5 Cost Blow-Outs for Northern Beaches Renovations
Controlling the cost of your Northern Beaches renovation is an importantconsideration to the success of your project.
Here is how to manage renovation cost blow-outs.
1. Start with a detailed brief and concept design drawings
You need something to cost!. This is the initial and perhaps most crucial part of the renovation process. You don’t have to carve out an elaborate plan, but it is important you make sure your concept design is comprehensive and covers everything you are looking for in order to have an accurate understanding of the costs.
2. Ask yourself, “Am I living in the house for the long term or will I sell out in a few years”?
This is a significant consideration that can change the course of the whole process” .
Make sure you are fully aware of why exactly you need to renovate to begin with – and if it might not be fruitful in the long run to invest money in a project that you’re going to abandon soon! This may change your budget as well as your brief.
3. Talk to your Northern Beaches real estate agent about how much your house is worth after the renovation
This just goes with being aware of the impact the renovation will have on the worth of your house in the market and will perhaps help you realise that some tweaks in your concept plan can help you significantly boost the value of your house.
4. Make intelligent, rational renovation choices that can help control the budget
Here are some ideas:
-
- Consider keeping existing window opening
-
- Reduce the amount of structural changes
- Try and work with your existing plumbing and electrical services
It is important to note that structural changes happen to be the most costly and can double to quadruple the rate of the renovation. Therefore consider the ones that are essential and most valuable.
Another important aspect of intelligent renovation choices is designer fittings. Keep in mind that designer fittings and materials can be costly. Choosing mid-range finishes, that are still “timeless” and looking out for fittings on sale may still help you achieve a finish that you’ll be delighted with.
5. Get help from the right building professionals in the Northern Beaches
In order to have a good idea about the whole process including the costs that will be involved, make sure you are consulting experienced Northern Beaches building professional for guidance like local builders, carpenters, plumbers and electricians.
Once you have come up with your concept design and you understand your brief, get a Northern Beaches builder to provide you with an indicative cost.
Trying to work with your architect and builder together as a team. This is valuable even early on in the design phase to validate that what you want can be “build, within your budget”.
The worst thing that could happen is spending your time and money getting plans approved for a project that you simply can’t afford to build.
Also keep in mind that your project can be staged. Sometimes it makes sense to get approvals for work that can be staged over a few years. An approved Development Application lasts for 5 years and when you enact your Construction Certificate you have as many years as you need to build the work.
More Useful Links:
Northern Beaches Free Local Directory
Decks and Pergolas Northern Beaches
Mortgage Brokers Northern Beaches