6 Often Overlooked Items in a Post-Renovation Checklist

Congratulations, you finally finished the home renovation that you’ve been planning for years. The paint is fresh, the floors sparkle, and your Pinterest-worthy vision has become a reality. After weeks (or months) of dust, tradies in and out, and impromptu budget blowouts, you’re probably itching to kick back with a cuppa and bask in the fruits of your labour.

But before you get too comfy, there’s one last to-do list you can’t afford to skip: the post-renovation checklist. And no, we’re not talking about merely wiping down surfaces and letting the smell of fresh paint air out. There are a few crucial steps that often get overlooked in the excitement of a finished reno — steps that could save you stress, money, and even legal headaches down the track.

Here are six often overlooked items in a post-renovation checklist.

Updating Your Home and Contents Insurance Cover

Let’s discuss the one thing that usually flies under the radar, but is so very vital: your home and contents insurance cover. A renovation — whether it’s a new kitchen, an extra bedroom, or a full-blown extension — likely changes your home’s value for the better. Failing to update your policy to suit your (newly renovated) needs could mean you find yourself underinsured without even realising it.

Lots of homeowners believe their existing insurance policy will automatically cover their improved property, but that’s not the case. Your insurer won’t consider the increased value of your home, or new fixtures, if they don’t have updated details. This means that if something goes haywire — for example, a fire, flood or theft — you could be left footing the bill to replace or repair those pricey new finishes.

The fix? Simple. As soon as your renovation is done, get in touch with your insurance provider. Give them details about any changes, including structural work, upgraded appliances or items of high value like solar panels or built-in smart home technology. Making adjustments to your cover might mean your premium goes up slightly, but trust us — being adequately insured pays off every single time.

Checking Compliance Certificates and Permits

You’ve sunk thousands into renovations, and the last thing you want is a fine — or worse, a legal battle — because your builder didn’t adhere to the right regulations. Most significant home improvement projects in Australia require permits, inspections and compliance certificates to to ensure the work meets safety standards.

If you hire licensed professionals, they should provide you with all the necessary paperwork. But don’t just take it for granted that everything is sorted — check that you’ve got copies of permits for structural work, electrical compliance certificates, and plumbing approvals. If you ever intend to sell your home, missing documentation can cause major delays and even reduce your property’s value.

If you don’t know what paperwork to apply for, a quick call to your local council or state building authority can help. It’s a small inconvenience that can save big headaches in the future.

Deep Cleaning Beyond the Surface

Even if your renovation crew did a pretty decent clean-up job, chances are your home is still covered in fine dust. It’s pretty much inescapable. Renovation dust is a huge hassle — it creeps into vents, penetrates carpet and attaches itself to practically every surface. If dust isn’t dealt with, it can lead to allergies, breathing problems and general dirt accumulation over time.

A proper post-denomination clean involves more than just a quick vacuum. Air filters may need to be replaced, air conditioning ducts cleaned out, and carpets, upholstery and curtains deep steam cleaned. If you’ve done any painting, inspect windows, floors, and skirting boards for paint splatter — they’re easy to miss but simple to remedy with the right products.

To save yourself the hassle, consider hiring professional cleaners who specialise in post-construction cleans. They’ll reach all the nooks and crannies, making your newly refurbished space feel fresh and inviting.

Adjusting Your Home’s Security Setup

If your renovation included the installation of new doors, windows or even a new layout, your home security may need an upgrade as well. Many people forget that even small, simple changes can impact how secure their home is.

First, make sure all new locks are installed and working properly. If tradies had your keys during the renovation works, have locks reset or consider installing smart locks. If you’ve created new entry points (such as a new back door or large glass bi-folds), consider adding deadbolts or security screens to reinforce them.

Got a home security system? Make sure it covers any new areas. CCTV cameras may need to be repositioned and motion sensors should be recalibrated to accommodate any changes in layout. A few small tweaks can make a huge difference in keeping your home safe and can help really futureproof your home post-renovation.

Inspecting Your Roof and Gutters

Renovations can do a number on your home’s exterior, and one area that tends to take a beating is your roof and gutter system. From tradies stomping on the roof, scaffolding knocking things loose, or leftover debris clogging up gutters, it’s a good idea to check these areas once work is complete.

Clogged gutters can lead to drainage issues, water damage, and even pest problems if left unattended. Similarly, a crack or shift in roof tiles can turn into a significant leak the next time it storms. If your renovation involves a roof extension or new skylights, make sure everything is properly sealed, and that water isn’t entering your home.

A quick DIY inspection — or better yet, a professional roof and gutter inspection/clean — can save you from costly damage down the road. Better safe than soggy.

Testing Electrical and Plumbing Systems

After all the drilling, rewiring, and plumbing work, it’s crucial to test that everything is actually working as it should. This should be done prior to the job being completed by licensed electricians and plumbers, however small things can sometimes fall through the cracks.

For starters, check that all new power points, light fixtures and appliances are in working order. Ensure safety switches and circuit breakers are not tripping unnecessarily and test them a few times to be sure. If you’ve had major electrical work done, you should receive an electrical compliance certificate — if not, chase your electrician for it.

For plumbing, run all taps, flush toilets and check under sinks for leaks. If you added new pipes or fixtures, keep an eye on water pressure and drainage to ensure everything is working. A small leak now can turn into a big, expensive problem down the line.

If you notice anything off, call your tradies back while their work is still under warranty. Most reputable contractors will fix minor post-job issues free of charge, as electrical and plumbing concerns are amongst the top common mistakes made during home renovations.

Wrapping it Up

A home renovation is a huge investment, and while the fun part is styling your new digs, the smart part is making sure everything is secure, compliant, and properly maintained. It’s easy to get bogged down by the aesthetics, but these often-overlooked post renovation tasks are just as important as selecting the perfect tiles or paint colours.

Updating your home and contents insurance cover, double checking you’re up to code with building regulations, thoroughly cleaning the premises, reviewing security, checking your roof and gutters, and thoroughly testing your electrical and plumbing systems means you’re ready for a hassle-free, stress-free future in your wonderfully renovated home.

So before you officially kick back and enjoy the new space, tick off this final checklist — you’ll thank yourself later.