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    • About Us
      • Magic Story
    • Why Choose Us
      • How We Work With You
      • 7 Build Mistakes to Avoid
    • Our Guarantee
    • Gallery
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Magic Story
  • Why Choose Us
    • How We Work With You
    • 7 Build Mistakes to Avoid
  • Our Guarantee
  • Gallery

7 Common Renovation Mistakes Homeowners Make — And How to Avoid Them

Renovating your home can be an exciting journey — the chance to transform your space and improve your lifestyle. But for many homeowners, it also comes with unexpected setbacks, budget blowouts, and stressful delays. After years in the renovation industry, I’ve seen first-hand the common mistakes people make — and more importantly, how to avoid them.


In this guide, I’ll walk you through 7 of the most frequent renovation pitfalls and how you can confidently sidestep them to ensure a smooth, successful project.

The Mistake 

Many homeowners only consider material and labour costs, forgetting to account for things like permits, demolition, rubbish removal, design changes, or uncovering hidden problems (like water damage or asbestos).


How to Avoid It                            

  • Create a detailed budget that includes all possible line items.
  • Add a 15–20

The Mistake 

Many homeowners only consider material and labour costs, forgetting to account for things like permits, demolition, rubbish removal, design changes, or uncovering hidden problems (like water damage or asbestos).


How to Avoid It                            

  • Create a detailed budget that includes all possible line items.
  • Add a 15–20% contingency to cover unexpected expenses.
  • Speak with your builder early to get realistic cost estimates, not just ballpark figures.

The Mistake 

Jumping into demolition or ordering materials before the design and layout are finalised often leads to costly changes and regret down the road.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Spend time in the planning phase to make confident, informed decisions.
  • Finalise your design, layout, and selections before work begins.
  • Work w

The Mistake 

Jumping into demolition or ordering materials before the design and layout are finalised often leads to costly changes and regret down the road.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Spend time in the planning phase to make confident, informed decisions.
  • Finalise your design, layout, and selections before work begins.
  • Work with a builder who encourages pre-construction planning and provides guidance through the design phase.

The Mistake 

Hiring a contractor based on the lowest price or without doing proper background checks can lead to poor workmanship, missed deadlines, or even legal issues.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Look for a builder with experience in renovations, not just new builds.
  • Ask for references, licenses, insurance, and a portfolio 

The Mistake 

Hiring a contractor based on the lowest price or without doing proper background checks can lead to poor workmanship, missed deadlines, or even legal issues.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Look for a builder with experience in renovations, not just new builds.
  • Ask for references, licenses, insurance, and a portfolio of past work.
  • Choose a builder who listens, communicates clearly, and understands your goals.

The Mistake 

Some homeowners try to cut corners by skipping council permits or approvals. This can lead to hefty fines, safety issues, or problems when selling the property.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Consult with your builder about what approvals are required before work begins.
  • Always obtain the necessary permits, especiall

The Mistake 

Some homeowners try to cut corners by skipping council permits or approvals. This can lead to hefty fines, safety issues, or problems when selling the property.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Consult with your builder about what approvals are required before work begins.
  • Always obtain the necessary permits, especially for structural changes.
  • Work with a licensed builder who manages compliance and council coordination for you.

The Mistake 

While beautiful finishes are important, ignoring functionality (like storage, lighting, or flow) often leads to frustration after the renovation is complete.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Design your renovation for how you actually live, not just how it looks in a magazine.
  • Prioritise features that add comfort, conv

The Mistake 

While beautiful finishes are important, ignoring functionality (like storage, lighting, or flow) often leads to frustration after the renovation is complete.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Design your renovation for how you actually live, not just how it looks in a magazine.
  • Prioritise features that add comfort, convenience, and long-term value.
  • Ask your builder or designer for advice on balancing form and function.

The Mistake 

Changing tiles, layouts, or finishes once construction starts can delay timelines, increase costs, and create tension between clients and contractors.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Finalise your selections before building begins.
  • Trust your decisions and the process — avoid “decision fatigue”.
  • Work with a builder who

The Mistake 

Changing tiles, layouts, or finishes once construction starts can delay timelines, increase costs, and create tension between clients and contractors.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Finalise your selections before building begins.
  • Trust your decisions and the process — avoid “decision fatigue”.
  • Work with a builder who provides a structured selection process so you're not making rushed or pressured choices.

The Mistake 

Spending too much on high-end renovations in a neighbourhood where you won’t recoup your investment can reduce the resale value of your home.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Research the property values in your area and understand the ceiling price.
  • Focus on high-return areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and open-plan li

The Mistake 

Spending too much on high-end renovations in a neighbourhood where you won’t recoup your investment can reduce the resale value of your home.


How to Avoid It                            

  • Research the property values in your area and understand the ceiling price.
  • Focus on high-return areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and open-plan living.
  • Talk to your builder or a real estate agent about smart renovation choices for your location.

By avoiding these common mistakes and working with a trusted renovation professional, your home transformation can be an exciting, efficient, and rewarding experience. The key is thoughtful planning, choosing the right team, and understanding the full scope of the process.


If you're planning a renovation and want guidance from the very start, I’d love to help you turn your vision into a reality — minus the stress.

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I’m Frank Campos, the proud owner of Campos Constructions, and my journey into the world of building began with a simple love for working with timber. I know how special it is to build your dream home and would love to help you discover more about your property.


I invite you to contact me to regist your interest and get any further information you require 

PHONE 0434 900 962 EMAIL camposbuilt@gmail.com

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Built on Trust. Backed by Quality. Driven by Integrity.

Built on Trust. Backed by Quality. Driven by Integrity.

Built on Trust. Backed by Quality. Driven by Integrity.

Built on Trust. Backed by Quality. Driven by Integrity.

Built on Trust. Backed by Quality. Driven by Integrity.

Built on Trust. Backed by Quality. Driven by Integrity.

Plane and Chisel Pty. Ltd. trading as Campos Constructions