RENOVATING FOR PROFIT: 3 THINGS THAT MAKE OR BREAK YOUR PROJECT.
f you’re serious about flipping for profit, not as a hobby, but as a business, there are three things you need to get right every single time:
Time. Systems. Communication.
These aren’t just project management buzzwords.
They’re the difference between a renovation that flows… and one that costs you money, time, and credibility.
Let’s break them down.
Photography by Valeria Romano
What are the most important areas to pay attention to when dealing with a renovation project?
1. TIME
Time pressure is real, especially when you’re flipping alongside a job, kids, or other commitments.
But in a renovation, time doesn’t just mean how long the project takes. It means:
The time to source, order, and coordinate products and materials
The time to manage trades and answer on-site questions
The time to respond to delays or supplier issues before they escalate
Whether you’re hands-on or working with a project manager, you still need to protect your timeline. Because in flipping, time is money—literally. The longer it drags, the tighter your profit.
… time to chose the right items to pull out a cohesive scheme, the time to shop around to find them at the best price possible, the time to order them…
Photography by Valeria Romano
2. SYSTEMS
Renovation is not just chaos in a skip. It’s a series of structured, strategic decisions.
And if you don’t have a clear system, things get missed. Budgets get eaten. Deadlines fall apart.
At every point in the project, you should know:
What phase you’re in
What’s been spent, where, and why
What comes next
What’s left in the budget, and what it’s allocated to
This is where tools like a Gantt chart linked to your budget come in. Not as a nice-to-have, but as a non-negotiable.
Because when you can see the whole picture, you stay in control. And when you’re in control, your renovation choices stay focused and profitable.
Photography by Valeria Romano
Ensure that you have a system in place for tracking budget, time and items supplies.
3. COMMUNICATION
This is the one most people underestimate.
It’s not enough to know what you want.
You need to be able to explain it—to your builder, your plumber, your tiler, your investor.
Most site problems aren’t about bad trades. They’re about vague briefs, missing info, or decisions made too late.
So if you want to avoid delays, redos, and tension, you need to communicate with clarity—before the build starts.
That means:
Having your layout and finishes finalised before you brief trades
Creating visual aids (yes, moodboards count) to show your vision
Being able to say “this isn’t right” early, without confrontation
Flipping gets a lot easier when everyone on site knows exactly what’s happening and why.
One of the most frustrating situations for trades is having to try to interpret what their client is trying to achieve and having goals changed continuously.
In summary
Profit doesn’t come from doing more.
It comes from planning better.
In FLIPIT, this is exactly what we focus on:
Making decisions early
Sticking to your plan
Communicating clearly
Spending with intention
So that even when the unexpected happens (because it will), you stay on track, and your renovation still delivers.
If you’re done with guessing and want a system that helps you flip with confidence, clarity, and control.