This is a guest post from Coral Homes, one of the largest, most respected home builders in Australia, with a vast building area and display home network spanning across much of Queensland and New South Wales.
When most people think of home renovations they think in terms of a big budget. Renovations
have a reputation for being expensive and for running over budget. This is often a deterrent for
homeowners who would like to make some changes. There are ways to renovate your home on
a shoestring budget. It may take a little more research, imagination and elbow grease, but it can
definitely be done.
It’s All Relative
Many people would like to buy a bigger home or perhaps one with an extra bedroom, a larger
kitchen or a bigger deck for entertaining. Selling your existing home and buying a new one will cost
lots of money in terms of real estate agent’s fees, property tax and legal fees. It may be a cheaper
option to renovate your existing home. You will need to make sure you do not overcapitalise on
your investment though, which simply means beware of spending more on your home than you can
recoup at a sale.
Research
Begin by doing your research. Check out builder’s websites for design ideas and also
pricing. It’s also a good idea to look at the costs of building a new home at
www.coralhomes.com.au/ so you can be sure you are not spending
too much on renovations if buying a new one won’t cost you much more.
Cheap Kitchen Renovations
One of the most common areas that homeowners want to renovate is the kitchen. Growing families
and out of date or poorly designed original kitchens are given as the main reason for renovation.
Putting in a new kitchen can be very expensive. Is it possible to refurbish your existing kitchen?
Perhaps your cupboards and bench tops are still in good order, they just need to be freshly
laminated or painted. You can even paint dated splashbacks these days with a product called Tub
and Tile paint. So if your splashback is a little retro, you can give it a modern look without the
expense of replacing it.
Bedroom Makeovers on a Shoestring
Bedrooms are next on the list of most commonly renovated areas. Before spending big money on
renovations to your bedroom, consider whether you can give it a brand new look for a fraction of
the expense. Replacing worn carpet with lovely new carpet will be a great start. Carpet prices are
very competitive. Try adding a coat of new paint, perhaps a bright new lighting fixture and rug.
Storage is all important in your bedroom, so consider adding some lovely wall shelving painted in a
great contrasting colour.
Budget Bathrooms
Bathroom renovations are often expensive. New fixtures and plumbing does not come cheaply. The
main aim of a bathroom renovation is to make the room like larger, brighter and fresher. These goals
can be met another way. Grab some Tub and Tile and paint over old, shabby tiles. Get rid of your old
shower curtain and install a clear glass shower screen. You can also replace old and worn taps and
showerheads with new water-saving ones.
