Let’s face it: most of us dream about living in a beautiful home. But as soon as we start thinking about a big renovation project, we all seem to get a bit…well…petrified.
Excitement quickly gives way to panic as our imagination runs wild with pictures of half-torn-down walls, pot plants withering in cold storage rooms, and plaster dust wafting in the air. Calm down.
With some careful planning, a bit of advice from the experts, and a good sense of humour, your renovation project is about to get easier.
Ready for some house renovations? Keep on reading and find out all the essential steps for your first major renovation project.
1. Plan Ahead (and Get a Coffee)
Do you know that moment when you just stand in the middle of your house and daydream about a shiny new kitchen (or bathroom, or extension)? It’s called “ignorance is bliss”, and it is your enemy.
Before you get into renovations, take a moment to consider everything involved and plan. Even the little jobs. Because believe me, if you don’t plan every last detail, you are going to wish you had. Consider this your first step to a stress-free renovation.
Define your goals
What are we building here?
A functional kitchen, a chillout garden oasis, a new loft space, or an extension to fit all your stuff (we all know it keeps piling up, right?).
The main point is to know what you want and to be realistic. You don’t have to have a Pinterest-perfect home, but it helps to be clear on what your top priorities are.
Planning your renovation
Budget—hah, it’s the first thing we all try to avoid, but it is essential, so here we go.
Renovations can be very expensive, and we don’t want to lose our minds over budgets, right? It can help to have a clear budget and a not-too-far-off date to stick to (or you will get carried away all too easily).
The best way to set a realistic budget is to make sure you know exactly what you’re going to need.
Consider both the big (materials, tools, and contractors) and the little stuff (that “Oh, I totally forgot” kind of stuff).
Pro tip: make sure you add a 10-15% buffer as you never know when your walls might start talking back.
Permits
OK, so before you go busting down walls and ripping up floors, check that you don’t need any planning permissions.
This won’t be the case for every home renovation, but it can depend on where you live, and if you’re making structural changes, building something from scratch, or just anything that can impact your house’s exterior.
So, it’s always a good idea to check in with your local council or authorities so you don’t get on the wrong side of the planning officers (trust me, you don’t want that).
2. Do It Yourself or Call in the Professionals?
Ah, the age-old question! Do I do it myself or get someone else to do it?
There are so many things that you can do as DIY jobs, but I would recommend doing the smaller jobs only. So, let’s break it down a bit.
Call in the Professionals
I don’t want to start a panic, but if your home renovation has anything to do with electricity, plumbing, and structure, the best thing you can do is leave it to the professionals.
Trust me, you are not saving any money by doing it yourself.
All you are doing is potentially making a massive mess that the professional will have to undo…which they will charge you for.
Jobs for DIY
Ok, so painting, tiling, hanging shelves, putting in new hardware, and stuff like that is something you can do yourself. It is fun (mostly) and will save you a ton of money.
The only advice is to make sure you do your homework first, do the job properly, and don’t take on a huge project if you’re a novice.
Just because someone made a 5-minute YouTube tutorial on how to do something doesn’t mean you are now a master of the trade.
3. Tools and Materials: The Things You’ll Be Staring at for Days
So you have your plan, you know what you’re doing (more or less) and know your limits (professionals or DIY), and now it’s time to think about the stuff you need.
By stuff, I mean tools and materials. If you’re a DIY-er, you want to have all of it lined up and ready to go before you start.
Get the right equipment
You know those ladders and scaffold towers? They aren’t just a fancy addition to your tools list. These are things you should consider if you’re working above head height. And don’t cheap out here, I mean it.
If you’re looking for good quality and reliable tools and equipment for your home renovations, BPS Depot is a good place to start.
Because why would you use your uncle’s dodgy ladder from the shed when working 10 feet up? Just think of all the risks.
Stock up on your materials
You’re going to need a fair bit of material for your home renovations, whether you’re building, decorating, or putting up a fence.
The important thing is that you make a list before you go to the shop (or Amazon…) and check twice (three times) before you buy.
Don’t forget the small things. Screws, nails, glue, and the likes. It’s so easy to miss them, but they are essential!
Also, always order a bit more than you need in case of accidents (because we all know they happen).
4. Prepare Your Home (and Yourself)
Renovations are going to get messy, so the more you prepare, the less of a building site your home is going to resemble.
Clear the space
Move all your furniture away from the work area. That means EVERYTHING.
You love your sofa, so make sure it’s covered up with a dust sheet (trust me on this one) and cover all your flooring with something more durable while the work is ongoing.
And please, don’t forget the carpets. The looovely dust will thank you.
Consider your temporary living situation
If your home renovations are going to have a big impact on your kitchen or bathroom (or both), it might be worth it to consider alternative accommodation while everything’s happening.
Trust me, you’re going to be happier eating takeaways in a clean kitchen than a building site in your own home. And your patience will thank you.
Set up a “construction zone”
This is where all the work will be happening. Create a dedicated area for tools, materials, and all the other bits and bobs you need for your renovations.
It’ll make your life 10 times easier when you need to grab something quickly.
5. Get Ready to Get Messy!
OK, so you have prepared, planned, and organised everything, now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Put on those goggles, tighten that dust mask, and let’s do this!
Safety
It would be best if you don’t get injured during your home renovations, so please do remember your safety gear.
Protective glasses, gloves, steel-toe boots, don’t skimp on this. You can easily avoid many accidents by being careful and checking everything is OK.
If you’re climbing a ladder or scaffold, make sure everything is secure before you start.
Take it slow
We all love a good DIY sesh and love the feeling of a job well done. But please don’t rush.
The key to a good job is to take your time and do it right.
We aren’t trying to finish it in one day (well, at least I hope not), but to have a professional standard result. The aim is quality over quantity, and if it takes a bit longer to get it right, then so be it.
6. Adding Those Final Touches
The end is in sight! Your home renovations are pretty much done, and it is time to add those finishing touches that make your home yours.
Decor
Decor is always fun. Let loose a little bit and make some choices that show off your style and who you are.
Paint the walls, put up some artwork, invest in a comfy sofa, whatever makes you feel good. This is your home, so it should feel like it.
Clean up
I know I say this a lot, but please clean up once the work is done. You’ll be surprised how much better it all looks with a little polish.
You’ve done an amazing job; take a moment to step back and admire it.
7. Time to Enjoy Your Beautiful Home
Ok, well done! You did it! Take a deep breath and kick back; it is time to enjoy that beautiful home you just created.
Whether you’ve done it all yourself or just some of it, there is no better feeling than making your home exactly as you like it.
Final Thoughts
Home renovations are not for the faint-hearted, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be rewarding. With some preparation, planning and a sense of humour, you can transform your house into a home. Roll up your sleeves, grab a coffee, and get to work. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your new home with a good old laugh over all the chaos. Good luck!