Expert Tips for Planning a Full Home Renovation
A home renovation is an opportunity to transform the look, feel and function of your space. Many people choose to renovate rather than build from scratch because it allows them to start from a solid base rather than working from the ground up.
That said, any home renovation will still require plenty of planning. Whether managing the entire project yourself or partnering with a project manager to get the job done, here are five expert tips for planning a renovation from start to finish.
Understand Local Building Codes
Understanding the New Zealand Building Codes and restrictions in the region or city where you are located will help you understand:
- What is okay to tackle on your own
- When a Licensed Building Practitioner will need to sign off
- What is needed before the renovation starts (e.g. asbestos testing)
- What is required once the renovations are finished
Understanding local building codes will help establish a framework before the launch of any project. This is especially important when tackling some of the renovations independently. Even if you fancy yourself a bit of an expert DIY’er, we recommend you have a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) to guide you through them.
Plan Out the Entire Project
Planning can begin once you have total clarity on the building codes related to the project. Some property owners are tempted to plan full-home renovations one room at a time, but we encourage homeowners to plan the entire project simultaneously.
This approach will equip you with a full list of everything required. It will ensure a full understanding of what will need to be scheduled, hired and purchased up front. It will also reduce costly surprises during the home renovation process.
A good rule of thumb when planning is to lay out as much detail as possible, room by room. Research everything from fittings to paint colours, capture prices, and purchase when items go on sale to come in under budget wherever possible.
Expect the Unexpected
It’s an unspoken rule of home renovation that an extra task or two will likely be uncovered during the project. For instance, the builder might remove gib from a wall only to discover that it is uninsulated, requiring extra time and money to fix.
Anticipating potential issues with a contingency budget means required remediation will not pose a problem. If that buffer is not needed, then fantastic! But with this planning style, you’ll be prepared to navigate easily if unexpected costs arise.
Decide Where You Will Be
Depending on the scale of the home renovation, there may be a period when the property is uninhabitable. Of course, if you’re stripping your home back to the studs, then it’s likely you won’t be able to stay there until much later in the process. Room-by-room renovations are a different matter.
Before beginning, consider what you can live with, and work with the builder to establish a timeline incorporating your needs. For instance, if there are two bathrooms on the property, it makes sense not to renovate them simultaneously. Leave one functional while the other is being upgraded.
Build the Right Team
Lastly, consider the home renovation team that best suits the project. Depending on the extent of the renovations and the requirements laid out by the Building Codes, a wider team of professionals may be required.
It may be necessary to have a designer draw up the plans, which are often required for more extensive work. You should also work with home renovation specialists to handle kitchens, bathrooms, or extension work. Two things are vital:
- Make sure your chosen team aligns with your vision as the property owner.
- Make sure you account for them in the budget.
Both can be figured out as part of a consultation process, so get a clear idea of requirements and wishlists before reaching out.
Talk to Harrison Building Company about your home renovation.
As proud members of the Master Builders Association and qualified LBPs, we bring years of experience to every home renovation.
Whether you’re simply redoing one room or stripping your entire home down to the studs, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us for a consultation today.