Renovating
Buying a Home to Renovate a Top Priority: 2017 Houzz Survey
New homebuyers are leading the charge when it comes to renovating in Australia, as the 2017 Houzz & Home survey reveals
Recent Australian homebuyers are driving the renovation market in Australia, according to the latest Houzz & Home survey, just out. As well as being twice as likely to renovate, new homeowners’ renovations are also larger in scope. We’re all spending more on our renovations, whether we’ve just bought a house or have been saving our pennies until we can afford to improve the home we’ve been living in for some time. The average renovation in 2016 cost $66,900, versus $64,600 in 2015. The biggest challenge? Sticking to the budget.
Read on for more results from the Houzz & Home survey – some are sure to surprise you.
Read on for more results from the Houzz & Home survey – some are sure to surprise you.
What are we renovating?
Kitchens, living/family rooms and bathrooms were the most renovated rooms, in that order, followed by bedrooms and laundries. As for renovation costs, we outlay an average $22,600 for a large kitchen renovation (over 10 square metres), while renovating a smaller kitchen cost an average $14,600. Master bathrooms larger than 5 square metres cost an average $13,300, while smaller bathrooms cost an average $10,300. Larger laundries (more than 5 square metres) cost an average $5700, versus $2800 for those with space constraints.
We spent an average $6500 on living/family rooms in 2016, and $2800 on bedrooms,
Kitchens, living/family rooms and bathrooms were the most renovated rooms, in that order, followed by bedrooms and laundries. As for renovation costs, we outlay an average $22,600 for a large kitchen renovation (over 10 square metres), while renovating a smaller kitchen cost an average $14,600. Master bathrooms larger than 5 square metres cost an average $13,300, while smaller bathrooms cost an average $10,300. Larger laundries (more than 5 square metres) cost an average $5700, versus $2800 for those with space constraints.
We spent an average $6500 on living/family rooms in 2016, and $2800 on bedrooms,
Why now?
Finally having the time and money is the reason most homeowners renovated in 2016, despite having wanted to do it all along. Other reasons were to customise the home to their needs, to adapt to recent changes in their family or lifestyle, and to repair damage due to the house deteriorating over time or due to pests such as termites.
Finally having the time and money is the reason most homeowners renovated in 2016, despite having wanted to do it all along. Other reasons were to customise the home to their needs, to adapt to recent changes in their family or lifestyle, and to repair damage due to the house deteriorating over time or due to pests such as termites.
How do we pay for it?
Just 15 per cent of renovations are paid for by refinancing the mortgage. Instead, the majority of homeowners (79 per cent) save up to pay for renovations, or spend cash.
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Just 15 per cent of renovations are paid for by refinancing the mortgage. Instead, the majority of homeowners (79 per cent) save up to pay for renovations, or spend cash.
Browse more bathroom photos
Renovation challenges
Staying on budget was a challenge for 34 per cent of homeowners who have recently renovated, followed closely by finding the right service providers and sourcing the right materials. Defining their own style and funding the project were other challenges.
Staying on budget was a challenge for 34 per cent of homeowners who have recently renovated, followed closely by finding the right service providers and sourcing the right materials. Defining their own style and funding the project were other challenges.
Who do we hire to help?
As for the professionals homeowners turned to for help during their renovation during the past year, electricians and plumbers topped the most-hired list. Carpenters, cabinet makers and painters were next most popular in terms of being hired, followed by flooring specialists, tilers and builders. Again, recent homebuyers were most likely to hire a professional (92 per cent), compared with soon-to-be sellers and long-term owners (88 per cent).
As for the professionals homeowners turned to for help during their renovation during the past year, electricians and plumbers topped the most-hired list. Carpenters, cabinet makers and painters were next most popular in terms of being hired, followed by flooring specialists, tilers and builders. Again, recent homebuyers were most likely to hire a professional (92 per cent), compared with soon-to-be sellers and long-term owners (88 per cent).
Finding the right tradie
Hiring the right person for the job can be daunting, so it’s no surprise almost 70 per cent of renovators relied on recommendations and reviews to make their selection. Price was the least important factor in choosing a professional to help with the renovation, with just 22 per cent of respondents saying price came into the equation. What did impress homeowners were communication and organisation skills, and whether a tradesperson or home professional had relevant experience. Personality also came into play.
Hiring the right person for the job can be daunting, so it’s no surprise almost 70 per cent of renovators relied on recommendations and reviews to make their selection. Price was the least important factor in choosing a professional to help with the renovation, with just 22 per cent of respondents saying price came into the equation. What did impress homeowners were communication and organisation skills, and whether a tradesperson or home professional had relevant experience. Personality also came into play.
What’s on the renovation horizon?
More than half of the renovators who responded to the survey are planning further renovations this year, with painting, window treatments and lighting topping to-do lists. More than 90 per cent of renovators plan to hire a home professional in the coming months.
More than half of the renovators who responded to the survey are planning further renovations this year, with painting, window treatments and lighting topping to-do lists. More than 90 per cent of renovators plan to hire a home professional in the coming months.
The 2017 Houzz & Home survey gathered information from 187,328 respondents worldwide and 9924 respondents in Australia, representing the activity of the more than 40 million monthly unique Houzz users.
Your say
Have you renovated recently? Share your advice and photos with upcoming renovators in the Comments below.
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Browse more home design photos
Your say
Have you renovated recently? Share your advice and photos with upcoming renovators in the Comments below.
More
Browse more home design photos
Improving the look and feel of the home was high on the list of priorities for 74 per cent of renovators, with an equal percentage of people renovating to improve the functionality of their homes.
Increasing resale value was a significant driver for 46 per cent of the 9924 survey respondents, while improving energy efficiency was important for 42 per cent. Other priorities included: incorporating ‘green’ materials into the home, integrating smart technology, and addressing health concerns.