Cherie Barber's top $10,000 renovation tips

Renovating is a classic way to add value to a property but it can be quite costly. Some major overhauls cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, which frankly not everyone is willing to spend.

But it doesn’t have to be that expensive.

Over the next few weeks Property Observer will be speaking to renovation experts to get their top tips on how to get the best increases in value with just $10,000.

This week, Cherie Barber from Renovating for Profit gives her quick tips on adding value with just $10,000.

Most of her tips add $3-$5 of value for every $1 spent.

1. Add a lick of paint – for every $1 spent you get a $10 return
2. Change the floor coverings by ripping up old grungy carpet or polishing the floorboards.
3. Change the window furnishings
4. Improve the lighting. Quite often old houses have just one oyster light in the centre of the ceiling so it’s quite common to install down lights that really illuminate a property.
5. Cosmetically update the kitchen or bathroom. If your kitchen is structurally good but the wrong colour then add a lick of laminate paint and tile paint, or use a bench-top resurfacing kit.
6. Install ceiling fans in the bedrooms if the house doesn’t have air conditioning.
7. Installing wardrobes and install blinds.
8. Replace the skirting board and architraves.
9. Refreshing doors – keep the same door but add a lick of paint and upgrade the fixtures and fittings.
10. Outside update the rendering. Improve the landscaping for new garden beds.
11. Add new plantings, and rip away old foliage.
12. Take a chainsaw to any trees or bushes that don’t look good.
13. Resurface the driveway using things like Pour On gravel binder.