Frequently Asked Questions

How can I be sure that I am getting the best advice when all you see are the photos I send you?

This is the most common question we get - so you're not alone! However, when our clients find out how thorough we are during our consultation process (when assessing the photos you send us and when discussing your renovation with you over the telephone) and the fact that we have completed over 200 Renovation Action Plans this way, their apprehension disappears.
Lets look at the actual process. We have a set system that allows us to gather all of the information we require about your property from you. This includes detailed instructions about the photos we need you to send us (you just need to upload the photos via a link that we'll send you - easy peasy!). Next, you'll answer a short questionnaire about your property and renovation. Thirdly, we'll have a telephone meeting to discuss your photos, questionnaire and anything else to crystalise all that we need to know about your property as it is right now. From there, we'll prepare your Renovation Action Plan and keep in touch if there's any other information we need.

 

Will Hotspace come to my house to give me advice about my renovation?

No sorry - we no longer carry out on-site consultations. If you want someone to come to your house, then consider whether you are looking at your renovation more from an emotional perspective. If you are planning an emotional home renovation to live in and enjoy for years to come, then Hotspace is probably not for you. Our skill is working with people whose primary intention is to modernise their property to add value. An emotional renovation (for a home you're planning on spending a lot of money on and will live in for years) is best done by a designer who will visit you personally and spend weeks or months helping you create a home that is purely an aesthetic improvement (as opposed to an aestheic improvement AND a financial improvement which is what you get with Hotspace).
Another thing to remember is that most designers LOVE to spend your money!
If you are renovating an investment property or any property primarily for financial gain, then remember that your decisions need to be black and white - ask yourself 'will this add more value to my property than the amount I am spending on it?' To keep unemotional about your renovation, we think a Hotspace Renovation Action Plan is just the ticket.
 

How much does a Renovation Action Plan cost?

We offer a number of different pricing options. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and we will give you an up front, fixed quote for your Renovation Action Plan.
 

I have a property I'm thinking of renovating. How do I know it's a good one to make a profit on?

A low cost, profitable property renovation is most effectively carried out on older style properties (preferably 15 - 35 years old) that are old fashioned in style (1960's, 70's, 80's and early 90's) but with ‘good bones'. Keep away from those properties that need a lot of repair work and if you're after a low cost, low risk renovation then chose a property with minimal or no structural work required. To be sure you're on the right track, drop us a line and send us some photos of your property via our enquiry page. We will come back to you next business day to a) Give you an indication of your possible reno costs + b) Let you know our Renovation Action Plan fee for that property.  

I can pay a regular colour consultant to help me with my renovation – why should I use Hotspace?

Colour has a very important role in the effective design of a property. However, renovating on a reduced budget requires skill and experience and there is a lot more to a good result than selecting the right colours and finishes. We use the 'design principles' (a universally recognised set of design rules) together with hundreds of tips and tricks we've learnt over the years to give you the best advice we can for your property. Importantly too, our fee is fixed in advance so you can calculate your costs up front. Check out our Gallery for examples of how we have helped other renovators profit significantly from their renovations.

 

I want to quickly refresh a property to sell. Can you help?

A Hotspace Renovation Action Plan is just the answer for updating your property prior to selling. We have lots of tricks up our sleeves for preparing a property for sale so that it looks great but without spending a lot of money. Find out more here...
 

My builder says he will give me advice about my renovation. Why is using Hotspace any better?

Your builder has no doubt spent his career building beautiful spaces for home owners, usually not property investors or people renovating to profit (who want to spend a little amount of money but add a lot of value). Because the ideas he gives you will be based on his experience with owner/occupiers carrying out 'emotional' renovations, your renovation is very likely to cost you much more than it needs to. Also, the more you spend on your renovation with a builder, the more money he makes. So, do you think he is going to push you to spend more money or less money? We think a Renovation Action Plan is an excellent tool to give to your builder to follow - to let him know exactly what you want him to do.


 

Our property manager tells us not to bother renovating as they don't anticipate a rental increase as a result.

Your property manager is most likely looking at your property from their perspective, not yours. If your rental income increases even $50 - $100 per week as a result of your renovation, then they will only earn approximately another $4 - $8 per week in fees. They forget (or don't care) that your property is likely to increase in value significantly – giving you the opportunity to use your equity to purchase another property for your portfolio.  

Using a designer is a luxury isn't it? This is a budget renovation, so why should I use Hotspace?

The advice Hotspace offers is an investment into your property. Wise investors and property owners immediately see the value in the advice Hotspace offers and don't bat an eyelid when they learn of the probable return on their renovation spend. You could attempt to select the colours and finishes and make other design decisions yourself, but doesn't it make more sense to know that all the money you spend on your renovation is on doing all the right things to add the most value to your property? We are specialists at adding value to your property without spending a fortune. And remember our Return on Investment Guarantee.  

What's the difference between renovating a rental property and my own home or one I'm planning to sell?

Good question! There is a huge difference that has a real impact on the decisions you'll make throughout your renovating process. A rental property needs to be super durable and particularly low maintenance. A property you are selling, on the other hand, need not necessarily have this long term durability. Or, if you're renovating your own home, then you're likely to want a more emotional approach (and therefore advice) to your renovation. A Hotspace Renovation Action Plan eliminates the guess-work no matter what type of property you're renovating. We are experienced with all types of property and know just the right advice to give for your situation.

 

Why should I renovate before putting my property on the market? My real estate agent says not to bother and to let the buyer do their own renovation.

Any Real estate agent wants your listing straight away – not in the future some time, so of course they are going to give you that advice. If you want your property sold faster and at a higher price, then invest some time and money up front on a minor renovation that will take you as little as a few weeks (as long as you plan it well!). You have one chance to impress potential purchasers. Other properties for sale at the same time are your competition – be at the front in the race to sell your property – but don't just sell it faster, with Hotspace's help you'll sell it for more. Find out more here...
 

How can I be sure I won’t go over budget?

We give you estimates on all your renovation costs. Whether your DIYing or paying professionals to do the renovation work (or carrying out some of the work yourself and paying professionals to do the rest), your Renovation Action Plan includes indicative costs, so you always know how much to spend on each component of your renovation. This means you'll avoid running over budget and be able to complete your entire renovation without running out of money.