number crunch Can you really afford to renovate?
Personal finance commentator, financial literacy campaigner and author Effie Zahos is @effiezahos
The prospect of renovating can be very exciting – less so the task of sitting down to draw up a budget. Yet this is a must-do. It shows what you’ll be up for in costs and how much you need to outlay at different stages of the job, and it gives you a clear picture of what is – and isn’t – affordable. Understanding what you have to spend lets you scale your plans up or down in line with your finances.
To draw up a budget, compare prices of fittings and fixtures, gather quotes from builders (preferably at least three) and, crucially, talk with your builder to be sure you’re both on the same page when it comes to details such as the type of cornices you might want, which can impact the cost.
Importantly, you need to add some wiggle room. Whether it’s the Italian-glass light fittings that get damaged in transit, or your builder discovering the floor isn’t level halfway through the project, renovations have a habit of going over budget. Allowing for the unexpected can help you assess if you can afford to complete the
