Change can be an endeavour to undertake! These days, so much of your time is spent in your home so it’s important to create a place that you enjoy and that meets your needs. If the place you currently live doesn’t do this, maybe it’s time for a home renovation! Although that may sound daunting, starting a home renovation can be made easy if you follow some of these practical tips before you start.
1. Decide Why You Are Renovating In The First Place
It really starts with what you want to achieve. This could be renovating to update the style of your home, maybe you feel it looks a bit dated and that blue kitchen bench just doesn’t match with the contemporary style you have been admiring lately? Do you need to change one part of the house or is a whole renovation required? Maybe the house is looking very 80s and now you’ve “evolved” in your taste and the whole layout of your house requires a new look.
Maybe your renovation is needed to make space to add extra family members. You’re extending the family and an extra bedroom may be helpful, or those adult kids are never going to leave so an extra living space added will provide some much needed privacy. Maybe you want a larger bathroom or need to add an extra bathroom?
A popular reason for a renovation is because you’re buying an old run-down property at an amazing price and redesigning its layout and style to either resell at a profit or to live in for yourself. This is a great way to buy a property in an area that you have always dreamed of living in but where an already renovated home may be too costly.
2. Contact The Local Council
Your local council may need to be notified of some internal and external changes that you make to your home – guidelines are usually available on your local council’s website. As a rule of thumb, internal renovations probably won’t need council approval if there are no structural changes to the layout of the home, but if you decide to remove a wall or beam approval may need to be sought. Also, homes that are heritage listed or changes that have any environmental impacts may need to be considered. Your council is there to assist you to make a safe and ethical choice.
Almost all external renovations will need council approval. If you are increasing the height of your home or expanding in size, have a chat with your neighbours and tell them of your intentions. They may be more flexible with the change if you communicate things like your ideas, colours and how long the building process may run.
3. Now It’s Time To Get Some Quotes!
Consider your style and gather some costs on the type of fixtures and fittings you want to create the look for your renovation. If you are renovating a bathroom and kitchen, ornate style fittings are more pricey than regular fittings, they may be more expensive to install as well. Use the internet, home-style magazines, websites like Houzz and scout around some different local suppliers to understand the pricing of your chosen style.
If you are removing walls, you may need an engineer or a designer to help you with your vision. Specific tradespeople are needed to do services as per NSW regulation. A good, qualified builder, electrician and experienced plumbers will be required to carry out some of the work safely and legally.
4. Choose A Builder
Try not to get too many quotes, usually two or three quotes should be enough to provide you with a realistic idea of the costs and getting too many quotes may get confusing. Your quote should include all the work that needs to be done over a stated period, a brief of the job, costs of variations, cost of trades or any other professionals required through the build, builders license number, name of the building company and any builders/tradesman involved.
Builders can quote you for your renovations, which include details of demolition, deconstruction, removal of asbestos by a qualified asbestos remover and if applicable any engineers, designers, architects, plumbers or electricians.
5. Let’s Get Started
Once you’ve discussed and signed a contract with a builder, if you are planning on moving out over the building period you will need to ensure the house is cleared of furniture. Discuss with the builder where they will be beginning to demolish and you may be able to place your furniture into a different room and rotate throughout the process.
Purchase any fixtures and fittings for the renovation that you have chosen to express your style will be one of your first tasks. Your builder and you should have discussed your design style and the items that you require to capture the look you are after. Things like shaker style cabinetry to go with a Hamptons style kitchen may be created by your builder, although fixtures like copper taps or pendant lights are up to personal taste and should be selected yourself.
6. Appliances And Flooring
By this stage, you’ll have a style in mind for your renovation and it’s time to purchase your statement pieces. If you are renovating a kitchen, think about the style of stove and oven you would like – gas or electric? Where do you need power points? Would you prefer a single door or double door fridge?
Your flooring will set the scene for the outlook of your renovation throughout the house. If you are planning the kitchen this year then the family room next year, think about whether your flooring needs to flow between the rooms. Careful consideration of colours and materials need to be made to ensure you don’t confuse your styling.
7. Inspect The Space
When the area you are renovating is demolished, return with your builder for an inspection. It is now a worksite, and you may need to abide by certain health and safety rules. When you see the area as an empty space, you can reassess your plans and discuss any variations that may need to be considered.
8. Forward-thinking
We are starting to live a more sustainable lifestyle and choosing materials that will help with conserving energy should be incorporated into your renovation. Insulation, double glazing walls, underfloor heating, cabinetry that enables easy recycling, solar panels and efficient lighting are all cost-saving measures as well as being good for our environment.
9. Colours And Interior Designs
Consider the pieces you are replacing or reusing. Once you have chosen the flooring you can create a space with small, interesting pieces that will highlight your design style. Mixing styles can be complementary and create depth into your individuality. Furniture can be reupholstered to blend in with your new space and favourite pieces can be reused to complete the look.
10. Remember, It Will Be Worth It
There will probably be days where you will need to remind yourself of why you were renovating in the first place. Delays with deliveries are unfortunately something we need to deal with in Australia, but buying Australian-made can speed up the process though it can be more costly.
A renovation is a process – having a positive outlook and strong communication with all involved will help alleviate the stress. Try to be calm and record any communication of changes with dates and facts. Remember you were renovating for a purpose – it will be worth it in the end!
