The Gold Coast is one of the key growth corridors in Australia and a perfect place for investors or people wanting their dream home to renovate their own masterpiece.
However there is a lot to navigate before you can start tearing down walls and installing pools and water features. There are building codes to adhere to, Council regulations and requirements, finding a suitable building insurance policy – the list goes on.
The leap from DIY to a full-scale home renovation is a big one as well, so it pays to do some research before diving into renovations that could blow out in cost and end up becoming more a pain than a pleasure. Here are some of the essential tips every potential renovator should read so they can swing the hammer with confidence.
Navigating the Red Tape
There are some renovations you can do without Council approval, like low-risk building works including garden sheds, greenhouses, fences or screens under 2m high, retaining walls up to 1m high and roofed patios up to 2.4m high. However shade sails, decks, pergolas, roofed patios, Bali huts, and change to the existing structure of the property may need approval. Consulting with a building designer, architect, or private building certifier can assist in navigating the design and approval process. These professionals can provide guidance on whether your specific renovation requires approval and help ensure compliance with local regulations.
Additionally, finding the right building insurance policy is essential to protect against risks such as accidental damage or unforeseen events during the renovation. Comparing different insurance providers and understanding the coverage options can help renovators select the best policy to safeguard their investment.
Embrace Popular Renovation Trends
You don’t have to be an investor to be thinking about what is going to add the most value to your property. And kitchens are the king of the renovation project, because they are the first place a potential buyer is going to look. You can choose a rustic look for your own aesthetics, but to add the maximum value to your home, think modern. Sleek appliances, island countertops and efficient storage solutions should be at the top of the list.
The bathroom is another highly popular renovation space, especially if it is looking tired and outdated. Bathroom renovations are always guaranteed to be an opportunity to add a real luxury feel to your home, with spa-like upgrades such as rain showers and modern vanities often making a world of difference to your home’s liveability factor.
There’s also the consideration of current design trends for modern Australian homes and how these trends can best be incorporated into your renovation plans. For Gold Coast properties in particular, embracing coastal living with beach-inspired home interiors is sure to not only boost the aesthetic appeal of your home, but also increase its market value in the future. And isn’t strong returns the goal of every home renovation?
Leverage Cost-Effective Strategies
Cost is one of the main barriers stopping a lot of people from investing in renovations, but you don’t need the budget of contestants from The Block to make a huge difference. There are some strategies you can employ that will help keep the costs down, stay under budget and make an enormous difference to your Gold Coast property.
First of all, prioritise the rooms in your home that are going to deliver the biggest return on investment. Again, the kitchen and the bathroom are the best places to start, while the lawns and gardens provide the first impression and can be quickly and cheaply transformed with a bit of hard work.
When the budget is especially low, look at the small things that can make a huge difference. A lick of paint can bring a space back to life without costing more than a trip to the local hardware store and some basic supplies. Updating the lighting fixtures is great to be energy efficient as well and LED lighting is going to return your investment in spades, because they are about 75 per cent less energy than halogen light bulbs and last 5 to 10 times longer.
Importance of Professional Guidance
The Gold Coast property market is thriving, with house values increasing significantly, as much as 12 per cent in some regions. This is inspiring a lot of locals and investors to get their DIY on, but there are perils and pit traps that come along with trying to do a massive job like renovating a home on your own.
It is always best to turn to the professionals for guidance for many reasons. First of all, they will complete the project in the safest way under strict guidelines, so you are not risking your safety. They will also help avoid costly mistakes (that can easily become a factor with DIY) and ensure work complies with local building codes. You will have big ideas and visions for your renovation, but professionals are in tune with the latest trends, what works and what doesn’t and how to amplify your vision to deliver a project beyond your wildest dreams.
Plan for Long-Term Benefits
There are numerous examples of renovation projects that may have been on-trend in their day, but are redundant now. Try to avoid obviously niche trends, as there is every change they will just date your home. Remember the Tuscan kitchens from the early 2000s? They are horribly outdated now. So are the farmhouse style ones that dominated the 2010s.
Instead, consider what makes the Gold Coast so uniquely different. Indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces are never going to go out of vogue while open plan kitchens where you can cook up a storm and serve directly to guests will always add functionality to your home.
Most importantly, truly understand what is motivating you to renovate in the first place. Create the space you and your family have always dreamed of and don’t let others influence your decision if that is your prime motivation. Or tap into enduring trends and functionality that will add plenty of value to your property in the long run.
