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Peninsula Kids
Home»Finances»Planning to renovate your family home?
Finances

Planning to renovate your family home?

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Here’s how to set a budget … (& stick to it)

By Carl & Jo Violetta

Over the past (almost) two years, many Victorians have spent more time at home than ever before. Spending so much time within our four walls will inevitably make us crave a change. You might start thinking about home improvements to turn your space into a sanctuary. 

More and more of our clients are looking to either move house or renovate their existing home. When it comes to renovating your family home, it’s important to sort out your budget before you so much as lift a hammer.

Your budget sets realistic boundaries for your project and will guide every decision you make when it comes to your renovation.

There are five steps to creating and running a budget for your reno:

1. Understand how much cash you’ll have access to

2. Get clear on exactly what you want to do 

3. Estimate costs

4. Create your buffer

5. Track and review

Step 1: Understand how much cash you’ll have access to

There are a few ways you could fund the project. Here are some of the most common methods people use:

Access your savings

If you have savings, you may want to use them to fund your renovation. The benefit here is that you avoid paying interest and amassing more debt.

Refinance your home loan

Another option is to refinance your mortgage. Interest rates are exceptionally low at the moment. By refinancing your mortgage to a lower interest rate, your monthly repayments decrease. Then you can put those savings towards the renovation.

Be aware though that refinancing can sometimes attract fees, such as exit fees. 

Access your home’s equity

Equity is the difference between the bank’s valuation of your house and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. Your bank may allow you to borrow up to 80% of the value of the home. 

If you access your equity, you’re essentially increasing your mortgage. That means your repayments will increase and it could take even longer to pay off the mortgage. 

But your mortgage broker may be able to help you access your equity and, at the same time, refinance your home loan to a lower interest rate. If that happens, it may actually reduce your repayments.

Use your redraw facility

If you have a home loan redraw facility set up, you could use the extra payments you’ve made on your home loan to fund your reno. There may be a limit on how much you can withdraw though.

We recommend you seek professional advice to decide how to best fund your renovation.

Step 2: Get clear on exactly what you want to do 

Next, you’ll need to estimate how much the project is likely to cost. You can use either an Excel spreadsheet or a Google Sheet for this.

These are the columns we recommend including on your spreadsheet.

  • Product/trade/material
  • Estimated cost
  • Actual cost
  • Supplier details
  • Notes
  • Difference (between the estimated and actual cost)

List everything you’ll need for the project, including trades, products and materials. Be as specific and detailed as possible. Try to think of everything you’ll need to change or update, all the way down to the doorknobs and kitchen cabinet handles.

Step 3: Estimate costs

Next, start researching costs. Get quotes for trades and shop around for products. If the total estimated cost is more than the funds you have available, you’ll need to review your budget. 

Check if there’s anything you can safely DIY instead of hiring a tradie and see if there are any items you can upcycle or repurpose rather than replace. 

For example, we recently did a cosmetic renovation on our home. The kitchen cabinetry was looking dated so we had the cabinetry resurfaced. The result was stunning and it cost a fraction of what we would’ve paid to replace the cabinetry altogether.

Step 4: Create your budget buffer

When it comes to home renovations there are almost always going to be things you won’t have anticipated.

Sometimes things go wrong. You may discover termites. There might be pre-existing faulty plumbing. Timber prices could increase.

You need to plan for any (almost inevitable) unforeseen circumstances by building a buffer into your budget. Once you’ve tallied your estimated costs, add a 10-20% buffer on top.

Step 5: Review and track

So, you’ve organised your funds and set up your initial budget (with your buffer built in). Now it’s time for the fun part – starting the actual renovation!

Don’t throw out the budget yet though. Your spreadsheet will be your trusty companion and guiding light throughout the renovation process. It will also be a living document you’ll use to track your expenses and constantly review. 

Keep a running tally of what you’ve spent and compare the actual cost to the estimated cost. If you notice the actual costs are starting to exceed the estimate, it’s time to review your budget and make some changes.

Stick to this plan and you’ll have beautiful renovations and the sanctuary you dreamed of without the nasty shock of overspending. 


