Planning a period home renovation? Check out these 6 traps to avoid so that you get the home of your dreams.

1. Removing too much of a home’s character

Removing parts of a period home because they look like they’ve seen better days is usually not a good decision if they can be repaired or restored back to their former glory. It’s better to try to preserve the detail that you have as much as possible to keep the character that makes the period home.

2. Thinking that DIY is the way to go

We know that you’d love to get stuck in and do as much as you can on your project, but period home renovations are always more successful when a design/build team is in charge. This doesn’t mean you can’t do the odd job here and there, but the project will run more smoothly and on-time if you enlist help from professionals.

3. Not removing interior walls

Just because older homes had mostly walled off living spaces, doesn’t mean you need to keep it that way. Removing your kitchen and dining room walls (if able to do so) to create open areas that are more comfortable for families to live in.

4. Not doing your research

Understanding the characteristics of your particular period dream home is important so you can have a vision of how the end result is going to look. Do your research and find out all about the different design techniques and features that can be incorporated into your home.

5. Using cheap materials

Original period homes were built with the best quality materials available at the time, and there just wasn’t the cheap knock offs or synthetic materials that can be available today. Don’t scrimp on the cost of your materials if you want to keep the value of your home.

6. Not listening to professionals

Design and build teams that have had many years’ experience with period home renovations and extensions understand exactly what needs to be done to make your renovation a success. While you may have many ideas, you should take the professionals word for it and work with them to come up with a plan to get the best result possible for you.

Are you looking for a professional design and build team?

At Period Extensions & Designs, we have a fantastic team of period home experts who love nothing more than starting a renovation or extension project with a new client. Feel free to give us a call on 03 9882 5255 and we’ll book in a time to meet and find out how we can help.

How long is a piece of string? Since every renovation project is different, it can be difficult to know exactly how much it is all going to cost before things get under way. What we can help you with though, is understanding what type of costs are involved and why having a budget is so important.

Your budget is the first step

Putting a budget together is not only crucial for understanding how much your renovation project is going to cost overall, but it also helps with keeping track of what payments need to be made and when.  If you find that mid-way through renovations you have actually spent less on one room than you had intended, you could use the extra money to splash out on some fancier features that you originally thought you couldn’t afford.

If you are getting a loan from the bank, it is possible that they will want to see your budget to ensure that you have a realistic plan for the money.

One golden rule to remember is that it’s always best to over budget rather than make things too tight, so you have some room to move if anything unexpected should happen.

What costs do I need to consider?

As a guide, these are the things that you will need to include in your budget:

Planning fees: This includes fees for inspection and surveying, planning permissions and regulations.

Accountant fees: If you are using an accountant to keep track of your books.

Insurance: For your home and contents – you should have insurance before renovations begin.

Utilities: Power, gas, water

Materials: Wood, concrete, paint, windows, tiles

Labour costs: Fees for your contractors and builders, as well as designers and architects.

Waste removal: To ensure that waste is disposed of according to council guidelines.

Furniture, fixtures and homewares: Installing appliances, lights and taps, furniture and decorations

What is the best way of getting an accurate budget?

Unless you have many years of experience renovating period homes and understand all the ins and outs of how to go about it, it can be difficult to create a true budget. The best way of getting an accurate budget is by working with a professional design and build team that know all the pieces of the puzzle, from council permits to material and labour costs.

Having a clearer idea of what the whole project is going to cost right from the start will save you a lot of stress and sleepless nights later on.

Looking for a professional design and build team?

Our expert team at Period Extensions have an amazing wealth of experience behind them and would be delighted to work with you on your next project to ensure that you have a budget in place before the first tool comes out. Feel free to look around our site to see just what we can do, and don’t hesitate to pick up the phone – we’re happy to have a chat.

Starting your period home renovations? Don’t do anything until you read these five golden rules to follow so that your project is a success.

1. Don’t think you can do it all.

Even if you like to get stuck in with a bit of DIY, renovating a period home is not always a straightforward process. Usually there is a lot more that needs to be done than a regular renovation, and it would be such a shame to miss out on important details that an expert could have easily picked up. By speaking to a period home expert, you’ll be able to get a detailed plan of what needs to be done and ensure that the whole process is managed in the best way possible.

2. It’s not a race to the finish line.

While it is perfectly understandable to want to get your home finished as soon as possible, you must remember that good things take time. It’s a good idea to spend lots of time in the property going over ideas and even talking with family, friends and period home experts about different ideas. You may find that you are keen on one idea this week, and completely change your mind the next.

3. Have a realistic plan.

Planning what needs to be done with suitable time frames is key to your renovation process. But don’t forget that speaking with a period home expert will ensure that your plan is realistic, and you haven’t set your sights too high. Once you have a plan in place, make sure that it’s executed in realistic time frame so that tasks are not rushed, and you’re not left regretting things later.

4. Research, research, research.

Knowing that you want to live in a beautiful period home is one thing, but understanding the right type of home is another. Take your time researching the different period styles and find the design that you fall in love with. Once you’ve made a decision, look into any special design features of the period to ensure that you are able to renovate your home correctly without over modernising.

5. Accept that perfection may mean imperfections.

When renovating or building a modern home, square angles, symmetry, smooth lines and finishes are always going to be of upmost importance. But the beauty of period homes is that you can let go of the fact that everything has to be absolutely perfect. It’s very rare that you’ll see a long-standing period home without any imperfections – after all when these homes were originally built, they didn’t have the same building standards, tools and materials that we do today. So, if right angles aren’t quite what they should be and you have little cracks or rough patches, embrace them and consider them extra character for your beautiful home.

Need a hand with your period home renovations?

Enlisting the help of a professional design and build team with many years’ experience with period homes is guaranteed to set you up for success. Find out more about what our period home experts have to offer and feel free to give us a call at any time – we’d love to work with you to renovate the home of your dreams.