How to kick start a renovation
How to start a home renovation project
We understand it’s difficult to know how to start a renovation project. Some of the questions swimming in your head might be “do I need an architect?”, “do I need DA approval?” or “how can an interior designer help me?”
If you’re lost and don’t know where to start, we’re the people that can help you navigate those initial steps and put you in touch with the right people. Here are our tips for what we think is important to prepare when embarking on a renovation.
1. Hire the right professionals
Let’s cut to the chase - as an interior designer studio offering an end-to-end service, we’re here to design your home as well as put you in touch with the relevant professionals like structural engineers, architects, draftspersons, certifiers, landscape designers and builders. We have a roll call of trusted contacts and suppliers who we work with repeatedly. We’re like the address book and the sticking glue of your project - bringing everyone together. Get in touch with us and other professionals as early as possible. We can offer valuable insights for you and help prevent costly mistakes on your project, making the renovation process smoother and more efficient.
2. Assess your lifestyle and needs
Understanding how you use your space will guide your renovation priorities and help us assess the scope of your project and your needs. How do you spend your weekdays and evenings? What do you get up to at the weekends? Which rooms do you and your family spend the most time in? Is it the kitchen, where you love to cook and entertain? Or perhaps it’s the living room, where you unwind after a long day. Remember to consider your future needs as well as your current ones.
3. Consider structural changes
We consult with structural engineers on almost all of our client’s projects because they can provide valuable insights into what structural changes are feasible and beneficial. So once you've identified your key spaces, try to think about any structural changes that might enhance your home. Do you need to open up a wall to create an open-plan space? Or maybe you want to add more natural light with larger windows or skylights. Structural renovations can be significant investments, so it's essential to weigh the costs against the benefits. Of course, we can help you make these decisions with the expertise of a structural engineer.
4. Create a vision board
When we onboard our clients we always ask if they have any visual inspiration. Pinterest boards are so easy to share with us, although there are other platforms you can use. Visual representation can help you refine your aesthetic and can serve as a reference for us in our designing and for other contractors, like the builder. You could start a Pinterest board for each room you plan to renovate, or maybe just an overall aesthetic board. Pin anything that resonates with you - colours, layouts, furniture styles.
5. Consider your budget
Budgeting is a critical aspect of any renovation project. We can put you in touch with all the relevant contacts to get your project priced, but it’s great if you can approach a designer with something in mind. This helps us advise you whether your scope and budget are aligning and provide solutions that fit your finances without compromising quality. When considering your budget, here are some aspects to include: builder costs, council approvals, a contingency fund for unexpected expenses, plus interior designer fees if you’re hiring. Ultimately, be transparent about your budget with any contractors you hire so they can provide the best solutions for you.
6. Be prepared for the unexpected
Renovating can be unpredictable. From hidden issues that arise during demolition, to delays in materials, things might not go as planned. It’s crucial to maintain flexibility and patience throughout the process. We maintain regular communication with our clients and builders throughout the construction phase, and with a positive attitude to hand we can work together to solve the challenges as they arise.
Renovating your home can be a really rewarding journey, but you often need someone else to do the leg work and get you the right contacts. Reach out to us if you’d like to learn about how we can help kick start your project and guide your renovation through to completion. We’d be delighted to hear about your project.
