The family has grown, the facilities have lost their useful life, the finishes have gotten old, the decor is no longer pleasing … Whatever the reason for renovating the house, it is essential to plan each stage of the work and define very well the available budget. Good planning for renovation also includes the choice of quality materials and hiring the labor that will perform the service.
After all, there is no point in saving money to renovate the property and then put everything to lose with poorly done work. Thinking about it, we prepared this post that is a true guide from the idea to the work’s execution!
Let’s talk about financial planning, hiring professionals, choosing construction materials, and other important aspects of the project. Thus, it will be easy to take the work out of the paper and enjoy the new house with much more comfort, safety, and style. Let’s start?
1ST STEP: KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO REFORM
The first step in making a good renovation is to have realistic planning, which includes all service stages. You can’t break all the walls at once and only then realize that you won’t be able to handle everything.
Renovations are exhausting and leave the house disorganized for a few days. Therefore, it is necessary to think beforehand about your family’s routine not to render the rooms unusable and impair your daily life. If you start the puzzle without planning, you may regret any change, and then there is no turning back without prejudice.
Having a renovation project is essential not to take that risk. Thus, you will already know for sure what you want to do (increase the bathroom, do an electrical renovation, create a gourmet space to receive friends, etc.) and which tasks to prioritize.
Setting priorities is critical. Thus, if any unforeseen event and the budget do not handle the task, it will be possible to suspend some steps until everything is normalized. This planning is also important to prevent certain repairs from being hindered by the rainy season, for examples, such as the renovation of roofs and outdoor areas.
2ND STEP: DO FINANCIAL PLANNING
Putting everything you intend to renovate on paper, it’s time to move your pocket and plan the work stages according to the total budget available. Set priorities and specify how much you want to spend on each one. This is the best way to guarantee that you will not have a red balance at the end of the work.
Financial planning involves time and patience, not least because retirement does not always come cheap. Of course, you can save a lot on some repairs. However, certain facilities call for more attention to avoid the famous cheap expensive, such as the electrical and hydraulic system of the residence. The materials for this type of service must be of the best possible quality, as they have everything to do with the work’s safety.
As for the finishes, it is possible to save a little. The price of floors and paints, for example, usually varies greatly depending on your choice. The ideal is to maintain a balance and think about each material’s cost-benefit. It is no use buying the cheapest paint on the market, and the wall is not well-finished.
3RD STEP: HIRE QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS
With the planning done and the budget set, start to think about the professionals. You will need to run the work successfully, from the project’s design to the finishing details. Next, we list the main ones.
ARCHITECT
The architect plans to organize and design the entire construction. This professional combines functionality and aesthetics for the home’s installations, proposing creative solutions that will leave you the way you want. These ideas go to paper, more precisely to the architectural plan that is the outline of the project.
The outline will guide the work’s execution with all the details of the property’s situation, such as space, the design of lighting and ventilation, the arrangement of furniture, and finishing materials, among other details. The functions of the architect are:
- make the project plan;
- take care of the property’s landscaping;
- Help choose the best finishes.
ENGINEER
If the architect is the one who designs the work, sketching the house plan, the civil engineer is the one who executes it, that is, who takes the project from the paper. This professional also monitors and manages each stage of the construction, evaluating the delivery time, and the total financial cost.
It is also the engineer’s task to ensure the safety of the property and its surroundings, analyzing the region’s topography, the conditions of the land, the type of foundation of the work, the dimensioning of the systems to avoid hydraulic or electrical problems, etc. In summary, the duties of the engineer are:
- assess climatic conditions;
- dimension the structure of the work;
- manage each step of the execution.
LABOR
Having organized and capricious professionals is the best way to achieve an impeccable finish. There is no point in choosing a bricklayer just for his training and length of service. It is necessary to know if he is careful with the details to take care of his work as if it were his. After all, what we see most out there is a bricklayer who leaves leaving imperfections in the service, right?
