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Month: April 2020

Renovating Period Home Melbourne
CategoriesPeriod Home Renovation

Things To Keep In Mind While Renovating A Period Home

By Period Extensions Team,

Renovating Period Home Melbourne

Are you planning a period home renovation in Melbourne? Is this your first time to do any sort of home renovation?

Period home renovations are not easy, especially for first-timers. If you are new to home renovations, we have come up with a list of things you should keep in mind while renovating your home.

The following list should get you well on your way to transforming your current home into your dream home.

1. Consult a Professional

People think that engaging the services of builders, architects, designers, and other professionals will make a renovation project even more expensive.

This is a common misconception and couldn’t be further from the truth.

Consulting a professional and utilising their expert services will give you a solid design and help avoid mistakes and delays along the way.

Most importantly, you will end up with a beautifully renovated home that is strong and sturdy and will last for many years to come.

2. Choose a Design and Stick to It

A common mistake that can decimate a renovation budget is constant changes being made to the design.

It can be very tempting to make changes along the way with new ideas springing to mind as the renovation starts to take shape.

Just one small peek on Pinterest can make you want to alter the design. Once you have chosen a design and layout it is so important to be disciplined and stick to it.

Avoid looking at other design concepts when you already have one.

3. Choose a Theme

Choose a theme that will be either complement the rest of the house or contrast it. Having a cohesive design all throughout the house is important.

Adding a contrast can be a creative way of updating a home. There is nothing wrong with adding a modern touch to a period home as long as it is done tastefully.

Things To Keep In Mind While Renovating Period Home

4. Choose a Color-Scheme

Paint colour and wallpaper are usually overlooked. Remember that your paint colours play a vital role in the overall look and feel of your home.

Choose neutral, light colours for a refreshing feel and to add a touch of class.

5. Salvage, Re-Use, Recycle

During demolition, try to salvage as many materials as you can. Pick out fittings, fixtures, decor and other various accessories.

Pick out those items that will go with your design concept, theme, and colour scheme.

6. Choose New Furniture, Fixtures, Accessories, and Decors

Choose new furnishings and fixtures according to your design, theme and colour scheme. Research the best prices so that you can set a reasonable budget.

When you have the preliminary budget sorted out, purchase furniture and fixtures in advance especially tiles, lighting fixtures and those items that break easily.

This is important as it can help to avoid delays in case there is a need for replacements or repairs.

7. Finalise The Budget

Set a budget according to your design and choose furniture and fixtures accordingly as mentioned above. Keep a realistic budget with a bit of wiggle room for additional expenses.

It is vitally important that you stick to the budget and avoid any changes to the design and furniture along the way.

Things To Keep In Mind While Renovating Period Home

8. Finishing

A good quality finish is just as important as the quality of materials and design. Cabinetry and carpentry, as well as paint and wallpaper installation, should be spot on.

Aesthetics play an important part in the overall feel of the place.

9. Decorating

Add some personal touches when decorating. Your new space should look and feel like you. Don’t be afraid to mix the old with the new.

You do not have to use all new furnishings to give your place an updated look. A mixture of the old furnishings and new ones can give your new home character.

OTHER IMPORTANT RENOVATION TIPS:

  • Keep a storage room – keep centralised storage for all salvaged materials, tools, and other items to keep the clutter out of the way.
  • Keep the kids away – if you and your family are living on-site, keep the renovation site closed off from your kids. This is an important safety precaution.
  • Keep up to date with building codes.
  • Change air filters when the renovation is done.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the whole process! Renovations are hard work so try to enjoy each part of the process and don’t stress too much.

Renovating your home is an exciting concept but the actual work involved is a completely different story. It can be stressful and requires a lot of patience. Stick to your design and budget.

Avoid changing designs so you can get the work done on time and make sure you choose the right professionals to help you with the project.

If you are looking for experienced and trustworthy professionals to help you out with each and every step of your period home renovation, look no further than Period Extensions & Designs.

Whether you need help with the design or the actual renovation itself, please call us today at Period Extensions & Designs on (03) 9882 5255 or contact us through our contact form.

 

Are Period Home Renovations expensive
CategoriesPeriod Home Renovation

Are Period Home Renovations Expensive?

By Period Extensions Team,

Are Period Home Renovations expensive

From curved windows and pressed metal ceilings, the attention to detail and distinct features of an architectural era is what attracts people to period homes.

Who doesn’t want their very own little piece of history?

