Getting Started

Welcome to Budget My Reno! This guide will walk you through creating your first renovation budget and getting started with tracking your project expenses.

Step 1: Create a New Project

After signing up and logging in, you'll see your dashboard. Click the "New Project" button to create your first renovation project. Give it a name that helps you identify it easily, like "Kitchen Renovation 2026" or "Bathroom Remodel".

Step 2: Set Your Total Budget

Enter your total budget for the project. This is the maximum amount you plan to spend on your renovation. Don't worry if you're not 100% sure yet - you can always adjust this later.

Step 3: Add Budget Categories

Break down your budget into categories that make sense for your project. Common categories include:

• Materials
• Labour
• Fixtures & Fittings
• Appliances
• Permits & Fees
• Contingency

Step 4: Set Up Contingency

We highly recommend setting aside 10-20% of your budget for contingency. Unexpected costs always come up during renovations, and having a contingency fund helps you stay prepared.

Step 5: Start Adding Expenses

As you receive quotes and make purchases, add them to your budget. You can:

• Manually enter expenses
• Use AI Invoice Scanning to automatically capture details
• Upload documents and link them to expenses

Tips for Success

Here are some tips to get the most out of Budget My Reno:

• Be consistent: Enter expenses as they happen to keep your budget up to date
• Use categories wisely: Proper categorization helps you see where your money is going
• Check your dashboard regularly: The visual overview helps you spot potential budget issues early
• Share with stakeholders: Invite family members or contractors to view your project