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Yes, You Too Can Have a Career in the Renovation Industry
If so, you've come to the right place – and we’ve got a few ways to help ensure your new path is a success
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We’re launching into a new decade, and with that comes time for some reflection and a look at how we want to live our lives. Do you find yourself longing for more of a work-life balance? To be in charge of your future, in an industry you’re passionate about? If the answer is yes, and you’ve been considering changing careers and taking on a new and exciting venture, then there’s no better time. New year, new you, as they say! But where to start?
Walking away from a secure monthly income isn’t easy, but with the business world changing so rapidly and salary jobs no longer secure in the current climate, it’s down to you to put yourself first and take control of your future.
Interested in escaping the rat race and setting your own destiny? Then read on to find out how you can become a part of a massively expanding and exciting market and fulfil your passion for home design and renovation…
Walking away from a secure monthly income isn’t easy, but with the business world changing so rapidly and salary jobs no longer secure in the current climate, it’s down to you to put yourself first and take control of your future.
Interested in escaping the rat race and setting your own destiny? Then read on to find out how you can become a part of a massively expanding and exciting market and fulfil your passion for home design and renovation…
Why Get Into the Renovation Business?
The home renovation industry has grown – and is still growing – at an incredibly fast pace. In New Zealand, for example, the residential renovation market is an incredible $8.2 billion per year – that’s bigger than the telecommunications market and three times bigger than the entire fast-food market! So, it’s safe to say that it’s a sector that isn’t going to be interrupted any time soon, with homeowners investing in their current property rather than paying the astronomical prices to move.
Chris Caiger, co-founder of building and renovation specialists, Refresh Renovations, agrees: “Combined, Australia and New Zealand have an untapped AUD$40.9 billion market that is expected to keep growing, so that in itself is a huge opportunity and a reason to get into the renovation industry.”
The home renovation industry has grown – and is still growing – at an incredibly fast pace. In New Zealand, for example, the residential renovation market is an incredible $8.2 billion per year – that’s bigger than the telecommunications market and three times bigger than the entire fast-food market! So, it’s safe to say that it’s a sector that isn’t going to be interrupted any time soon, with homeowners investing in their current property rather than paying the astronomical prices to move.
Chris Caiger, co-founder of building and renovation specialists, Refresh Renovations, agrees: “Combined, Australia and New Zealand have an untapped AUD$40.9 billion market that is expected to keep growing, so that in itself is a huge opportunity and a reason to get into the renovation industry.”
What to Expect
Working in home renovation means getting involved in some hugely exciting projects, from new kitchens and bathrooms, to extensions and open-plan spaces. With that comes a number of components to organise, from managing the homeowner’s expectations, to finalising plans with the architect and ensuring tradespeople are carrying out the work effectively – it may be hectic but it’s exciting, it’s innovative and, best of all, it’s hugely collaborative.
If this is the path you see yourself going down, you can be involved every step of the way – but what exactly can you expect from the home reno process? Well, to start with there’s the initial consultation with the homeowner, where you’ll find out what they want to achieve. After that, the brief will need translating into visual concepts, where timelines and any risks or constraints are taken into consideration. Next up, some working drawings and costings will be developed, followed by the build stage and then the finished home reno – and some satisfied customers!
Working in home renovation means getting involved in some hugely exciting projects, from new kitchens and bathrooms, to extensions and open-plan spaces. With that comes a number of components to organise, from managing the homeowner’s expectations, to finalising plans with the architect and ensuring tradespeople are carrying out the work effectively – it may be hectic but it’s exciting, it’s innovative and, best of all, it’s hugely collaborative.
If this is the path you see yourself going down, you can be involved every step of the way – but what exactly can you expect from the home reno process? Well, to start with there’s the initial consultation with the homeowner, where you’ll find out what they want to achieve. After that, the brief will need translating into visual concepts, where timelines and any risks or constraints are taken into consideration. Next up, some working drawings and costings will be developed, followed by the build stage and then the finished home reno – and some satisfied customers!
Could You Be a Business Owner?
So, you’re interested in home renovation, and can see that it’s a smart sector to get involved in, but you’re not sure it’s for you as you don’t have any experience? Well, that’s where a franchise comes in…
With a home renovation franchise, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have existing building or renovation experience, you’ll be invited to put a variety of your existing (and transferable) business skills to use. Perhaps you’re good at project managing, for example, or a whizz at organisation? “In the same way as you would not expect to see the owner of a fast-food restaurant making the food, or a supermarket owner packing the shelves, in a renovation franchise, the franchise owner focusses on running the business and ensuring customer satisfaction, the specialist trades are employed to do the actual building work,“ says Caiger.
Current Refresh Renovations franchisee, Mark Morrison, says he signed up as he wanted more independence and control over his career. “I looked into Refresh and had trust in the people who had put it together,” he says. “The directors are smart, trustworthy guys and I had faith in them, the systems and the people. I weighed it all up and went for it – it’s a massive opportunity that we took advantage of.”
