7 Steps to Renovation Success
Renovating is a rollercoaster. It is exciting, daunting, and sometimes downright frustrating. But with the right approach, it doesn't have to be a chaotic mess of stress and budget blowouts. The key? Understanding the process, making informed decisions, and setting yourself up for success before you even get to site.
"Start right, understand your project"
Think of your design brief as your treasure map. Without it, you're wandering blindfolded, hoping to stumble upon the perfect home. This process is as much about discovering who you are and how you actually want to live as it is about defining what you want to build.
What’s the biggest mistake renovators make? Jumping in without a solid plan, hiring professionals, selecting materials, or even starting construction before they've really thought everything through, let alone come close to understanding the cost of that vision.
A comprehensive brief ensures you and your design team are crystal clear on what you need, how you want to live, and what's non-negotiable. It prevents last-minute panics, miscommunications, and budget surprises while giving you the personal empowerment to navigate the journey ahead. This document becomes your project's North Star, guiding every decision and ensuring the outcome works for you. Get this right, and everything else falls into place.
"Every expert you need, before you need them"
Building or renovating is a complex process, doing it well requires a trusted village. The most important player in the act is you, you are ultimately responsible for the outcome. You can’t simply hand this baby over and expect to get exactly what you want. That's true even if you hire the best professionals around.
The biggest misconception? That the professionals will cover everything. The truth is most projects can't afford all of the experts all of the time. That's exactly why understanding every element becomes even more critical. When you become more aware of what’s required; from heating and cooling, lighting design, window furnishings and structural considerations, then you can lean into professional help. You’ll be better able to find smart ways to cover all the bases within your budget.
Never assume anyone else will intuitively understand how you live or how you want to live. Your project is a partnership where you define responsibilities, know your role, and set clear expectations. The best projects are built with trust, collaboration, and a shared vision to create a home to be lived in and loved.
"Architecture, interiors, and everything in between"
Holistic design isn't about picking pretty tiles and hoping for the best. It's about ensuring every part of your home works together seamlessly. Good design is considered design, and there are lots of ways to achieve it for all budgets.
Here's where things get real: you must dedicate time to your project, no matter how big or how small. Delegation should never become abdication; you must stay in the driver's seat. It's tempting to dive straight into imagining your dream home, but first you need to understand exactly what you're working with. Know your site's realities, limitations, and quirks before you start dreaming.
Create functional wish lists that go beyond aesthetics and define spaces, sizes, and how you'll live in each zone, every room. Consider your intentions versus your motives, your short-term needs versus long-term goals. Think ahead and plan everything you can. Consider joinery details, materials selections, lighting plans, window furnishings, even if you're not making final decisions right away. This comprehensive design approach ensures all elements work together seamlessly and sets you up for success in the next crucial step: understanding what it all costs.
"Map your dollars and days"
The reality is 90% of clients simply cannot easily find the extra 20-30% that projects tend to "creep." When people say they over-capitalized, what we usually see is that things were under-considered at the outset. Don't jump into hypotheticals and start dream-building before you've seriously considered the money.
Think long-term, consider all parties involved, balance limitations with aspirations. Avoid ignoring reality in favour of personal hopes or rushing to an outcome instead of embracing the process.
Timeframes are crucial as they influence financial decisions, personal commitments, and even your attachment to the property. How long do you plan to keep it? Or, what will living in the home be like in 15 to 20 years?
One of the biggest pitfalls? Rushing to get builder quotes before your design is truly completed. If your plans don't include window furnishings, joinery details, materials selections, and lighting plans, you're setting yourself up for budget shocks. You need realistic expectations around timeframes and actual knowledge of costs. Understand what's not yet determined and what you still need to consider.
"Partner with the perfect hands"
Formally securing your builder with a contract. If you've been smart, this isn't your first conversation with them. The best approach? Engage builders early in the design process for real cost feedback and practical input.
Good Builders truly understand what things cost in the current market and can spot potential issues before they become expensive problems. Paying them to review plans, suggest cost-saving alternatives, and provide guidance during design can save you thousands in redesigns later. Their expertise helps ensure your design isn't just visually appealing but actually practical and achievable within your budget.
The transition from planning to construction is a process within itself. There's a stack of prep work to lodge permits, prepare documentation, negotiate contracts and procure materials. Builders don't magically "handle everything." Their job is to build. The trick is to ensure approvals, budget alignment, and contract clarity are in all in place.
"Stay flexible, accountable and one step ahead"
Even with the best planning, unexpected issues will pop up. Variations, delays, defects, and supply chain dramas are all part of the process. To ensure things unfold smoothly, we can help you be better organized, more flexible and adaptive. This will assist in to be motivated to accountable, and available.
Managing the construction is knowing who's responsible for what task. Being aware of how to handle challenges when they arise. Regular site meetings, clear communication, and quick decision-making will keep things moving. Don't wait until the end to inspect work, be a party to the process as it happens. Having professionals who know what they're doing from a project management sense, even if just at key stages, saves thousands.
"Transform house into home, lived in and loved"
This is where your home comes to life—where house becomes home. But by the time people reach this stage, they're often exhausted, out of budget, and ready to throw in the towel. Don't let that be you.
Understanding the sizes and parameters of each space and knowing what will fit makes all the difference. Have options you're happy with, clear budget parameters, and a list of negotiables and non-negotiables. Plan ahead so you don't skimp on the essentials—sofas, rugs, dining tables, lighting, and storage. These are the pieces you'll use every single day, and compromising on quality here means spending more in the long run. Mix old and new, invest in key pieces, and have fun with it. Decorating isn't about perfection—it's about making the space feel lived in and loved.