2019-02-01_Inside_Out

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY

Y

ou’ve decided to renovate,

finally! You have oodles of

great ideas, a few builders in

mind and your budget sorted.

What could possibly go wrong? Well,

lots, as it happens. Hidden costs can crop

up at every turn, and it’s vital to go into

a reno informed and financially prepared.

That includes understanding all costs

from the very start, according to architect

Scott Weston, owner of Scott Weston

Architecture Design (swad.com.au).

“If a client says, ‘I have $800k to

renovate’, I always ask if that’s their

building budget, or their entire budget,

including everything from council fees

and architectural costs to appliances,”

says Scott. “Their eyes widen when

I start deducting the hidden costs,

which can be around $150-200k,

from their overall budget!”

Here are six things worth planning

for in a large renovation.

the

hidden

costs

of every

reno

Surprise blowouts are

inevitable on most renos, but

there are ways to minimise

them. We ask two experts for

their tips and tricks

WORDS RACHEL SMITH

INSIDE renovation