Thinking of renovating? It can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve heard horror stories of half-finished jobs, blown budgets and vanishing tradies. But hassle-free renos are possible with some smart planning and a project management strategy.
Whether you’re upgrading one room or overhauling the whole house, you can save time, reduce stress, and keep costs down by setting these elements in place before a single hammer is raised.
1. Gather your inspiration
A smooth renovation starts with set goals and a clear vision. Do you prefer a contemporary exterior? A minimalist interior? Transitional bathrooms? A cottage kitchen?
Start by gathering inspiration from your favourite websites, magazines and social media. Make Pinterest boards and mood boards at home. Snap pics when you’re out and about. Get creative – this is the fun bit – then upload everything to Witzer, the new app that helps you visualise your dream, plan your own build, and project manage like a pro.
2. Set your budget
Your budget should balance your vision and goals with what you can afford. Start by getting quotes from tradies, designers, and any other professionals you think you’ll need. When you have a better idea of costs, you can set a realistic budget.
Experts advise adding a buffer of 10-15 per cent for unexpected costs and keeping a close eye on costs as the project rolls out. So, once you’ve locked in your desired spend, staying vigilant will help prevent unpleasant surprises and empty pantries.
3. Assemble your crew
There’s nothing worse than beefing with your builder. So, finding the right contractors is crucial, helping ensure quality work and good working relationships. Invite recommendations from friends and colleagues, then check online reviews and verify credentials such as licenses and insurance.
Interview a few candidates, prioritising tradies experienced in the type of renovation you’re doing. When meeting for the first time, ask detailed questions, request examples of their work and even client references. Make sure you get all quotes and agreements in writing.
4. Establish your timeline
A timeline helps keep everyone on track and accountable and reduces the risk of conflict. Working with your contractors, estimate the start and end dates for each part of the project, such as framing, plumbing, and painting.
While unexpected delays can happen and you might need to be a bit flexible, a well-defined timeline can minimise their impact and prevent things from dragging on indefinitely. By running your project with the help of the Witzer app, you can have full visibility of your project, helping you stay on track, keep copies of all your documents in one place and the lines of communication open with your tradies.
5. Assess and apply
Checking your home’s condition before starting renovations is essential, especially for older buildings. Organise an inspection of the foundation, wiring, plumbing, and potential hazards like asbestos. Hidden issues lurk in surprising places and seeking them out helps keep everything safe, cost-effective, and code compliant.
Once you’ve sorted out any issues, find out if you need any permits or approvals to carry out your plans. Start with your local council or municipality’s website and your state or territory’s building or construction department. The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is also a great resource for all things renovation.
Witzer is here to simplify project management for home renovators and tradies. By ensuring clear and transparent communication among all parties and securing all payments, Witzer lets you project manage like a pro – because everyone wants a great result.
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