Potential Melbourne homeowners are always on the lookout for a beautiful period house to call home but it is not always that easy.

Acquiring period homes can be a costly exercise as there are usually a heap of hidden costs that can rack up over time, particularly if you try and go it alone.

Period houses usually require some type of renovation work to make sure that they are structurally sound and safe to live in.

This can be expensive but it doesn’t have to be if you plan and prepare. Before engaging a contractor for your period home renovation, here are a few pre-purchase considerations:

  • Pre-purchase consultation and inspection by a professional – If you are planning to buy a period home to renovate and sell, it is important to know what you are getting into. Aside from the potential selling price of the property, you need to know what improvements, repairs, replacements, and renovations need to be done to the property so you can determine the overall cost of acquiring the house.
  • Don’t rush into it – Take your time to think things through. A renovation is costly and can take up a lot of your time so you need to make sure you are ready not just financially, but also emotionally and mentally.
  • The extent of renovation – Will this renovation take many months to complete? As mentioned above, make sure you are ready to dive in financially, emotionally and mentally. A full renovation can be a daunting and prolonged task.
  • Check if the house is listed as a Heritage Property – If the house is listed as a Heritage Property, it will probably be protected by certain regulations. There may be certain changes you might want to make that might not be allowed.
  • Identify which parts of the renovation require permits – Before embarking on the renovation project or even buying the house, check what permits are needed for the changes you have in mind. This will save you time and money when you start.

Following are some other things to consider and why you should strongly consider engaging a professional builder to help with your renovation or extension.

Asbestos Removal

Asbestos use was banned in the ’90s when its dangers were discovered. Asbestos poses severe health risks and should only be handled by certified professionals.

Period homes were built well before the ban came into effect. Therefore, you must have the property checked for asbestos before buying it because asbestos removal is very expensive.

Asbestos in period houses is usually found in interior and exterior cladding, roofs, vinyl floor tiles, insulation, kitchen splashbacks, bathroom tiles, imitation brick cladding, roof gutters, capping, and eaves.

The cost for asbestos removal and disposal ranges from a few hundred up to thousands of dollars depending on the removal needs. It is best to proceed with caution when purchasing a property and have it checked for asbestos first.

Council Regulations

If the house is listed as a heritage property, this could mean the house is protected by law. This means that renovations and repairs need to follow strict council regulations.

For example, if the original roofing is made of terra cotta tiles or slate roofing, you may need to use the same materials. Frontage appearance, colour, and materials might be strictly regulated as well.

If you engage a professional builder to handle your extension or renovation, they will take care of this process for you as they will also know exactly what information is required by the local council.

This will save you time and give you peace of mind that things are being handled correctly.

Are Period Home Renovations Expensive

Foundation Repair Costs

Although most period homes are structurally sound, you will still need to have the foundation checked for safety purposes.

Some of these repairs may include rotten timber, cracks in the walls, roof replacement, repairs to load-bearing walls, door and window repairs or replacement among others.

These items all add up and can end up costing you thousands of dollars. That is why you need to utilise the services of a professional builder as they will know the best course of action to take depending on what repairs or replacements are required.

Termite and Pest Removal

Period homes if not maintained properly will usually have termite problems. If uninhabited, the could also end up wildlife and other pests infesting the property as well.

Some wildlife and other pests like bats, possums and rats are health hazards and can cause severe damage to property.

Termite treatment and pest removal is expensive and are an example of some of the hidden costs that you don’t expect but will most likely encounter.

A professional builder will be able to advise on the best way to tackle the issue based on their extensive experience.

Updates or Replacement of Plumbing, Electrical and Heating Systems

It is expected that almost all period homes will have outdated electrical and heating systems, and there may also be plumbing issues.

Replacing of switchboards, power points and lighting will most likely be needed. This type of work can be a major blow to your budget, especially if you attempt to do this on your own.

A professional will understand the entire plumbing and wiring layout of the property and will be much more equipped to handle any replacements or additions required.

This will not only save time but could also save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars and will also ensure the job is done correctly and safely.

Are Period Home Renovations Expensive

Flooring

Period homes generally have beautiful hardwood floors hidden underneath the tiling or carpets. All you need to do is remove the tiles or carpet and polish the natural wood to give an antique look to the floors.

However, this can still be a costly exercise if you don’t use a professional to get the best advice and to give you some options to choose from based on their experience.

