If you’re planning a home renovation or extension, it is vital to plan. If you don’t have access to a kitchen, prepare meals in advance or choose healthy take-out for the project’s duration.

If you’re planning a bathroom renovation, try to leave your toilet in place as long as possible, making life more manageable for your household. Plan B is to call family and friends for assistance with cooking and laundry. You can also enlist the help of close friends for showering arrangements.

Budgeting

Planning for a home extension or renovation is expensive, but several simple rules can help keep costs under control. First, you should ask for professional advice, and an architect will help you allocate your budget and give you advice on saving money. Better to consult withSunshine Coast’s leading home builders such as Meadan Homes, for advice. 

When budgeting for a home renovation, you should consider your living expenses during the project, such as boarding your pets or staying somewhere else. Developing a detailed plan will focus discussions with contractors on the time and labour costs. You can find the best contractors and save your time by preparing an accurate estimate. This way, you’ll know how much you should spend before the project even starts. You will also know if the project is worth it.

The age of your home can also determine the costs. In older homes, repairs may include reinforcing foundations, replacing framing, and removing asbestos. Changing style can also affect the costs. If your home is Victorian-style, you may need to invest in more detailed craftsmanship. It can also be more expensive to modernise old homes by adding energy-efficient features. Budget for this type of renovation in advance to avoid any surprises.

Planning

The first step in preparing for home renovation and extension projects is to develop a clear vision. While you can always alter short-term improvements later, the changes to your original plans could blow your budget and schedule. Make sure to invest some extra time in the design stage to ensure everything is how you want it to look. It will save you from making numerous changes once the project has started. You’ll also be much more likely to achieve the final result of your renovation or extension if you have a clear vision.

The second step is to find an architect. A good architect should have a solid portfolio and experience in dealing with homeowners, and they should also be able to provide you with a detailed appointment letter and contract. In addition to being an architect, you’ll need a structural engineer. They’ll help you prepare the building regulations approval process and provide technical drawings to show the architect how the extension will fit in the space.

Once you have decided to undertake a home extension or renovation, the next step is to set a budget. You’ll need to determine how much you can spend on permits, materials and labour.

Schedule

Before starting the renovation or extension process, it is essential to prepare a schedule. Without one, the project can quickly become a chaotic mess. Some jobs that could be done together are pushed aside for other unrelated tasks. A schedule will outline what needs to be done on your property and in what order. Once you have a plan, you can break it up into phases. By following it, you will be able to keep track of the progress of each part.

Protecting your future renovation work

In addition to the security of your home, significant projects like roof replacement, extension, and foundation repair can also pose a threat to your property. Renovations will alter the house’s structure, compromising its joists, walls, and windows. It would be best to consider installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and taking necessary precautions to ensure your home is safe. You should also test the water inside your home and install a treatment solution.

Home insurance policies will often have exclusions for extension and renovation work. It is therefore essential to speak with your home insurance provider about the exclusions before signing up for a policy. In addition to making your home bigger, home extensions can increase your home insurance premium, as you’ll need to buy new furniture and fixtures. Your insurer may not cover this work unless the building is safe and adequately protected.

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