Cherie’s reno savers

These 3 ideas could save you money over the course of a large renovation

+ Fix your price to help with your planning. “I always work on the basis of fixed-price quotes (for small jobs) or contracts (for larger projects) rather than hourly rates or on a cost-plus basis.” + Make sure the sequence of your trades is right. “For example, painting should always be the very last step, and if you do it earlier, you’ll end up having to get the painter back again, which will mean more costs.” + Be aware of builder’s

commissions. Your builder will be happy to source your fixtures and fittings, and can usually buy at a trade price, but will also add a commission. “If you’re prepared to supply your own, you can save money, especially if you shop widely,” says Cherie. “You can find great deals on Gumtree (gumtree. com.au) and renovator surplus sites.”