Home Renovation Tips - Surviving the Process

Susan Templer - Templer Interiors- an Interior Design Studio

As a designer, I always get the same questions:  Where do I start?  Do I need an Architect? An Engineer?  But especially,  How do I survive the process? Here are some answers to common questions from people considering a renovation project


Part one -
HOW DO I SURVIVE THE PROCESS?

Move out! Of course, this is something that most of us can’t afford to do, even knowing that with any renovation there will be considerable inconvenience   But there are some things you can do to ease the process. Designate rules of the house for the workers:  which bathroom to use, which door to come in and out of, where to dump trash.  Make sure they clean the job site daily. Come to an agreement on starting and quitting times, including any weekend work days. Whatever you do, the process will be difficult. But it is a short term inconvenience for a long term benefit. (And who knows – you may even get to like the radio station they listen to!)

BUT WON’T MY HOUSE BE A HUGE MESS?

Yes, it will, but there are things that can be done to cut down on the mess. Move everything out of the areas to be worked on. Cover all furniture in the vicinity or transportation path of construction.  Make sure your builder adequately protects flooring and furniture.  And confirm that they are using good dust seal materials on all doorways leading to the work area. Dust is the absolute worst part of this whole process and whatever you do, expect to be cleaning it away for months after the project is completed. However, if you have followed the steps above, particularly insuring that the builder has properly sealed all work areas, you will have done everything possible to minimise the amount of cleanup.

MY KITCHEN IS TORN UP, HOW DO I FEED MY FAMILY?

The most difficult home renovation to get through is the kitchen. You can expect to have your appliances out of commission for a good long while, 4 weeks if you are lucky, but 8 weeks or more depending on the size and complexity of your project. Takeaways or eating out every night during this time can not only break your budget, but will ruin your health and your waistline! So here are some survival tips.

If you can schedule the project during months when the weather is conducive to outdoor cooking, this would be ideal. Invest in a great barbecue, if you don’t already have one, along with a great bbq cookbook. You can make just about anything on the barbie, even pizza and dessert! But any time of the year, set aside a room in the house to be your temporary kitchen. Have the builders move your fridge in here, along with your microwave, toaster and any other small electrical appliances. If it’s not bbq weather and you have a wood burning fireplace, be adventurous and experiment with roasting some sausages or other meats there. Unless you have a large, useful laundry sink for washing dishes, splurge on disposable dishes and cutlery for the duration, as trying to washes dishes in a bathroom sink or tub will get very old, very quickly. If you have a large freezer, the weeks ahead, start preparing dishes that are suitable for freezing in large quantities, and then store in aluminium containers in meal size portions. Whatever you do, it will be inconvenient, but you can minimise the pain and try to have some fun in the process!

I DON’T HAVE TIME, WHO WILL MANAGE THE WORK?

A professional designer can be a very important addition to your renovation team. And one of my specialties is Project Management. In addition to producing all of the drawings and helping you source your products, I can also help run the process from beginning to end. And at a fraction of the cost you would be charged by an architect or specialist project manager!

In addition, to helping you narrow down the dizzying array of products choices and saving you money by passing along trade discounts, I receive all products you purchase through me, handle any problems that may arise and assure that products are available when needed for installation.

For a busy person trying to live through a major renovation project, such as a new Kitchen or Master bathroom, it helps to have a coordinator. I speak both yours and the contractor’s language and am therefore ideally suited to help you manage the fine details that will keep the project running smoothly and on schedule. With this kind of help, you can concentrate on taking care of your family, while I manage your project so that it runs smoothly and on schedule!


Part Two
HOW DO I GET STARTED?

The first step for even the smallest project is to have a plan. This plan should be very detailed and written down, with drawings and illustrations as needed. Try to think through all of the smallest details to address on your plan. For example, in addition to choose light fixtures, think about switches and outlets. Where will the light switches go, do you want them turned on in one place or two, and which lights will be controlled by which switches? What about electrical outlets, how many do you need and where will they go? What style and colour should they be? What about trim, for doors, windows, baseboards and ceilings? We tend to think about the big things, but forget about the multitude of small questions that will arise during construction. If you are doing your own designs and drawings, make sure to take very accurate measurements, and then re-check everything at least two more times. Being off by even a few millimeters when you order products can create major problems and huge unexpected expenses.

For all products that require installation, purchase and take delivery of everything before work begins. For items that are too large or impractical to have delivered in advance, have them pre-purchased and stored for you, ready for delivery on request. The biggest delay in building projects are caused by products not being on site as required. If you have everything lined up and ready to go before starting, your project will proceed smoothly and be finished in the minimum timeframe. And confirm that your builder follows the same practice. If you have done your part, you don’t wan things slowed down because he hasn’t done his.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A BUILDER?

