Don’t Forget to Factor in These Six Renovation Costs

It’s a sad fact, but many renovation projects involving home additions in Sydney end up going over budget. Even the best-laid plans can go awry and can add to the costs even if you have been sensible and allocated a generous contingency fund. 

There are a number of hidden costs which many renovators simply don’t consider, so to avoid your building project suffering the same fate, don’t forget to factor in these six renovation expenses. 

1.       Rubbish Disposal 

You may think that we can’t catch you out on this one as you’ve already factored in the rate for a skip to take away the rubbish at the end of your project. But do you really know how much rubbish you’re going to create? 

Most projects, especially large ones such as a house addition in Sydney generate significant amounts of rubbish that will need to be disposed of safely. So, it may be prudent to budget for collections at strategic points throughout the project or for a larger skip than you think you need. 

2.       Heaters or Dehumidifiers

New walls and floors are likely to need a heater or dehumidifier to help the drying process by removing the excess moisture in the air. Depending on the climate you live in, and the time of year, this could take anything from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. Plus, you’ll need to add in the extra electricity costs for running them. 

3.       Your Electricity Bill

And talking of extra electricity usage, if your project is extensive there’s going to be extra energy costs involved. Just think of all the power tools being used, even if they are rechargeable, the tradies are likely to need to charge them on the job. 

4.       Refinishing Internal Carpentry 

If you’re having an extension added to your home, there may be some expenses involved with rehanging or refitting existing internal doors that may have swelled up due to raised humidity levels throughout the house. Don’t forget to add in costings for this eventuality.

5.       A Deep Clean

You’ll not only want your new extension to be clean enough to move into, but you may need to deep clean other areas of your home which have attracted dust from renovation and demolition work. 

6.       Fixing Your Garden

Building work can have a significant impact on your outside areas, especially if they’ve been used to accommodate skips, materials and machinery. Factor in the cost of making good turf, replanting and possibly fixing fences, so it doesn’t come as a nasty surprise. 

Overestimation is Better than Underestimation

Taking time to consider these things and budget accordingly will help to keep your project costs on track. And if you’ve overestimated, you’ll have a nice surprise when it comes to pay your final bill, rather than a shock when you have to dig deep in your pockets to make up the shortfall.