Australians are obsessed with renovating
Mention the word renovation and some people break out in a sweat, and for others it’s something they attempt to do themselves at least once. How hard could it be?
If you have never had a home renovated, than are you really a fair dinkum true blue Aussie?
It’s tempting to try and save a few bucks
I recently had a meeting with a homeowner in Southport where the husband has been ‘renovating’ the home for the last six years. He attempted (stuffed up) almost every part of this home. The wife is over it and wants to spend $150,000 minus the $25,000 grant to rectify the disastrous state of their home. Every hour, and every dollar spend by the husband was wasted time & money.
I’m not trying to discourage you from doing some cosmetic work yourself, just don’t risk injury, your marriage and your house value by taking on work beyond your skill level if you are inexperienced and not qualified.
Most renovation problems start with a cheap quote
Go to any dinner party and tales will be told of that rogue builder who. . . you get my drift!
Cheap prices and estimates from builders are a sure sign that you are heading for a renovation disaster.
It’s a fact that 70% of renovations end up costing 30% more than quoted.
Unforeseen costs are a reality when it comes to renovations and sometimes can’t be avoided, but some cowboys take advantage of this and threaten to walk of the job if extra costs are questioned by the client.
As an Architect, builder and project manager, I have been in and around the building industry for over 27 years now and I have seen a LOT of renovations in that time.
Quality is not guaranteed
A major renovation involves a number of different contractors ranging from electricians, plumbers tilers to plasterers, cabinet makers and carpenters.
With renovations, Quality control is a big issue.
Did you know that there is no law, regulation or requirement for your building contractor to supervise subcontractors work? and he probably doesn’t intend to. The reality is that most builders don’t want to take time out of their schedule to meet a sub-contractor on site, explain the client’s specific requests, and then supervises and inspect the work to be done by a subcontractor.
A professional project manager like myself will instruct, supervise and inspect all works to insure the work is done to the highest standards and quality. Poor workmanship will be picked up and rectified by the project manager before it’s covered over or requires expensive rework and delays the project.
Shoddy work due to poor supervision may include inadequate drying time between coats of waterproofing or paint, incorrect installed insulation, inadequate flashing/moisture barriers or insufficient fixing to reduce the sub-contractors costs.
The truth is. While most builders are great on the tools and produce excellent carpentry work. Getting them to manage paperwork, planning a schedule and supervising sub-contracts is something they are notoriously bad at and hate doing.
This week I presented a quotation to a prospective client. To my surprise, my quotation was approximately 25% higher than a previous quote she had received.
I learned that she had found the contractor on HiPages.
They were unlicensed, The ABN was for a company in Victoria, and not registers in QLD or registered for GST. No record of who the owner is, or a registered business address, just a gmail account and mobile number. No website and only a 2 week old Facebook page with minimal details and 2x likes.
The biggest red flag of all, they wanted 70% payment upfront before commencing work.
This just screams SCAM
Pay your deposit and the company will never be heard or seen off again leaving the client out of pocket with nothing to show for it. Don't become the next renovation horror story.
Setting your Renovation Budget
We ask you about your budget before we start the design and feasibility process, which ultimately saves you time and disappointment. It’s now time for the million dollar question. How much should you spend and what does a quality renovation actually cost? The simple answer is that it depends a lot on your goals and the choices you make. Now that’s obviously not super helpful. – so click here to see my price guide.
Designing your Gold Coast Home Renovation
Designing your new renovation can be a really fun creative journey, or a daunting experience. May I recommend that you do some online reassure and find images of design styles you like and may want to incorporate into your design.
There are many options and design choices that need to be made, and it’s easy to fall into analysis paralysis. If you are getting overwhelmed or having trouble getting your dream design together than our talented team can certainly give you the confidence and assist you every step of the way.
The design stage normally includes a concept sketch, drafting of plan, a specification and selections of inclusions such as colours fittings and fittings. Whether your tastes are simple or sophisticated, we have what it takes to deliver what you’re after.
Design, build, project manage
If you’re looking for the ultimate in peace of mind then a design/build/manage renovation builder is for you. There are a few incredible advantages to going this route. We can talk to you about potential costs and that the designer and builder are on the same page and working within your budget. Good planning and project management leads to a smooth stress free process. This level of integration and cooperation eliminates the stress, mess & guess.
Ready to get started with your Gold Coast Renovation?
From a single room, to an entire house renovation, we can do it all. We manage everything from start to finish. I’d love to talk to you about your unique renovation project and find out if we are the right fit for you
Want to learn more about renovation projects that can improve not just your home, but also increase it's value? Call Andre today on 1300 772 123
We design, build and project manage and deliver you a beautiful, stress-free, worry-free and regret-free luxury renovation that’s perfect for your family’s needs and budget.
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