The most expensive renovation decisions are made well before you start building

When you’re preparing to invest hundreds of thousands, or even millions, into a renovation, it’s natural to scrutinise every cost before construction begins.

Architect or building designer fees. Interior design. Engineering. Consultants. Building approvals. 

It can feel like a whole lot of money going out before anything tangible has even been built. And with a huge construction investment ahead, the planning phase can feel like the obvious place to reduce costs.

But…. The planning phase is not separate from your construction investment.  It’s literally the thing that protects it!

Long before your builder arrives on site, decisions are being made that will determine what they ultimately have to price and build.

The size and layout of your home. Structural requirements. Kitchen and bathroom locations. Joinery. Materials. Detailing. Services. Construction documentation… The list goes on.

Every single decision has a direct cost attached to it.

Good renovation planning is about making those decisions at the right time, when there’s still a chance to understand their impact, adjust them, challenge them and make informed choices before they reach site.

The lowest fee isn’t always the lowest-cost decision

Structural engineering is a simple example.

Imagine comparing two engineering proposals, with one costing $1,000 less.

Naturally, many people would think that the lower quote would appear to be the better financial decision.

But a structural engineer isn’t simply producing drawings. They’re making decisions that will influence a huge chunk of your construction cost.

The better question isn’t:

“Which engineer has the lowest fee?”

It’s:

“Which engineer is best equipped to deliver the right solution for this project?”

That means someone who works collaboratively with your planning team and your builder, and considers buildability and structural efficiency as part of the solution.

Because a $1,000 difference in professional fees becomes really insignificant if one structural decision costs tens of thousands more to build.

If you want to protect your overall budget, invest in the early planning phase

We know.. it sounds counterintuitive, but one of the most effective ways to reduce the overall cost of your renovation is to invest more thought, time and expertise before construction begins.

The decisions made in the first few months of a project will almost always have a greater impact on your budget than the decisions made during the build itself.

That’s why we encourage our clients not to view planning as a hurdle to get through, but as the foundation of a successful renovation.

Planning a renovation?

At Sunday Homes, we work with homeowners long before construction starts.  We look at every project holistically, considering how the decisions made early will influence what comes later.

If you’re at the beginning of your renovation journey, we’d love to help you lay the right foundations from day one.