We were recently interviewed for an article on our business and to give advice on tips and tricks for people who might want to undergo their own renovations, but don't know where to start.
Below are the questions we were asked, and the answers we provided.
Hope they are helpful to anyone reading this that is thinking of renovating!
What prompted you and Jesse to start The Reno Life? How did it eventuate?
After realising we had built a couple of houses without any documentation for our own memories, Katrina decided to start an Instagram account mid 2018 to document ‘living the reno life’. It was used sporadically to keep family and friends updated on our projects, which led to those family and friends asking us for floor plan and renovation advice on their own homes.
Realising that unless you completely know what you want, or have tens of thousands of dollars to work with an architect, people have limited options for help when it comes to designing their homes. This realisation, along with a passion for budget and builder friendly renovations, people using what they have and functionality over form, led to us offering floor plan and spatial design services to our Instagram followers of 2,000 people in March 2021. This quickly grew to the business we have today, with 44k followers, and clients all over Australia, New Zealand and the USA – around 700 since launching almost 4 years ago.
How do you use renovations as a creative outlet for yourself?
People often ask how we could enjoy renovating this much, and Katrina answers it by saying it is a creative outlet for her! A painter wouldn’t want to stop after one painting, and, although it’s on a larger scale, she views each home as a different piece of art. The flow and function of each home is a big jigsaw puzzle to be solved (probably why she enjoys Ravensburger puzzles so much!), each clients’ wish list and family make up is unique, and, for our own projects, the colour and material selections all coming together for something beautiful you get to live your life in is a creative high she loves.
What goes through your head when looking at the potential of a space [e.g. someone wanting to renovate a home that they own]?
So many things! But first and foremost, a home must function in a really practical way. We think it is so important that each home should suit the way the family wants to live. There should be no wasted space, and we are big believers in using what you have in a creative way, rather than knocking everything out and starting again. We always look at the longer term plan for our clients’ property, as the advice for a long term home renovation versus rental property, for example, would be very different. We also place a lot of importance in the way the home captures natural light and how different spaces make you feel when you are in them.
You mentioned 'using what you have' - can you explain this further?
It can be hard to look past what is there if it is not currently working for you. But our aim is to provide the maximum amount of change and impact, with the least amount of work. Knock down rebuilds and large extensions have become so popular, but we have been able to provide alternatives to these expensive endeavours for so many of our clients; often saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars. Sometimes it just takes a fresh perspective and creative problem solving to see the potential in a home. Our designs can use existing walls, windows, plumbing, and suggest impactful changes that are worth investing in.
What is some advice for people wanting to renovate but aren't sure where to start?
Have a master plan before you begin. Whether for a whole house renovation or one room, a to-scale plan that ensures everything will work and can be communicated clearly will save you thousands. If you’re not sure you have come up with the best use of your space, seek help. A small investment at the beginning will save you so much in time, money and resources, while assuring you get the best possible result without costly do overs. Make a wish list, put together a solid plan, then gather inspiration and set a budget.
What are some tips or tricks when renovating? E.g. how to stay under budget? Are there specific rooms that are more worth the time to renovate than others?
With a master plan, you can start looking out for bargains to help with the budget. Whether it’s for a room that’s being renovated straight away, or down the track, the plan will help you be able to utilise sales for the exact pieces you need and act on the Gumtree and Marketplace bargains you come across. Don’t be afraid of shopping online but also do the leg work locally because often you can find good deals in store.
It’s true what they say about kitchens and bathrooms selling houses, so they are worth putting the extra effort into. That doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune here though. We have lots of tips on social media and our website on how to keep the budget in these areas down and would recommend to everyone that they get multiple quotes for products and services.
Another big tip is to engage trades that have been personally recommended by friends or family and consider what elements of the renovation you may have the skills to do or willingness to learn. DIY is a fantastic way to save money in some areas and we use our social media to inspire people in their own DIY journey.
Are there common mistakes that people make when renovating?
Not having a master plan before they begin. It can be so tempting to get stuck into painting or installing fresh flooring or replacing the windows. But if they haven’t thought through the entire home renovation before doing these things, then you will find your hands are tied down the track with a less-than-ideal layout because you have already spent money.
One we see really often is kitchen locations. Kitchens are often in the wrong location in the home, and a relocation can make the world of difference. But if you have already replaced the old cabinets with new ones, this is a big expense to change. If you are going to put in a new kitchen, it won’t cost you much more to install it in a new location – and it could vastly improve your home layout!
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