of the biggest fears of clients, our number one piece of advice is this:
Stick to the renovation plan!
The snowball effect
Many homeowners start out with a firm plan in place, but as the renovation progresses, they have a change of mind and decide to alter something that wasn’t in the original plan.
What’s the big deal you might think? Well, the trouble is that one small change often leads to another and creates a snowball effect that you didn’t count on – meaning other changes become necessary as a result. This can derail not only your budget, but also your project timeline.
For example, an upgrade to a high-end bathroom tile, might lead to a decision to upgrade other fixtures and fittings in order to match the aesthetic. Then maybe the second bathroom needs to be scaled up to match. Boom! Your reno budget is blown sky high.
Consider a phased approach to renovation
Sticking to the budget takes a lot of discipline and means not deviating from your original plan.
Unless a change is absolutely necessary and makes a significant difference to the safety or functionality of your home, give it a miss and avoid the extra dollars.
There’s always an opportunity to build upon your design in the future – everything doesn’t have to be done in this particular project. A phased approach could be the secret to not inadvertently emptying your account.
Remember, while a kitchen reno with all the mod cons is wonderful, you’ll need to be able to afford the food to actually cook in it!
We’ve got your renovation covered!
See how Zane and the Renovation Builders team can help you plan a stunning home renovation that doesn’t break the bank! Book a call
Great planning upfront helps avoid blowing your renovation budget – and we’re here to help!
Renovation Builders has a range of preferred designers we work with who can get detailed concept plans drawn up of your ideal home. We can figure out together which aspects of your current home you want to retain, whilst creating exciting new features for your dream space.
Our designers will work in close collaboration with you to assess your needs and wants, whilst also providing you with expert advice based on their years of experience.
Only when you are completely satisfied with the concept, will we move forward to council consent. Once concept plans are signed off, we can provide an initial build estimate, so you have a clear idea of what your project will cost.
If you need any more convincing, take a look at some of our amazing renovation projects in action at our Renovation Builders Facebook page – check out the quality of our work for yourself!
