Before the first sledgehammer stroke smashes through a supporting wall or any cash changes hands, be clear in your mind what you want to achieve and whether your plan is the ideal way to solve your domestic woes.
To consider a renovation, there needs to be enough redeeming characteristics in the existing structure to warrant further investment. If a home doesn’t possess good bones, you’ve probably got a steep and expensive path ahead.
In the earliest stages of planning, carry out costings and establish whether a renovation is wise: the exercise may reveal it would be too expensive and disruptive. If that’s the case, it might be best to sell up and buy another property that already has the features you’re looking for.
Or it may pan out that a cosmetic do-up without any structural changes is the way to go. Painting, new carpets, and facelifts for the kitchen and bathroom hopefully won’t require huge financial outlay.
Building projects can easily get out of hand and over-capitalising is one of the most common errors renovators make. Be pessimistic when pricing and predict that the worst scenario could eventuate: that everything could take twice as long and cost twice as much. Then, with clever management and efficient systems, the outcome can only be a success.
Hire a builder experienced in renovations. Ask for references, speak to the builder’s former clients and if possible visit their properties. Ask what the pitfalls were and whether they’d do anything differently.
Check well in advance that ordered items such as baths, basins and kitchen sinks are definitely going to be delivered on or before the specified date so there’s an easy flow from task to task. Communicate regularly with subcontractors that they’ll be on site according to schedule so delays don’t eventuate.
People who’ve gone through extensive renovations often say given another chance they would have moved out while work was in progress. The reasons for staying put are understandable when the total cost of a project is considered, but if you do decide to stay, perhaps plan for the work to happen over summer.
