I'm the person whose engineer called the house "the problem child."
I renovated personally. Like most renovation projects, it did not go perfectly. There were unexpected costs, timeline surprises and moments where I genuinely questioned why we started. One of those moments involved opening a wall for an extra window and discovering a structural problem that cost around R90 000 we had not budgeted for.
I came out of it with a better home and far more knowledge than I went in with. And when friends, clients and acquaintances started asking for advice — not for a full designer or project manager, just someone they trusted to help them think clearly — that is where this work started.
Together we can look at things like:
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Where your money will have the biggest impact
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Layout and functionality
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Renovation priorities and sequencing
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Design ideas and practical solutions
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Potential pitfalls to avoid
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Resale value and avoiding overcapitalising
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Ways to achieve the look you want within your budget
The goal is for you to leave feeling more confident, with a clearer plan and hopefully having avoided a few expensive mistakes.
How this works
Before you spend money, I'd like to help you make the best possible decisions for your home.
I come to your home and we walk through the space together. We discuss your ideas, your renovation goals, your budget, your priorities and any challenges you're facing. Whether you're planning a small update or a full renovation, I'll help you think through the options and give you practical, independent advice tailored specifically to your home.
Work with me
In-person sessions in Cape Town. Clear pricing. No pressure.
Renovation Clarity Session
1.5 hours, in-home
R2250
R1,350 Launch special
The full deal. I come to your home, we walk through the space and work through your renovation, your budget, your priorities and your plan. Specific to your house — not a generalised checklist.
Additional time at R650 per hour.
Pick My Brain
30 minutes
R650
A focused session for when you have a specific question or decision that needs thinking through. Not sure whether to knock down a wall? Wondering if a bathroom upgrade makes financial sense in your area? This is a quick session focused for that moment when you just need to pick someones brain.
Rental & Sales Consult
Complimentary
Not sure whether to rent or sell? Want an honest read on your property's prospects in the current market? No obligation, no pressure.
Comparrative Market Analysis
Complimentary
A realistic sense of where your property sits in the current Cape Town market, before you make decisions about selling, renting or renovating.
Not a formal valuation.
Coming soon
Interior Help
Ideas, mood boards, creative direction
By project
I help you develop a clear vision and a sourcing direction for the look and feel of a space. The shopping is yours to do — I give you the brief that makes it make sense. Pricing agreed per project before we start.
Coming soon
Project Management
Full coordination, brief to handover
By scope
Currently in development. If this is something you'd like to discuss for a future project, get in touch and we'll talk through what's involved.
A note on the launch rate
As I'm officially launching the Renovation Clarity Session, I'm offering R1,350 for my first 10 clients — the standard rate will be R2,250. In return, I'd simply love your honest feedback afterwards as I continue refining the experience. If this sounds like something that would be helpful, get in touch and we'll arrange a time.
Testimonials
Sarah Harob
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Henri Landon
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Rosie Mudge
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Background
Karina Esterhuizen is a qualified Property Practitioner with the Agency Property Group, Cape Town. Her background spans real estate, interior work, Production Design, Graphic Design, photography, art direction, project management, tourism and both short-term and long-term rentals.
When she is not talking about property, budgets or layouts, she is usually selling homes, juggling motherhood, working on her own renovation ideas, ticking off unfinished to-do lists and reaching for another cup of decaf coffee. Yes, we know.