My best tips to start your Queenslander renovation

Queenslander renovations can cost a lot of money — and we don’t mean the initial price tag. A lasting renovation takes time and effort, which isn’t always easy to find.

The quality of the materials used to build the Queenslander is also important, and while it’s tempting to buy cheap materials, you’re actually better off investing in durable goods that will last for many years.

And if you don’t even plan the right budget, how will you be able to afford giving your Queenslander the large facelift it deserves?

The first steps when planning a house renovation are just as important as the final result. They will help to make your home renovations as efficient as possible. This article will outline those key points and show you how to start your Queenslander renovation.

Before renovating your house: 

Before you start, first ask yourself this question: “Do I know which kind of renovation I need or want?”

If the answer is no, then you need to start thinking. How many rooms are in your house? Do you need to do a complete renovation or just a few repairs? Do you want to renovate your house in stages, for example by painting the walls one colour at a time?

The idea here is to start with an overall vision of what kind of remodelling job you want. This interrogation is even more important if this is your first home improvement project. 

You need to then ask yourself: “How much am I willing or able to spend on my home?” This answer must be calculated before anything else, and it will help dictate the rest of your decisions.

You need to determine that cost now, before starting the renovation. This way, you’ll be able to stay within your budget and you’ll never be tempted to go over-budget.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re doing the renovation yourself or hiring professionals; knowing how much you’re willing to spend is a must. 

The Checklist for Queenslander renovations

Now that you know what you’re doing and how much you’re willing and able to spend, you can start planning the renovation. This can be done with a checklist, to ensure you won’t forget anything.

This checklist will also help you determine the timeline for your renovation. Of course, it is recommended to have a detailed plan. But your checklist can at least give you an idea of the major steps you have to take before starting any project. 

It should include things like:

1. The budget: 

An estimate of the final cost should be included in your checklist. It’s also an important figure for tax purposes. It’s tempting to go over-budget and spend more than you originally intended.

However, it’s also a good idea for your checklist to include the original budget and the final cost of the work. This way, you’ll know exactly how much your renovation ended up costing you. 

That brings up an important point: you need to stick to your budget.

You can’t afford everything for your Queenslander, even if you really want to do that wallpaper pattern with the flamingos in grass. You’ll end up spending more than you meant to, and it’ll make the whole renovation process take longer than it has to. 

2. The project: 

After you know what you want to change in your home, it’s time to make some plans for your renovation. This is where you can sit down and plot out the changes you want.

Then, you can create a new layout for your home that can include new interior design elements like lighting and carpets. You can make updates on the exterior of the house as well, like paint colours and new elements in the garden. 

You’ll also need to plan in detail how much work you’ll do on each room of the house. This will help you determine the time you’ll need to renovate, and it will also help you prioritise tasks.

For instance, if you’re working with tight deadlines, it’s best not to try tackling the roof unless there’s an emergency. The same goes for other high-priority tasks. 

3. The builders: 

For renovations, it’s best to hire a house renovation contractor, and the right one at that. It’s not just the fact that the right contractor has experience and knowledge, but also that they have access to a wide variety of skills which you don’t have access to.

Planning to do things alone can be disastrous if you don’t have the right skills or experience. A contractor will not only provide you with service, but they’ll also guide you through a better way to transform your home.

But what kind of contractor should you go with? There are certain things you should be on the lookout for in your choice of home renovator.

They’ll help with storage solutions, as well as finding materials for you. This can be a big plus if you have a tight budget. Plus, they’ll do all of the heavy lifting for you.

The key is to get yourself the best contractor possible for your project, and this means not settling with the first one you find.

Now it’s up to you!

You’ve now made your checklist of everything you need to do for your renovation, and you know how much money you can spend.

Renovating your Queenslander can be daunting, but possible if you follow a plan thoroughly. You just have to put in the time and prepare for the project. With a checklist, you will be able to plan out your renovation with much less stress.

Just remember that it goes a long way to pick a contractor who not only gets the job done, but is the right fit for your family, truly understands what you’re looking for, and appreciates your goals of the project.

Do your research and ask around, and be sure to read up on things you don’t understand.