Australians spend billions on renovations each quarter. Now, you’ve decided it’s time. The house feels tired. The kitchen’s stuck in the 90s. The bathroom tiles are older than your kids. Maybe the kids have even moved out, and the place finally feels like yours again. You’re ready to make it amazing.
But like most things in life, a little preparation goes a long way.
Without planning a home renovation, budgets blow out, and deadlines come and go.
A smart home renovation plan lays out the following:
- What you want to change
- Why it matters
- What your budget and timeline can realistically handle
It starts with your goals. Do you want better flow or more natural light? Or maybe a serious upgrade to your bathroom?
Then, it brings in the professionals early, a team that understands development applications, structural issues, and how to avoid overcapitalising in your area.
With the right home renovation plan, you stay on track and end up with a home that feels right, not rushed.
Here’s how to plan a home renovation.
Setting Your Renovation Goals and Budget with Careful Planning
First, let’s talk goals. Not the vague “make it nicer” kind. We mean real, concrete goals that answer this: What do you actually want to change?
Maybe it’s a bigger kitchen. Maybe it’s a layout that works for your lifestyle. Whatever the vision, it needs to live on paper before it lives in your house.
Now comes the slightly trickier part: bringing that vision to life without running over budget.
This is where many home renovation projects start strong…and then come unstuck halfway through because no one priced in moving the plumbing or found out about the development application required to remove a structural wall.
So what’s the most expensive thing when renovating a house? It depends on your scope, but in most cases:
- Kitchen and bathroom renovations top the list. Why? They involve trades like plumbing, electrical, tiling, and custom cabinetry.
- Structural changes (like wall removals or extensions) add cost too, especially if you need new support beams or roof work.
When you’re planning a home renovation, the secret is to stay grounded. Prioritise your non-negotiables first. If open-plan living is essential, maybe you compromise on benchtop material or reuse some cabinetry. That’s how you make your budget work without sacrificing your goals.
Creating a Successful Home Renovation Timeline Step-by-Step
Your home renovation won’t happen overnight. It’s unlikely to be finished in weeks either. If we’re being realistic, most major renovation projects take months from concept to completion. And that’s not a bad thing. A well-paced timeline gives you room to think, plan, and avoid mistakes you can’t plaster over later.
So how do you build a timeline that doesn’t leave you frustrated or stuck without a working bathroom for six weeks?
Here’s how to plan your home renovation timeline:
- Start with your scope
Are you knocking out walls or updating a bathroom? A full house renovation might take six to 12 months. A kitchen or bathroom might be three. The bigger the job, the longer the lead time, especially for council approvals or development applications. - Lock in design early
Your building designer or interior designer will need time to draw plans and ensure everything meets planning regulations. Getting this right up front prevents delays once construction starts. - Book your builder and trades
Great licensed tradespeople get booked out fast. You’ll need a project manager or builder to coordinate electrical and plumbing work, tiling, flooring, cabinetry, and finishes, plus lead time for materials. - Prepare for approvals
Some changes (like altering structural walls or adding new rooms) will require approval from your local council. This can take weeks or longer if additional documentation is needed. - Plan your build in order
In what order should you renovate a house? Start with demolition and structural work. Next, handle electrical and plumbing rough-ins. Then, walls, floors, cabinetry, and finally, your fixtures and finishes. Outdoor areas come last once heavy work is done.
Choosing the Right Professionals for Your Project
Even the best home renovation plan won’t get far without the right people bringing it to life. A renovation is only as good as the professionals behind it. With the right team, you get a higher-quality finish, fewer delays, and far less stress along the way.
Whatever your vision, choose experts who understand both design and function. At Navigate Interiors, we bring boutique designs together with experienced builders and licensed tradespeople to deliver renovations that work. And if you’re wondering who draws plans for renovations, that’s typically your building designer or interior designer, depending on the scale of the work.
Here’s what to look for when choosing your renovation team:
- Experience with similar renovation projects to the one you have planned
- Clear communication and a client-first approach to service
- Strong portfolio of recent, real-world work
- Licensing and knowledge of local building codes and approvals
Want to see what we mean? Explore our past projects to see how we turn careful planning into exceptional results.
3 Key Factors to Consider for a Smooth Renovation Journey
Here’s how to plan for a home renovation that runs as smoothly as possible:
- Be realistic
We love ambition, but your home renovation needs to match your budget, timeline, and house structure. Want open-plan living? Great. Just know removing timber beams or load-bearing walls takes more time, approvals, and cost than moving a few light fixtures. - Expect the unexpected
Even with careful planning, unexpected costs pop up, think old plumbing work, hidden moisture damage, or changes required by council permits. Keep a buffer (around 10 to 15% of your budget) to cover your costs when surprises show up. - Trust your team
A solid project manager, a licensed builder, and a skilled interior designer will save you stress, time, and repeat work. At Navigate Interiors, we bring the team so you don’t have to chase one down mid-project.
Renovation Planning? Bring It to Life with Navigate Interiors
You now know how to plan a home renovation project. Ready to turn your ideas into something real? At Navigate Interiors, we combine smart design with practical know-how to help you renovate with confidence. Let’s build a home you love together. Reach out to our friendly team today to start your project.
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