Planning a Home Refresh: Which Trades to Book First and Why
Want your home refresh to finish on time (and on budget)?
Blowouts rarely happen because of poor designs or drawings. Blowouts happen because an incorrect trade shows up. If all the trades were booked in the correct order you would have:
- Fewer delays
- Lower costs
Here’s the problem:
Quality tradies are tough to book these days. Australia needs an estimated 83,000 more skilled tradespeople just to meet housing demand. Busy tradies are getting booked out weeks (or months) ahead.
Book in the wrong order and you’ll pay for it twice.
Find out which contracts to nail down immediately, which ones you have time to play with and where to find stealth costs like the cost of commercial glazing.
Time to jump in!
Inside this guide:
- Why Trade Order Matters
- Where Glazing Fits: Understanding Commercial Glazing Cost
- The Right Order To Book Your Trades
- Common Booking Mistakes To Avoid
Why Trade Order Matters
Every trade on your job relies on the trade before it.
Your plasterer can’t sheet walls until after your electrician runs new wiring. Your tiler can’t begin until your plumber puts in the pipes. What about your painter? They can’t come until everyone else is done.
Think of it like a line of dominoes…
When one trade falls behind schedule, every trade behind them is delayed as well. Trade industry groups are reporting that Australia is in need of 116,700 additional construction workers. Meaning you could be waiting weeks for your next available slot.
That’s why smart homeowners plan the order before they make a single phone call.
Where Glazing Fits: Understanding Commercial Glazing Cost
Here’s something most people don’t think about until it’s too late…
Windows and glass doors are also something you’ll want to order ahead of time. Custom glass is cut to order, which means there will be lead time between getting your quote and install. Also, if you’re looking for larger panes, stacker doors, or heavy duty aluminium frames you may need commercial grade systems.
That’ll change your budget. Commercial glazing tends to cost more than regular residential work. This is because the glass is thicker and frames are more substantial. Researching average glazier costs in Melbourne will help you form a realistic glazing budget before requesting quotes. Size, glass style, energy ratings, access to the site and whether the install requires more than one person will all factor into your final price.
Moral of the story: Have your glazing measured and quoted early. As soon as your openings are set in stone. Not when the plasterer is stomping around your hallway.
The Right Order To Book Your Trades
No two home makeovers are ever the same. But they usually progress in a similar fashion. Follow this order to stay on track.
1. Designer, Builder Or Project Manager
This is where you begin. Before anyone swings a hammer there needs to be a plan…
A builder or designer will walk you through the scope, handle permits and catch issues early on. They will also be able to refer you to trusted trades they regularly work with. That right there can save you hours of searching.
2. Demolition & Structural Work
Next comes the messy stuff.
Strip-out, demolition of walls and any structural modifications occur during this phase. Any relocation of walls, or enlarging of openings for new windows should occur during this phase as well. Your glazier will want to return at this time to do final measurements.
3. Roofing, Windows & Doors
Now it’s time to “lock up” your home.
Once the roof is sorted and the glass goes in you house interior is weather tight. Every trade after glass goes in doesn’t have to worry about rain.
Note: If you have custom or commercial-grade windows, order them at step #1. You don’t want them arriving after the openings are ready.
4. Plumbers & Electricians (Rough-In)
This is also known as the “rough-in” stage. This occurs before the walls are closed up.
Your plumber installs new plumbing. Your electrician installs new wiring. Lights, power points and appliances. Both must be completed before plastering. Because once the plaster’s on, it’s a lot harder (and more expensive) to run your pipes and cables.
5. Insulation & Plastering
Once the pipes and wires are in, it’s time to close things up.
Insulation gets added then your plasterer sheets up and finish your walls and ceilings. All of a sudden your house starts to feel like a house again!
Pretty cool, right?
6. Tilers, Cabinet Makers & Joiners
Now the fun part begins.
Tilers do bathrooms, laundries and splashbacks. Cabinet makers fit kitchens and built storage. Book them early as well… HIA’s new trades report states that tilers are one of the most difficult trades to source at present.
7. Painters, Flooring & Fit-Off
The finishing touches come last. That includes:
- Painting walls, ceilings and trims
- Laying floorboards, carpet or vinyl
- The final fit-off from your plumber and electrician (taps, toilets, switches and lights)
You ask last why? So your paint or new flooring isn’t ruined by other trades tromping through.
Common Booking Mistakes To Avoid
Ok, order confirmed. There are still some common errors that can catch you. Here they are.
Booking Too Late: Good trades get booked up quickly. Once your plan has been approved, book ASAP.
Ask for only one quote: NEVER ask for only one quote. ALWAYS get minimum 3x quotes for larger jobs. Even if it’s just for plumbing – tiling – glazing etc. This allows you to weed out anything significantly higher (or lower) than market price.
Lead times: Some items have LONG lead times. Custom windows, stone benchtops and custom cabinets take weeks. Order these things ASAP so your trades don’t have to wait.
No buffer time: Things happen. Weather turns. Suppliers show up late. Leave at least a week or two between important phases in case something goes wrong and derails your timeline.
Simple, right?
Bringing It All Together
Turning your house doesn’t have to be chaotic schedule slips and budget busting. The trick is scheduling your trades properly. Here’s a quick review:
- Start with a builder or designer
- Get demolition and structural work done early
- Lock up with roofing, windows and doors
- Rough-in plumbing and electrical
- Close up with insulation and plaster
- Finish with tiling, cabinets, paint and flooring
And don’t forget…. glass is one of the easiest items to overlook. Get your windows quoted early. Allow for commercial glazing cost if you’re thinking large. Allow each trade adequate time to complete their process.
If you get this order correct, everything else about your renovation and planning a home refresh will become much easier.
