5 starting points for a renovation from a project manager
A project manager shares 5 tips for those considering a renovation.
Residz Team 4 min read
Incredible as it sounds, Australians spent a record $1 billion a month on renovations last year. A combo of Covid lockdowns, government stimulus packages, low interest rates, rising property values, and little else to spend our money on gave us the renovation itch.
First, is it stay or is it go
Deciding to renovate and then stay or to sell up is a big decision. Love It or List it Australia films homeowners going through the struggle, and it’s clear there are benefits in both options. Real estate agent and author Andrew Winter, of Selling Houses Australia, and The Block designer Neale Whitaker help owners with their decision to stay or go.
“Sometimes I go, ‘Oh, how annoying. This could easily be an amazing home.’ But then, other times, you can see this will never work for these homeowners,” says Andrew in an article on his TV role.
For those who do decide to sell, Andrew told Residz.com he’s surprised at the number of mistakes sellers make when listing their property. One mistake is assuming their property is perfect as it is. This calls for an assessment of your house, street and neighbourhood. What needs to be done to show your home in the best possible light?
Get rid of the grot
Also, clean and declutter, he said in a Stuff article.
“Clean the windows, clean the gutters, clean the driveway. Clean like you’ve never cleaned before. And anything that’s excess, if you want to keep it, that’s fine, just box it up,” he said.
Choosing the renovation path
For those who want to renovate (either for themselves or to get a good sell price), you’re about to go on a journey that could go swimmingly well or horribly wrong. Here I share 5 tips from a professional project manager who’s just finished a home renovation. Mine!
Decide how radical you want to go
In our case, we’d bought the home specifically with a major renovation in mind. But you might want to update your home, or make simple internal changes. A building sits on a foundation, so start by building a “foundation of information” to plan out your renovation.
The more extensive and complicated the scope of the renovation, the more professional design services and construction knowledge you’ll need. Having considered all this, is it going to require a development application (DA)? Or a complying development certificate (CDC)? An architect or a town planner can help you answer this.
Pretend you’re building a house from scratch
Think about all the professional individuals involved in a new house build. There are surveyors, town planners, engineers, architects, builders, project managers, interior designers. Make a decision tree to help you whittle down who you will need and who you can do without. If it is a complex build you are going to need everyone you can think of.
If it’s simple, you still need to decide if you would need a DA. If it is yes to a DA, then it’s best to engage an architect to help you with an application.
If you don’t need a DA, then you still need to be clear about what help you will need.
Dealing with any structural changes, you will need a structural engineer. If it involves services (water, electricity, gas) then you need to engage those professionals.
If you don’t need a DA, and it’s a very simple reno with no structural change involved, and it does not involve services, then you may be able to do the work yourself.
Do use qualified tradespeople and licensed services professionals if you are employing others. Everyone who works on your building should have current certificates and insurance.
Architects are not there just for good looks
Architects get featured in glossy magazines so it’s easy to think they are all about sleek walls, black turtlenecks, and mid-century designer furniture. Yes, architects are designers but they are knowledgeable in planning controls and building standards. Also, they will be vital to understand when specialist engineering design services are required.
Architects are used to working with other qualified consultants and can coordinate surveys, tests, and investigations as needed. Meeting with an architect to discuss your needs will very quickly give you an idea if you’ll be able to manage your renovation, or if you’ll need them or a project manager to manage it for you.
Understand the value of professionals
Construction project managers are engaged by big corporations to keep projects on time and on budget. That’s because building costs can so easily blow out and run over time (as many of us have seen on TV shows like Grand Designs). In any home renovation these two factors may be critical to your solvency and sanity.
While it may appear expensive to pay for professional oversight by an experienced architect or project manager, they may be better at pushing back on costs or finding workarounds. It will depend on the kind of person you are, how much time you have, and the level of expertise you have.
Eliminate as many surprises as you can
Do as much research as possible. Speak to other people who’ve been through, or about to go through, a renovation similar in size to yours in your area. Residz.com lists development applications being applied for in your neighbourhood (just type in your address and click on the Nearby button). Knock on their door! Look at the website of building associations, architects’ websites, the Australian Institute of Architects, your local council, the comprehensive Australian Government Your Home website, and state authorities for advice on owner builder advice and regulations:
Queensland Building and Construction Commission
NSW Fair Trading - Home Building Compensation Cover
SA Owner Builder Responsibilities
NT Building Practitioners Board
Tasmanian Consumer, Building, and Occupational Services
Image: Author’s house design, Andrew Eaddy Architects https://www.facebook.com/Andreweaddyarchitects/