9 ways to make your home renovation dream come true

It’s no secret that renovating your home has the potential to cost a lot of money. But it doesn’t have to. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to spruce up your space without spending a fortune.

Whether you want to revamp your kitchen, add a new outdoor entertainment area, or completely redo the whole place, a successful and budget-friendly renovation is all in the planning.

From quotes to cutting and comparing the top personal loans, here are 9 ways to make your home reno dreams come true:

First things first, you’ll want to collate some inspiration pics for new ideas to help bring your vision to life. Jump on Pinterest and create a home reno inspo board to save pics of homes you love. 

The same goes for Instagram – If you happen to come across any pics you like while scrolling through Insta, chuck ‘em into a saved folder to return to later. You may even find examples of how to do certain tweaks on a budget or DIY.

Once you’ve got an idea of what you want to do, determine how much it’ll cost you and what you can afford to spend. We suggest making a list of all your dream reno ideas and ordering them by priority – that way, you know what to splurge on and want to skimp on.

Set a clear budget to help you make informed decisions and avoid overspending. We suggest you leave a bit of buffer room to cover any unavoidable unexpected costs that may pop up along the way. Just make sure to set an absolute maximum spending limit so you don’t blow the bank. 

• Use our free budget calculator tool to help determine your budget

Take the time to properly research materials, appliances, and suppliers. Shop around for deals, and don't be afraid to ask for a discount. What’s the worst that could happen? They say no. 

You won’t know unless you ask, so always negotiate! Sometimes, last season's stock can be just as good at a fraction of the price.

On that note, always get at least three quotes when hiring contractors to ensure you’re getting a fair price. The more quotes you have, the more choice and negotiating power you have. 

It often helps to go by word of mouth, so ask around or check out any online reviews to weed out any duds.

“Measure twice, cut once” – an old proverb (from my year 7 textiles teacher).

There’s nothing more infuriating than having to make countless trips to Bunnings, which could’ve been avoided if you just listened to your partner and made a dang shopping list!! *sigh* …(triggered).

Keep a shopping list and any important measurements in your phone for reference. Not only will it save you time, petrol and money (and your sanity), but it’ll also save you from getting a big-fat, “I told ya so!” when you walk in the door with the wrong thing.

It also means you can get in and out of the store with exactly what you need and *hopefully* nothing more. And no, you probs don’t need another set of fairy lights!

Don’t underestimate your ability to “do it yourself”. When it comes to DIY, YouTube is your secret weapon. That being said, we certainly don’t recommend you attempt any electrical work or other potentially dangerous tasks requiring an expert. 

But for something a little more low risk, like painting or re-grouting tiles – you could potentially save a few extra pennies by doing it yourself.

Instead of buying everything brand new, see if there’s anything you can reuse or repurpose. Rather than ripping out your current kitchen cabinets and replacing them with a pricy new set, you could get away with a fresh lick of paint or some modern door handles.

Just because it’s not brand new doesn’t mean it’s not new to you! If you’re after some new pieces to freshen up your space, then consider checking out second-hand stores, online marketplaces and garage sales. 

Not only could you find something unique that adds character to your place, but it’ll probs cost you a fraction of the price.

Tip: It helps to keep an open mind when it comes to vintage shopping. An old bath could make for the perfect rustic outdoor planter. Carve out a disco ball, and you’ve got a shiny new vase. The possibilities are endless!

Looking for a way to fund your home reno project? If you don’t have the savings to pay for everything upfront, you might consider taking out a personal loan to cover the costs. If so, don’t just sign up for the first loan you find – make sure to shop around for a competitive deal. You can compare options with Mozo’s free personal loan comparison tool. 

Here are a few personal loan options to check out below: