Our homes are our castles and we want them to be perfect. In 2020, now that we’re spending more time at home than ever before, we are looking to add value, comfort and functionality to our homes. To achieve this, many people are turning to renovations.
The end goal of a renovation is to create your own personal Eden, a place perfectly suited to your family’s needs. However, in reality, a renovation can turn into a full-time job and managing it can feel like a grade-A apocalyptic nightmare.
So, if you’re about to set into a renovation, giving crews of architects, builders and tradespeople free rein over your home and your life, then make sure you read these 4 tips to help you stay on top of a home renovation.
Figure out your finances
At the risk of sounding like a broken record or perhaps your mother, ‘money doesn’t grow on trees.’ So, before you get into the planning stage of renovations you’re going to want to make sure you’ve got the funds lined up to see you through this. Depending on the extent of your renovation you could be looking at spending anywhere from between a few thousand dollars and a few million. Then there are also hidden costs like having to move out of your home while renovations take place and potential setbacks (because no renovation has ever run on time!) so you don’t want to be caught unawares. To help pay for a renovation, you might want to take out a home loan. To learn more about home learns, head here.
Plan, plan, plan
Perhaps the biggest step you have to take in a renovation happens before you’ve even sledgehammered a single wall or purchased a single nail: planning. Look at your home and think about what aspects you want to be changed, altered, added or reconfigured. If you’re looking to renovate a recently purchased home make sure you live in it for a few weeks before you make any decisions. Why? Perhaps one room works far better than you expected or a bathroom you weren’t planning to remodel actually has a faulty flush - these are things that you’d never known if you hadn’t taken the time to live in the space.
Make sure your plan is smart instead of just practical. Be realistic about what you really need and want from your space. Will you ever cook for twenty-five guests? If not, why create a major dining room or go all out on fancy kitchen appliances that wouldn’t look out of place in a Michelin starred restaurant. You’ll also want to take the environment into consideration. Check out this guide to sustainable home improvements that help your home to work with the environment instead of against it.
Get permission!
Just a quick note to remind you that before you saw a single 2x4 or lay down a single drop cloth you’ll have to get all the planning permissions and permits that you need from your local council. A quick search online or a call to your local representative’s office will let you know which permits you’ll need to apply for. Your builders, designers and architects will also always have the inside scoop on how to quickly get approval for a renovation.
Hire your team
To stop your renovation turning into a full-blown nightmare you’ll need a dream team of professionals. When you’re hiring there are a few things you need to consider. First of all, always get more than one quote - even if you love everything about the first people you meet with. Look in unlikely places, walk around your neighbourhood and check out other building sites. How are those builders treating the neighbours and the site? Are they being polite and cleaning up after themselves? Remember, after your renovation is done you’ll have to live here so you don’t want to get off on the wrong foot. Even after you’ve found a team that you’re pretty keen on you should always ask for references from past jobs so you can get a good gauge of their ability and time management skills.
A renovation can feel all-consuming but, even as you battle through the slog of preparations needed before you even break ground, remember to keep your end goal in mind and keep your chin up as you embark on this project. If you’re still looking for more information, head here to check out some more tips to consider.
