We love this article – valuable advice all round!
RENO RULES
Organisation is key to a successful kitchen or bathroom makeover, and who doesn’t find life easier with a few guidelines in place? Here, some experts share their advice to ensure your project goes to plan.
Article by Fiona Joy – INSIDE OUT Kitchens and Bathrooms Magazine Vol 3 2018
- 1 set your budget (and then some)
A renovation budget shouldn’t just be in the funds you can lay your hands on. You must work out how much you’ll need to spend in as much detail as possible. As a rule of thumb, budget 10 per cent of the house value for a kitchen reno and 5 per cent for a bathroom makeover. “Then add at least 10-15 percent (of that amount) as a contingency” says builder Wayd Munro of Focusbuild (focusbuild.com.au). “You will almost certainly need more than you think.” Make sure your architect and builder are fully aware of your budget. As work starts you need to keep track of variations and any additional costs. “People often approve variations early on in a project, thinking they have lots of money only to realize towards the end that they‘ve spent more than they budgeted for.” says Wayd.
- 2 don’t rush the design
No matter what size your project is, it’s easy to feel pressured into making quick decisions on something that is going to be difficult (and costly) to change further down the track. And when it comes to your kitchen and bathroom, given the amount of time you’ll spend in them over the years, you’re going to want to love them. “The construction industry is notoriously pushy” says architect Andrew Benn of Benn + Penna (bennandpenna.com). “But it’s critical to take the time to design. People often rush the early stages hoping to save time, only to then have to live with a bad decision every day.”
- 3 choose the right team
We’ve all heard of the horror stories about inflated quotes, shonky work and no-shows, but the majority of Aussie tradies are highly trained and work to a high standard. So it’s worth the legwork to find them. “Word of mouth is your best bet” says Wayd. “If a builder comes recommended, you can pretty much guarantee they are among the best in their trade.” Make sure you check the currency of all licenses and insurances. Once you have the right team in place, use them! Don’t overestimate your DIY skills – most jobs on a kitchen or bathroom reno are best left to the pros.
- 4 remember the aesthetics
You want to have a practical space, of course, but there’s more to a kitchen or bathroom than just functionality. “Too often it’s only the practical solution that is promoted – and this often comes at the expense of beauty.” Says Andrew. “But these two things are not mutually exclusive outcomes and good design will incorporate both. Beauty is what makes you love your home – and it’s what will make someone else fall in love with it, if and when it comes time to sell.”
- 5 decide on the details
‘The devil is in the details’ is a good thing to remember on a kitchen or bathroom project. “Although it’s essential to have a grand plan, good building design is mostly about getting the details right.” Says Andrew. Adds Wayd: “Choose your finishes early. The most efficient project are the ones where the colours, tiles, paint and appliances have all been picked out before the project starts.”
- 6 spend time on the floor plan
Even though the kitchen and bathroom make up relatively small parts of your entire home, getting the floor plan right is vital. “Make sure each space flows, with good circulation and function,” says interior decorator and stylist Lisa Koehler (@lisakoehlerstylist). “Consider how you currently use the space and how you would like to use it to suit your daily needs.” Write yourself a brief for each space – this will help you make decisions and will form the foundation for the design.
- 7 communicate clearly
They say the customer is always right – but on a build, more often than not it’s the homeowner who unwittingly causes the problems. “Vague verbal requests mean the builder has to second-guess what you want,” says Wayd. “Unsurprisingly, they sometimes get this wrong and that’s the major cause of frustration to the client. Having proper and detailed plans to work from, and documenting any changes that are made along the way, will ensure everyone is more accountable.”
- 8 create a mood board
“Place all your favourite finishes and details you love on a board, to give you inspiration for the final colour palette and the general look and feel,” says Lisa. “Don’t limit yourself to interior images – it’s important to create a concept that’s individual, so add any images that represent the things you love.” With kitchen or bathroom finishes, Lisa’s advice is to start at the bottom. “Base all your colour decisions from the colour or tone of the floor,” she says. “Everything should link back to that.”
- 9 don’t go on holiday
Can’t stand the thought of being without your kitchen or bathroom throughout the reno? People often think it’s a great time to take a trip, but that’s rarely the case. “Many mistakes can be avoided simply by being on hand,” says Wayd. “If there are problems, such as the wrong tiles or appliances being delivered, they need to be solved with minimum cost and stress.” Even if you have a project manager, these are still times when you will be needed onsite.
- 10 expect the unexpected
Some things won’t come as a surprise – noise, dust and more dust, are part and parcel of a reno, even when work is limited to the tiniest of ensuites. But there will always be things you haven’t factored in, especially if you are renovating an older home. Unforeseeable problems with plumbing, asbestos, mould and dodgy work by previous owners are all things that will eat into your time frame and your budget. When that happens, just think how pleased you’ll be that you followed rule number one!