Before and after renovation photos are captivating. Whether they appear on our social media feeds, or we see them in magazines, transformation between the two snaps make the renovation process look easy. What we often don’t see is the hard work that happens to reach the finished result. If you are an avid HGTV watcher, or have experience this yourself, you may already know that transforming your home may mean you have to dig deep into your wallet when you uncover costly mistakes.
The renovation journey can be full of emotions and unforeseen costs, but it is possible to save yourself from major disasters. To help you out, we have turned to our brand ambassadors Shannon Vos and Geneva Vanderzeil to share what they have learnt from their many DIY projects.
Should you attempt jobs outside your comfort zone?
Renovation projects around the house can require certain skills, and a YouTube tutorial may not be good enough to master a project, and even a seasoned DIY expert like Geneva agrees some jobs should be left to the experts.
When Geneva and her partner Ben renovated their home, they realised how much they could do themselves, and called in the contractors for the more complex tasks. They turned to the expects to draft plans, make structural updates, for complicated tiling, plumbing and lighting.
"There are YouTube videos for just about everything, but while it is 'possible' to do everything yourself, unless you're seriously talented, it's not always advisable," Geneva said. "You want to make sure any updates are done properly to increase the value and functionality of your space. This will also save having to get it redone."
For first-time renovators, it may be best to restrain yourself to the more basic projects, such as painting, laying flooring and maybe a little plastering.
"Start small, so you can work on your confidence and build your skill set," said Shannon, who has just finished his fourth home renovation. "There are a few questionable brick-laying jobs I've done – luckily nothing structural – but it is one of those jobs I've turned my hand to that I discovered is really hard."
Although home renovators are legally able to do their own waterproofing, the work needs to meet the NZ Building Code. If it is not done right, it could prove to be an expensive renovation mistake. When in doubt, call in a professional to avoid any costly and dangerous decisions.
"You should never be playing with electricity unless you are an electrician," Shannon warns.
Hurrying the job along
Renovations are a disruptive process, your home is constantly messy and the sight of unfinished work can be tormenting. To make sure you don’t cut corners on quality, avoid trying to get it all completed in a hurry.
Shannon knows first hand the pressure that comes with a large-scale renovation, having been a contestant and winner of The Block Australia. His most recent renovation project took two years to complete, and he lived in that house with his wife and two young sons throughout.
Instead of taking on a big renovation project at once, completing the work in stages can be a better option. Take time to work out your priorities and then slowly make your way through what is likely to be a long list of jobs.
"You don't want to do a shonky job by rushing it all, so little by little can be the best approach," Shannon said.
If you can live somewhere else during the renovation, Geneva suggests not going on-site every day. It can become a little overwhelming if you go too often.
"Obviously, when you do go, it's important to check things to make sure they are right, but daily checks are just going to drive you and your contractors crazy," she said.
Tight budget
Unforeseen costs are part of practically every renovation, so you need to be prepared if your costs blow out. Even if you budget down to the last cent, still expect the unexpected.
From Shannon’s experience, he recommends add an extra 30 percent as a contingency. With this extra cash allowance, it could be used to fix up nasty surprises along the way cause you don’t know what you are going to find in the walls.
"It is a bit like the housing market. You can't just go all in and max out buying the biggest house you can afford on a 5.5 percent interest rate without factoring in any rate increases. You always need to have a buffer," he said.
If you need to reduce expenses, consider cutting the big ticket items, such as adding a pool and not the finished elements like plastering and tiling.
"These are the things that people see, and they will be the things that irk you when you feel a drummy tile or see a dodgy painting job. It is a big renovation mistake to cut corners on the finished trades," Shannon said.
Before you start your renovation, mentally prepare for a few hurdles to avoid feeling overwhelmed mid-project.
"Sometimes it just is what it is – you have to be able to deal with it," Shannon said. "Learn to let go and just focus on what is in front of you instead of trying to make everything perfect."
Avoid spending money in areas that don’t matter
Sticking to the budget, particularly when decorating, is definitely one of the hardest parts of a renovation. But don't add to the stress by overspending on things that won't make a big difference to the overall look.
"It is so easy to get completely caught up with what you see online, and make a million mood boards with all your different ideas, and not really consider how much everything is going to cost," Geneva said. "Often what you're seeing was built without a budget or upper limit."
It is possible that a compromise can turn out better than your original plan. For example, Geneva had to swap marble countertops in her kitchen reno for a more affordable timber finish, which she discovered she likes more.
It is also easy to forget about the importance of natural light in a space, so keep lighting in mind. This can be achieved by skylights, windows and repainting to ensure the interior is fresh and bright.
Know what you want
Before you start any renovation, know what you want to achieve. The golden rule is that once you have chosen something, stick with it.
"It is hard when you do a complete 180 on design and materials; I know this feeling ever so well," Geneva said. "Change is definitely not a good idea when it comes to renovating because that's when the cost and time blow out. So pick something and move on!"
Your success will depend on how organised you are, if you fail to plan properly you will inevitably cause major headaches during construction. You don’t want to have started your renovation and discover you forgot to buy the bathroom taps or kitchen sink you wanted. To avoid these headaches and any delays, have everything ordered and delivered on-site before you begin the work.
"If everything is ready, then your renovations will flow much more smoothly," Shannon said.
Most home makeovers are going to have their fair share of hiccups along the way. Be open to advice from others and learn from their renovation mistakes to help you keep on track. Let’s hope you get luck and have the perfect home DIY experience.
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