SPECIAL SECTION: FOR YOUR HOME
YOUR RENOVATION MASTER PLAN
On time,
ON BUDGET
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A few ground rules will take the stress out of a home reno so you can start relishing your new space sooner. BY KIMBERLY GILLAN
I
f you’ ve ever watched an episode of Grand Designs or The Block, you’ ll be familiar with the tears that can accompany a building project. But it’ s not only new builds that cause strain. Whether your project is behind schedule and beyond budget, or you and your partner can’ t agree on the perfect kitchen tiles, research shows 85 per cent of people renovating their home find the process stressful.
The good news is renovating doesn’ t have to be an awful experience. With forethought and detailed planning, plus opting for smart choices available at
Costco, home renovation experts say you can make creating your dream abode a smooth process. Here’ s how.
Choose good foundations
After renovating 14 properties herself, Tara Saxon, certified money coach from The Intentional Wealth Co, now coaches women through renovations after divorce and major life transitions. One of the best ways to keep a lid on a renovation, she says, is to buy a property with a good floor plan.“ As soon as you start moving plumbing or building extensions, you’ ve got to get council approval and engage professionals, and their time is expensive,” Tara says.“ If you want to avoid that mindscrambling stress, buy a property you can just make cosmetic changes to.”
Think long term
Before you even paint a wall, Tara urges you to think carefully about the property.“ What is your medium and longer-term plan?” she asks.“ Almost everybody I have worked with does their first reno with their heart. They assume it will be their forever home and invest in designer light switches and custom tapware only to realise,‘ Oh, it doesn’ t have enough room for my >
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