Inside Out editor Claire Bradley. Source: Supplied

Unlike popular renovation shows such as The Block and Renovation Rumble, when it’s your own house that is being touched up, the stress can all the more real.

Someone who knows the professional and personal side of this is Inside Out editor Claire Bradley. Not only does she oversee one of the most read home magazines in Australia, but she has just been through her own home renovation and has lived to tell the tale.

After buying her own apartment in Sydney, she vowed to have a go at doing some of the DIY herself and set about ripping up the carpet throughout her place on her first night in her new abode.

“I spent one back breaking night ripping up the decades old, filthy carpet, and another picking thousands of staples out of the floor. By Monday, I could not move,” she says.

“I had made the one fatal flaw that I have always warned our readers about. I rushed in without the right information or research.”

So to ensure you don’t make the same mistake, we asked Claire to pinpoint her top 5 tips that every renovator, amateur or otherwise needs to know.

Understand what a good builder looks like

“You need someone who can communicate really well and understand your end goal. Invest in someone with experience and you’ll get what you pay for,” says Claire. “It’s like a good marriage. You might have moment where you hate each other but then you’ll end up sharing a sandwich underneath a tarpaulin while watching the pouring rain. Choose your partner in crime wisely.

Watch your costs

“Make sure EVERYTHING is included in quotes and account for a 30% blowout because inevitably you will change your mind which costs extra and people never budget for enough labour. If you are renovating to sell, don’t overcapitalise. Get local agents to tell you what the commercial opportunity is. Renovating to sell, doesn’t work like it used to. Selling a place comes down to area and the size of the property, rarely what finishes you have on your bathroom taps.”

Use good materials that are cheap and environmentally friendly

“Opt for lighter weight materials they are easier and cheaper to transport and deliver. There have been lots of changes in building materials recently,” says Claire. “One product I like is Dincel. Instead of laying a whole wall of bricks, it’s just one sheet of plastic material that you fill with cement. It saves on labour and is great for insulation and the environment.”

Get professionals to paint

“A novice paint job will ruin all the good work that has come before it. You might think you are saving money but your unskilled labour could be the undoing of everything which would be a real shame,” says Claire.

Don’t be too trendy

“Traditionally the role of magazines like Inside Out was to inspire but now people want practical advice,” says Claire. “We’re not just about the decorative element, we try to tackle renovations to accommodate a family. Nice cushions are great but ask yourself, what is it about that room that is important — surfaces, windows, space? For instance, there has been a recent swing against open plan living towards more comfortable family living with chill out areas and storage.”

For tips on how to design, renovate and style your home, visit www.insideout.com.au or pick up a copy of the monthly magazine.