November 16, 2025
Starting a renovation is exciting, but it can also leave you with a long list of questions. Whether you’re opening up a small living space or adding something bigger, knowing what to ask early can save time and worry later. Many homeowners in Wollongong aren’t quite sure where to begin when it comes to planning, permits, and timelines. That’s normal. A good renovation starts with clear communication and upfront answers.
If you’re speaking to a renovation company in Wollongong, it helps to come prepared. Not all builders work the same way, so asking the right questions makes a real difference. With the warmer months on the horizon and trade demand picking up fast, timing matters now more than ever.
Working with someone who’s built locally matters, especially in a coastal area like Wollongong. Building rules can vary from suburb to suburb, and councils often have unique requirements, especially when it comes to additions and extensions. A builder who knows how things tend to move through approval stages has a head start.
You’ll want to ask how long they’ve been working in the area and what types of projects they’ve completed nearby. Have they done rear extensions in older fibro homes in East Corrimal? Or worked on second-storey additions on sloping blocks in Kiama Heights? These kinds of details can help shape your own renovation plans and show that they understand the local conditions—like salty winds, rising humidity into summer, and what materials hold up best.
Understanding how their past work lines up with your ideas gives you confidence. It’s not just about experience—it’s about relevant experience in your neighbourhood.
Lighthouse Projects & Construction has delivered custom home renovations and extensions throughout Wollongong, with experience adapting to council requirements and coastal building challenges in the Illawarra.
Not all quotes set out the full picture. It’s worth confirming what’s actually included when you’re handed a number. Does it cover a site visit before designs are drawn up? Are council fees, structural drawings, and approvals handled from the start? You’ll want to know what’s covered and what could become an extra cost down the line.
Planning doesn’t stop once the quote is handed over. Early decisions around layout, materials, and how the build fits into your current home can affect everything from budget to timing. If design input is part of the process, that’s a good sign. It usually means issues will be spotted early rather than mid-build.
Ask how your renovation’s planning phase works from start to finish. Good quotes leave less room for surprises once the job is underway.
Homeowners working with Lighthouse Projects & Construction receive itemised quotes covering site inspections, council approvals, and staged planning input, so each project starts with clarity.
Renovations in Wollongong often run through spring and summer, which brings its own mix of challenges. While the weather’s generally better than winter, it can still turn quickly. Afternoon storms, humidity, or outages related to high winds can all slow things down. It matters how a renovation company allows for that.
Ask how they deal with delays and whether their timelines include a buffer. You’ll also want to know how tightly trade scheduling is managed. Are the same people showing up each week, or does the job stop and start depending on who’s available? Delays often come from poor coordination between builders, electricians, plumbers, and tilers.
Good planning upfront means less downtime between stages. But no job moves exactly as expected from start to finish, so it’s helpful to know if there’s room to shift dates slightly if something unexpected happens mid-build.
It’s pretty common to spot small things once work has begun. Maybe the window you chose doesn’t frame the view how you imagined, or you realise a double power point would be better in a different spot. Asking how small changes are managed before you start can help avoid confusion later.
Some changes might be simple. Others might need new approvals or run up against supply issues. Ask how changes are flagged and signed off, and whether they normally cause delays. You should also check how costs are handled. Do changes need to be paid in advance, or does it get added to the final invoice?
Clear communication once trades are on-site is just as important as planning on day one. Knowing who to speak with if you spot something gives you more control over how your renovation turns out.
A completed space should feel finished, not rushed. Ask what happens at the end of a job. Will there be a final walkthrough together? Do they complete their own defect check, or do they wait to hear from you first?
It’s also helpful to know what support is offered if something needs attention after the work is done. Sometimes paint might scuff during a tap installation or a handle may come loose a few days after move-in. Knowing if and how fixes like that are covered makes planning less stressful.
Most builders will give you information on what materials or parts are under warranty, but you can also ask how issues get handled down the track. Do you text or call someone? Is it logged? These small details show how much care goes into follow-up, not just the build itself.
Lighthouse Projects & Construction offers comprehensive aftercare, including a post-build walkthrough, written warranties, prompt defect fixes, and local phone or text support after handover.
Renovating isn’t always simple, but asking the right questions makes it smoother from the beginning. Each detail you get now makes the rest easier to follow as things move along.
We believe any good renovation company in Wollongong should welcome straightforward questions before the job begins. The more open the early chats are, the fewer problems pop up halfway through. Your renovation should feel right—not just because it looks good, but because the process went how you hoped it would. A bit of early planning helps make that happen.
Planning a renovation takes time, the right approvals and a builder who knows how to keep things moving. If you're after a reliable renovation company in Wollongong, we at Lighthouse Projects & Construction bring local knowledge and practical experience to every job.
