Date: 26th Jan 2022
Home renovation projects have skyrocketed in the past few years, becoming a trending topic across several social media platforms, with creators getting down and dirty to create the homes of their dreams.
There are so many reasons why remodelling your home is a great advantage. It gives the home you live in a look that you love, you feel a bigger sense of pride, or (of course) it can bring more value to your home before it goes to market. Whatever the reason, we can guarantee it is a lot of fun, hard work, and rewarding at the end of the project.
Before you start, it's important to determine your reason for renovating and what you plan to do. You'll also need to ensure you have a budget in mind and an understanding of the scope of the task—and that's before the work begins! And then, the big question: Do you hire a contractor, or get to work and DIY?
Our team has great experience in renovations and remodelling their own homes, and they've shared their top tips to ensure you have a successful renovation that will reward you in the long term.
Isn't it frustrating when you find a reference video, and it's all inches and feet instead of the good old metric system? Using a local New Zealand source guarantees things will be measured using the correct system, and you'll know that the equipment and materials they use are also available to you. Hardware stores, such as Bunnings or Mitre 10, are a great way to start, or pop over to YouTube to get more quality house renovation ideas—you never know who you may come across there!
Best advice we can give: talk to a licensed building practitioner or engineer to identify your home's load-bearing walls before you start any work. The worst thing that could happen is getting started on a wall, with the dream of an open plan, and finding out mid-job that it's just not going to happen. We promise it will save you stress and headaches, and you'll have a smoother transition from your before to after.
Visibly worn carpet can be an real impediment to your home’s value, so replacing it is often the best investment you can make. Re-carpeting or re-flooring gives your property that ‘new home’ feel, spruces up any room, and adds increased value to your home before it goes to market. We highly recommend re-flooring tired-looking rooms to re-vamp your home - you'll thank us in the long run. Who doesn't love the feeling of fresh, new carpet underfoot?
Old treasures are hard to come by these days, and can give your home a whole new personality in your renovation. Something as simple as an old-style door handle, a new faucet for the kitchen sink, or some decor can give your home a whole new life—and keep your guests intrigued. Using recycled materials in your renovation adds a new feeling of value and sentiment, and adds to the sustainability of your home by turning someone else's trash into your next treasure. You'll be sure to impress, and others are unlikely to have the same statement pieces as you.
Letting your neighbours know that you're renovating a house is a great way to build connections with those around you. We highly recommend talking to them before installing or rebuilding any fences around the perimeter to ensure you have their consent as well. This is because it's on the boundary line between both properties, and they may have some ideas for how it can look to keep everyone happy. Taking a small gift token in advance, like a warm plate of brownies or scones, can really nurture that relationship—and you never know, they may even help or pay half!
One of the best DIY jobs is whipping out a paintbrush and giving your walls a fresh coat of paint, right? While the idea of painting the walls of your house is an exciting job at the best of times—a rush job is not the goal here. So many times we've seen a paint job that could have done with extra time and care, and we want to make sure you get it right the first time. When you start painting the walls, take your time to ensure an even coat and allow time to dry so you can see the results properly—it'll save you time in the long run to take your time.
When it comes to the actual paint job, here are our top tips for the best results:
For more tips for painting the walls in your home, head over to the Resene website.
Have you ever gone to start a paint job, and then realised the colours don't match? Save yourself the slip-up by investing in test pots. Our best advice is to pop into your local Bunnings or Resene Colour store, pick up some colour samples and test pots to take home and make sure you get the right colour—especially if you're planning on putting a feature wall in your home and want the colours to match your theme! Once you know you've got the right colour, that's the time to get a big bucket and get started on your project.
One of the first things people notice when checking out your home is the front door, so it's important to consider the impression your front door is leaving on potential buyers and guests. Whether it needs a bit of a clean-up, a new lick of paint, or replacing, refreshing your entrance can give your home a fresh personality and ensure you're starting with the best first impression—after all, first impressions are the most important for home buyers!
If your plan is to put your home on the market in the coming months—or even if it's not—paying attention to the finer design details will ensure your DIY renovation is well done. Things like refreshing cupboard handles, whether to have curtains or blinds, and even where your plugs and switches are can make all the difference. We also recommend taking a look at how much storage your home has, a subtle but noticeable feature. Where possible, adding attic storage or extra storage throughout your home will add much more value to the property, and make living much freer for you and your family with less clutter. You'd be surprised how much of a difference an extra cupboard or chest of drawers can make.
Before even starting to think about getting busy on the tools, we recommend ensuring your emergency first aid kit is well supplied before ever picking up a hammer. It's too late to buy bandages when you've already hit your thumb! Also, make sure you understand your tools' safety manuals and use safety gear where necessary to keep the risk of accidents down to a minimum. And, of course, be sure to have fun and enjoy the process of transforming your home!
The amount of money a home renovation project costs depends on your scope and vision.
According to Canstar, a general rule of thumb is to spend about 3% of your home's value on your kitchen and on your bathroom.
It's definitely possible to renovate your home on a budget, but it will likely require you to zero in on the aspects that really matter to you. You'll also have to use some of your DIY skills—great chance to spend time with the family!
Yes, home renovations will generally increase your building's value. You don't need to do a full renovation, either—simply replacing your carpets can freshen up your home and add to its value. Other minor renovations, like replacing fixtures and painting cabinets, can also go a long way. If you want to focus on a particular room, renovating the bathroom or kitchen usually provides the best value.
In addition to increasing your building's value, investing in a home renovation project can also make your space more comfortable and enjoyable to live in. Your house is where you spend most of your time, so turning it into your dream home can greatly improve your day-to-day life.
The length of a renovation project greatly depends on its scope and which rooms you're working on. A simple painting, enough to freshen up a bedroom, can take just two days by yourself. Meanwhile, a full bathroom or kitchen makeover can take months if you require the expertise of an engineer and contractor to achieve your vision. If you want to renovate and sell your property by a certain time, it's important to start planning in advance.
We highly recommend replacing any worn or tired carpets—it can greatly increase the value of your home without taking as long as other renovations. Keeping your front door looking fresh also provides a great first impression if you're aiming to sell your house.
The NZCB recommends starting with a kitchen renovation, which generally takes the longest time. Depending on the scope of your renovation, you may need to live elsewhere while your home is being refurbished.
Building consent requirements depend on your local council. Generally, making large structural alterations and adding new sanitary fixtures to your bathroom or kitchen will require consent. You might not need a building consent if you are working with an authorised person who is exempt.
If you've recently completed a DIY home renovation project, our team would love to see it. Share a photo on Facebook or Instagram and tag @tremainsrealestate so we can celebrate your projects with you.
Want to know how much your renovated house is worth before you put it up for sale? Request a free property appraisal from Tremains. Our consultants have great expertise in appraising and selling houses in markets all over New Zealand's North Island—including Napier, Hastings, Hawkes Bay, Levin, Taupo, and Rotorua. Get in touch today.
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