Renovating your home is a thrilling journey that promises to transform your living space into something truly magical. We understand that while the prospect of a beautifully renovated home is exciting, it can be accompanied by a fair share of questions and challenges. There are many different ways to start your renovation journey, depending on your budget and requirements, but here is a breakdown of the steps we find work well for our clients who are undertaking a major renovation.

1. Define your vision

Before you dive into the renovation whirlwind, it’s crucial to define your vision. Picture your dream home. What style captures your heart? Is it the cozy coastal charm or the sleek, modern allure? A great way to refine your vision is by starting a Pinterest board with any image that catches your eye. It will help you narrow down the key elements you gravitate toward and give you a clearer direction.

2. Create a ballpark budget

Next, it’s time to get practical. What’s your ballpark budget? How much are you willing to invest in your dream space? It’s essential to start with a rough idea early on. If you’re looking at financing your renovation it may be worth discussing your options with a broker to see what size of loan is serviceable based on your income.

If you’re unsure of your budget or what is realistic, consider sitting down for an initial meeting with a builder or draftsman. This will give you an idea of the actual cost of things and how far your budget will stretch. Knowing your budget is an integral part of ensuring a result that meets your expectations before you get too far down the road.

3. Prioritize your wish list

Now, you have a better understanding of your budget and potential costs, jot down your wish list. What do you want to change about your home, and how do you prioritize these changes? We often divide these into ‘must-haves’ and ‘nice-to-haves.’ Prioritizing your wish list should also include finishes. Depending on your budget, you may be prepared to sacrifice timber floors for vinyl, for example. Be prepared to revisit and adjust this list as you move forward.

4. Draw up your plans

With a clearer vision and budget in mind, it’s time to have your plans drawn up. Start by getting preliminary plans drawn up by your architect or draftsperson. Then, engage with your interior designer before proceeding any further with your plans. Once your interior design work is completed, you can have any changes or suggestions incorporated into your working drawings before they progress to engineering or approval stages. During our planning we might recommend adjustments to your layout, windows and doors or plumbing locations in order to create your style.

5. Apply for finance

When it comes to applying for a loan, you’ll typically require a full set of preliminary drawings and potentially a detailed scope of works or builder’s contract. Discuss this with your mortgage broker to determine exactly what’s required. This is where our detailed design drawings come in handy. They help the lender see the end result and value of your renovations. Your well-prepared documentation can make the loan application process smoother, showcasing the worth of your project.

6. Engage your builder

Finally, it’s time to turn those plans into a reality by formally engaging your builder. This is the last step before your vision takes shape. Your builder will now proceed with your plans and ensure that all the necessary approvals, including council approvals, are in place.