Don't be left in the dark on renovations

By By Nhada Larkin, From: News Limited newspapers, 9 February 2010

NEARLY 75 per cent of homeowners expect to renovate in the near future, so it's important to remember that research and information can protect you from financial disaster.

If renovating turns into a nightmare because of poor workmanship from tradespeople, you can seek assistance through your state's department of consumer affairs or fair trading.

However, careful planning and thorough research can go a long way to avoiding time and cost blow-outs.

The Renovator's Survival Guide author Amanda Falconer says people who don't get detailed plans done, leave choosing fittings until the last minute or just change their mind on things, will often encounter difficulties.

"One of the key things to remember is that as consumers we actually can drive a lot of those cost and time blow-outs. It's often not the builder that causes that,'' she says.

Ms Falconer says it's very important to choose the right builder. Thorough checking will help find the best one.

Referrals from friends or family or even just walking around your suburb and asking for names from other renovators will give you a list to start with.

Ms Falconer says you should ask builders for contact details of previous clients. Talk to those people and see the work they had done.

"And if you're not really an expert in building then engage an independent building consultant to audit the quality of the work your builder's doing,'' she says.

An Archicentre online poll of 524 homeowners conducted in December found 74.4 per cent would renovate in the next two years.

Archicentre chief executive Mark Stewart says avoiding a renovation disaster starts with knowing what you want to achieve and planning the renovation within a budget.

"The planning and subsequent specification stages are vital as they provide the foundation for the scope of the project, accurate costing, quality of the build and assessment of the value that will be added to the property,'' he says.

"Under no circumstances should people pay large amounts of money up front or allow work to start without a quality contract where the price and quality of finish or paint work, tiles, cladding materials and fittings such as taps are accurately specified.''

Mr Stewart says all tradespeople should be licensed and consumers should be wary of those who offer a discount for cash, as they may cut corners during elements of their work or use some inferior products.

Archicentre says people wanting to renovate for financial return should:

* Buy a property that has been checked to ensure it is structurally sound and free from termites and other pests.

* Assess the financial potential with a design and cost analysis before buying.

* Ensure the structure is capable of supporting the renovation or extension.

* Check planning regulations to avoid costly appeals.

* Ensure the design, finishes and fittings are appropriate and that they do not over-capitalise the property.

* Deliver any current lifestyle requirements that are being demanded by the market.

The Master Builders Association also recommends people check with their state's department of consumer affairs or fair trading if they keep a register of builders there have been past issues with.

"The most important thing is to have a solid dispute settlement mechanism in the contract so if a dispute arises there's a clear and enunciated way to resolve it,'' it says.