This is an exciting milestone – your very first home! Finally, you can paint the walls, decorate and renovate however you like. Many first-time homeowners are so eager to alter their property that they miss some of the practical things that come with it. Before you get straight into it, here’s a few things people often forget to tell you before you start your renovation work.
Live in the space before making big design decisions
Taking the time to see how you use your new home will likely be very different to how you originally imagined. Once you see which rooms you use the most, how the sun travels around the home and get a better feel for what needs attention first, you’ll have a much better plan, and you’ll be much happier with each renovation project.
Small maintenance jobs prevent bigger costs later
These are the small maintenance jobs you’ll want to start with. It’s the essentials that are worth putting the effort into, so you at least have the basics functioning first.
- Squeaky hinges and locks – before replacing doors or hardware, try a few drops of your 3-IN-ONE Drip Oil on hinges, locks and latches. Many squeaks and stiff mechanisms can be sorted quickly.
Set aside a contingency budget
Having a renovation contingency budget that’s between 10–20% of your total renovation budget will no doubt come in handy. The older the property and the more extensive the work, the larger that buffer should be.
- Cosmetic updates or newer homes: 5–10%
- Older properties (50+ years): 15–20%
- Structural alterations or extensions: 15–20%
If you don’t need it, great! If you do, you’ll be glad it’s there. A contingency budget can be the difference between a small setback and a renovation that gets left over a year.
Prioritise electrics, plumbing and structural work first
Test the very bones of the house first. Use every shower and bath, flush every toilet, and put the washing machine, dishwasher, oven and boiler through their paces. It’s better to uncover problems now than halfway through decorating.
- Toilet leaks – look behind the toilet to check for loose nuts and bolts. If they’re rusty, apply a little Drip Oil, work it in, wipe away any excess and tighten with a spanner or screwdriver. If the leak continues, it’s time to call a plumber. This should be high on your renovation list.
- Sticking stop taps – if your water shut-off valve is stiff or difficult to turn, a small amount of Drip Oil can help free up surface rust and get it moving again. Turn it gently back and forth rather than forcing it.
- Cracks in walls – hairline cracks are annoying but they’re common. Keep an eye on them for a few weeks. If they’re widening, running diagonally or appearing around doors and windows, get professional advice before starting cosmetic work.
- Electrical issues – flickering lights, warm sockets or tripping circuits should always be checked by a qualified electrician.
- Damp and condensation – look for peeling paint, musty smells and dark patches around windows, ceilings and external walls. Improving ventilation and identifying the source early will save you time and money.
- Rusty fixings and hardware – from gate hinges to old brackets in sheds and garages, Drip Oil can help loosen seized fixings and protect metal parts while you decide whether they need repairing or replacing.
Getting these essentials sorted first gives you a solid foundation for everything else that follows.
Don’t start every room at once
Trust the 3-IN-ONE team, we mean it when we say it’s a mistake to renovate every room at the same time. It leads to overspending and half-finished everything.
Start with rooms that involve sizeable plumbing work or fixed installations, like your kitchens and bathrooms. These renovations create the most disruption and tend to take the longest, so it’s best to get them out of the way before moving on to decorating or fitting new flooring elsewhere.
If your kitchen and bathrooms don’t need work, go for the top-to-bottom renovation style instead. This is where you work on the rooms furthest from the front door and make your way forward to prevent dust spreading and renovations spilling into other areas.
More about 3-IN-ONE
To get started on your renovation, make sure you’re armed with all your 3-IN-ONE products to make lubricating, cleaning and preventing rust quick and easy. Visit our Amazon shop to get them online or use our retailer finder on our website to get yours in store.
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