Five savvy tips for home renovations

Add the right value

Renovations do add value to your home, but make sure you are not over-capitalising. Areas guaranteed to add value if they are renovated are kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor entertainment areas and landscaped gardens. Carefully consider what to spend money on. In a kitchen, for example, it pays to invest in gorgeous, functional items, such as a gas hob, a centre island and new counters, and save money by revamping cabinets and giving the walls a fresh coat of paint.

Employ a vetted service professional

Hiring the right person to do the job is key to a successful renovation. The problem with searching for a service professional online, is that hundreds of listings will come up, with the top-ranked being so because they bid the highest, not because they have the best quality, which makes it very difficult to identify who’s right for you. Likewise, it’s tough for service professionals who are really good, but don’t have the marketing budget to make sure they’re ranked on the first or second page of a Google search.

Set a budget

Work out a budget before the job starts and get the service professional to agree to it in writing. Before the job starts, they may ask you for a deposit, especially if they need to buy building materials.
Agree with the service professional on any payments to be made as the job progresses, and never pay the final amount until you are happy with the final work, and all rubble and building materials have been removed from your property.

During the process

If the job runs over several days, check-in regularly to see how it is going and to make sure you are happy with the quality of work. Take photos of the job as it progresses, taking note of things such as where pipes or electrical conduits are being placed.

If a snag occurs

Keep all documentation regarding the work, such as emails requesting quotes, invoices and proof of payment. If something does go wrong with the job, let your service professional know as soon as you notice it.