“Our current franchise owners come from a variety of career backgrounds – from IT and hospitality through to architecture,” says Caiger. “What’s important to us is that you are committed to building a successful business, know how to lead a team and are experienced in customer service. We can then provide training and support on the finer details.”
Belonging to a franchise company also offers you a whole load of opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise get. From having the training and support needed to get your business off the ground, to inheriting streamlined processes, and making the most of the company’s experience and group-buying, which means you can keep costs down.
So, you’re interested in home renovation, and can see that it’s a smart sector to get involved in, but you’re not sure it’s for you as you don’t have any experience? Well, that’s where a franchise comes in…
With a home renovation franchise, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have existing building or renovation experience, you’ll be invited to put a variety of your existing (and transferable) business skills to use. Perhaps you’re good at project managing, for example, or a whizz at organisation? “In the same way as you would not expect to see the owner of a fast-food restaurant making the food, or a supermarket owner packing the shelves, in a renovation franchise, the franchise owner focusses on running the business and ensuring customer satisfaction, the specialist trades are employed to do the actual building work,“ says Caiger.
Current Refresh Renovations franchisee, Mark Morrison, says he signed up as he wanted more independence and control over his career. “I looked into Refresh and had trust in the people who had put it together,” he says. “The directors are smart, trustworthy guys and I had faith in them, the systems and the people. I weighed it all up and went for it – it’s a massive opportunity that we took advantage of.”
“Our current franchise owners come from a variety of career backgrounds – from IT and hospitality through to architecture,” says Caiger. “What’s important to us is that you are committed to building a successful business, know how to lead a team and are experienced in customer service. We can then provide training and support on the finer details.”
Belonging to a franchise company also offers you a whole load of opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise get. From having the training and support needed to get your business off the ground, to inheriting streamlined processes, and making the most of the company’s experience and group-buying, which means you can keep costs down.
Calling All Creatives…
If renovations aren’t your niche and you’re more of a creative person, then there’s no reason why you can’t go freelance and work for yourself or contract your services out. Whether it’s as an interior designer, helping to pull decorating schemes together for homeowners and businesses, or as an architect or building designer, there are lots of ways you can get involved in this industry.
There are perks to being your own boss, too – from being in charge of managing your own time, to the variety of jobs, projects and companies you’ll be able to get involved with. All these perks combine to ensure your work days are far from boring!
Of course, with every set of perks, you’d expect some drawbacks, and having to occasionally work unsociable hours, not having an expected steady income and having to put yourself out there to get work are all factors to consider when working for yourself. Don’t be put off though – if you’re organised and motivated, the world is your oyster!
Bonus tip: Still unsure of where you see your career going? Why not have a vision-boarding day, where you pin images, ideas, quotes and logos to a board (or paper) to help you focus on how you want your business to look, where you want it to go, and your overall goal. What is it that will make you stand out from the crowd? What do you want your career to look like years from now? You’ll be surprised how this process will help you gain a clearer idea of what you’d like to achieve.
If renovations aren’t your niche and you’re more of a creative person, then there’s no reason why you can’t go freelance and work for yourself or contract your services out. Whether it’s as an interior designer, helping to pull decorating schemes together for homeowners and businesses, or as an architect or building designer, there are lots of ways you can get involved in this industry.
There are perks to being your own boss, too – from being in charge of managing your own time, to the variety of jobs, projects and companies you’ll be able to get involved with. All these perks combine to ensure your work days are far from boring!
Of course, with every set of perks, you’d expect some drawbacks, and having to occasionally work unsociable hours, not having an expected steady income and having to put yourself out there to get work are all factors to consider when working for yourself. Don’t be put off though – if you’re organised and motivated, the world is your oyster!
Bonus tip: Still unsure of where you see your career going? Why not have a vision-boarding day, where you pin images, ideas, quotes and logos to a board (or paper) to help you focus on how you want your business to look, where you want it to go, and your overall goal. What is it that will make you stand out from the crowd? What do you want your career to look like years from now? You’ll be surprised how this process will help you gain a clearer idea of what you’d like to achieve.
Why a franchise could be for you… Refresh Renovations is the first international design-and-build franchise network to specialise in the renovation market and could be just what you need to start your new career in home renovation. With franchises across New Zealand, Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, Refresh is a franchise that is well established, robust and designed for growth – so you can be sure you are getting on board with a successful company that is looking to the future.
Ready to change your career this year? Find out more about Refresh’s business opportunities here, and click ‘Enquire Now’ to join a helpful seminar led by industry experts. If you have a friend that could be interested, refer them today and you could be rewarded!
Tell us: Are you thinking about launching a career in home renovation?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Ready to change your career this year? Find out more about Refresh’s business opportunities here, and click ‘Enquire Now’ to join a helpful seminar led by industry experts. If you have a friend that could be interested, refer them today and you could be rewarded!
Tell us: Are you thinking about launching a career in home renovation?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Refresh's role is to deliver the renovation of your dreams, within your budget. If you want the very best... Read More
Refresh's role is to deliver the renovation of your dreams, within your budget. If you want the very best... Read More
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