5 Things To Avoid For A Successful Renovation
Recent years have shown an increase in DIY property developers and renovators. When altering a property for personal or financial gain, the key is to known when to call in the experts. We've got the five most common mistakes that renovators make and tips on how to avoid them.
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Over Capitalising
The first mistake that people make when renovating for sale is to overcapitalise by spending too much money on details that are taste specific, and may not appeal to the broader market.
Avoid this by keeping things simple and choosing a neutral base colour for the entire property. This includes wall paint, flooring, kitchen and bathroom finishes, in order to make the house feel tailored.
If you are restricted to a small budget, focus mainly on the facade of your home. Paired with property styling, buyers can see the potential the property has to offer. Adding new handles to bathroom and kitchen doors and cupboards are small, cheap details that will spruce up the house.
Not Using A Professional Plumber
All plumbing works should be done by a licensed professional. Whilst turning off the water to change a tap head sounds simple and straightforward, if done incorrectly there can be long-lasting ramifications such as leaks between walls or under floors. A disaster situation like this can cost thousands of dollars, so it is much safer and easier to enlist an plumber to ensure the job is done right.
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Not Using A Professional Electrician
Swapping out a pendant light may seen easy, but much like the plumbing you should leave it to a professional. Some older properties may have hidden hazards such as the wiring being too old and dangerous.
If your property is older than 20 years, you should enlist an electrician to check all of the circuits as older buildings often need to be rewired to modern safety standards. In many cases insulation has deteriorated with old age making it hazardous, so getting a professional electrician to highlight and fix all of the problem areas is best to keep your home safe.
Removing Walls
It is common to want to know down walls in many terrance homes in order to open up a wall between a dining room and living room or kitchen to create the great visual impact and flow of open plan living. If you plan on doing this first enlist the help of a building and/or engineer to ensure the wall is ok to knock down as knocking down the wrong walls can come with serious ramifications.
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Excavating The Site
Sometimes adding value is not all about going up a level. Often forgotten underground basements can be converted to garages, dens, a cinema room or a wine seller. Adapting unused space to create a functional area can quickly add value to the property, however, you must investigate and carefully consider anything that can alter the structure of the building. You may think you are saving money by doing your own digging and dirt removal, but what lies beneath the surface can affect more than just your property structurally.
Water mains, plumbing and sewage are all below ground level so you will need a council survey and a professional to assess the area before you start digging. The water table must also be considered; the last thing you need is to flood your home or neighbouring properties because you have hit the natural water table. This can have serious consequences.
There are many landscapers and excavating companies that can assist you in these matters. Getting a dilapidation report and checking if the property needs underpinning are a must before the ground is altered.
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