Home Improvements and Renovations:
A guide from some Auckland building experts on things to consider before you begin.
Are you an Auckland homeowner wanting to transform your living space?
Maybe your current home needs home repairs or some long overdue maintenance. Maybe you’ve moved into a new house that needs a new bathroom or you are looking for a quick value-add before renting or selling your home and want to do some cosmetic renovations.
Good renovations by a proven design and build team can give you functionality, space, 21st-century design, and comfort. If you plan to sell your home in the near future, renovations can significantly increase the value of your Auckland property.
No matter your reason for renovating, we’re experts at them. We will happily act as a guide to renovations at your place that you’ll be thrilled with. Simply, give us a call on 021 550 142.
Making informed decisions: considerations and concerns
Before embarking on a renovation project, it’s important to get clear on why you’re renovating. Are you renovating for your comfort and enjoyment or to add value to the property for renting or selling? If the property you’re looking at renovating is not your forever home, and you’re only going to be there for another two years, for example, spending $100,000 may not be the wisest investment.
Different renovations offer varying returns on investment. While redecorating or re-carpeting can breathe new life into your home, kitchen and bathroom renovations or improving insulation tend to add substantial value to the property. If you need a guide to renovations, call Dan Hendy on 021 550 142.
Assess the value add
How much value will your renovations add to your property? You need to reach a balance between the cost of your renovations and the potential increase in your home’s value. According to ArchiPro NZ, a good rule of thumb is to not spend more than 10% of your home’s current market value on renovations. So, why not get an appraisal from some real estate professionals on how much value your renovations will add to your property before you begin?
Weigh the pros and cons of home renovations
Renovations can increase the value of your property. They can also adapt your home to your changing lifestyle by adding more space or making it more modern, stylish, comfortable and functional. Renovations can mean future energy savings. If you have an investment property, renovations can enable you to charge higher rent, increasing your returns.
However, depending on the scale of the project, you may need to move out while the renovations are happening. And renovations nearly always cost more than people think they will.
What’s the plan?
Without a well-thought-out plan, you run the very real risk of overcapitalisation: spending more on renovations than the potential increase in property value.
Define your budget
All renovations must start with a budget. You need to know your maximum spending limit and clearly define your expectations. You must also allocate a buffer for any unexpected expenses that may arise, particularly if you’re working on an older house where unforeseen issues are common.
Must-haves and nice-to-haves
Create a list of your ideas and then categorise them into wants and needs. This lets you focus on the essentials first while still giving yourself some flexibility for any additional ‘extras’. By prioritising you can control costs and avoid unwelcome overspends.
Take advantage of the experts
Our building team can work with you to assess the total cost of your renovations, including material expenses, labour costs, and any additional fees. Call us for an estimate.
We will send an initial proposal from our quantity surveyor, outlining our costs and your scope of work including a full comprehensive overall cost breakdown for your project. This proposal will contain a cover letter, trade summary and Excel spreadsheet with each stage of the renovation project outlined.
Choose us as your renovation builders and we will in good faith refund your initial cost with our quantity surveyor.
Or Call 021 550 142
Bringing your dream home to life
Renovations can be an effective way to bring your dream home to life. However, it’s important to assess the potential value added to your property, take into account how long you intend to own the property, define your renovation goals, weigh the pros and cons and talk to the experts at DBS Residential before starting your renovation project.
We’ll provide expert guidance and honest advice. We’ll work with you to help you make cost-effective choices and smart design decisions.
Knowing you can place full trust in your local builder can make a world of difference. And our building work is guaranteed.
If you been thinking “should I renovate my house?” and would appreciate the help of an expert guide to renovations in Auckland, call 021 550 142. Dan Hendy can meet with you for an obligation-free consult.