Everything You Must Know Before Your Full Home Renovation
Your home is likely the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, so it’s probably no surprise that you are a little nervous about taking on a home renovation. You’re right to be a little concerned — there’s plenty you need to think through before your builder first gets boots on site. A new kitchen, bathroom and floorplan overhaul aren’t going to happen overnight, and as such, it’s important to become educated on all the details before you start your renovation project. This article will answer many important questions and help you think through how to turn your home from ordinary to extraordinary.
How Long Does a Complete Home Renovation Take?
If you’re looking to renovate your home, you may be wondering how long the process will take. An average home renovation can take up to 14 months if done properly.
There are a number of things that can cause a delay when having your house renovated which is why it’s important to have temporary accommodation organised before work begins on site. Factors that can cause delays when renovating your home include the weather, the materials that are being used and running into unforeseen issues.
- The weather — There can be occasions when work will have to stop because of the weather if there is a storm, heavy rain or high winds. Another potential workplace hazard is temperature. We will therefore need to undertake an adequate risk assessment to ensure that employees working in hot temperatures or exposed to the sun do not suffer from dehydration, heatstroke, sunburn, heat rash or similar conditions.
- The materials used — Renovations may be delayed due to the availability of materials. If the supplier is out of stock or the industry suffers from shortages as we have seen in 2021 and 2022, there may be delays in completing a section of your house. This is why it’s a good idea to plan your home renovation well in advance to make sure these potential delays can be taken into consideration and that your builder has ample time to pre-order materials to create your dream home.
- Running into unexpected issues – It’s also important to understand that a project can run into unexpected issues, such as structural problems, damaged materials and more. At Watara Homes, we take care of these issues as they come up. We make sure to have a clear plan in place and take care of any problems right away so as to not delay the project if possible.
We know that home renovation costs can add up quickly and it is an investment that you want to get right. At Watara Homes, we pride ourselves on providing a top-notch experience from start to finish. Our team will work with you to ensure that your vision comes to life, and our builders will take care of every detail to make sure you get the home of your dreams.
How Much Does a Full House Renovation Cost?
When you’re planning to renovate your home, you’ll need to answer a lot of questions: how much will it cost? What do I need to know about choosing a builder? How can I find a reliable contractor for the job? Once you’ve answered all those questions, you inevitably ask yourself, how do I set a budget?
The cost of your full house renovation will depend on a few factors, including the size of the property, the scope of work that needs to be done and the level of finish required. Renovation costs in Australia typically start from $700k.
At Watara Homes, we are luxury renovation builders in Brisbane; we don’t recommend you cut costs on materials that aren’t going to stand the test of time. We understand that each home renovation project is unique and that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. That’s why each renovation includes several 1-on-1 meetings to discuss your dream house — we’ll sit down with you and help you figure out what your needs are and what’s important to you so that we can ensure the renovation process is as smooth as it can be.
Get Clear On Your Why
Figuring out why you want your home renovated before you jump into planning is crucial. This will help you narrow down what needs to be done. While we love our homes, sometimes the things that make them comfortable can also be expensive. Whether you’re looking to lower your energy bills or just make your home layout work better for you, there are plenty of reasons to consider a home renovation.
If you’re looking to renovate your home to better suit your family’s needs, you’ll have to decide which rooms are most important. A bathroom renovation can cost anywhere from $15,000 – $50,000 but a kitchen renovation can cost between $60,000 to $150,000. It’s important to prioritise what you want in your dream home as changing one room can change the feel of a house. Keep this in mind when planning your budget and timeline for the project.
If you want a functional home with a fresh layout, knocking down walls between your living area and kitchen could be a great option. This can create an open space that could give you a larger, more welcoming living area that is better lit for yourself and your family.
Improvements like new doors and windows can save you money on heating and cooling costs. A new roof can keep the rain out and make your house look better. Replacing old wiring with new electrical outlets will eliminate “surge protectors” from under every kitchen countertop in your home. And if you’re remodelling an older kitchen or bathroom, installing new fixtures and fittings like low-flow faucets and showerheads can help reduce water usage by as much as 40%. Renovating a bathroom, knocking down walls to create an open-plan living room or even installing new flooring will make a significant difference in the value of your home.
What The Process Entails for You and Your Family
Our process is designed to be collaborative and is most successful when we are involved from the very beginning. This allows us to provide budget expectations and assist with the design and pre-construction process. If you already have plans, we can offer pricing to suit your needs. Our 8-phase process is designed to make sure no hidden costs jump out at you so that your home improvement project runs without a hitch.
