Are you starting your long-awaited renovation project? This is an exciting time! But are you really ready? There are 7 decisions you need to make at the beginning that can either make your renovation a great success, or an epic fail.
So, what are the 7 factors you need to consider before you begin your home renovation? These are:
The time you spend now on these 7 factors can save you time, money and worry in the future. Keep reading to find out how.
Home renovations can be a huge investment, so you need to get really clear about the outcomes you want before you begin. There are two general reasons for home renovations:
For example, bathroom renovations are a great way to improve the lifestyle benefits of your home by optimising the space and enhancing the quality of features. Alternatively, new shutters or blinds are an easy short-term fix to dress up existing patios and decks and maximise their usability.
The danger is that at short-term fix project slips into a long-term lifestyle renovation without the proper planning and budget. So, before you begin, get crystal clear about the purpose of this renovation.
Once the purpose of the renovation is clear you can prepare a plan to meet these objectives. Decide what is in and out of scope for the renovation. Collect design ideas and put them together on a design board. These pictures will help make the renovation result much clearer.
Use the plans to develop a list of questions you need answered. Ask friends or families for professionals that can help answer them and use their advice to revise your ideas and plan. Continue research and revision of the plan until you have a plan that is feasible and is the best way to meet your objectives.
Take a look at the important aspects of your renovation plan:
It is wise to think now about future needs. For example, from a lifestyle perspective, adding a swimming pool in your backyard creates a wonderful family space for years to come. But what about the inevitable impacts of reduced mobility, either of yourself or other family members who may visit. Think about the house entrances and stairways. Could they cater for mobility equipment in the future?
Here are the benefits of thinking about your future needs before renovating:
Whether you’re planning to have a kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, or a major home renovation, budgeting is a crucial factor to consider. The budget is where your plans get real and there are three important steps:
While you don’t want to cut corners and sacrifice quality, there are clever ways to save money. For example, you don’t have to purchase expensive equipment. You can hire tools and equipment, paying only for the things you need, when you need them.
Much attention is paid to the big-ticket items in a renovation but missed details can create delays and rework. In the bathroom it is easy to focus on the features like the sinks, bathtubs and tiles. However, you also need piping, grout and plaster – the small supplies needed to install the features. A new deck or patio is a great addition to a home, but make sure you consider outdoor blinds to protect from the sun and make best use of this space.
Make sure you have a full list of all the tools and equipment you will need. If you or the contractor don’t already have it, and you can’t borrow it, then you will need to decide if you will purchase or hire this equipment.
Depending on your budget, you can purchase a wide variety of tools and equipment that you can use to complete your renovation project. Here’s a list of what you will need for your renovation project:
Another important consideration is removal of the renovation waste. This includes building materials, appliances and furniture. Estimate the amount of waste and contact a rubbish removal company for advice on how to manage it.
Asbestos was used up until the 1980’s in construction materials such as roofing sheets, roof and floor tiles, and insulation (including pipes). When asbestos is damaged fibre particles can be released in the air. If inhaled these particles can cause asbestosis and a number of cancers.
It is vital before you begin any renovations you check for asbestos. If your house was built before the 1980’s there is a good chance that there will be asbestos somewhere. The identification, handling and removal of asbestos is regulated in Australia. You will need to use an accredited contractor to deal with asbestos if it is present.
There are pros and cons to each option.
The advantage of DIY is that if you have the skills and time you can save a lot of money. However, you will need to take responsibility details such as council approvals, coordination of project steps, and organising all the required tools and equipment.
There are areas where doing work without the skills can be downright dangerous. This is true for electrical works where a licensed electrician should always be used. This is also the case for any renovations including plumbing, such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundries. If you are not skilled in plumbing you could at best create a real mess, or at worst set your project back in time and budget through errors.
The disadvantage of hiring professionals of course is the cost and the lost opportunity to learn new skills. However, the cost must be balanced with the potential consequences to your safety and the overall success of the renovation if you overstep your limits.
The success of your renovation depends on the decisions you make before you begin. Spend time today on these 7 factors to set yourself up for a renovation you can be proud of.