Are you interested in renovating your home? Where do you begin and how can you know you are ready? This quick, step-by-step guide will help you through the important initial stages of a home renovation.
Determine your budget
Be clear on how much you have to spend on your home. Do you need to take out loans? Are there any grants you may be eligible for? This is the first step to making sure you are ready for a big project and hiring the best people to execute it.
Assess your house
Walking through your home, pinpoint the areas you want to focus on with your renovation. Maybe you want to look at removing a wall, upgrading the kitchen, adding new bedrooms, or installing a deck.
Choose the right builder
A renovation is not as simple as repainting or changing the carpets. You want somebody skilled who will keep the work flowing and will employ licensed tradespeople that will turn up and do a good job. When you’re meeting the builder discuss your proposed budget and renovation plans. Your builder will be able to determine if your budget and plans are a good fit or if you need to revisit your plans to suit your budget.
Get council approval
For major renovations, you will need to check with your council to clarify the local regulations before you start. Your builder will also be able to guide you on what will and what won’t need approval.
Sequence of work
If you are renovating more than one area of your house, you will need a builder who can clearly communicate with you through the entire process and be able to explain it step-by-step. If you’re living in the property whilst the renovations are occuring, there may be things to put in place to accomodate you, such as a portable toilet or shower so you can still use the amenities in the house.