Bamboozled by the decisions you’ll have to make while renovating your property in Auckland? What changes should you make to your home? Who’ll help you bring your ideas to life? What finishes and features will stand the test of time and what’s just a passing trend? So many options! How do you decide?
With over 20 years building experience in Auckland, we’ve seen it all. The below guide will help you decide what’s worth investing in and what’s not, when you’re looking to renovate your Auckland home.
SAVE money by keeping things where they are
Do you really need to move your bathroom across the other side of your house? Do you really need to change all rooms of the house, or can you create a clever design with your existing spaces and footprint? Anything’s doable when renovating or extending but by keeping your plumbing and electrics largely where they are, and certain rooms “un-touched” you’ll keep your tradie and materials bills in check. Opt to reconfigure your existing spaces so your infrastructure remains largely the same.
SPEND on expert help
Unsure where to start with your renovation? Get some help. Paying for expert advice will save you time, money and stress in the long run. A good builder, architect or interior designer all come at a cost but you can’t put a price on a smartly designed, functional home that looks and feels great and that can be built to within your budget. Experts are always happy to share their ideas and experience on where to spend your hard-earned money and how to get the home you want, with the budget you have.
SAVE on simple designs and features
Sure, triangular shaped windows will capture that view beautifully but they’ll probably set you back three times the cost, not to mention the custom-made curtains you’ll need to cover them. School yourself in the cost of simple clever designs versus custom-made architectural features such as curved walls and cantilevered structures. Choosing beautiful standard designs will definitely keep your budget in check.
SPEND on statement features
What do you want the general vibe of your renovated home to be? What special items or features will help you create the look you’re after? Finding a balance between quality and excess is important here, whether you’ve gone for a $200 tap or a $6,000 one, the water tastes the same.
By deciding in advance which feature fixtures and fittings you’d like to spend more of your budget on, you’ll save time and money when researching the remaining items needed to complete your home.
SAVE your home from wear and tear
Dreaming of plush cream carpet and an oiled timber floor? How do you think they’ll stand up to your kids and that crazy dog of yours? Think about the needs of your family and how you’ll use (and abuse) your renovated home. Where will you spend most of your time as a family?
Speak to sales experts about what they recommend and keep an open mind about the materials they suggest even if you’ve discounted them previously. They’ll know what lasts and what only looks good for a year or two.
We’ve got loads of other renovation tips up our sleeves, so if you’re planning to renovate your Auckland home, give us a call and we’ll share what we know.