5 Renovation Myths Busted

Renovations can be a lot of things – rewarding, exhausting, fun, creative, time-consuming. They can also be confusing, particularly when it comes to knowing what’s true and what’s not when it comes to the endless advice swirling around. There are countless renovating myths that have tripped up even the most switched-on homeowners.

We bust five of the biggest renovation myths doing the rounds, from sharing why DIY jobs may not actually save you money to why your home’s value won’t automatically increase after a transformation. Read on for the lowdown on everything you need to know.

1. DIY aspects will save you money

The true cost of DIY versus getting a professional in can be a surprise to some people renovating. Logic suggests that no matter what you’re working on, if you roll up your sleeves and do it yourself, you’ll be rewarded with financial savings. But this is not always the case. There are definitely ways you can cut costs by doing some things by yourself, while others… not so much.

When you add up the cost of your personal time, retail pricing and buying the tools you need to get the job done, it can often be more expensive than just paying someone else to do it for you. Also, if the DIY job you do is not up to standard, it will not withstand the test of time and this low quality finish may cost you more to fix or replace in the long run. Run the numbers and be realistic about whether it’s actually a job you can do yourself to a high enough standard – particularly if the job requires a specialised skill. When in doubt? Call in the experts. 

2. Repairing or patching is cheaper and quicker 

A lot of people will lean towards a quick fix given the option, in the belief that not only will it be faster than completely replacing something, it’s also cheaper. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always ring true. Whether it’s a wall, plumbing, furniture or any type of fixture, it really depends on how broken something is. If the problem is minor, then sure, repairing or patching it up will work. But, if the broken part is masking a bigger issue, the repair may not hold up down the track. Ultimately, you may end up having to re-do it or replace it again anyway, which just costs more time and money. Our advice? Bite the bullet early if necessary.

3. All renovations are always over budget

Anyone who’s been through a renovation or new build journey will be familiar with the trope of it costing a lot more than first expected (“Add another zero to what you think your budget will be,” is a common joke, after all). Yes, your budget can blow out easily due to unexpected complications and twists and turns. However, some people exceed their initial expected budget due to lack of research or forward planning. If you’re determined to meet your budget and not go a cent over, planning and shopping around is key. Figure out exactly what you want, separate your “must-haves” from your “nice to haves” and get quotes and compare prices to find the best bang for your buck. And don’t forget to factor in contingency costs in the initial budget so you’ll have the money should anything go awry.

4. A home’s value will increase with any renovation

This is a common misconception, not helped by the swathe of renovation reality TV shows that make flipping houses seem like an easy, get-rich-quick scheme. While it’s true that giving a home a new lease on life by renovating it can potentially raise the dollar value of the property when resold, it’s important to keep in mind that this is not always a given. It’s not necessarily true that all renovations will increase the home’s value because the improvements you choose to make may not appeal to all buyers or suit what they are looking for. 

5. Hiring most affordable trades will save you money

There’s a reason that the phrase “you get what you pay for” exists! Cheaper and more affordable trades may seem more appealing when you’re calculating the numbers – and may initially save you money. But you need to bear in mind that using some of the cheaper trades may not result in the highest quality work which costs you more money later down the track when you have to shell out more dollars to fix the problem or completely redo the work. As with anything, doing a little research beforehand can help you make the best choice when it comes to picking a trade that sits within your budget but still offers high quality results.