Home renovations and extensions, when done right, can significantly increase the value of your property. An upgraded modern bathroom or even some classy floor tiles can make your home look and feel that much more luxurious.

And when you are planning to sell your property, the aesthetics cannot be underestimated.

While some buyers look for properties with great potential, most look for a clean, well-maintained and ready to move-in homes. And in a very competitive market, upgrades, unique features, and luxurious additions can put you ahead of the competition.

These things and more can help sell your house fast and at the price you want. When selling a property, it is not just the resale value that matters, it is also important to close the sale as fast as possible and this is where renovations can help.

Important Considerations Before Investing In Home Renovations

1. What are your renovation goals?
2. Understand which parts of the home yield the highest returns.
3. Set a budget.
4. Work with an experienced design and build team. 
5. Will your design concept and style still be relevant after five to ten years?
6. Plan and set goals.

Renovations are major projects whether you are just renovating a single room or the entire house. It has to be planned and executed correctly in order to gain maximum benefit.

Let’s take a look now at what renovations and extensions can potentially give you the best ROI.

Open Concept Floor Plans

Open concept homes are very popular and will continue to be so for a long time to come. You can open up your space by taking down walls to create an open space concept.

You can keep the original features of your home like wooden beams while you take down walls and barriers that make the space look and feel cramped.

A majority of buyers in today’s market are looking for open concept floor plans and a large kitchen. 

Expected ROI: 50% – 95%. 

Kitchen Remodel

There are so many things you can do to upgrade your kitchen and completely change the vibe of your home. The kitchen is the heart of the home so a major upgrade or a minor renovation can improve your resale value significantly.

Here are some improvements and changes you can make that can increase your property value:

• Update the floor plan. Older kitchens usually have floor plans that no longer work with today’s modern technology and innovations. Keep your floor plan open and as simple as possible. Plan the space so that you have a good flow so your new kitchen will function smoothly.
• Consider upgrading old tiles to marble floors. Marble floors add a touch of luxury with its shine and radiance. This simple upgrade can make potential buyers fall in love with the space.
• Upgrade your kitchen splashback. Remove your outdated tiles and put in subway tiles to give your kitchen an updated modern look. Updating your splashback can make a big difference to your kitchen’s overall appearance.
• Restore or add new granite benchtops. Sometimes a single element can elevate an entire space. Benchtops take up a big space in the kitchen and can become the centrepiece when you choose the right design and materials.
• Add more storage. More practical storage spaces can help to keep the kitchen organised and function better.
• Install new, modern, and practical furniture, appliances and fixtures.
• Use creative lighting and modern lighting fixtures.

Expected ROI: 80% – 90%

Garage Renovation

Sellers usually underestimate garage spaces. In fact, we usually don’t give it too much thought. Your garage can increase the value of your property if you are able to maximise the space and add more functionality to it.

Add more cabinets and drawers for enhanced storage options. You can also replace your old garage door with a modern automated alternative.

Expected ROI: 90% – 98%

A New Deck

Outdoor living spaces are also a major factor that attracts buyers to a house. Outdoor living spaces add functionality and give you more options when it comes to entertainment.

Outdoor spaces like a new deck help buyers to imagine using the space with their family and loved ones. A potential buyer needs to be able to see and imagine themselves using the space.

Design a deck where families can eat and cook a BBQ. Install a hammock or comfy furniture where everyone can relax and enjoy themselves. To really enhance the space, consider building a veranda or installing sail shades or some form of shelter.

Expected ROI: 75% – 80%

Bathroom Upgrade

Bathrooms are one of the biggest considerations for buyers when looking for a new house. When renovating, upgrade the bathroom and give it a new modern look.

There are so many options with bathrooms. Shower screens, taps and fixtures, tiles, skylights, cabinets behind mirrors – you are only limited by your imagination.

Expected ROI: 80% – 92%

Final Thoughts

Home renovations are major undertakings that take a lot of planning and expert knowledge of construction and design to get the best results.

Although DIY projects are okay, hiring professionals who have years of experience in renovation and design is always the best option. 

By doing so, you can stick to your budget and design concept without making major design and building mistakes, which in turn lead to delays and other issues which can end up costing a lot of money.

Are you planning to renovate your home? At Period Extensions & Designs, we have updated our business processes so we can continue to serve you during the COVID pandemic.

Whether you need help with the design or the actual renovation itself, please call us today at Period Extensions & Designs on (03) 8658 1340 or contact us through our contact form.

Have you just moved into a new home and want to start some renovations? Or do you simply want to give your home a complete makeover, but don’t know where to start?

If this sounds like you, please keep reading as we take a look at the best place to start your renovation project.

Undertaking a renovation or extension of any size can be an overwhelming task. There are so many things to do that sometimes, you don’t know where to actually start.

That is why we have created this simple step-by-step guide on where to start when your entire home needs renovating. We hope this guide can give you some perspective on the project as a whole along with the best palace to get started.

1). Identify The Problems

Renovations are often exciting because it’s an avenue for you to spice up your home and add some personal touches of your own.