Jo and Carl Violeta are self-confessed numbers nerds, parents of two, and co-founders of the award-winning business, Violeta Finance.  They’re a husband and wife team who are passionate about empowering their community with financial education, love the odd glass of wine, and get a kick out of helping families achieve their homeownership and financial dreams.

violetafinance.com.au

Peninsula Essence – Summer 2021/22

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SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is bringing the enchanting world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons to life through engaging marine education activities. This collaboration kicks off [...]
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Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
03 Aug
August 3, 2025    
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
  • Family Activity
  • School Holidays
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is bringing the enchanting world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons to life through engaging marine education activities. This collaboration kicks off [...]
More Info
Events on June 30, 2025
30 Jun
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
30 Jun 25
Melbourne
Events on July 1, 2025
01 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
1 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 2, 2025
02 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
2 Jul 25
Melbourne
Soundwaves
Soundwaves
2 Jul 25
HMAS Cerberus
Events on July 3, 2025
03 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
3 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 4, 2025
04 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
4 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 5, 2025
05 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
5 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 6, 2025
06 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
6 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 7, 2025
07 Jul
Winter School Holidays at Sk8house
7 Jul 25
Carrum Downs
07 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
7 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 8, 2025
08 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
8 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 9, 2025
09 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
9 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 10, 2025
10 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
10 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 11, 2025
11 Jul
Rise Outdoors hike - Mount Martha to Mornington
11 Jul 25
11 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
11 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 12, 2025
12 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
12 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 13, 2025
13 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
13 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 14, 2025
14 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
14 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 15, 2025
15 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
15 Jul 25
Melbourne
Sk8house Sensory Sessions
Sk8house Sensory Sessions
15 Jul 25
Carrum Downs
Events on July 16, 2025
16 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
16 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 17, 2025
17 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
17 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 18, 2025
18 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
18 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 19, 2025
19 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
19 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 20, 2025
20 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
20 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 21, 2025
21 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
21 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 22, 2025
22 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
22 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 23, 2025
23 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
23 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 24, 2025
24 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
24 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 25, 2025
25 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
25 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 26, 2025
26 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
26 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 27, 2025
27 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
27 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 28, 2025
28 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
28 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 29, 2025
29 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
29 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 30, 2025
30 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
30 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on July 31, 2025
31 Jul
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
31 Jul 25
Melbourne
Events on August 1, 2025
01 Aug
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
1 Aug 25
Melbourne
Events on August 2, 2025
02 Aug
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
2 Aug 25
Melbourne
Events on August 3, 2025
03 Aug
Dive into Immersive Adventure with Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Melbourne!
3 Aug 25
Melbourne

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No Food Shaming.

If you grew up in the ‘80s, ‘90s, or early 2000’s, chances are you were taught to see food through a moral lens: veggies were “good,” chocolate was “bad,” and fat was something to fear. That messaging stuck.

So now, when you reach for a bag of chips after a long day or say yes to dessert, a quiet voice in the back of your mind is likely to whisper: “You shouldn’t.” You feel like you’ve done something wrong – simply for eating something you enjoy. And here’s the thing: our kids are watching. They’re listening. The way we talk about food becomes the way they relate to it.

If you want to raise confident eaters, it’s time to let go of the “good” vs “bad” food narrative and allow your kids to enjoy food without guilt or shame. Let’s be real; some foods are more nutrient-dense than others. But that doesn’t mean that we need to rank them on a scale. Instead of calling food “good” or “bad”, try talking about how it fits into the bigger picture of what our bodies need. 

Read on for a few ways to reframe the conversation:
https://peninsulakids.com.au/no-food-shaming

@nourishwithkarina Nourish with Karina 

#nofoodshaming
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No Food Shaming. If you grew up in the ‘80s, ‘90s, or early 2000’s, chances are you were taught to see food through a moral lens: veggies were “good,” chocolate was “bad,” and fat was something to fear. That messaging stuck. So now, when you reach for a bag of chips after a long day or say yes to dessert, a quiet voice in the back of your mind is likely to whisper: “You shouldn’t.” You feel like you’ve done something wrong – simply for eating something you enjoy. And here’s the thing: our kids are watching. They’re listening. The way we talk about food becomes the way they relate to it. If you want to raise confident eaters, it’s time to let go of the “good” vs “bad” food narrative and allow your kids to enjoy food without guilt or shame. Let’s be real; some foods are more nutrient-dense than others. But that doesn’t mean that we need to rank them on a scale. Instead of calling food “good” or “bad”, try talking about how it fits into the bigger picture of what our bodies need. Read on for a few ways to reframe the conversation: https://peninsulakids.com.au/no-food-shaming @nourishwithkarina Nourish with Karina #nofoodshaming
10 hours ago
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1/9
🤪#bloodyrightitis #strangerthings
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🤪#bloodyrightitis #strangerthings
19 hours ago
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2/9
Monday night funny. 
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣lol

