Doing anything for the first time can be stressful and daunting and renovating your home is certainly no different. You’re in unknown territory and no matter how many renovating magazines and blogs you have read you are bound to make a few mistakes along the way. Here are a few tips to help you and hopefully make the process a little smoother sailing.

Don’t take your eye off the pre-renovation value
One of the biggest regrets any home owner can have after a renovation is realising you’ve put more money into it than you’ll make back when it comes to selling.

Be sure to set a realistic budget from the very start. You should regularly monitor the budget to make sure you are always on track and not over spending.

Avoid delaying window coverings
Anyone in the process of costing up window coverings for the first time is probably quickly discovering just how expensive they can be.

It’s not because they come with an inflated mark-up. It’s simply the cost of time, labour and materials but for some reason, we tend not to give these things the value they deserve.

It’s not something you want to have to fork out for at the end of a renovation when you’ve already spent more than you budgeted for, so the best thing you can do is build the cost of curtains or blinds into the cost of the build.

It’s also smart to get your window furnishings specialist in to discuss your desires at the framing stage, that way you can allow for things like recessed curtain tracks.

Don’t second-guess your aesthetic
Once you have chosen your style, don’t change it! Don’t be persuaded by other trends that you wouldn’t usually like as it will only make you loose your way and the end result won’t be what you had envisaged. Stick to what you know and love as it’s your home and you will be the one living in it!

Never underestimate the value of a lighting plan
A great tip is to make sure your electrician allows for various options in case you change your mind along the way. This will save you lots of money and stress come end of your renovation.

Also make sure your lights are dimmable so that you can adjust your lighting to your needs and desires.

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