However, renovations must also be practical and targeted to address your specific needs. There are a lot of things to consider first.

To being with, it is important to identify any existing problems with your house. It could be a lack of storage, it could be lack of space, it could even be systematic defects.

You should answer questions such as “Is the space in this room sufficient enough?” or “Do I really need more storage, or can this high traffic area flow better?” 

However, more importantly, the main question you should ask yourself is “What is the most urgent area in need of a renovation?”

Try to identify the most important issues that can be addressed before you proceed too much further with the planning.

When doing this, don’t just look at the renovation or extension itself, but also how these issues impact the rest of the house.

Remember to stick to the fundamentals. Address issues that pertain to things such as electricity, plumbing, insulation, space etc. 

Working together with a professional design and build team should be prioritised to help you professionally gauge which parts of your house should be addressed.

2). Draw Up An Action Plan

Once you’ve been able to identify the problems your home renovation intends to address, then create an action plan.

Make a list of things that you want to be renovated, whether it be floorboards, ceilings, lights, furniture, or anything else that stands out. 

After you are able to create this list, prioritise which room or renovation is most urgent. Which room has the most urgent issues? What problems are the most important to address?

Arrange your list according to priority, and then execute from there. This is meant to give you a clear vision of your action plan. You can even create a design layout.

Sketch out what you want your home to look like and then identify which areas of your home should be prioritised. This way, you will be able to have a clear vision of how you want your house to look and where to start. 

3). Budget Realistically

Often times, we tend to go overboard with home renovations. After all, who doesn’t want their home to have a fresh look and feel as close to perfect as possible! However, we must also be realistic in terms of the expenses. 

Budgeting is another realistic encounter when it comes to home renovations. Once you’ve been able to prioritise which rooms are more urgent to renovate, estimate and allocate a budget so that your home renovation is not only beneficial but economical as well. 

4). Try To Be Resourceful!

Sometimes, there are a lot of more suitable alternatives compared to our original renovation ideas. 

Perhaps you wanted to purchase a specific type of floorboard from a shop you had in mind, but maybe you can find a cheaper, more sustainable alternative from another shop.

Therefore, it is important to make sure you keep your options open. Do some research and try to find great alternatives for your home renovations.

This way, things that you once thought were urgent may have had a better alternative that can be easily carried out later on. 

Final Thoughts

When it comes to renovating, our excitement often overwhelms us and it becomes difficult to find a starting point. However, don’t forget our four-step guide:

1). Identify the problems, so that you can keep in mind the problems your home renovation should address

2). Draw up an action plan, so you can prioritise your renovation ideas based on the urgent problems and then execute a plan

3). Budget realistically, so that you can make your renovation pursuits both practical, realistic, and economical

4). Be resourceful, so that you can find worthy alternatives to help make your action plan more doable. 

If you are looking for experienced and trustworthy professionals to help you out with each and every step of your period home renovation or extension, look no further than Period Extensions & Designs.

Whether you need help with the design or the actual renovation itself, please call us today at Period Extensions & Designs on (03) 8658 1340 or contact us through our contact form.

Home renovations are expensive so you have to plan them very carefully. When done right, renovations can significantly increase the value of your home.

This means that when you plan your renovation project, you need to be strategic in your approach. As you are investing money on the renovations, you might as well plan it so you add value to your home.

Balance your desired changes with purposely adding features that will increase your property value. We have listed here 8 features you can add to your home when renovating. We hope this helps.

1). Update Your Kitchen

The kitchen is perhaps the most important part of the house that adds the most value. When renovating your kitchen, make sure that you get the most out of your investment.

Some things you need to focus on are:

• Kitchen layout – a free-flowing space, an open layout is ideal. It makes the kitchen look more spacious and feel bigger.
• Repaint – Use neutral clean colours like white, light blues, and the like. Neutral colours make the space appear bigger and cleaner. It is also easier to furnish and decorate.
• Modern appliances – Update all your appliances so your kitchen becomes more modern and functional. Choose some appliances that have bright or attractive colours so they can be both stylish and functional. 

2). Update Or Add Bathroom

A simple bathroom update can elevate your home value significantly. Adding a new one, even more. A few modern touches make a big difference.

An outdated bathroom(s) is a turnoff for homebuyers (just in case you decide to sell). It also does not do you any good aesthetically.

3). Update Your Doors And Windows

New modern doors and windows can totally change the whole look of your home. This is a stylish and affordable way to increase the value of your building and update the aesthetics.

Some popular styles are:

• Metal framed doors and windows for that industrial look.
• Sliding doors
• Entry door windows for a dramatic look.
• Bay windows 
• Skylight and high windows
• Fabricated metal doors
• Carved wooden doors
• Many others

4). Adding A Deck

Adding a simple deck, if allowed, can make your backyard more appealing. It is also practical. Decks can be used as an outdoor living space like outdoor dining, BBQ area, a reading space, exercise deck, etc. They can also add considerable value to your home.

