Setting a realistic renovation budget: five handy tips

The basis of a good renovation budget is setting a realistic one in the first place. Once you do that, you may need a little help sticking to it. Here are a few pointers to help you on your way.

If you’re a complete novice, or simply not very disciplined, now is the time to learn how to budget properly.

Start by reading our budget guide for beginners then learn how to use our budgeting tools:

NAB Money Tracker
Budget Planner Calculator.

A realistic goal, budget or project needs to be SMART.

Specific – what exactly are you spending money on?
Measurable – how much do you need to spend on each item or stage?
Attainable – can you (really) afford it?
Realistic – does it fit into your budget without compromising other expenses.
Timely – is it the right time? Do you need to prioritise other expenses? Will you be able to make payments on time?

Sticking to a budget takes willpower. As painful as it may seem, you need to start practicing patience and may need to start saying no to a few luxuries.

It’s scary how quickly things can add up on renovation projects. And, it’s impossible to set a realistic budget until you get detailed renovation costs and quotes.

There are some helpful renovation budget calculators and cost guides available online. And, they’re free.

Don’t try and guesstimate your costs. If you’re doing a big renovation or extension you absolutely need plans and designs that you can get proper quotes on.

Architects, designers, builders and engineers are the kind of professionals you need to get advice from.

Once you have detailed renovation costs, decide what you must have and what you’re willing to live without.

Get professional advice from your local real estate agent to help figure out where to save and where to splurge. You need to know what will add value to your home in the short and long term.

Avoid spending money that you won’t get back when you sell. That’s called overcapitalising. If you plan to live in the home for the long term it may be less of an issue for you.

Lifestyle blogs and online renovation forums can offer advice on where to spend your renovation budget too. For example, some experts recommend spending 5% of the value of your home on a kitchen and up to 1.5% on your bathroom.

Some builders may offer fixed-price contracts. If their price is more than a standard contract, it’s because they’re taking a risk on any overspend or delays, not you.

It could be worth the extra you pay to know exactly what you have to pay for upfront (and make it much easier to stick to your budget).

If there’s one thing that’s certain in life, it’s that your renovation will cost more than you think.

Even with the most detailed plans and cost guide, the unexpected can happen. It’s recommended you add between 10 and 20% of the cost to your project to your budget.

This buffer helps pay for unexpected costs, like unforseen structural issues or ground works. This is what’s called a 'contingency', and every good renovator should have one.

Important information

The information contained in this article is intended to be of a general nature only. It has been prepared without taking into account any person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, NAB recommends that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances. NAB recommends that you seek independent legal, financial, and taxation advice before acting on any information in this article.