Former contestants on The Block, Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie have completed many renovations over the years. "Whether it's a small room makeover or the largest Block renovation ever, we've found that there are always unexpected dramas that you may not have anticipated - though a number of these can be avoided," the couple said.
According to hipages customer insights, many homeowners experience the dramas usually observed on-screen in real life, with unrealistic budgets being the biggest renovating issue (43 per cent), followed by unexpected issues (32 per cent) and not hiring the right trades for the job (22 per cent). The majority of homeowners surveyed (74 per cent) agree that a clear budget, with a buffer for unexpected costs built in, is the most important aspect of a renovation, followed by clear communication throughout the project (56 per cent) and a realistic timeline that allows for delays (55 per cent).
To help homeowners avoid their own dramas and strive for renovation resolutions in 2021, Mitch and Mark share the most common reno dramas and how to avoid them for your next project.
1. Budgets. Keep an eye on your budget and allow a 'contingency' amount. This should be about an extra 10 per cent, because things happen during renovations that no one expects, and you need to be ready. While it's also good to find ways to save money, like helping with demolition/labour, be aware of your skill limitations. Plenty of money is wasted fixing dodgy DIY projects - according to hipages research, on average, $1500 per household.
2. Planning. Success starts with planning. Draw up your plans considering if it will work; do you need to move power/water/walls, etc? Go over your plans with your builder/tradies for their feedback to ensure they are realistic, whilst also flagging any considerations like knock-on effects of moving powerpoints, plumbing or cabinetry.
3. Project management. For bigger renovation projects, we believe that having a project manager is essential. You can take this on yourself, but remember whoever has this role must have a clear plan that they communicate. If your builder is going to project manage, make sure you have provided them with all the details of what you want so nothing is lost in translation.
4. Timelines. Make sure you have a clear overall time frame as well as specific dates for jobs to be completed. With your trade teams, negotiate dates for when they'll need to be onsite. We all want things done quickly, and good tradies are the same, however things take time, don't rush the quality of your project and be prepared to factor in some 'contingency time' into your job.
5. Unexpected issues. Things will go wrong and if they do, focus on the issue and don't personalise things. Renovations are stressful and emotions can run high. Try and stay with the task and focus on finding solutions.
Jobs tipped to prosper in 2021
Workers looking for job security in 2021 should consider Australia's "largest and fastest growing" industry, broadly known as the care economy.
As well as frontline healthcare, fields such as social work, counselling and child and aged care are tipped to be in demand this year, LinkedIn's Jobs on the Rise report says.
The special edition of the emerging jobs report compares the roles experiencing the highest growth between April and October 2020 against the same period the year before.
With governments favouring stimulus measures centred on infrastructure, the report predicts careers in construction will have a solid foundation.
Site managers, estimators and heavy equipment operators are listed as among those employees likely to be sought after.
The report notes Australia's property sector remained "remarkably upbeat" during last year's downturn and rates mortgage brokers and real estate agents as having good prospects.
While traditional open homes were off the table during lockdowns, the disconnection from traditional offices means work no longer dictates where people live.
It's still unclear which of the changes that made work possible during the pandemic will be permanent, and such uncertainty means there is demand for help by individuals making big life choices.
Qualifications likely to be required in the future include business and wellness coaching, personal development and mentoring.
E-commerce, social media management, cyber security and web development are also likely to remain good bets for career longevity. The report recommends acquiring transferable skills desirable across a range of growth areas.
"Roles across construction, social media, marketing and technology don't necessarily require direct experience or four-year degrees, meaning opportunities are open to a wide variety of backgrounds," it states.
Of LinkedIn members surveyed during the pandemic (April - August), around 60 per cent of respondents were passive or closed to new jobs.
