There comes a time when our cosy home doesn’t feel like it. It may be because of a growing family, changing living requirements, insufficient space, or anything else. In such cases, many homeowners opt for a home renovation. However, home renovation is a complex process and requires careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure hassle-free completion.
If you are also thinking of renovating your Sydney home, you are at the right place. In this blog, we have discussed the various aspects of the home renovation process. From the benefits and step-by-step process to approvals and budgeting, you will get to know everything about home renovation in Sydney. By referring to this blog, you can ensure the successful completion of the project and get the most satisfactory results.
What is Home Renovation
While you must be aware of what home renovation is. It is a process of modifying your home to enhance its appearance and functionality. However, it is just one part of home renovation. Apart from this, home renovation is an effective way to elevate the overall value of your home. Renovation can be done in many ways such as space addition, flooring upgrade, remodelling, outdoor renovation, etc.
Benefits of Home Renovation in Sydney
Improved Comfort Level
Enhanced comfort is the most crucial benefit of renovating your Sydney home. In fact, it is the primary reason why most homeowners renovate their homes. As homes age, they may develop issues such as drafts, inefficient layouts, or outdated systems that detract from the overall living experience.
Efficient home renovation can significantly improve the overall convenience and comfort of your living spaces by strategically modifying them. From an additional bedroom for children to a more efficient kitchen, you can make your home ready for your changing living requirements.
Better Visual Appeal
Another major advantage of home renovation is its improved visual appeal. After some period of time, your home starts losing its charm and becomes outdated and dull. But with home renovation, you can elevate the indoor and outdoor look of your home. Whether it is a new layer of fresh paint or a new outdoor facade, home renovation can make your home more pleasing.
From updating the kitchen with sleek, modern appliances and finishes to renovating bathrooms with luxurious fixtures, or better design layout, these changes can breathe new life into your living space.
Increased Functionality with Modern Design Layout
Home renovation can also help you enhance the functionality of your home. A home built years or decades ago must have an outdated layout that will not accommodate modern living needs. With home renovation, you can transform the home layout and make it tailored to meet your requirements and preferences.
Open floor plans, multifunctional spaces, and smart home technology can be integrated to create a more functional and efficient living environment. By tailoring your home’s layout to your current needs, you ensure that every square metre is utilised to its fullest potential.
Enhanced Energy Efficiency
By renovating your home, you can improve the energy efficiency of your home. Whether it is worn-out insulation, inefficient utilisation of natural light, or cracks and leaks, you can upgrade everything and make your home more energy-efficient. When you renovate your home, you can get a modern layout and the latest features that improve comfort and convenience in different weather conditions.
Higher Property Value
Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons for home renovation is the potential for increased property value. In Sydney’s competitive real estate market, a well-renovated home can command a higher price and attract more potential buyers. With an efficient design and modern living amenities and features, your property can stand out from the competition.
Even smaller updates, such as modernising fixtures and finishes, can make a significant difference in your home’s marketability. Home renovation can be a profitable investment, homeowners can not only enjoy the benefits of a refreshed living space but also secure a more favourable financial future.
How to Start with Your Home Renovation Project
Understand Your Needs and Preferences
Before starting the home renovation project, it is of utmost importance to be clear about your goals and preferences. Knowing what you want from the renovation is essential to plan things accordingly. To understand your needs, first, analyse what is the problem with your current home when it starts showing the signs of home renovation. Whether it looks old, it has some outdated design or it doesn’t provide comfortable living.
Depending on the issue, you can ensure a better design layout. You can also search for design ideas and inspiration on the internet. Knowing your goals and preferences helps you explain them effectively to your home renovation builder.
Set Budget for Your Home Renovation Project
Construction projects like home renovation can cost you several thousand dollars and can suddenly go out of budget if not planned carefully. Before starting the next process, make sure you create a detailed budget for your home renovation project. Consider factors such as consultation fees, labour charges, material costs, charges for approvals, etc.
Depending on your requirements and design preferences, you can get multiple quotations from the leading home builders in Sydney. Apart from that, you can also inquire about the costs of materials such as floor tiles, countertops, kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, and building materials. By analysing these prices you can budget effectively for your home renovation.
Find a Reliable Home Builder
Next, you should look for an experienced and skilled home builder in Sydney. The success of your home renovation project majorly depends on the ability of the builder you hire. First of all, check for the industry experience and expertise of the builder. Moreover, make sure the builder is licensed and insured.
Next, you can ask them for the references from their previous clients. Review their past projects to get an idea about their service quality and craftsmanship. Several builders may also offer you cheaper prices but they may end up with poor-quality work. So make sure you engage a reliable builder with a proven track record of quality services.
Get Essential Approvals
In Sydney, you might need to get approvals and permits from the local council in some cases. Generally, major renovation works such as changes in structural layout, plumbing and drainage upgrades, etc require permissions. It is best to discuss this with your builder. Local home builders have an idea of the construction-related rules, they can help you understand whether your renovation project will need approvals or not.
If required, you can visit the NSW portal to apply online. You will need to make an application along with the required documentation of your project. After application, your project will be reviewed and you will get the approval within a few weeks.
Work Closely with The Designers
The real renovation process will begin from this stage. By understanding your requirements, design preferences, and the current condition of your property, a team of designers works on the new and enhanced layout of your home. They provide you with an updated design layout which includes a floor plan, arrangement of furniture, and add-ons as per your request.
By working closely with them, you can design a space that not only meets your requirements but also reflects your style. If you are not satisfied with the design, you can ask them to make the necessary modifications. Be clear about your goals and do not hesitate to communicate.
Make Temporary Living Arrangements
Based on the extent of your home renovation project, you will need to make the necessary arrangements for temporary accommodation. But before doing so, you can discuss this with your builder.
In some cases, you can live in the same house while the renovation work is going on in other rooms. But in case of a major renovation, you need to shift somewhere else. You can look for a rental property to shift for some days. In case the renovation seems to be completed in a short period, you can accommodate your friends or relative’s home.
What Approvals Are Needed for Home Renovation in Sydney?
Before understanding what approvals are needed, let us discuss when you need approval. When it comes to getting approval for your home renovation project, it solely depends on the complexity of the project. Here are a few cases you will need to get approval.
- Home additions and extensions
- Change in Structural Layouts
- Renovation of Heritage Homes
- Plumbing and Drainage Upgrade
- Outdoor Renovations Such as Swimming Pools, Patios, etc.
Minor renovations such as interior repairs, changing of wooden floors, painting, etc do not require any approval or permits.
For major works mentioned above, you need to get a development application (DA), construction certificate (CC), Complying Development Certificate (CDC), and Occupation Certificate (OC). Apart from that you also need to consider factors such as noise disruptions, waste management, and environmental impacts.
How Long Does Home Renovation Take?
It is quite difficult to mention how long the home renovation will take. It depends on many factors such as the complexity of the project, the type of renovation you want, the availability of materials, the skills and efficiency of the labour, and more. Based on these factors, a small renovation work can take 4 to 6 weeks whereas for major renovation works, it can take a few months.
Best Home Renovation Builder in Sydney
Engaging an experienced and skilled home builder is crucial for your renovation project. Edyco Building and Construction is a reliable name for home renovation in Sydney. Our experienced team carefully understands your requirements and provides you with an effective home that meets your requirements and elevates the overall living experience. So do not wait any longer. Talk to us today!