Renovating a home can be a very time-consuming process, full of compromises. If the house is old and the bones of the project are wrong to start with, in some instances it may be better to detonate and rebuild, instead of renovating. However, if knocking down your existing house is not an option and you want more than a cosmetic renovation, it’s vital to be realistic about the process and outcome.

Many homeowners enter a renovation project not fully understanding what they’re taking on. I’ve heard it said many times, that it takes a strong relationship between partners to survive a renovation project; and this can certainly be the case.

The first thing to understand is that renovating can often cost more and take longer than building a new house.  However, it will depend on several factors including the location and condition of the current building and the expected value upon completion. Renovating in high net worth suburbs can reap greater rewards than in less established suburbs. The quality of the materials and craftsmanship employed in the renovation is also vital to ensure a quality result.

Before embarking on a renovation project, as yourself these important questions:

Why am I renovating?
How do I live and what do I want to achieve?

What is my budget?
Have I done my research and does it cover my wish list?

Who will design my renovation?
Do I need a building designer, an architect or an interior designer?

Each profession brings with it a set of skills and budgets and it’s important to factor-in their fees outside of your renovation budget. And remember to include fees for councils, engineers, planning and building permits that may be required.

How long will it take and will I need to move out?
If so where I live and what will it cost to rent?

How involved do I want to be in the process?
Will I hire a project manager or do it myself – or a bit of both?

What is my tolerance level when it comes to disruption?
Can I live with the constant round of problem solving and decision making?

Even though you may hire a project manager, there will always be questions for you to answer.

How long do I plan to live here post renovation?Will the completed work add value to my home?

Beware of over-capitalising. If in doubt, speak to a local real estate agent who can give you an idea of what your home may be worth post-renovation.

Have I budgeted for good lighting, furnishings and accessories?
Many people spend so much on the building they forget they need to furnish their new spaces to make them comfortable and beautiful to live in. And never overlook the importance of good lighting, which can make or break your interior.

Whatever your reason for renovating, it’s important to have a clear understanding of why you’re doing it and what you want to achieve. Create a ‘wish list’ to clarify your needs and desires. Use this to brief your architect and interior designer – you’ll need both if you want the perfect outcome between a beautiful functional building and a well-thought out interior space to add comfort and amenity to your home.

Gather ideas and create a mood board. You can do this by clipping magazine pages or going online to find ideas. Create a folder or digital file, such as Pinterest, to share with your designers but remember, too many ideas can be confusing so it’s important to edit your ideas into a cohesive look. This is where your professional designers can be a huge help to clarify your thoughts.

Briefing your designer is the most important step. They will need to know how you live and what you want to achieve from your renovation. You must consider your lifestyle. Do you love to cook and entertain; do you like living outdoors; do you want separate quarters for parents and children; do you like open, family spaces or quiet intimate areas; do you have small children; animals and what about visitors – do you need space for visiting in-laws or relatives?  All these questions should be addressed before your plans are finalised.

Once you have your plans completed and all your spaces designed and living arrangements worked out, you’ll need a timeline to complete the job. Always be aware that this may blow out due to changes to brief by homeowners (dangerous!) and many factors which cannot be foreseen. Renovating requires many trades and meticulous planning but it can never be guaranteed that your expected timeline will be met, so it’s best not to plan that backyard wedding or 21^st birthday party at home until AFTER the renovation is complete.

This renovation of an inner city terrace provides more space, light and amenity.  Project and photos courtesy Direct Building Solutions.  www.directbuildingsolutions.com.au

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Alas — it has become impossible for me to turn on the TV. No, I don’t have RSI. Nor have I lost my limbs in a tragic accident. My sadly neglected remote gathers dust due to a growing malaise, which I recently discovered has an actual name — technophobia! An abnormal fear of, or effect of, technology. In my case, the abnormal fear relates to the proliferation of DIY renovation programs.

Turn on a TV, be it free to air or pay, and it’s a sure bet you can find a renovation show of some description on offer. The more sensational are populated with a cast of carefully selected character types whose renovation journey is deliberately imbued with as much manufactured drama as possible.

Could DIY TV of the 21st century be the brand new replacement for conventional religion? I certainly know people who watch these shows religiously. If the Christian God could create the world in six days, then surely a renovation can be miraculously completed within the same period? But wait! Why not in just a day? Somehow, I think this is not very likely.

The more likely story is this: Somewhere behind that sparkly, shiny new “aspirational lifestyle” remodel or new build (all of which was completed in “record” time) lurked an actual qualified consulting designer. Shocking, I know, but the TV editors conveniently left that part out in the background story. That architect or interior designer most likely spent years in higher education and up to decades in professional practice honing their skills and knowledge — all for the pleasure of no acknowledgement or a flattering reference in the fine print flashed on screen for a nanosecond.

Mind you, these designers didn’t work alone. They had other experts on board such as surveyors, engineers, planning and certification professionals and licensed, experienced builders.

Knocking a few holes through the walls to that new alfresco space was actually carefully documented and approved through local authorities. The fab lighting scheme and its associated wiring, spectacular lifestyle bathroom and its plumbing, feature staircase and its refined classy balustrade were just some of the details that were carefully designed and checked to comply with the National Construction Code and associated Australian Standards. Yes, there are actual laws that have to be obeyed when you build something.

Sorry, but now it’s reality check time. This whole behind-the-scenes process actually took months. Oops, do I hear jeering from the back row filled with TV executives? I apologise for the nasty designer standing up for her profession and brutally crushing your fragile constructs. It must be obvious by now — DIY TV truly irks me. I can feel my blood pressure rising just writing about it.

I can’t help worrying that reality TV validates a belief that anyone can design and build with limited time and limited effort. Why do so many programs gloss over the simple fact that building or renovating a home is actually a complicated process? I use the word “process” quite deliberately, as designing and building requires the completion of a whole series of actions or steps to achieve the desired outcome — a space that is a pleasure to inhabit and one that is safe and without risk.

The amateur renovator won’t have comprehensive knowledge about the pitfalls of building and renovating and the steps that need to be followed for it to be a success. And it is not an urban myth when you hear stories about how the local council made the neighbours down the road demolish or rip out non-compliant building work.

Wonder why your insurance premiums have suddenly gone through the roof? It could be that little incident of being sued by a visitor who slipped and broke a bone on your lovely new slippery bathroom floor tiles that were never tested for compliance with Australian slip ratings. That saving of a few bucks by skimping on getting professional advice could become one of the most costly of your life.

You could be a cynic and interpret my rant as simply sour grapes that as a designer, I’m being passed over for jobs. However, the truth is if you ask just about any designer, we genuinely care about how people experience the spaces around them.

We are wired this way because this is the message we learn from day one of our design studies. When we say we’re passionate about good sustainable design, we mean it. Even better, we actually know how to implement it. So watch your DIY TV and dream about the possibilities available to you. Just be realistic and invest in your dream by employing a professional to help you achieve it. In the long run, their input will not only fulfil your aspirations, they will also ultimately save
you money.

Written by Vanessa Couzens

Originally from Home Design magazine, Volume 18 Issue 4

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