Recipe For The Perfect Renovation
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Renovations can be stressful experiences and, like weddings, will inevitably involve some kind of unforeseen drama which test your patience and sanity. That’s not to say they aren’t worth it in the end - but there are a few simple steps you should follow to ensure you’re giving yourself the best shot at a relatively relaxing renovation experience. The media is full of renovation-gone-wrong horror stories and ‘recipes for disaster’ so here is one recipe for success.
Step One: Set the timer
Is this the best time to be starting a big renovation project? Think about how the upheaval will affect your home and interfere with any major events coming up and whether you are scheduling contactor work in the middle of a busy season. Always leave a bit of mental leeway time in case there are delays with certain work, such as discovering the need for extra rewiring or mildew removal. Begin the financial aspect of the project as early as you can - this includes looking into lines of credit and personal loans.
Step Two: Carefully peruse the cookbook
Inspiration is a vital aspect of the planning process of any renovation. However, be cautious so as to ensure you don’t grow attached to certain products incompatible with your needs. Understand the limitations of the space you’ll be working with - don’t fall in love with delicate handpainted wallpaper for an unventilated bathroom! When comparing average prices for products and services, remember to factor in the future potential costs for lower quality items and workmanship, like more frequent repairs and maintenance. Be wary of false economy - and be wary of pre-purchasing specific materials which may be difficult to source again later on. Budgeting is an important step but producing too rigid a budget will leave you disappointed later on. Understand what is going to increase the value of your home and what is not.
Step Three: Check the contents of your contractor
Always interview more than one contractor about providing the work you expect. Don’t be afraid to ask for credentials, references and past experience portfolios, especially if you’re after something very specific, like certain tiles or an unusual shape of extension. Make sure you’re both on the same page when it comes to expectations and budget and have an in-depth chat about their insurance and warranty policy.
Step Four: Mix in a little security
Get a written contract extensively detailing the nature of the work, preferably with architectural plans and design selections, as well as the expected dates of commencement and conclusion and the intended payment schedule.
Step Five: Add a dash of organisation
Depending on the length and scale of your project, there are many factors to be considered before and during the renovation. Is any permit acquisition being taken care of by the contractor? Have you arranged for specific working hours which fit around your own commitments and the sensibilities of your neighbours? How will any debris be transported off the property and how will the interior be protected from weather damage? Will it be necessary to arrange temporary storage for personal possessions? Check the contractor’s policy on dust minimisation and ask for details of predicted interruptions to services like electricity, gas, water and sewerage. Will the workers be providing their own portable facilities? In any case, cooperation is key: make sure you are keeping everything clean and accessible, any children out of range and following any instructions which could make the job and the storage of tools easier.
Step Six: Too many chefs cannot spoil the broth
Be careful about what kinds of work you dismiss as easy DIY to be tackled later on. Check that is is safe for you to perform such work and get advice from contractors about the best ways to execute it. It’s not unusual for a homeowner to want to have a hands-on role in their renovation, especially when it comes to interactive and physically undemanding tasks like mosaicing splashbacks in the kitchen or bathroom.
Step Seven: Season with a little good humour and patience and enjoy
Yes, things will likely go awry at some point. Where’s the fun in a seamless renovation? You might find your preferences for products may change over the course of the remodel or your priorities might be reordered after a few months of inconvenient living. Stay flexible and stay excited about the end result.
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