If you’re embarking on a home renovation for the first time, you’re probably feeling excited, daunted and a little apprehensive about what’s ahead of you. From our experience, these are three key things to be aware of before you begin:

If you’re not a details person – it’s time to learn! If you’re managing the build yourself, it’s vital that you confirm all decisions or changes with the builder in writing to avoid any misunderstandings. If you’re working with an Architect, they can administer the contract for you and act as the agent between you and your builder. It can be challenging to track every detail large and small, but it’s worth it!
Finally, be realistic about the level of upheaval involved and try and go with the flow, however overwhelmed you feel. Stay organised and enjoy the process.
1. First and foremost, sort out your floorplan

Don’t get ahead of yourself with room design, interiors etc – your very first priority should be the floorplan. Ask yourself these questions at the very beginning:
- What do I find most frustrating about my home?
- What doesn’t work in the current floorplan?
- What’s keeping me up at night?
Your new floorplan should address these issues. Finding the optimal layout for your needs is crucial, and you’ll kick yourself if you cut corners and end up with a floor plan that’s inefficient. Don’t figure out any of the details until the walls are in!
2. Strive for top notch organisation

It will help hugely if you are organised throughout every step of the build. Meticulous paperwork filing and many, many tick lists will keep your project running smoothly. You will need a detailed schedule where you document all design decisions and selections, both for you and your builder. The builder will provide a thorough cost program and building program that you must review carefully before giving your approval, as well as signing a building contract with your builder (keep EVERYTHING on file!) Planning is crucial in renovations, and key items will need to be ordered early to avoid delays.
3. Attention to detail is key