Final Thoughts

Renovating a home, whether period home or not, will cost you. However, you can minimise the expenses if you engage a professional and trusted builder.

They will ensure that the project is planned carefully and that your budget is realistic and adhered to throughout the project. That is where Period Extensions and Designs is at your service.

Please call us today at Period Extensions and Designs on 03 9882 5255 or message us through our contact form for a pre-purchase consultation or for any of your period home renovation and extensions needs.

Should Build Extension On Period Home
CategoriesHome Renovation

Should I Build An Extension On My Period Home?

By Period Extensions Team,

Should Build Extension On Period Home

There are two main reasons people build home extensions on their period home in Melbourne – necessity or to add value. However, the most common reason people build an extension on their house is the basic need for space.

When you have a growing family and your space is becoming cramped, it is time to extend. Or, maybe you are planning to start a family so are thinking ahead?

Then, of course, we all know that a home extension can improve your house aesthetically and increase the market value, so can also be a worthwhile money-making exercise.

Whatever the reason may be, there is no doubt that a home extension adds value to your property.

Things to Consider Before Building an Extension

  • Budget – Building an extension can become a money trap if you do not plan ahead and set a budget. How much are you willing to spend on an extension? Is it enough for the extra space you want to add? Do some research so you can make an accurate estimate or consult with a builder or contractor so you know what to expect and can set an accurate budget.
  • Timeline – Do you have a deadline for the project? Do you need the extra room before your baby is due? It is important to set a timeline and plan the project around it.
  • Scale – How big is the new space you are planning to add? This is important because your timeline and your budget mainly depend on the scale of the project.
  • Do You Need to Move Out During the Build? – This is important because having some ongoing construction happening in your current home can be a major inconvenience. Therefore, you may need to actually move out so the construction crew can work without any disruptions and you can stay out of the way. However, staying in a hotel or temporary accommodation for months on end means more money spent.
  • Other considerations – Building an extension means you may need some additional work done on your plumbing, heating and electricity. This will then add to your long-term ongoing expenses so you need to check if you have enough room in your monthly budget for the additional utility expenses.

When you have ticked all these boxes, then it’s time to go to work.

Should I Build Extension On Period Home

The Design

Are you extending your kitchen, adding an extra room on the second floor, or adding a family room? The design depends on what space is actually available.

This will affect your timeline and budget. It will also help decide if you will be building on or off-site.

Will your extension compliment or contrast the main building? While most people go for a cohesive design that will blend in naturally with the existing house, a complete contrast can work well too.

Building Permits and Regulations

When carrying out the design phase of the project, there are certain building regulations and permits that may be required.

Furthermore, here are some other factors you need to keep in mind:

  • Structural Integrity
  • Ventilation
  • Fire safety
  • Damp proofing
  • Other specific factors

A professional builder will have a thorough understanding of all the permits and regulations required and can save you a lot of time by handling this process for you.

They can also take care of the other factors noted above such as structural integrity and ventilation.

Project Management

Managing a build requires great organisational skills, patience, high levels of problem-solving and decision-making skills.

This is a huge undertaking and isn’t really suited to the average homeowner, particularly if they don’t have any sort of experience with building and renovating.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended to utilise the services of an experienced professional to help with the designing and construction of any renovation you are planning, particularly where a period home is concerned.

Should I Build Extension On Period Home

Insurance

Consult your current insurer and check if they can cover the build. The home and the renovation must be covered before you start construction.

Most of the time, your contractors will have insurance. However, you need to make sure you check there are no loopholes and potential issues with the policy coverage.

Have Fun

Enjoy the process. Let this build be a fun, learning experience. Building projects like an extension is usually stressful for home-owners. It doesn’t need to be. Stick to the plan and have fun doing it.

Finishing Touches

The best part of any build is the furnishing and decorating. You have a blank canvas waiting for your personal touch. Keep it clean, classy and functional.

Final Thoughts

Whatever your budget is, make sure you come up with an overall cohesive design that you’re happy with. After all, you are the one who has to live with it.

Designing your extension is critical to the overall outcome so you don’t want to leave it to chance. If designing is not your strong suit, hire a professional to do it.

Furthermore, if you don’t have much experience in building or extensions, the best way to tackle the project is to hire professionals who have a proven track record of success.

If you are planning on adding an extension to your period home, then look no further than Period Extensions and Designs.

Please call us today on 03 9882 5255 or contact us through our contact form and let us help you design and build your dream period home extension.

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