The top five things to consider before renovating
1. Decide what you want and the purpose of the renovation
Why are you doing it? Are you going to sell the property or will it be your long term living space? Home owners in it for the long term might consider using more premium materials.
Prior to stalking bathroom and kitchen showrooms you must have a basic idea of the purpose for this project is. See the big picture and let this be your guidance along the decision making process.
Budget and life style play a huge roll. It’s okay if you can’t do everything at the same time, but if you do, do it well.
Some people take time off work so that they can do certain aspect of the work themselves however it’s important to value your time also. Are you really saving money when you are taking time off work? Is it better to stick to your day job and let the pro’s handle what they specialise in, thus achieving a greater outcome?
2. Realistically assess your budget
No doubt – renovating is an expensive procedure!
It’s good to know whether you’re biting off more than you can chew. And whether it’s worth chewing even harder.
A lot of people find themselves in a pickle not knowing what they are going to do simply because they don’t know what it’s going to cost so it’s good to obtain an estimate of cost from a builder or a quantity surveyor.
Research finance options to ensure the renovation is as cost-effective as possible. And don’t underestimate the pressure a huge mortgage can place on family life, especially with young children.
3. Consult the experts
No matter what scale of renovations you are planning it’s always good to start by contacting your local council to learn about any relevant regulations.
For bigger jobs, it’s important to ensure your house can support the work you have in mind. Experienced builders and qualified building inspectors can advise on this.
If you’re engaging a builder, they should be able to guide you through the council process to get planning and building approvals in place. Don’t forget to check their references or view examples of their work.
Architects traditionally act as project managers. You can also engage the services of a specialist project manager, if you’re not going to oversee it yourself.
There are thousands of choices to make during a renovation, and a project manager can help make the job easier!
Letting the project manager take over will make your life a lot easier and you should conduct a meeting every week or so to go over the works to make sure everything is progressing to your liking as well as to address any concerns or variations.
4. Get the timing right
Delays can be infuriating and costly. That’s why it pays to think about timing before you revamp your home.
Ideally, you don’t want your shiny new floorboards installed before the cabinetry. Or your Caesarstone bench put in before the new ceiling is in place.
Good trades people will always have a full schedule of works!
Planning ahead and setting everything up is important due to availability of different trades.
Also decide whether you need to move out while the work is under way – especially if the bathroom or the kitchen is going to be out of action for a while. This is also an expensive procedure so many families try to live through it however it’s important to realise what you’re in for as it can create a huge stress in the house hold.
5. Picture all the elements of a room before you start
If you’re going to spend big bucks on a renovation, you want it to look awesome!
That means deciding from the outset how you want each space to look. An interior designer or decorator can help. They will take you through a process to draw out your style and bring it to life, giving you guidance along the way.
This includes working to a budget, using drawings and samples to create the look you want.
If you’re going it alone, scour magazines, books and blogs for inspiration. Start a file or board on Pinterest to store your favourite images. Look for recurring trends in your selections. Pick one or two key items and build your design choices around them.