#thepenthouse #foodhierarchy
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Monday night funny. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣lol #thepenthouse #foodhierarchy
2 days ago
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3/9
#spiritanimal
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#spiritanimal
3 days ago
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4/9
Take my 13-year-old's money.

#moneyburningahole #theyllbuyanything #spendspendspend
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Take my 13-year-old's money. #moneyburningahole #theyllbuyanything #spendspendspend
5 days ago
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5/9
AT 94 years old, Frank Brown is living proof that creativity knows no age. A beloved gem to the community of Hastings, Frank has become an unlikely celebrity at FiRST Early Learning Hastings thanks to his handcrafted dioramas. 

Read the full story using the link:
https://www.mpnews.com.au/2025/07/22/94-year-old-brings-tiny-world-magic-to-kids

#morningtonpeninsula #hastings #localcelebrity 
@firstearlylearning FiRST Early Learning 
Photo: Gary Sissons
•
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AT 94 years old, Frank Brown is living proof that creativity knows no age. A beloved gem to the community of Hastings, Frank has become an unlikely celebrity at FiRST Early Learning Hastings thanks to his handcrafted dioramas. Read the full story using the link: https://www.mpnews.com.au/2025/07/22/94-year-old-brings-tiny-world-magic-to-kids #morningtonpeninsula #hastings #localcelebrity @firstearlylearning FiRST Early Learning Photo: Gary Sissons
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
The Myth of the Perfect Parent
Somewhere along the way, we’ve been sold this idea that good parenting means never messing up. That if we just try hard enough, read the right books, and avoid raising our voices, we’ll somehow unlock the secret to raising perfectly adjusted children. But here’s the truth which I finally accepted: there is no perfect way to parent. There are only good days and bad days. There are moments when you handle things beautifully and moments when you yell something ridiculous like, “WHY ARE YOUR SHOES IN THE FRIDGE?” There are times when you feel like a hero and times when you feel like a complete failure. And that’s okay.

https://peninsulakids.com.au/mumming-the-art-of-failing-and-why-thats-totally-fine/

@drunkmummysobermummy
•
Follow
The Myth of the Perfect Parent Somewhere along the way, we’ve been sold this idea that good parenting means never messing up. That if we just try hard enough, read the right books, and avoid raising our voices, we’ll somehow unlock the secret to raising perfectly adjusted children. But here’s the truth which I finally accepted: there is no perfect way to parent. There are only good days and bad days. There are moments when you handle things beautifully and moments when you yell something ridiculous like, “WHY ARE YOUR SHOES IN THE FRIDGE?” There are times when you feel like a hero and times when you feel like a complete failure. And that’s okay. https://peninsulakids.com.au/mumming-the-art-of-failing-and-why-thats-totally-fine/ @drunkmummysobermummy
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Nothing quite prepares you, as a parent, for the moment your child stops being able to hold it all together. The sudden collapse of the smile, the spark, the motivation. The moment when their pain no longer hides behind school routines and friendships, and instead spills into the home in the most heartbreaking of ways. And yet, stories like these are quietly unfolding in homes and schools everywhere. 

Read more by copying link: peninsulakids.com.au/when-crisis-comes-calling

@theknowingself The Knowing Self 
#theknowingself
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Follow
Nothing quite prepares you, as a parent, for the moment your child stops being able to hold it all together. The sudden collapse of the smile, the spark, the motivation. The moment when their pain no longer hides behind school routines and friendships, and instead spills into the home in the most heartbreaking of ways. And yet, stories like these are quietly unfolding in homes and schools everywhere. Read more by copying link: peninsulakids.com.au/when-crisis-comes-calling @theknowingself The Knowing Self #theknowingself
1 week ago
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8/9
Yup. 🤷🏻‍♀️
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Yup. 🤷🏻‍♀️
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
View on Instagram
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