How to tackle a home renovation

Home renovations are a great way to liven up a lived in space and create a new environment without having to move - but where do you start?

We spoke with Steve Grehan, General Manager of Operations at Dale Alcock Home Improvement, to get an expert's advice on where to begin and what to consider when approaching home renovations.

Before you begin

Before starting renovations, carefully consider your budget, design and how best to combine these to enhance your current space.

Mr Grehan recommends working within your limits by having a good understanding of what you want to spend and what funds are available to you.

"Another key point is to factor in the design and how you use your home. There are many renovating options to consider in the market, so do all your planning up front and get your design nailed down," he said.

Need versus want

Knowing the difference between what you need and what you want is critical when planning home renovations.

"A common mistake people make is mixing up their needs versus their wants and over-sizing a room rather than building a room that actually suits their needs," Mr Grehan said.

You should also make sure you know exactly what you're buying, so if possible, view an example of what you're designing prior to making a final decision.

"One way we work through this is by designing our product and having it available in many of our display homes so that people can go view, touch and feel the product," Mr Grehan said.

Making the decision

If you're looking into renovations, you'd know that there is plenty of choice available to you.

Among the many options, you can choose to build a second storey extension, add an extra bed and bath, enhance your living and entertaining areas or spruce up your old kitchen.

If your aim is to add value, Mr Grehan recommends increasing the amount of living space you have.

"If your home enjoys views, adding a second storey is great for increasing value. Another popular choice for adding value is converting a three by one to a four by two," he said.

It's also worth considering functionality and how to enhance this with renovations.

"To increase functionality, the best kind of home improvements are the ones that alter the flow of the home.

"It's about grouping minor beds together and disconnecting them via meals and family areas, and separating the master bed and ensuite to create quiet zones and family zones," Mr Grehan said.

To find out more about the kind of home improvements you can achieve, visit dahi.com.au.

Watch what goes into a home renovation.