We've only lived in our home for less than a year, yet we've already completed significant renovations—with many more ideas in the works. Balancing costs is key, so we handle what we can ourselves while hiring experts for specialized tasks. Drawing from our hands-on experience, I'll break down the renovations we've done so far, including exact costs, to help you budget your own project realistically.
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Renovation costs vary widely based on scope and approach, making it tough to generalize. Instead, I'll share our actual expenses from completed projects, highlighting DIY efforts that cut costs and professional hires that ensured quality. This real-world insight can guide your own home improvements.
We handled the demolition ourselves—removing non-load-bearing walls, old tiles, a kitchen unit, and ceiling. Skipping a pro for this straightforward work saved money, though it got messy!
We also did all the electrical work: I chased pipes into walls and installed outlets, while Frank wired everything. This DIY saved €500–€1,000.
For structural changes, we hired a construction firm to cut a 2.5m wide x 2.3m high opening in a load-bearing wall and install a lintel, costing €800.
We strategically outsource tricky jobs like stucco. While I managed window sills decently, pros plastered 80m² of walls and ceiling flawlessly for €2,000—worth every cent for a pro finish.
Painting is labor-intensive, so I do it myself to save on hours. Quality materials like Sikkens Rubbol Primer Extra and Rubbol XD High Gloss cost €95 per 2.5L can. For under €200, I repainted all windows and doors—excellent results with far less expense than hiring out.
It's time-consuming but frees budget for complex tasks beyond my skills.
We outsourced our 36m² canopy for durability and curb appeal. We designed it and sourced materials, but pros from local firm Heijmans installed it for €14,000 after competitive quotes. It includes forward-thinking features like insulation and a lintel for future shed expansion. Ceiling finish pending.
Terrace paving counts as home reno, so we hired for our 36m² Schellevis tile patio, planter, and stairs: €4,600 by a gardener who also planned the layout.
We handle some gardening ourselves but outsource heavy tasks like conifer removal and mechanical weed control. A local road worker might handle future paving cheaper.
We moved in as-is for speed and financing. Now, we're DIY-ing ceiling demos and wall painting for a temporary refresh.
Full reno awaits savings: demolish/add 25m² roof extension (€14,000 est.), 11m sliding doors (€15,000), plus foundation/walls/beams. Total downstairs: around €50,000.
We prioritized energy efficiency: full double glazing, new hinges/locks, two large frames, front door (€25,000); cavity wall insulation (€4,500). A €2,800 subsidy helped. Solar panels (€10,000) now offset electricity costs—a smart early win.
