My journey in the world of renovating has been a long one, with plenty of lessons learnt along the way.
I remember the first big job I took on – that project taught me the art of maximising a limited budget.
I had saved up $11,000 to buy a small block of land in the Southern Highlands in NSW, which was about a two-hour drive from my home.
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I drew the plans myself and spent every spare moment I had building that home.
The lessons I learnt, the advice I was given and the mistakes I made have served as a practical blueprint ever since, and I’ve applied it to all projects throughout my career.
I often say the hundreds of mistakes I made back then have saved me thousands since!
These are my four top tips:
Planning and budgeting is key
I always recommend starting with a detailed plan, outlining every aspect of the renovation. Build it on paper 100 times before you lift a hammer. This means breaking down the budget to allocate funds for essentials and potential overruns. Calculate costs for each renovation phase, leaving a buffer for unexpected expenses.
Embrace recycling and upcycling
I always visit salvage yards and try online marketplaces for second-hand materials. In my initial projects, I often repurposed old wood into stylish countertops or used reclaimed doors to add character without high costs. I often go to auctions and buy tiles or stone that is end of run, and whatever I buy I use.
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Go for high impact/low cost options
In my early renovations, simple but effective changes like a coat of paint, updated cabinet hardware, or new light fixtures significantly enhanced the property’s appeal without a hefty price tag. I even mixed multiple end of can paint colours to create feature walls.
Efficient use of tradies
I suggest hiring based on recommendations, and bundling tasks to maximise a trade’s time. I quickly learned to schedule electrical and plumbing work simultaneously to reduce labour costs. This also meant I could help with mundane labour like cleaning up. Finding tradies that are prepared to work with you is important, and you can save heaps by taking on jobs like painting or simple landscaping yourself.
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