Certified owner builders would be fully aware that renovating a property is no walk in the park and there are a few things to be aware of before you renovate to ensure there are no great surprises when you’re elbow deep in plaster board and paint tins.
We’ve outlined our top things to be aware of for any new owner builders looking to jump into the world of home renovation.
It’s going to get messy
The truth of the matter is that if you’re going to be living on site for the duration of your build or renovation it’s going to get very messy.
Owner builders who are certified should be well aware of the dust and mess that will inevitably fill your home and consider commercial cleaning at the end of the build to try and get the dust and mess out of the property. Keeping your site clean and free from mess is a full time job and it will be an ongoing task for you to keep the property clean during the renovation process.
If you’re living on site you may need to create one room that isn’t a work zone
Owner builders and families living on site can bare the brunt of a fairly intense time of mess and noise, so if you are having to live on site during the renovation put aside one room or a space that is free from mess and renovation so you can escape to an area of serenity.
Your build may be a long process so making the work a gradual process when you’re living on site is a good option rather than living in a bombsite for months upon end.
You’re going to live like you’re camping
When living in a renovation site licenced owner builders will usually have to ensure a period without water and possibly electricity. Purchasing portable lights while new light fittings are being installed and stocking up on bottled water during bathroom and kitchen renovations will allow you to live onsite with some of the essentials.
Your timeline will blow out
No matter how structured your plan is and no matter how much experience you have as an owner builder your time frame will be longer than what you expect – whether it be weeks or months – so be prepared for this. Soldering on and focusing on the big picture is essential for surviving the plaster dust and mess.
Changes are inevitable
No matter how many times you have viewed your plans ahead of commencing, things will change as the build takes place. The features you thought you understood in 3D plans will be altered when the renovation is underway and you will want to change things on the fly as you see them. As experienced as you may be as an owner builder, these changes happen and you should be prepared for variations and updates to your plans.
You will be exhausted
After weeks or months of renovation, owner builders will want to throw in the towel once at the very least and your social life will grind to a screeching halt. Renovating your own home is exhausting and you will have little to no energy left at the end of the process. Prepare to work your tail off night and day when you’re an owner builder and expect barely any sleep as you embark on early starts and long days.
The best part of being a certified owner builder and undertaking a renovation project is that when you’re done, all going well, you will have an incredible property with added value that you can either sell for a profit or enjoy with your family.
Prospective NSW owner builders and QLD owner builders now have the option of undertaking an online course to get their qualification quickly and simply online.
If you’re passionate about renovating and looking to become an owner builder we have the qualification to suit your needs. We offer a fair trading approved certification via an online owner builder course that is suitable for NSW and QLD residents. To find out more click here to discover everything you need to know about becoming an owner builder today.