Project Costs

Navigating Project Costs versus Construction Costs for Your Home Renovation

Embarking on a home renovation project is an exciting journey that involves careful planning, budgeting, and decision-making. One of the crucial aspects of this process is understanding the distinction between project costs and construction costs. While they may seem similar at first glance, these two concepts play different roles in the overall financial landscape of your renovation endeavour. Understanding Project Costs Project costs encompass all expenses associated with the renovation project beyond just the construction itself. These costs typically fall into several categories: Design and Planning: Before the hammers start swinging, there are design and planning expenses to consider. This includes hiring an Architect to work with you to conceptualise the renovation, develop your preferred design concept, create detailed architectural drawings, and secure necessary permits. Materials and Fixtures: From flooring … Read more

Summer entertaining

‘Tis the Season for Renovation Planning: 5 Festive Steps to Prep for Your Project in the New Year

If you’re planning to renovate next year and want to make the most of your Christmas break, here are 5 things you can do to get a head start on your renovation project: Create a Vision Board: Spend some time during the holidays collecting inspiration for your renovation. Create a vision board with pictures, colour swatches, and design elements that reflect the style and atmosphere you want to achieve. This will help you clarify your ideas and communicate them effectively to your Architect.  Build your vision board with ease in Pinterest or Houzz. Research and Plan: Use the extra time during the holidays to research Architects and builders in your area and familiarise yourself with their portfolios.  Using our Project Starter worksheet, will assist you to develop your design brief.  … Read more

5 Things to Expect when Renovating

5 Things to Expect when Renovating

Renovations, despite thorough planning and preparation, often bring unforeseen challenges. Being aware of these potential issues can help you better navigate them as they arise during construction. If you opt to engage an Architect to oversee the building contract, you’ll benefit from the support of a skilled and experienced professional. Here are 5 key aspects to anticipate during your renovation construction: 1.  Inconvenience Living in your home during construction, can expose you to inconveniences like dust, noise, lack of heating and cooling, and temporary kitchen unavailability.  Renovations can extend for months testing your patience, with both the builder and your family.  It’s advisable to discuss strategies with your builder to minimise these impacts, or consider moving out.  2. Hidden Defects Design and planning can’t always unveil what’s lurking within walls … Read more

10 Essential Questions to ask an Architect

10 Essential Questions to ask an Architect

Selecting the right Architect for your project is pivotal to its success. Interviewing several Architects before making a decision can help you identify your priorities and ensure that the chosen Architect is capable of meeting your needs. Here are 10 essential questions to ask when evaluating an Architect. 1. What is your design process? Understanding the Architect’s project workflow and methodology is essential, as Architects often structure their services differently.  Comprehending these processes will give you insights into how they manage projects and the steps involved. It’s important to have confidence in their well-established processes, with clear objectives and outcomes. Detail 9 Architects established process can be found here. 2.  What is your design philosophy? Architects may have a signature style or distinct approach to design.  Ensure that their design … Read more

5 Actions to Take Before You Renovate

Renovating your home is a substantial commitment of both your time and financial resources. Therefore, it is imperative to engage in thoughtful pre-planning before embarking on any renovation project. These preliminary steps will not only set you on the right path but also ensure that you establish realistic goals and expectations for your renovation journey. The following five actions are essential to guide you through this preparatory phase: 1. Obtain a Property Appraisal Start by arranging for 1-2 local real estate agents to provide you with a detailed property appraisal, considering both the current state and potential post-renovation value. This step is pivotal in establishing a realistic budget for your renovation, to avoid overcapitalisation. Local estate agents possess insights into the specific preferences of potential buyers in your area.  They … Read more

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