How do I…avoid a renovation disaster?

How do I…avoid a renovation disaster?

Renovating can turn a dive into a dream home, but it can also destroy relationships, test your patience, and even lead to costly legal battles.

Who hasn’t heard at least one renovation horror story? How about the couple who commissioned their architect for a $700,000 design but couldn’t get a quote to build it for less than a million? Or the couple with a four-month building contract that, in the end, took nine? After first-time Sydney renovator (and now Light Home editor) Amanda Falconer gutted and rebuilt her inner-city home, firing and suing the builder along the way, she sat down and wrote a book about her experiences. Here are her tips for avoiding a renovation disaster.