When it comes to selling your home, the big secret is this: you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a great impression. Buyers aren’t looking for lavish renovations — they’re after homes that feel cared for, move-in ready, and well-presented.
The smartest approach is to focus on pre-sale home improvements that offer the highest return for the least amount of effort. That’s where tradies come in — painters, gardeners, handymen, and cleaners can transform your property with simple upgrades that catch a buyer’s eye from the moment they step through the door.
Here’s a room-by-room guide to help you get started.
The exterior of your home sets the tone. A neat garden, clean path, and freshly painted entry say, “this place has been looked after.”
Tradie jobs to consider:
These jobs don’t need to be elaborate — just enough to make things feel clean, fresh and welcoming.
Neutral, consistent paint colours throughout the home help buyers visualise themselves in the space. It also makes rooms appear larger and more cohesive.
Hire a painter to:
Light tones like white, soft grey, or beige are always a safe bet. They appeal to more buyers and help reflect light in photos and inspections.
There’s clean — and then there’s inspection-level clean. A spotless home feels newer, brighter, and better cared for.
Cleaners can tackle:
Hiring a cleaner before your first open home can make a serious impact on buyer impressions.
A tidy, neutral home allows potential buyers to imagine their own lives in the space — not yours.
Helpful tradie tasks:
Even if you’re staying in the home during the sale, packing away excess items and family photos can help create a more open, inviting environment.
Lighting can make or break the mood of a room. Too dim, and the space feels small. Too harsh, and it feels sterile.
Call an electrician to:
This is also the time to fix anything that could come up in a building inspection — such as loose wires, dodgy power points, or non-functioning lights.
Buyers might forgive outdated taps — but they won’t ignore leaks, stains, or poor pressure.
A plumber can:
If your home is on a septic system or has a water tank, now is the time to service and inspect those as well. Keep receipts to show buyers.
You don’t need to fully furnish an empty property, but you should still present it with a sense of purpose. Buyers often need help imagining how to use awkward spaces or empty rooms.
Tradies can help you:
If staging professionally isn’t in the budget, a stylist’s consultation or a few curated changes can go a long way.
Your listing photos matter more than you think. They’re the first impression buyers get online — and they often decide within seconds whether to book a viewing.
Tasks to complete before photography:
A professional cleaner and gardener can get your property photo-ready in no time.
These pre-sale home improvements can usually be completed within days or weeks, but tradies get booked fast — especially in busy selling periods. Getting ahead now means you avoid delays later, especially if you plan to list quickly or want time for final tweaks.
Finding reliable, local tradies doesn’t need to be a chore. ServiceSeeking.com.au helps homeowners connect with trusted professionals for any job — big or small.
With just a few clicks, you can:
Whether you need a painter, cleaner, plumber, or stager, you’ll find someone ready to help you get your home market-ready, fast.