buster@trentwood.net
If you are planning and looking to renovate, the timing of your renovation is very important. And as much as that timing can be dependent upon a range of circumstances that are unique to every project, there are a few key thoughts to consider that will help give you greater clarity. Timing can truly be the difference between a smooth and satisfying building project or a clunky and challenging one.
Here are 3 thoughts for consideration that will help you discover when it’s a good time to renovate your home:
Planning your project around the weather seems to be a small factor in comparison to the bigger concerns of family, job and finances. However, weather can be the biggest cause of prohibiting a project’s progression because of how exposed to the elements building commonly is. Choosing a time of year that will provide the most consistent and appropriate weather for building will help guarantee a smooth and satisfying renovation.
At Trentwood, we recommend that any necessary planning and preparation is undertaken in the months prior to spring (September) as this time of year provides the best window for consistently good weather.
Having the funds to finish your project prior to commencing your project is a very advisable position to get yourself in! Commencing without being financially sound to do so can cause you a lot of headaches and guarantee you a bumpy ride. One of (if not the best) indicator of a good time to start your renovation is when you have the finances you need to be able to complete your renovation. This should include a contingency, as there are always unexpected and unforeseen costs with any renovation.
We strongly recommend you take the time to plan your project before you start. The countless stories and examples of unnecessary pain and problems caused by a lack of planning are scary! Especially when renovating your home! A really good way to know when to renovate is to ask yourself “Am I happy with the plans in place?” (This is obviously assuming that you have plans in place, which if you don’t then there’s probably a bigger problem.) It is important that you feel happy with what you have planned to do. If you don’t feel a sense of satisfaction and excitement about the plans in place before you start, then you will most definitely be in denial during the process! Make sure you are happy with the plans for your renovation and when you are, this is a great indicator that you should start your renovation.
Assessing these 3 considerations will help you gauge whether you are ready to start your renovation or not. Obviously there are a lot of other factors and circumstances unique to you and your project but checking off these 3 thoughts is definitely a great way to know you’re ready. Trentwood is committed to helping you with this process and making sure your renovation meets all your expectations and beyond.
Want some more tips for renovating and building? Check out this and this!
Getting the demolition for your project done first seems like an obvious thing, and to be honest it is. However, it’s worth writing about as there are few things worse than the horrors of a job that is stop-start due to unfinished demolition.
Incomplete demolition creates frequent interruption to the building process that ultimately prolongs the time frame of the renovation and increases expenditure.
As the client, providing pre-construction information for your builder is key to the success of this stage. Locating reports and surveys is necessary for determining essential details like the presence of asbestos, structural stability of the site & nearby structures, the location of above & below ground live services in the work area etc. These must be done before commencing demolition and not left for the builder to discover after having already begun the process.
Ensuring that the necessary time is taken to be effectively prepared for your demolition is vital. Poor preparation will always result in a poor process, especially in a renovation or addition. So some keys in preparation are:
A lack of preparation leaves an open door for greater error and unforeseen circumstances to arise. It’s worth adopting the Scouts motto “be prepared”
Breaking down the project to allow for demolition, foundations, construction, finishing and fit out will dramatically improve the effectiveness of that project for a renovation or addition. Seeing your renovation as one big project will be overwhelming and cause greater potential for key stages in the process to be overlooked. A clear breakdown of exactly what the demolition will require, how long and how much it will cost may take more time to gather but will save you time and money in the long run. Always allow for a contingency as unforeseen circumstances will arise but a clear breakdown will help manage expectations and timing of the project.
Always make sure that the demolition stage for your renovation or addition is thoroughly thought through; it will save you time, money and many a headache. Don’t be impatient or over zealous. The best projects are the ones that are well measured and prepared for. You will find your building project is smooth and successful if you commit to getting the demo done first.
Trentwood provides full demolition services that ensure the building process is not stop-start, but smooth and consistent, all the way from start to finish.