News

How Much Should You Spend On Home Renovation?

22 March, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

how much should I spend on home renovation

What exactly is the ideal budget to spend on a home renovation? And will this matter even if a resale of your home is not a principal factor in your plans for the near future?

Overcapitalising on home renovations or extensions is usually a major concern when property investors plan to sell soon after construction is completed. But this can also be important to long-term homeowners who want to ensure their financial standing, especially for retirement and other future needs. And any fear of overcapitalising or under-investing could derail a homeowner from potential profits when the time comes to sell their home.

So how would you know what a sensible budget should be, in your case? Here are some considerations to evaluate how much you should spend on your home renovation.

Will My Home Renovation Require a Council or State Approval? – DA, CC and CDC

21 February, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

council or state approval for home renovation

Do you love the suburb you live in but find that your home is in need of a change? A renovation is an excellent way to update an older home, accommodate a growing family and incorporate your personal style into your home. However, while this is your property, some changes to it may require the local Council or State approval.

Thus, when developing your design options, you and your designer need to consider the local Council’s and State’s regulations for building, including bushfire safety and heritage conservation. The best and most experienced designer can then advise you on which approval system is most appropriate for your renovation project.

Things to Consider When Converting Your Garage

1 February, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

If your garage is nothing more than a place to store stuff you barely use anymore, you may have considered if converting that space to something else is worthwhile.

However, there are certain things you need to keep in mind should you decide to convert your garage.

How To Add A Second Storey To My Home

31 January, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

You may want to add a second storey to your home because of your growing family or you just need more space for entertaining guests. Adding a second storey to your property is an exciting milestone for you and your family.

Large renovations require more than just a great idea and a fun Pinterest board. Adding a floor to your house needs careful planning and a design that works well with your existing house.

Here is the process, broken down into seven steps you can easily follow to add a second storey to your home. I’ve also included advice on one aspect of adding a second floor that almost all homeowners struggle with the most.

The Top 7 Reasons You Should Renovate Your Home

4 January, 2018 by Martin Kolarik

reasons why you should renovate your home

If you’ve been thinking about renovating your home for a while now, but somehow find yourself delaying – I may just have the answers for you.

Having been involved in hundreds of extensive home transformations over the years, here are my top reasons to renovate your home.

One of them is particularly often overlooked.

The Important Role of Shadows in Home Design

12 October, 2017 by Martin Kolarik

When building a house or adding an extension to your existing home, you may excitedly think about all sorts of things — the theme, the fixtures you want or simply the extra living quality. But people rarely think about the shadows in home design. These are shadows that their new home or home extension may cast within the property or beyond it.

For me (and you), shadows in home design play a critical role in every building and renovation project. Let me explain why and give you a few tips to keep your neighbours as friends.

Before You Do a Kitchen or Bathroom Renovation – STOP

8 September, 2017 by Martin Kolarik

If you are thinking of renovating your bathroom or your kitchen in your new home… please stop.

Before you start picking out the tub and tiles and tearing down the cabinets, take some time and think long and hard about what you are about to do.

Don’t get caught up in the rush of renovating that you end up making short-term decisions and miss out on better options for your family.

How to Add Value to Your Home While Renovating in Sydney

19 July, 2017 by Martin Kolarik

They make it look so simple, but renovating to add value to your home is more complicated than DIY home renovation shows would have you believe. There is also a great deal more design, planning and money involved — so you want to make sure that you are investing your money into renovations that will eventually see returns.

The question is, how do you know you are investing in the right improvements?