Home Stories Blog
Plan, budget, and survive your renovation.
Practical guides for homeowners who'd rather track a renovation in something better than a spreadsheet. Real numbers, real templates, no fluff.
- 7 min read planning tools
Notion vs Home Stories for Renovation Planning
Notion is a brilliant renovation planning tool and a frustrating on-site one. Here's exactly where each fits — and why most people end up needing both.
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- 8 min read budgeting planning
Renovation Contingency Budget: How Much to Set Aside
How big a renovation contingency budget you really need, what it's for, when to dip in, and how to track it so surprises don't sink the project.
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- 7 min read planning checklists
Printable Renovation Checklist: Every Task by Room
A free printable renovation checklist organised room by room — every task from planning to handover, so nothing slips through the cracks.
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- 7 min read planning phases
The 7 Phases of a Home Renovation (and What to Track)
The 7 phases of a home renovation, in order — and exactly what to track in each one so the project lands on time, on budget, and on plan.
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- 7 min read budgeting planning
How to Budget a Home Renovation Without Going Over (2026)
How to budget a home renovation without going over: a step-by-step 2026 method using real quotes, the right contingency, and tracking that survives the build.
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- 6 min read planning tools
Why a Spreadsheet Stops Working Halfway Through Your Renovation
Spreadsheets are great for planning a renovation and terrible for surviving one. Here's exactly where they fail — and what to replace them with.
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- 6 min read budgeting templates
Renovation Budget Template (Free PDF + Google Sheet)
A simple renovation budget template that actually works — line-item, contingency-aware, and proven on real projects. Free PDF and Google Sheet.
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