The basis of a good renovation budget is setting a realistic one in the first place.
Once you do that, you may need a little help sticking to it.
Here are a few pointers to help you on your way.
A realistic goal, budget or project needs to be SMART.
• Specific – what exactly are you spending money on?
• Measurable – how much do you need to spend on each item or stage?
• Attainable – can you (really) afford it?
• Realistic – does it fit into your budget without compromising other expenses.
• Timely – is it the right time?
Do you need to prioritise other expenses?
Will you be able to make payments on time?
Sticking to a budget takes willpower.
As painful as it may seem, you need to start practicing patience and may need to start saying no to a few luxuries.
It’s scary how quickly things can add up on renovation projects.
And, it’s impossible to set a realistic budget until you get detailed renovation costs and quotes.
There are some helpful renovation budget calculators and cost guides available online.
And, they’re free.
Don’t try and guesstimate your costs.
If you’re doing a big renovation or extension you absolutely need plans and designs that you can get proper quotes on.
Architects, designers, builders and engineers are the kind of professionals you need to get advice from.
Once you have detailed renovation costs, decide what you must have and what you’re willing to live without.
Get professional advice from your local real estate agent to help figure out where to save and where to splurge.
You need to know what will add value to your home in the short and long term.
Avoid spending money that you won’t get back when you sell.
That’s called overcapitalising.
If you plan to live in the home for the long term it may be less of an issue for you.
Lifestyle blogs and online renovation forums can offer advice on where to spend your renovation budget too.
For example, some experts recommend spending 5% of the value of your home on a kitchen and up to 1.5% on your bathroom.
Some builders may offer fixed-price contracts.
If their price is more than a standard contract, it’s because they’re taking a risk on any overspend or delays, not you.
It could be worth the extra you pay to know exactly what you have to pay for upfront (and make it much easier to stick to your budget).
If there’s one thing that’s certain in life, it’s that your renovation will cost more than you think.
Even with the most detailed plans and cost guide, the unexpected can happen.
It’s recommended you add between 10 and 20% of the cost to your project to your budget.
This buffer helps pay for unexpected costs, like unforseen structural issues or ground works.
This is what’s called a 'contingency', and every good renovator should have one.
Need a renovation loan?
Contact us @ propertyloans@realrenta.com and we will arrange for a lending specialist to contact you shortly.
Jason Gwerder
Saturday, 9 March 2019