The best way to find a reliable builder is on referral from someone you trust. Direct experience from someone who has worked with a builder is a good starting point. Ask for names from any other professionals you are working with, such as your architect or designer, or vendors you are buying products through. But regardless who makes the recommendation, be sure to check references.  Ask for contact details of former clients and completed projects. Call a few and ask some important questions. Was the builder on time? Did he run a clean jobsite? Did he come in on budget? How was his work crew to get along with? Ask to look at examples of work done on projects similar to yours. When inspecting these projects, make a point of looking past the shiny new fixtures and fittings to try and ascertain the overall quality of the workmanship. Clues to look for are smooth walls, clean cuts on any timber finish work, level installation of work done by the builder. Be sure to have a friendly chat with the homeowner, asking important questions about their satisfaction with the process and the results. Get quotes from 2 – 3 different builders, making sure that the quotes include good details and explanations on the scope of work being quoted. But be careful not to hire on price alone. The least expensive may not be the worst builder, just as the most expensive won’t guarantee the best outcome. Do all of this research with due diligence. But in the end, go with your gut. All other things being equal, make sure the builder and his employees are people you feel comfortable with. You will be spending a lot of time together!

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR BEFORE SIGNING CONTRACTS?

With completed plans and final decisions on all your product choices, you will be in a position to get the most accurate quotes from all of your vendors, including the builder, sub contractors and cabinet maker. You will have determined the most accurate budget possible, but always factor in at least an additional 10% for the unexpected, particularly when you are opening walls and getting into foundations. If your builder doesn’t advise this himself, that’s a red flag. Any quotes from builders or subs should include a detailed description of work to be performed, a payment schedule and guarantees. Invoices for product purchases should clearly specify model numbers and description, state  return and warranty policies, along with the process for resolving any errors. A small mistake can lead to major headaches and difficulties if it is not clear who is at fault and who will be financially responsible for resolution. Then make sure that you follow these policies. If a product purchase invoice states that any errors must be reported within a certain time period, be sure these policies are followed to the letter, either by you or whoever has been designated as project manager.

WHAT IF I WANT SOME HELP?

A professional designer can be a very important addition to your renovation team. And of course I will recommend myself as your best choice! I can give you all the information you will need to proceed, including all necessary drawings and builder referrals. As a qualified and experienced design specialist, I can often take the place of an architect, particularly on interior renovations, and for a fraction of the cost! I will create a plan, procure building consents and produce all design and technical drawings to complete the installation, including specialty items such as mechanical and electrical plans.

In addition, I can help you narrow down the dizzying array of products choices and will save you money by passing along trade discounts. I will help you weigh the relative merits of different product lines, and save you money by suggesting products that offer the best value and durability.  And as a designer, I have sources, and product choices, that are not available to the general public.

For a busy working person trying to live through a major renovation project, such as a new Kitchen or Master bathroom, it helps to have a coordinator. Designers speak both yours and the contractor’s language and are therefore ideally suited to help you manage the fine details that will keep the project running smoothly and on schedule.

About Susan
Susan Templer is a regular contributor to wisanow website.
Owner and principal of Templer Interiors, Susan Templer specialises in all aspects of residential interiors, with particular emphasis on kitchen and bathroom renovations and new build projects.
After graduating from San Francisco State University with a BS in Business Management, Susan had a lengthy career in retail management, including five years as store manager for a large consumer electronics retailer in San Francisco.
When Susan purchased her first home, a DIY renovation reawakened her interest in interior design. She achieved a Certificate in Interior Design from Canada College, where she majored in Kitchen and Bathroom Design. That led to a design and sales job at a prominent, high end kitchen and bath showroom in San Francisco.
Interested in expanding beyond kitchens and bathrooms, and keen to provide a full service solution to her clients, Susan established Templer Interiors, her own independent design company.  After 12 successful years in San Francisco, including having her work published multiple times and an appearance on Home & Garden Television, Susan relocated to Auckland in 2009. She continues to run her interior design business, but now has a view of Rangitoto rather than the Golden Gate Bridge!

Mobile: Ph: 021 288 6248
Email: susan@templerinteriors.co.nz
Templer Interiors - www.templerinteriors.co.nz
123 Gowing Drive, Meadowbank – BY APPOINTMENT
Mail: P.O. Box 25519, St Heliers 1740
Auckland
New Zealand