How New Homeowners Can Estimate Renovation Costs + Factors That Affect the Budget

% Many homeowners come to us only to realise that their expected renovation budget isn’t enough to cover everything they want. For instance, they might want to complete five areas (A, B, C, D, and E), but the budget can only cover 3-4, which is disappointing. In this case, we often suggest homeowners prioritise a few most important areas first, like completing A, B, and C first and leaving the rest for later without significantly affecting their daily lives.
However, it’s always better to be well-prepared and complete everything at once, right?

' That said, many first-time homeowners are often confused by the price range for renovations.
Why do similar-sized units sometimes cost RM30-40k to complete, while others go up to RM80-100k?

% So, let’s break down a few factors that affect the budget:

'v What’s the purpose of your renovation?
Is it for own stay or rental?
)p If it’s for own stay, most homeowners prefer higher-quality materials or something that matches their ideal home, which will naturally cost more than a quick, simple renovation for a rental unit.

'w DIY is cheaper, but are you willing to invest your time and energy?
To ensure everything turns out the way you want, you’ll need to study renovation materials, coordinate with different contractors, and make sure the various parts of the project don’t clash or delay completion. If you lack the experience or can’t manage each contractor, you’ll need to hire a renovation company that charges more to handle everything for you.

'x What style are you aiming for?
)p Certain popular styles, like minimalist, cream, or wabi-sabi, require high craftsmanship to avoid looking cheap. Because of the extra labor involved in achieving smooth walls, rounded carpentry edges, or concealed wiring increases the cost.

'y What materials are you using, and how large is the area?
In order to have a safe, durable living space that doesn’t require constant maintenance, you’ll need to invest in higher-quality materials. These materials should emit fewer harmful chemicals (like formaldehyde), resist breaking or warping, be easy to clean, and withstand daily wear and tear (think frequent use, countertops, kids running around, or pets scratching).

' Different contractors or one-stop renovation companies have their own rates and areas of expertise in the end. Some excel in design, some prioritize affordability and speed, and others focus on service and customer experience. Some specialize in old house renovations or superior craftsmanship, and so on.

% That’s why we highly recommend new homeowners to survey and compare quotations from different providers, then make a decision based on what matters most to them.