Sound familiar?
Renovating a home should be an exciting milestone, yet for most, it quickly turns into a storm of stress and overwhelm. You start with a vision and a Pinterest board, but soon find yourself drowning in a sea of technical decisions you weren't prepared to make.
It begins with quotes that somehow don't add up and budgets that seem to grow wings. Between managing builders and project timelines, the emotional toll of living in a construction zone can be heavier than any structural beam.
"I'm standing in the middle of my own renovation, covered in dust and emotionally attached to a couch I can no longer afford, while my engineer explains why I'm going to need to fork out an additional R90 000 for the wall behind me."
19 chapters. No fluff.
Should you renovate, fix or sell
Designing with purpose and visualising before you spend
Why the quote is never the final price
What actually adds value and location reality checks
Choosing a builder and project manager
Airbnb and long-term rental strategy
Communication timelines and surviving the build
The emotional side and lessons learned the hard way
Everything you need before you start
The full ebook (19 chapters)
A deep dive into the practical and emotional reality of property renovation, spanning from planning to final completion.
Renovation Budget Template
19 categories and 140 detailed line items spreadsheet to track every cent and avoid budget creep.
Renovation To-Do List
12 stages and 110 checkpoints to guide you through each phase of the build without getting lost.
Quote Comparison Tool
Compare up to three builders side by side to ensure you are choosing the right partner for your home.
This is for you if...
about to renovate and want to be prepared
mid-renovation and overwhelmed
renovating to sell
own a rental or Airbnb
Googled renovation advice at midnight
want honest advice that doesn't pretend renovating is easy
Meet the Author
Written by someone who learned this the hard way. Karina Esterhuizen is a Cape Town-based Renovation and Property Consultant and qualified Property Practitioner with the Agency Property Group
Qualified Property Practitioner · Renovation Consultant · 15+ years across property, design and project management.
She renovated personally, including a R90 000 structural surprise hiding behind a wall. This book exists because the honest renovation guidance she needed, didn't.
"We are in planning stages for building an addition onto our home and Karina gave us invaluable advice and feedback on our ideas. Her book also helps to align dreams with reality in the most practical of ways, which was a good reminder to me about the toughness of a project like this. I tend to dream big, and Karina’s grounded and experienced perspective helped very much to stabilize and prepare us for a long term project."
— Rosie M., Property Owner
"Renovation: A Survival Guide is the practical antidote to Pinterest-induced anxiety. Karina skips all the fluff and addresses the real, grit-filled realities of building in South Africa. It is emotionally honest, incredibly funny, and packed with brilliant, actionable tools and checklists.
It feels like a a comforting chat with a trusted expert peer. A must read before any renovation!"
— Rumanie C., About to Renovate
Questions
What format is the book?
PDF instant download, works on any device.
Is this relevant outside Cape Town?
Yes, the guidance is universal for South Africa and some advice can be used even globally.
What's the difference between the book and a consultation session?
The book gives you the framework; the session applies it to your specific home and is personal.
Can I share it with my partner?
It's licensed to you; sharing with one person you renovate with is fine.
What if I've already started renovating?
It's still very useful, especially the emotional and communication chapters.