5). Curb Appeal

Your home facade and the front yard is the first thing your guests and potential buyers see – a good first impression is a major influence factor. So make sure you do the following:

• Painting the exterior to give it a fresh look and feel.
• Pave your driveway.
• Landscape your lawn.
• Add outdoor furniture.
• Use feature lighting and nice lighting fixtures.

6). Attic Renovation

Attics are mostly used as a storage space. It is usually a space that you do not show your guests because it is usually messy and full of junk.

If you have an attic, you can turn it into a guest room or a playroom. Make it into a conversational piece, a highlight feature instead of a space that you hide. A simple conversion like this can add so much value to your home.

7). Add a Family Room

Adding a new family room can increase your home value between five to ten per cent, maybe a little bit more if it is done well. 

Providing a versatile room where the family can hang out, watch tv and spend most of the time relaxing and enjoying each others company is a great investment and renovation idea.

8). Update Rooms

Small and simple updates to your rooms will greatly increase your home value. Here are some things you can do to change the look and overall aesthetics:

• Update the paint job. Some fresh new colours will make a big difference.
• Update or paint the doors and windows.
• Change outdated lighting fixtures. Invest in great lighting. It makes your rooms look a lot more classy.
• Update the upholstery on your furniture.
• Update your appliances.

Important Tip:

Find a high-quality builder that you can consult with and include in the design, planning and building stages. This is important so you can set a realistic budget and stick to it. Engaging with a professional design and build team is the best option.

If you are looking for experienced and trustworthy professionals to help you out with each and every step of your period home renovation or extension, look no further than Period Extensions & Designs.

Whether you need help with the design or the actual renovation itself, please call us today at Period Extensions & Designs on (03) 8658 1340 or contact us through our contact form.

Are you thinking of remodelling your home? Do you want to add an extension, but aren’t sure if this is the best choice for you? If you’re not sure which way to go, please continue reading as we discuss the options in the article below.

Carrying out home extensions will offer you a wide range of advantages and benefits from navigating away from the daunting housing market to even saving a little bit of cash in your wallet.

That’s why we’re here to tell you all about the benefits of home extensions! Keep on reading to learn more!

Benefits Of Home Extensions

Home extensions are a great way for you to increase your living space, especially when you’ve already outgrown what you currently have. 

This can be considered a fairly practical decision because you won’t need to invest in purchasing a new house as you’ll simply be adding to your existing home.

As such, there are many benefits with building an extension, and here are just a few of them:

1). Cost And Time Effective

By adding an extension to your home, you eliminate the need to purchase a completely new home. You can instead spend your money upgrading your current home so that you can save more money over the long-term.

Furthermore, with the money that you save, you can then invest that in upgrading the interior of your brand new home extension. This means you can kill two birds with the one stone.

What’s more, installing a home extension is not only cost-efficient but time-efficient as well.

You can save time by not having to endure the whole process of putting your house on the market, selling it, going house hunting, and having to transfer furniture etc to your newly purchased home, and all the other stress and inconvenience that comes with moving. 

2). Value Increase

Adding an extension is not just cost-effective and time-efficient, but it increases the market value of your home as well. 

Adding or building a new room or space in your house means that the square meterage will increase and that the functions of your home are more expanded. As such, you add monetary value to your home thus making it an investment.

However, remember: make sure that the value that you add to your home is more than the cost of the renovation project itself to ensure that it really is cost-effective and makes economic sense. 

3). Completely Personalised

It’s vitally important that your home is suited to your needs and to your vision of what makes a great home. As such, adding a home extension can help further personalise your home so that it reflects your tastes and style.

This includes how much space is necessary, how the architectural design comes out and what the interior will look like to name a few things. 

The best thing about home extensions and if permits allow, they can be flexible. They are specifically tailored and catered to your individual needs and requirements, which makes them a very attractive option.

What Are The Other Advantages Of Home Extensions?

We’ve looked at the three main benefits of home extensions above, but there are also a few more advantages we’ll quickly touch on below: 

1). Adding a home extension eliminates having to be involved in the complications and intricacies of the housing market in which the timing of buying and selling are absolutely crucial.

2). You won’t have to negotiate a mortgage in a credit-crunch environment.

3). You won’t need to compromise on the benefits and advantages of your current home compared to moving into a new house in which you may have to compromise on certain features and start from scratch.

4). You can still continue to live in the neighbourhood that you have grown to become comfortable and familiar with.

5). Your space is truly yours—one that you have specifically designed and created to feel proud in.

Final Thoughts

Whether you want to add more monetary value to your home or create more space there is a multitude of benefits that adding an extension to your home can offer you, both in the short-term and long-term. 

You can avoid a number of inconveniences such as having to take out another mortgage and dealing with the intricacies of buying and selling in a volatile housing market, through to having to move furniture the extra expenses incurred in the whole process. 

Nonetheless, home extensions can be both effective and convenient and are definitely worth considering if you are looking to increase your space.

If you are looking for experienced and trustworthy professionals to help you out with each and every step of your period home renovation and extension, look no further than Period Extensions & Designs.

Whether you need help with the design or the actual renovation itself, please call us today at Period Extensions & Designs on (03) 8658 1340 or contact us through our contact form.