Dilemma! Repaint, Remodel, Renovate or knock down and Rebuild?
This was the dilemma our client was facing when he decided that he wanted to upgrade and modernise his home. He knew that work was needed but he didn’t know what route to take.
Research can take time!
When thinking about remodelling work, you might not really need to know what will add value. What is important to you, may not be to somebody else taste, so it is important to understand what is worth doing, and what might not be.
There are many reasons for improving your home.
Here are some tips to consider:
- Your needs and lifestyle: What are your first objectives for the new renovation? Does your expanding family need more space? Do you want to make your living space more open and inviting, or do you prefer having separate room functions? Once you have a clear idea of what you need, you can then think of how it would be best to carry out the renovations.
- The flow of your home: Evaluate where the new space will be and how it will interact with the rest of your home. For instance, you might want to renovate your kitchen and make it accessible from the dining room and the living room. Try to look at the space differently. Think about it from a different perspective. Imagine there were no walls, where would you build them. What would you change?
- The resale value of your home: If you intend to live in the property, you must make changes that will suit you and your lifestyle. Although it is worth considering how that might work for others – one day you may want to move on and sell. Ask yourself, and others, will the changes you propose enhance the space and therefore add value. The last thing you want to do is spend a considerable amount of money and find the value of your property remains the same, or decreases.
Time
Our client chatted his thoughts over with friends, and locally at the neighbourhood committee.
There was movement in his road, people moving out and new families moving in. He decided to watch and see what their plans would be.
His property was on a private estate which had been built in the 1960’s, so all the homes were at a similar time in their lifecycle.
Over time, our client noticed that other homes were being redeveloped. He watched some be extended, some be knocked down and rebuilt, and others just had a lick of paint. While this heightened the need for him to undertake work, he still needed to be sure what to do.
The key here is to not rush. Hasty decisions can be the wrong ones, and never be placed under pressure to get going.
Planning
Once the decision was made, there was a further period of time where he carefully planned the work.
Our client asked specific professionals to pen a few designs based on having a free reign to do what they felt best. This developed into knocking down and moving walls internally to re-work the space. It was important to explore ideas, and have a vision of how different the space could be.
It is easy to get carried away with the research, and it is key to work out which professionals to work best with to ensure you do not duplicate work. For example, who will manage the project, the architect, the contractor or an independent Project Manager. Who is going to tender for your build team, you, the architect or an independent quantity surveyor. All this needs to be considered. When managing a budget you definitely do not want to pay for the same service twice or more.
During this phase our client employed a number of people, some whom he got along very well with, and others not so. As a large renovation can take a considerable amount of time, years, it is important to have a trust and a good working relationship with the design and build team. Finding the right people is critical.
Get Expert, Independent Advice
Remember that each property is unique, and renovation projects come with their challenges. Conduct thorough research and due diligence before making any decisions, and consider seeking professional advice to ensure that the renovation project aligns with your goals and budget. This will never be wasted money.
We can’t stress enough how important research is before embarking on a construction project – even if it takes a number of years.
How can CLPM help with a Renovation Project
Planning a renovation project can be daunting. Especially if it involved destroying parts of your home. CLPM can be on hand to support you. If you feel confident to carry out all the tasks – great. If not it may be a worthwhile investment to hire an independent Project Manager who can oversee your project on your behalf.
Whether you are looking for a bit of hand holding, or support with decision making to set you on the right track. Or if you would like advice on specific points, or costings on the way forwards. Our team can help you work through the dilemma to repaint, remodel, renovate or knock down and rebuild.
CLPM have bespoke services to help at every stage.
From initial budgeting, procurement, value engineering, to monitoring the costs of your project through the build. You can rest assured our team will take care of your project.
If you are planning a renovation, or would like to find out more about our services. Give us a call on 01923 896550, or email info@cl-m.com or complete a contact form. Our friendly sales team can talk you through your options.
Blog: Dilemma! Repaint, Remodel, Renovate or knock down and Rebuild?