Choosing zealous professionals also helps in cleaning after work. If it is organized and detailed, it will not leave dirt, debris, and remnants of material accumulating on the new finishes. This applies to all job tasks, especially the most discerning, such as laying floors, painting walls, and installing planned furniture.
4TH STEP: DO THE RENOVATION PROJECT
Even if you are not building the project from scratch or renovating the entire house, it is recommended to have an architectural plan with the exact distribution of the project’s interiors and exterior areas. The dimensions of the house’s surroundings and façade must also be considered.
This way, it is much easier to define each step and make a list of construction materials. You will already know everything that will move. As we have seen, architects are the most recommended professionals for dimensioning the work especially because a well-done project requires technical knowledge and creativity to get the most out of the facilities.
These professionals also help when choosing the most suitable finishes for the construction, such as the floors for each room in the house, the best coverings, the type of decoration chosen, etc. Of course, you already have your preferences, like a Scandinavian, modern or rustic style house, for example.
The advantage of the architect, in this case, is that he has the technical knowledge to indicate the best solutions according to your taste and the functionality you want for the environments. Just imagine the harm of choosing an expensive coating for the bathroom or kitchen on your own and then realizing that you made a choice that has nothing to do with the room’s proposal?
If the intention is to renovate the residence’s external area, count on a professional who understands landscaping to make the best possible environment in the surroundings. Construction of a swimming pool, barbecue area, garden area … All this should be thought of combining aesthetics and quality in the finishes, especially because we are talking about places subject to weather conditions.
5TH STEP: PREPARE THE WORKS SCHEDULE
Doing good planning for reform means being objective and straightforward not losing focus or blow your budget. That is why we say that the project must be realistic, that is, finish on time and fit in your pocket.
Of course, unforeseen events happen, and you may need to change the plan. Whenever possible, try to be guided by the schedule and do not “run over” the stages of the work, starting services that were not planned and leaving the others to do.
Reflect carefully on each job you intend to do and assess whether they are even indispensable for the work, remembering to define the priorities on your list. Below, we explain the basic steps of a construction schedule.
STRUCTURE
Changing the structure of the property is more difficult. It is thought at the beginning of the project when we started construction, so this tip is mainly aimed at building a project from scratch. The structure is what supports the property so that any carelessness can compromise the entire result.
It is essential to have trained professionals to not have flaws in the project and guarantee the work’s safety, considering factors such as leveling the land, the weight of the property, and the presence of overloads. The structure of a building consists of four main components:
- foundation: transmits the workloads to the ground, being designed according to the load level that the property will receive and the type of soil in question;
- pillars: transmit the loads from the beams and slabs to the foundation of the work;
- beams: transmit the weight of the slab and other elements to the columns, reinforcing the structure;
- slabs: they directly receive the project loads, transferring them to the beams and, successively, to the other structures of the work.
MASONRY
If your planning for renovation includes enlarging the house, your schedule will certainly include the masonry stage. It is usually made of reinforced concrete, but other solutions become a trend, such as the drywall.
The masonry’s function is to dimension the walls that will separate the rooms, designing the environments. In this phase, we begin to understand the work’s progress better, as this is when the structure takes shape.
ROOF
The coverage stage is also crucial for those who are building the project from scratch. It has the function of protecting the property from weather conditions, such as rain or intense sun, which can deteriorate the construction over time.
In this stage, the ventilation and acoustics of the residence are also considered, defining the best thermoacoustic comfort solutions.
FINISHING
Finishing materials are present in any planning for renovation; after all, they give the “tone” of the property, leaving everything with a new look. It is no wonder that this is the best stage of the work for many people, as the house gains style and personality as we choose the materials.
This stage also includes all the final details of the renovation, such as the laying of floors or tiles, internal or external painting, wiring, installation of sanitary wares, and many other details of the work.
As this is a detailed phase, it is necessary to pay attention not to make mistakes in the choices. So reflect with great care on the functionality and aesthetics you want for the room. The style of decoration should also be very well chosen. This must be done before choosing finishes. All items must follow the same concept and dialogue with each other for a harmonious result.
