6 Things To Note Before Starting On Home Renovation

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Renovating your home is probably one of the largest projects you’ll undertake in your life. It will leave memories – both sweet and sour – of what worked and what didn’t. Before you get started on your home renovation in Singapore, prepare yourself with these few tips!

Like they always say, if you fail to prepare, you can prepare to fail. I’m sure we don’t want that, so let’s get started!

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1) Plan your home renovation

Typically, a home renovation project takes a few months to plan and prepare. If you are collecting the keys to your house before renovation works, try to drop by for a site visit from time to time.

This will not only give you a clearer idea of what goes where, but also makes the planning process smoother. Frequent site visits can allow you to draw the ideal layout for your home, and be aware of some structures (e.g. bomb shelter).

If your new home will house either the young or the old, ensure that some of the features are also family-friendly. Planning small details like these ahead will make the space a safe and comfortable one to reside in for all members in the family.

2) Don’t rush your home renovation process

Since this will be where you are going to stay for the next decade or so, it is crucial that you leave no stone unturned during the preparation part. There is no need to rush decisions, especially since they might cost a hefty sum if you regret later on.

With more time, you can collate sufficient research on the types of materials, and come up with creative ideas for the ideal home you envision. Don’t forget to also compare design options, renovation packages and cost of renovation of the interior design companies you are engaging.

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3) Seek approval and inform neighbours

Once you’ve gotten it all planned, ensure that you check whether any parts of the home renovation process require approval from the authorities. Some walls cannot be hacked without permission, and there might be unknown guidelines that you need to follow.

Once you’re ready, you can then proceed to inform all your neighbours of what’s to come. We know how frustrating it is to be disturbed by renovation noises, and we should try to be considerate as much as possible. Prepare your neighbours with a notice of renovation, including the time of drilling and hacking works. Try and minimize the disturbance it can cause.

 

4) Consult your interior designer and relevant contractors

Though you probably have a clear picture of your dream home, it can be difficult to realize without the help of the professionals. Always consult interior designers from ID firms and renovation contractors on the possibilities, and plan and execute them with care.

Your interior designer handles the what questions – such as what materials you need and what the floorplan for the place is. They manage the project from birth to conception as well.

Things that you can ask your interior designer include: what design ideas do they have after viewing your home? How feasible are those to execute? What would the project timeline be? Which steps absorb the most budget? What type of flooring material will be used for the living room?

On the other hand, your contractor settles everything related to the how. For instance, how is the payment schedule like? How will hacking or tearing this wall affect the overall structure? How is the electrical wiring setup like for your type of home?

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5) Avoid premature shopping

It’s easy to say yes to things that catch your eye immediately in a showroom. However, we urge you to always consider twice and plan before buying anything for your house. It would be best to follow a shopping list. Check the dimensions of the furniture you’re buying, and think about whether it would fit the colour palette of the entire place.

Similarly, for household appliances such as built-in ovens or washing machines and dryers, you might want to scale back on your purchases. Consider the amount of space available for them and whether you will be using them frequently or not. Like we always say, utility should be a priority.

6) Invest in worthy causes

Refrain from being stingy at the wrong things. Designing and renovating your home is a worthy, long-term investment. It’s always worthwhile to spend a bit more on good quality built-in furniture and fittings. Imagine if your tap started to turn loose one day because you wanted to save that extra buck. The repair works would be a lot more costly and tedious!

Concluding words

Last but not least, always ensure that your contractors and designers can match your expectations. After all, they will be the ones bringing your vision to life.

We hope you enjoyed reading this week’s article! For more articles related to home living and design, check out our blog!

Looking to give your home a makeover? Contact us today for a free consultation!