If you’re planning a renovation, extension, or new home build, it’s natural to feel excited and eager to start. After living with your home’s limitations for years, you can already picture your improved spaces, better layout, and upgraded lifestyle.
But before you jump in, the most valuable thing you can do is slow down and plan ahead. Careful, strategic planning at the beginning of your project doesn’t just make the journey smoother — it can save you thousands of dollars and months of stress.
In fact, most renovation budget blowouts happen not on site, but during the design and planning stages when key decisions are rushed or skipped altogether.
Here’s our 7 expert tips to show you how planning ahead protects your budget and helps you achieve the home you’ve been dreaming about.
1. Understand Every Stage Before Construction Begins
Before a builder arrives on site, there are several essential pre-construction steps many homeowners aren’t aware of and not understanding them can lead to costly surprises.
These may include:
- Existing conditions drawings (for renovations of an existing home)
- A features & levels survey prepared by a Land Surveyor
- Concept design – initial big picture designs
- Planning approvals from your local Council
- Building permit documentation
- Engineering design and documents
- Builder tendering and quoting
If you’re unsure what each stage involves or how much they cost, Harriet from JDA Lammin Architects can give you a clear project roadmap, helping you understand timelines, costs, and what’s required before building starts.
2. Map Out Your Timeline (and Add Buffer Time)
One of the most effective ways to avoid unexpected expenses is to set realistic timeframes for each step of your project. Many external factors — council timeframes, consultant availability, builder schedules — are out of your control and can cause delays.
If you need to move out during construction, every extra month of renting adds cost. Planning ahead keeps your timeline accurate and your budget protected.
3. Lock In the Design Before Moving Into Detail
Making design changes late in the process is one of the fastest ways to burn through your budget.
If something in the plans doesn’t make sense to you, ask your architect to explain or visualise it. At JDA Lammin we prepare all our designs in 3D from the very beginning, so our clients can clearly understand the proposed spaces and make confident decisions early.
The earlier you resolve the design, the less risk of costly redesign fees or on-site changes later.
4. Do the Research: Styles, Products & Practicality
Pinterest and Instagram are great for inspiration — but not everything you see online is:
- Available in Australia
- Suitable for our climate
- Compatible with your construction method
- Budget-friendly
Visiting showrooms helps you compare finishes, kitchen layouts, tapware, tiles, flooring options and ensures your vision aligns with what is actually achievable, both financially and practically.
5. Test the Design Against the Budget Early
Every homeowner wants to avoid the heartbreak of cutting favourite features because the design is over budget. To prevent this, get early price feedback by involving:
- A quantity surveyor (QS), or
- A builder during the design phase
If the cost is trending above the budget, adjust early — whether that means revising size, materials, or your “wish list.”
Designing realistically from the beginning is far cheaper than redesigning later.
6. Prepare Detailed, Complete Documentation
Comprehensive drawings and specifications protect your budget and ensure that the final build reflects your choices.
Your builder should receive:
- Architecture drawings (plans, sections, elevations, internal details)
- Structural and civil engineering
- A complete finishes schedule
- Fixtures, fittings and equipment schedules
- Any consultant reports required
Detailed documentation reduces ambiguity, keeps construction smooth, and minimises variations, which are often the biggest source of unexpected cost.
7. Avoid Changing Your Mind on Site
Even a small change made during construction can have a big impact.
Variations may require:
- Undoing work
- Reordering materials
- Extending time on site
All of these add cost.
Once your design is resolved and your builder has quoted, trust the process and your decisions. Most clients forget about the small details they once stressed over — and simply enjoy their beautiful new home.
Planning Early = Saving Money + Reducing Stress + Achieving a Better Outcome
When you take the time to plan your renovation or new home properly, you gain:
✔ clarity about what’s involved
✔ confidence in your budget
✔ control over decisions
✔ realistic timelines
✔ better design outcomes
✔ fewer surprises during construction
And, importantly — you save money.
Ready to Plan Your Renovation the Smart Way?
I help Melbourne homeowners set up their projects correctly from the start, avoid unnecessary costs, and move through the process with clarity and confidence.
Book your initial consultation with JDA Lammin Architects today and let’s turn your vision into a home you’ll love to live in.
About the Author
Harriet Lammin is the Principal Architect and owner of JDA Lammin Architects, with 30 years’ experience across residential and commercial projects in Australia and the UK. She began her Melbourne career in 1997 with leading firms DCM and Bates Smart before joining JDA in 2001 and becoming Director in 2018. Harriet specialises in small to medium residential architecture and takes pride in creating meaningful client relationships and bringing projects to life.