Home Run: 6 Ways To Stick To Your Reno Budget!

Renos are right up there with barbies as a sacred weekend pursuit for Aussies. And why not! Renovating lets you stay in the house you love and improve the way you live in it – all while boosting your resale value. It’s also the perfect excuse to snap up that statement fridge or dream laundry duo you’ve had on your Pinterest board forever. But if TV’s The Block has taught us anything, it’s that things – especially budgets – don’t always go to plan with home renovations!

We’re here to take the stress (and regrets) out of your next reno project with top expert tips from award-winning interior designer Lauren Pearse on how to keep a lid on costs. Plus, we’ve found the best value appliance buys that will deliver more for less – and look totally amazing in that new kitchen or laundry for years to come!

#1 Appliance First Always

Reno rule number one? “When embarking on a kitchen or laundry remodel, pick your centrepiece appliances before you do anything else,” says Lauren Pearse, of Brisbane-based Rylo Co, a husband and wife builder and interior designer duo. “You can’t design cabinetry without knowing what appliances are going in because every appliance has its own specifications and the last thing you want to have to do is cut into your budget by recutting your beautiful new benchtops.”

“You can’t design cabinetry without knowing what appliances are going in, and the last thing you want to have to do is cut into your budget by recutting your beautiful new benchtops.”

Choose The Right Appliances (And Not Just Appliances For Right Now!)

Want to get the best long-term bang from your reno budget? “The secret is to go for value-added appliances that don’t just look great now but will also keep up with your changing needs,” says Peter Simic, The Good Guys Buyer – Refrigeration & Laundry. “That means flexible fridges with customisable cooling and storage options, multi-skilled ovens that can also steam or air fry, and the latest laundry workhorses with features such as express wash cycles and smart sensors that won’t overdry your clothes.”

Shop Value-Added Kitchen Appliances

Samsung 637L Family Hub RefrigeratorLG 847L InstaView RefrigeratorWestinghouse 60cm Pyrolytic Oven Dark Stainless SteelAsko 60cm Combination Steam Oven Stainless Steel

Shop Value-Added Laundry Appliances

Miele 8kg Front Load WasherFisher & Paykel 10kg Front Load WasherHaier 9kg Heat Pump DryerSolt 8kg Heat Pump Dryer

Design by Rylo Co. Image by Elouise van Riet Gray

#2 Consider Affordable Fixes

Stretch your reno kitty further with a ready-made cabinetry solution for your kitchen or laundry. Cue Kinsman’s Value Range cabinetry, which you can have delivered fully assembled to pull off a stylish designer look for much less! 

“Simple things like repainting walls, updating light fixtures and switching out taps and sinks and cabinetry handles can also have a huge impact on the look, feel and functionality of your home, without costing the earth,” says Lauren Pearse. “For example, a tap with a pull-out or spray feature is a definite must now to properly clean all those huge oven trays coming out of today’s bigger ovens.”

Shop Sinkware And Tapware

Franke Leda Gooseneck Pullout TapHansgrohe Centro Pull Out Spray MixerOliveri Spectra Single Bowl Sink BlackFranke Sirius Sink

#3 Build In A Buffer

Set a budget you’re comfortable with. Then set aside 20 per cent of that to cover all those unpredictable unknowns that will inevitably arise. “You always need a contingency fund when renovating,” says Lauren. “Especially with older homes; you never know what’s lurking under those floorboards or behind those walls!”

#4 Track Your Costs (And Stay True To Your Goals)

It may sound obvious but knowing what you want from the very beginning – and sticking to it – can greatly help your project stay on track. “Changes often result in costly delays and extra materials and labour,” warns Lauren of Rylo Co.

Write down your priorities and keep a running tally of your invoices and receipts. “When you see everything laid out in black or white it’s much easier to stay out of the red – and to resist maxing out on that imported marble splashback you’ve suddenly fallen in love with,” adds Lauren.

Design by Rylo Co. Image by Elouise van Riet Gray

#5 Leave Plumbing Alone!

Planning a bathroom renovation? Upgrade to your heart’s content but don’t move the location of your facilities. By keeping your original plumbing points where they are, you’ll be avoiding a potential budget blowout. Especially if your home is older. Same goes for your laundry or kitchen renovation.

#6 Shop Smart To Score Savings

It’s time to shop for those shiny new appliances? The Good Guys have plenty of ways to help you Pay Less every day to help optimise your reno funds. You can earn StoreCash credits whenever you buy something with our StoreCash logo and put them towards a new state-of-the-art fridge or oven.

Or choose one of our eligible washers or dryers and we’ll repay you part of the cost with a RealCa$h rebate. Remodelling on a tight budget? Read our value-series guides on the best cheap fridges, ovens, washers and dryers for your new space.  

Planning a new kitchen or laundry? Help prevent any costly setbacks (hello, plumbing disaster) by talking to the design experts at Kinsman, then visit us online or in-store for expert advice, the biggest appliance brands and the best prices.