Surviving a home renovation is a true test of character. As if the fine coat of dust isn’t enough, you may lose your sense of humour when you feel like your contractor’s team has moved in for good.
Some of the home renovation headaches may include:
- Messy workers leave your home in a state.
- Constant noise and disruption to your day-to-day life.
- Wasted time and money on unprofessional contractors that cut corners.
- Cheap materials jeopardise safety and design.
Renovating your house can feel like a long journey. It is more than just fixing walls and upgrading features. It is about bringing back life and functionality into a home that is loved and that holds memories and potential.
However, once completed, a home renovation is so worth it. Today we will discuss the steps involved when planning a home renovation to hopefully make the process smoother.
Step 1. Assess the condition of your house.
Dreaming and planning your dream home can be exciting, but before you get carried away with Pinterest mood boards, inspect your house thoroughly and create a list of what needs attention.
Structural repairs:
Check the walls for cracks, leaky roofs, or sagging floors. If you want to do major structural changes, for example, a home extension or adding on another storey to your house, you will need to have your foundations assessed and investigate which walls are part of the structural integrity of the house.
Plumbing and wiring:
Make sure the plumbing and electrical systems meet the necessary standards.
Pests and mould:
Eradicate infestations and mould-causing problems which could harm your family.
Step 2. Define your renovation goals.
What do you want your house to look like after your renovation? Clearly define your goals. Remember, your goal is to turn your old house into a new one that matches your lifestyle and preferences. Here are some popular home renovation goals:
Modernise the interiors:
Replace outdated fixtures, install new cabinets and refresh with paint.
Create open spaces:
Knock down unnecessary walls to make the house feel bigger and airier or repurpose certain spaces to make them functional to your lifestyle.
Create more space:
Occasionally a family has outgrown the space, and so extensions are required, such as an extra bedroom or bathroom that needs to be built onto the existing house.
Become more energy efficient:
Solar panels, LED lights and energy-efficient windows can reduce long-term costs.
Upgrade kitchens and bathrooms:
These areas have the most impact on the look of your home and your home’s value.
Step 3. Proper planning.
If you are planning any structural changes such as knocking down walls or adding new structures you need to get these plans drawn up properly and professionally by either a draftsman or an architect. By law these altered plans need to be passed before structural changes can take place. This does take time and patience, but it is important that this step is done properly for the safety of the structure. One day if you want to sell your house, the new buyer would need the council-approved plans before the transfer can go through.
Step 4. Plan your budget.
A home renovation can be expensive, and costs can start snowballing.
Prioritise essentials:
It can become easy to get swept up in the “pretty features” of a home renovation; however, structural elements and safety come first. Here is the priority order:
- Wiring, plumbing, structural/engineering elements, plastering, roof and windows.
- Fixed design elements. These are design elements that are fixed and not easily changed, such as tiles, flooring, cabinets, built-in storage, baths, sinks and toilets.
- Decor and design elements that can be easily changed. Things like light fixtures, taps, and carpets can easily be changed and upgraded. If the budget gets tight towards the end of your home renovation, consider a cheaper fixture which can be upgraded further down the line.
Set a spending limit:
Stick to what you can afford without compromising on quality.
Leave room for hidden costs:
Unfortunately, there are always hidden issues when renovating older houses.
Step 5. Find the right professional.
We understand your desire to maximise your investment, but it’s crucial to engage with qualified professionals. We often hear nightmare stories of contractors taking your money and then not returning to the site or poor workmanship that costs more money to fix.
In South Africa we have a slew of “bakkie brigades” that claim they can do the job for half the price. Although tempting, these jobs often result in unprofessional workmanship, and it can be difficult to contact them again for repairs. Be careful and do the research on reputable professionals.
Architects:
Architects will help you redesign spaces that flow and work and that will ensure structural integrity. Refrain from taking on this role yourself, regardless of the slightest structural alteration. Small details like designing which way a door opens or the alignment and spacing of windows as seen from the outside of your house make a big impact on functionality and aesthetics.
Contractors:
Contractors manage construction and ensure quality work. Do your research and get a few contractors to quote on your home renovation. Ask the contractor if you can see some of his previous work and ask for past client referrals. Check how long they have been in business for and if their workers are permanently employed or casuals.
Tradesmen:
These are professionals in certain fields, such as plumbers, electricians, kitchen companies and carpenters. Each field requires a professional to execute these crucial independent components correctly. Your contractor may recommend a plumber or electrician he has worked with before and who did excellent work. Spend time online and check out reviews for each company. Also check how long the company has been in business for and ask to see pictures of their work.
