subject: House Refurbishments: 360 Degrees Changes for Small Budgets [print this page] House Refurbishments: 360 Degrees Changes for Small Budgets
Definition
House refurbishment = house renovation
House refurbishment is very exciting for any homeowner. After years of living in the same environment, it's finally time to make a change and upgrade' the house design to the latest trends. The renovation work can include a house extension, house repairs or redesigning a certain area (like the kitchen or the bathroom). House refurbishments allow you to improve the quality of the living space by adding or by modifying the existing features. At the same time, you remove the effects of the wear & tear and maintain the house and all the items within.
Prices associated with house refurbishments vary, from small amounts (for example, for purchasing new bathroom fixtures) to expensive investments (in house extensions, loft conversions etc). The bottom line is that the entire refurbishment process will reflect your own style and personality, no matter the costs. It is recommended that you save up some money in advance for any house refurbishments; this way, you can plan along the changes you want and allocate small amounts each week/month, until you gather the entire sum. This way, you will only have to pay for unexpected costs, because in many cases, renovation processes can be surprising.
Planning and designing for house refurbishments
This is perhaps the most important stage of the project. Depending upon the complexity of the renovation work that needs to be done, the owner can prepare a list with all the tasks to be completed by contractors. Remember to note down everything in your agenda, because you need to know exactly who works on each specific task, how you can contact him, the work schedule and the fees associated with the work. Especially when house refurbishments are complex, and the owners has to deal with electricians, plumbers, subcontractors, architects, material suppliers or carpenters, keeping track of the progresses is essential.
Choosing your contractor
House refurbishments are just like building a house from scratch. In many cases, the house will get a completely different look, and the work must be flawless. Choosing a reliable contractor is very important; you will live in the house for the following years so the quality of the work must be the best. Use references and never choose the first bidder or the cheapest one. Narrow your list of bidders to at least three, analyse their offers and their references, then choose the one that understands your vision and has the experience to put it in practice.
* If the project is large, consider consulting an architect. He might charge you up to 15% of the entire costs of the work, but you will save tremendously by better us of space and recommended materials.
* In addition, the architect can help you keep the project on the schedule and to the budget.
Successful house refurbishments can be achieved with small budgets.
Proper planning, good helpers and effective work management are three factors that can influence the overall price of a renovation project. Without those elements, even a small refurbishment project can make a hole in your budget. Even houses need a facelift every few years; is it time to take care of your home?
