HOW TO AVOID THE MOST COMMON RENOVATING MISTAKES

​Renovations are supposed to bring out the best in a property, but sometimes renovations can end in disaster! Not only are building and renovation mistakes expensive to rectify, they can also cause damage to other parts of the building, present safety hazards and even devalue your house.  The good news is the most common renovating disasters can be avoided.

Following are four of the most common mistakes people make when renovating, and suggestions to help you avoid them…

1. ​RENOVATING WITHOUT PROPER PREPARATION

Many people start small-scale renovations without reviewing the property as a whole and undertake work in pieces that never properly work together. Before you begin renovations in your home take the time to consider your master plan for your home. Even though you may only be able to afford the renovate small areas at a time, the overall success of your home will depend on how each section works together as a whole. If you renovate a bathroom or kitchen make sure that they are placed properly in the house and that they will fit in with future renovations – don’t waste money having to re-do a renovation down the track, or being stuck with a space that compromises the effectiveness of later renovations. It is important for you to consider how you will want your home to function well into the future as well as right now.

2. ​AVOIDING USING DESIGN PROFESSIONALS (TO SAVE MONEY)

If your project will involve structural work, additions or re-organising spaces in your home you definitely will need to employ a design professional. This is especially true when you are working with a limited budget – using a design professional will limit the likelihood of design errors, which can prove costly to rectify. An architect or designer will help you to achieve the best possible solution within your budget. Draftspersons are not trained in design, do not develop a proper brief to make sure your home is perfect for you, can overlook opportunities and miss errors in design. 

A well-planned design can save you money by helping you to avoid building unnecessarily large and inflexible spaces.

ARE YOU READY TO START YOUR HOME RENOVATION PROJECT?

Our guide Selecting the Right Architect walks your through the process of finding an architect and then helps you to know how to select the right architect or designer for you.

TAKE ME TO THE GUIDE

3. ​USING DA DRAWINGS FOR QUOTING & BUILDING

​Drawings for development applications are prepared for a specific purpose and do not contain anywhere near enough information to build from. Using sub-standard drawings for construction will virtually guarantee price blow-outs; disputes with your builder, lots of stress during the building process and a resulting home that is not what you wanted. 

So, it is vital that complete construction and tendering documents that include fully detailed drawings, specifications, contract information and schedules are used for quoting and construction.

4. Failure to Anticipate Chaos

​Renovations are messy and dirty, take longer than most people anticipate and many people find the process very stressful. The best way to avoid stress is to be aware of exactly what is expected of you during the whole process and to understand what your architect will do on your behalf. Keeping the lines of communication open with your architect or designer throughout the project will help you to be aware of what’s happening and reduce frustration and confusion. Understanding the time line for the project is also helpful to keep you focused on the end result,

Are you ready to start your home renovation? Why not visit our website for more information and find out how we can help you to transform your home into your Perfect Family Home www.archetypestudio.com.au