Huge stamp duty bills associated with purchasing a new home can make you rethink your choice of buying a new home and instead opt for renovating or extending. Whether you are looking at it from modernizing your home or just running out of space and need more room, renovating is a sure way to give your home a breath of new life and increase your homes value.
The renovating process can be very similar to a brand new build and can sometimes be tricky, especially if it’s your first attempt. Below is a sneak peek of those vital aspects that ought to be on your finger-tips.
1. Know what you are after before renovation
Choosing to renovate can happen for various reasons. Whether you are renovating to increase your home value for resale or want to adjust your home to suit your lifestyle. If you are renovating your outdated kitchen or bathroom, adding a ground or first floor extension you need to make sure your current house can meet your requirements once the renovation is complete.
2. Availability of Funds
You can’t ignore the financial aspect of any project. Finances are driving forces behind any undertaking. Before contemplating the renovation of your home, reassess your financial status, and make sure your project will run smoothly without obstructions.
3. Planning
Any serious project requires ample and effective planning. Yeah! You read, right! Home renovations, just like any other undertaking, should be planned. The plan should incorporate what you have in mind: the design, style, architecture, paintwork, and timeline.
Planning serves to your advantage, ensuring you get the best deals in the market and meet set deadlines. If you’re unsure about the type of renovation that meets your needs, make sure you consult an expert before you implement the grand plan.
4. Reputable Builder and Contractors
Never feel like your hands are tied to a particular contractor. Before awarding the contract, make sure you settle for the builder you feel you can get along with and understands your needs.
Once you have a builder in mind make sure they are repeatable and check out their previous client references and examples of their work and make sure they are fully licensed and insured
5. Does your budget allow for any unforeseen hidden charges
Renovations charges may sometimes fall far from your estimations. Interestingly, as you plan to extend your living-room, sometimes the renovation work may interfere with your water supply or insulation system or uncover an existing problem you were unaware of.
Know your Limit then expect to reduce it by 15% -20%. By doing this you will be allowing for preliminaries approx10% and then allow another 10% for over runs, this forms your budget.
6. Can we stay in our house while the construction is in progress
It is a question that pops, especially if the renovation involved is large-scale. Some works can effect you more than others. For example a new kitchen will effect where you eat but you can work around it by eating out or a makeshift kitchen, where as a major renovation where the roof is being removed to allow for a second storey may not be a suitable place to stay.
Have a chat with your builder and ask them will your house still be liveable during the build process and if not will it be a long term relocation or a temporary one. It is advisable to rethink and make shifting plans before the works commence. Moving will give the contractors enough space to move about as they transform your home.
7. Your Availability
Only you know what you need starting from the tiniest details. Though a home renovation may not be a big project, your presence on the site ensures the builder can meet the set deadlines when a decision needs to be made by the homeowner.
8. Experts Support
Quality work and professionalism are undebatable in any project. Remember, your home has a personal touch, and in this case, you want your home to reflect your taste and personality. To get that favorable outcome, don’t compromise on engaging experts. Choosing a quality builder is your first step but make sure to engage a good architect and designer or style consultant to make sure to get the best result possible.
9. Duration of Approval
As you embark on your renovating journey, keep in mind that approvals from the necessary authorities might take time. A bit of delay might occur though it depends on the type and scale of the works.
Some minor repairs or renovations however, might not require the lengthy process of getting approval and can start as soon as your builder is available.
10. Existing Laws
Every local council has laws and regulations regarding construction. Some rules are lenient, while others are strict. So, before starting your renovating activities, familiarize yourself with pre-existing laws and regulations. Consult with your builder and local council to make sure all approvals are in place before work commences.
Conclusion
Re-inventing any area of your house doesn’t have to be complicated. Bringing experts onboard makes for a good experience. At Turner & Co. construction, we take care of your construction needs. Contact us today for exemplary and quality service.