Renovations are different from new builds.
Renovations cost more than new builds because with renovations you pay for what must be demolished and removed from site, then you pay for the new build and then you pay to marry up the old and the new.
Unlike with new builds, it’s not until you remove the Gib board that find issues such as rot, so a generous contingency to cover the unexpected is a must.
Kitchens and bathrooms cost more than lounges and bedrooms because they have the extra cost of plumbing, drainage, cabinetry, appliances, tiling, and bathroom ware, but they are usually the spaces that need a refresh and make the house stunning.
Renovations also have a habit of enjoying scope creep. While the painter is here, we might as well paint the hall or bedrooms, while the electrician is here, lets change all the light fittings, and on it goes. So be strong and don’t let it creep.
Be honest from the beginning. Accept you need to paint the whole house, not just the new. When you undertake a kitchen renovation it won’t be just cabinetry but the whole open plan area, the lounge, and the dining room.
A new renovation can make the rest of the house look old and tired and while you can shut doors on bedrooms, maybe the hall needs a refresh otherwise the open plan renovation will be a shock, and not a good one.
Best to decide on what is important to you, what are the must haves, and stick to them. Prioritise.
paul@leuschkekahn.co.nz
021 894 895
leuschkekahn.co.nz
