For most architects and designers, making a lasting impression on their community is ingrained in their DNA. Working on our homes is often the most apparent approach to address this, though it can take various forms. We will discuss the good, the bad, and hopefully not the ugly when it comes to renovating your home today.
The measures you’ll need to take to renovate your ideal home are shown in this helicopter perspective.
Step 1: Organizing
Every renovation is carefully planned and requires a substantial amount of time. Establishing your desired renovation’s appearance and—more importantly—the atmosphere you hope to create in your freshly remodeled area should be part of this planning phase.
We prefer to record both of these elements on a vision board. Creating a vision board for your reno is an excellent way to help you get super clear about what the end game is. When the going gets tough, it keeps you positive and focused.
Step 2: Establish a rough budget
You’ll want a ballpark estimate early on of how much you can afford (or want) to spend on house improvements because most of you don’t have a money tree. Which figure is your average: $5,000, $50,000, or $500k?
You probably don’t know how much that amount will buy you, and that’s okay, too. Although we’ll assist you in figuring that out later, it’s still a good idea to start with a rough estimate. Simply put, park this step and come back to it once you’ve determined what adjustments you’d like to make (see step three) if you have yet to decide how much you want to spend.
Step 3: What belongs and what doesn’t?
It’s time to write your wish list now that you have an approximate amount to work with. List (in order of importance, if you can) which items you wish to modify about your home – this will become your scope of work. It can also help if you can categorize these as “must haves” versus “nice to haves.”
As you proceed through the remaining planning stages, you’ll realize you can only afford to do some things on your list. You’ll have to go back over the wish list and cross a few items off after you’ve recovered from the shock and terror of this discovery. This is simply how renovations work
Step 4: Cost Up Your Wish List
It’s time to face facts regarding expenses now. You have two options:
- Seek quotations from tradies and cabinet manufacturers and do it yourself, or engage an expert, such as an architect.
- Prepare yourself because this will help you realize how much your makeover will cost.
- If your estimates come in higher than you anticipated, go back and adjust your original plans to either lower the scope of the job or raise the budget.
Step 5: Acceptance
It’s time to turn your vision into a reality when you’ve finalized your scope, which can involve getting council permission. This is necessary for specific improvements (ouch!), but not for others (yay!). We’ll walk you through the fundamentals of the approval process, so don’t worry.
Step 6: Assembling Your Ideal Group
Now that you have the required approvals, choose the person who will complete the work. You could do it yourself as a builder or owner, although it can be difficult. We advise putting together a dream team of specialists and tradespeople to let them manage their expertise.
Step 7: How about a Loan?
You might require a loan, depending on your financial situation. Some loans require a builder’s contract as evidence of your budget. Check out our video on budgeting for renovations for more insights.
Step 8: Taking Action
Here’s where the good times start! Anticipate thrilling changes, but be prepared for a hectic schedule of choices and deadlines. You can enjoy yourself while navigating this process with the aid of our advisers.
Step 9: Transfer and Complete Certification
It’s finally here—the most anticipated part! Do a walkthrough to make sure everything satisfies your criteria before releasing your builder. If you find cleaning intimidating, you might choose to hire pros. Remember to obtain official certificates from the builder and workers to ensure the work satisfies Australian standards.
Step 10: Styling – the last gasp!
Styling a freshly painted place is the most enjoyable thing to do! This last action has the power to make your house shine.