No matter how well a renovation is planned, older homes can sometimes reveal issues that aren’t visible until construction begins.
Depending on the age, condition and complexity of your home, unexpected costs may include:
- Hidden structural issues
- Plumbing or electrical upgrades
- Water damage or deteriorated building materials
- Termite damage
- Asbestos removal
- Drainage or waterproofing issues
- Unforeseen site conditions
To help prepare for these situations, we generally recommend allowing a contingency of 15 to 20% in addition to your building contract, particularly when renovating older homes.
Having a contingency plan provides flexibility if unexpected issues arise and allows you to make decisions without compromising the quality or outcome of your renovation.
Our approach is to identify potential risks as early as possible, provide transparent advice and discuss any variations with you before additional work proceeds.
