Going DIY
When it comes to renovations, the temptation to complete it yourself might be present, but we can guarantee that if you are inexperienced, the cost to fix the possible missed work can accumulate to be more than it would have cost to hire a professional. If you don’t have specialised knowledge or experience in areas such as plumbing or electrical work we highly recommend hiring a professional team of builders.
Remaining oblivious to Roadblocks
Every project is going to have some sort of roadblock, whether it’s the weather, newly found structural issues or even life events. It’s important to consider this when planning your project, so when something pops up you aren’t surprised and hopefully, you are prepared. These roadblocks can affect your budget, timeframe and possibly the plans.
Being impatient
Being impatient is another common occurrence. A new project is exciting and sometimes necessary, so we understand the eagerness to get a job completed as soon as possible. However, rushing through a job simply to get it finished sooner rather than later can compromise the finish, and could result in disappointment. So be patient throughout the process, and the reward will be a stunning completed project.
Miscommunication
Everyone has their own way of communicating, but when it comes to renovations and new builds, it’s important to make sure everyone is on the same page, builders, owners and any other trades that may be involved. If you as the owner have a concern or request, don’t hesitate to discuss it with your builder, we’ll be able to help.
Forgetting About Budget
Be realistic about your budget, if you’re on a tight budget, you probably can’t afford to splurge on smaller details. It’s important to consider each element of the project and ensure that the budget is going to be assigned to the appropriate areas. When it comes to budgeting not only do you have to pay for the trades, but there’s also materials and possibly new furniture. You should also allow extra in the budget for unexpected costs, because as mentioned above, roadblocks occur and sometimes these come at a price.
Choosing Aesthetic over Functionality
Whilst the magazines and reality shows may portray a particular look, this won’t always translate into real life and can often compromise the functionality of a space. We encourage you to make a home your own and put your style into it, however, you should always consider how a room will be used. Another mistake many people do is to follow a trend. Trends don’t last, so don’t spend money on a project that will look outdated in a year. Make long-lasting design choices that will stand the test of time.
Only Focusing on the Big Picture
When a renovation or new build begins, it can be exciting to think about the final product, but only focusing on the big picture can result in small, but significant, details being forgotten. Try and think about all of the elements involved in a project as it goes along. Our team will help you understand what will be involved and what’s required in each stage.
Not Preparing
People can forget that a renovation project needs some preparation. Whether it’s clearing out a room or organising alternative living for a bit. Plan and discuss with your builder as to what is going to be required.
Unrealistic Expectations
Overall we find that people haven’t set realistic expectations for the project and are upset or frustrated when these expectations aren’t met. It’s important to understand that even though a home in a magazine looks amazing, it won’t necessarily immediately translate to your home. Remember that the homes in magazines have been styled, photographed and edited to look a particular way. This is why we encourage you to add your style and aesthetic into a project so that even without lighting and styling it will still look amazing to you. Another unrealistic expectation that people set for themselves is the completion time. Remember to discuss the plans and timeframe with your builder as this can help you create realistic expectations.