Step 6. Blend old and new.
Just because you are upgrading your old house doesn’t mean that everything needs to change. Old homes often have their charms and character. Consider blending old and modern elements. For example, you can try to restore old wood floors or antique doors or make a feature of an old exposed brick wall. Blending old features with modern design elements will create a unique look.
Step 7. Focus on sustainability.
We have to face it: sustainability is the way to go for our world and ourselves. Sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems not only reduce your carbon footprint but also lower living costs.
Some things to consider:
- Opt for bamboo or reclaimed wood flooring.
- Install low-flow faucets and toilets.
- Consider solar or gas geysers.
- Use non-toxic paint for walls.
Step 8. Upgrade the outdoor space.
Don’t ignore the outside of your house; it is the first thing people see. Look at your landscaping; a cared-for garden makes a house feel lived in and homely. A fresh coat of exterior paint can make your home look brand new. Outdoor lights are beneficial for security and create a welcoming ambience.
Why getting the right professionals in to do your wardrobes and built-in storage is so important.
When in the middle of a home renovation, there are so many things to think about. You are dealing with so many different tradesmen, and the money is ticking away. It is easy to become frustrated and make compromises to complete the task. However, skimping on your wardrobes and built-in storage is not a wise decision. Like a kitchen or bathroom, outdated wardrobes can make a house look old. Badly made wardrobes and storage spaces are immediately evident too. Wardrobes and built-in storage are fixed elements that need to be prioritised above decor and design elements that can easily be changed. You can add a beautiful rug or lamp later, but a poorly constructed cupboard or wardrobe will always be visible.
We understand that you may be building your “forever home”, but we all want to see a return on investment if you want to sell your house one day. Proper built-in storage is one of the key selling points when trying to sell your house.
Fineline Wardrobe Solutions are the wardrobe and storage solution specialists.
A general carpenter may easily convince you that they can construct built-in storage for a significantly lower cost. Often, a homeowner will ask the kitchen company to “do them a favour” and build their cupboards too. Such an arrangement is not a good idea. Creating the perfect configuration that will perfectly organise all your belongings is a real art and is rather left to someone who designs and builds wardrobes on a daily basis. Without a doubt, with poor workmanship or design there will be problems further down the line, and it can be difficult to contact the original contractor to resolve the issue. We have witnessed numerous wardrobe mishaps, and we often receive calls to rectify careless errors when the original contractor is unavailable.
Fineline Solutions has been in business for over 40 years. We are the experts in designing and manufacturing built-in wardrobes and cupboards. Fineline does not compromise on materials and safety. We have clients spanning 4 decades who say their wardrobes are as perfect as the day they were installed. Fineline Solutions is not a fly-by-night business, and if you need a service call at any point in the future, we will be there to help you.
Fineline Solutions anywhere in your home.
You may only be thinking of cupboard space in the bedrooms, but Fineline creates storage solutions anywhere in your home. Once your home renovation is complete, you don’t want your home cluttered and disorganised. Think of linen cupboards, passage cupboards, and even storage in your garage. Fineline uses sliding wardrobe doors for their cupboards, making them perfect for tight spaces.
Fineline’s cupboards are custom-made and made to measure.
Every job by Fineline is custom made. We design each job to the space and needs of the client. The client will get a layout of the proposed storage design before manufacturing begins. The client will know exactly what they are getting upfront. Nothing is left to chance.
Quick and professional.
Unlike many other contractors, Fineline will be in and out of your space quickly without compromising on quality. This advantage is due to Fineline’s excellent planning. Our factory manufactures the majority of the cupboard components according to precise measurements. The final assembly happens on site by our expert installers, who have been working for us for years. We pride ourselves on keeping our work space tidy and cleaning up after ourselves when we leave.
Let Fineline’s wardrobe become part of your decor.
Fineline Solutions only use sliding wardrobe doors across their wardrobes. Hinged wardrobes may not suit modern decor styles as effectively as sliding doors. Fineline’s sliding wardrobe doors can be created in a range of different materials, such as mirror, tinted mirror, different coloured glass, solid melamine colours, woodgrain melamine or even a combination of materials. This means that your wardrobes become an integral part of creating the decor style of your home.
Get your dream home with a home renovation.
As daunting as it may be, a home renovation is the way to get your dream home. With the right planning and patience, you can achieve your goals. Make Fineline Wardrobe Solutions part of your renovation journey. We promise excellence in product and service. Contact Fineline Solutions today.
For more creative tips and ideas, look at our trendy blog.