1. Project Planning For Your Complete House Renovation
The start of your construction project can be a lengthy process for you as a homeowner, and we are often the last step. It is essential for us to bring your well-thought-out plans to life with ease and enjoyment. We take the time to comprehend a new project – from the big picture to the more minuscule and considerate details. The end result will be the home that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.
2. Consultation + Design Concept
Our initial meeting gives us a chance to go over your project in-depth, as well as what you want and any crucial details that need to be covered. It’s very important to us that are both on the same page regarding your structural renovations as well as any cosmetic renovations you want to make to your home. This will allow us to make sure that all renovations can be accomplished successfully.
After we comprehend your goals, we can start working on the design.
If you have someone in mind that you would like to work with as your architect or designer, great. If not, we work closely with a small group of recommended consultants that we can connect you with. As we progress through the design process together, our goal is to identify opportunities for improvement, provide solutions, and deliver the best possible outcome for you while still respecting the original vision of the architect or designer to give you your dream house.
3. Preliminary Pricing For Your Complete Home Renovation
Once you are comfortable with your concept design, we can begin preparing your preliminary estimate. Cost estimates help you determine if a renovation, extension or custom home is right for you and also provide you with more comfort in moving forward to the next stage. If we need to make alterations to the scope or certain allowances to help achieve this we can provide feedback on the best way forward.
4. Design Development For A Full Renovation
The design development stage is the most important part of your build, planning and preparation are key. You can spend time here to ensure that you are meeting all the requirements of your brief and that the entire house will be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
You may need to consider things like:
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms there will be in total
- What size each room will be
- Whether or not there are any specific requirements for certain rooms (for example, in the ensuite)
5. Detailed Proposal + Documentation
After you are content with your plans, we can coordinate with our consultants to get all building permits and documentation. During this time, we will start putting together your building proposal, our comprehensive proposals take several weeks to assemble.
We will meet to go over everything that has been accounted for and confirm that there are no extra costs that are going to set you back. You will be given access to our Client Portal, Buildertrend (BT), so you can begin preparing for your project, stay in touch with us, and discuss any further details. If you haven’t confirmed all of your selections yet, you’ll have access to our library of ‘Watara Standard Inclusions’ to help you out.
6. Contract Agreement
We will come together to go over your proposal carefully and talk about any changes that might need to be made. It is crucial that we have all the documentation for your project accounted for as this shows what our team will be constructing and guarantees that there will be no unwelcome surprises during the construction process.
The documentation we complete in the pre-construction/design phase adds value to your project. We will meet to sign a contract and prepare for construction once you are confident the documentation reflects your requirements.
7. Construction + Contract Admin
We will meet with you two weeks before your start date to introduce you to our building supervisor and leading hand carpenter. They will manage your project closely and be your day-to-day contacts.
When we commence construction, you can expect fortnightly meetings for peace of mind and progress updates. We will also meet at each major stage of the project to discuss any upcoming items or important details. Our team has an unwavering attention to detail, ensuring a smooth behind-the-scenes process, which is critical to the success of a project.
8. Handover + Warranty
Our goal is to deliver the best possible result for your new home and we are confident in our ability to do so. Whether you’re building a custom home or having your house renovated the process may take 8 to 18 months. We support you throughout this time to ensure that the final product meets your expectations. We have a detailed and tailored approach that guarantees a smooth transition when the project is completed. We always go the extra mile to make sure our clients are happy with the results.
At Watara Homes, we prioritise the satisfaction of our clients. Depending on the scope of the project, ongoing support is almost always required and we are happy to offer this if needed. For example, we provide a 12-month defects liability period. This involves 10-month inspections if required to make sure you are comfortable in the home and that any immediate concerns will be addressed.
More Resources For Your Home Renovation Journey
Full home renovations can be major investments, which is why it’s so important to ensure you have a solid plan before you begin. Since every home is different, it’s important that you have a clear idea of what your renovation priorities are. Additionally, there are a ton of things to take into consideration, from planning out the layout of your home to budget to purchasing supplies and the sustainability of your home. The sooner you know what you’re looking for and what kind of renovation will work best for your situation, the easier it will be to get started and complete a successful renovation. If you want some inspiration on what is worth splurging on in a home, check out our other article where we worked with 26 home experts to answer that question for you!