If you have been tuned in, free-to-air TV would have you believe renovating is “in vogue” at the moment.

The home remodelling and design reality TV explosion, with its plethora of good-looking couples, tall slim creative types and well-spoken dreadlocked tradies, is enough to inspire even the most committed couch potato to pick up a paint brush.

But is the often troubled yet well-travelled path of home refurbishment one worth taking?

Can money be made through home renovation in the current buyers’ market?

McGrath Real Estate Palm Beach principal Ian Mills has 28 years experience in the housing market and has seen many properties change hands under his watch.

In his opinion if householders are looking to sell a property which could do with some TLC, it’s worth it.

“When people come through a house and see it needs some work, they always imagine it will cost more than it actually will,” Mr Mills said.

“This can put them off.”

However he acknowledged over-capitalising on facelifts could be an issue.

“Provided owners have the flare to do the work with as little cost as possible, it can be very beneficial,” he said.

MRI Design interior decorator Melissa Reid said when television shows like The Block or The Renovators depicted home refurbishment work sites, it was easy for people to get sucked in to the glamour of the end product.

“Of course these shows are great because they show watchers the potential of old homes,” she told The Daily News.

“But at the same time people have to keep in mind it is a TV show.”

She said behind the scenes there were multiple council approvals needed and of course fees to make a house compliant with Australian standards.

“Before people decide to take on a property, they need to look at the overall costs,” she said.

Whether the improvements are worth it, both financially and lifestyle-wise, are questions potential renovators should ask themselves.

HELP AT HAND

For the Queensland building guidelines head to www.bsa.qld.gov.au

For the NSW building guidelines www.planning.nsw.gov.au

For the national building code head to www.bcaillustrated.com.au

Gold Coast City Council planning approval information can be found at www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au, then follow the Planning, Building and Environment link.

Tweed Shire approval information can be found at www.tweed.nsw.gov.au and follow the links.

When people come through a house and see it needs some work, they always imagine it will cost more than it actually will. McGrath real estate principal Ian Mills