6TH STEP: RESEARCH THE PRICE OF MATERIALS AND FINISHES
When planning a renovation, it is not enough to know for sure how much you intend (and can) spend. It is also essential to research the prices not to run the risk of exceeding the card limit or ending up taking a pig in a poke. Therefore, never buy all materials at the first store you find.
Look for establishments specialized in the field of renovation and construction, that offer first-rate materials and that have well-informed employees to answer all your doubts about a certain product. As for prices, it is worthwhile to search in several stores, no matter how exhausting this process may seem.
Often, the differences are considerable from one store to another. Thus, the project’s total cost may be less than planned, and money will be left to invest in new facilities.
Keep an eye on promotions and negotiate whenever possible. Most establishments offer good discounts for those who buy in cash or take a lot of the same material. Just be careful not to overdo it and end up wasting materials in the process. The calculation of what you will need should also be included in your retirement planning.
7TH STEP: KNOW HOW TO CHOOSE SUPPLIERS AND GOOD PROFESSIONALS
PROVIDERS
Choosing the best suppliers takes work, especially if we are talking about a major renovation, which will require a lot of material.
If an architect is supervising your work, it will be easier to indicate good suppliers and stores of building materials, as these professionals deal directly with this. But you can also ask for references to people close to you who are building or renovating and even to that neighbor who just redesigned the look of the house.
The basic rule of thumb is always to choose specialized stores in the industry, which have a wide catalog of products and have been in the market for a long time.
The service must be personalized and focused on the client’s needs and the cost-benefit that he seeks. In fact, cost-benefit is a keyword when choosing suppliers for the project. As we have seen, it is impossible to save on structural services, such as roof, ceiling, electrical and hydraulic design, among others.
However, it is possible to choose less noble products when it comes to residence finishes. This does not mean compromising the quality or functionality of the facilities. What usually varies, in this case, is the aesthetics of the chosen material. Even so, choosing simpler materials does not mean giving up the beauty and refinement of the finishes.
Everything will depend on how the elements harmonize with each other and the final result of the composition. Also, consider each environment’s particularities (indoor, outdoor, humid, etc.) before making your shopping list. So you don’t blow your budget or waste materials unsuitable for a particular area.
PROFESSIONALS
Having qualified and reliable professionals are one of the biggest challenges in reform planning. After all, it is not a simple task to find a competent, reliable, and capricious mason. Not to mention that, even after meeting them, it is necessary to schedule the service well in advance so that your work does not standstill. At the same time, the best masons have a full schedule.
Like choosing suppliers, here is also a tip to ask for recommendations from people close to you who have just built or refurbished. In that case, you don’t have to hurry. Search the references calmly, make several budgets, evaluate each proposal, and don’t get carried away.
In fact, as it is difficult to find a good bricklayer, it is common for some people to want to do the renovation on their own. This is not advisable unless the repair is simple and you have good “do it yourself” skills. In the vast majority of times, the best option is to rely on specialized labor, who will know how to perform the service with mastery and precision.
If you are hiring an architect, for example, carefully analyze his portfolio and, if possible, visit the works already built to get a more realistic idea of how the professional works. Be clear when explaining what you intend to reform and how you want to make the changes. The architect can capture your inspiration and turn it into a viable solution.
8TH STEP: FOLLOW THE WORK
From the structural phase to the finishing stage, we cannot neglect to monitor the work. In some cases, depending on the project’s size, it is even necessary to hire a construction management company to manage all stages of the process. This usually happens on commercial or industrial projects.
In the construction of residences, you can monitor the work’s execution by closely evaluating everyone involved in the project: engineer, architect, bricklayers, etc. Remember that the civil engineer is responsible for managing all stages—he who normally commands the service of masons and other employees.
It is also the engineer’s job or master of works to define which materials will be used in each stage, always aiming at safety and the quality standard of construction. Having that someone properly trained to manage the work is very important. Thus, in any unforeseen event or eventual failures, it will be possible to correct them before the problem gets worse.
All of this without mentioning that a closely monitored project – either by the responsible professionals or by the owner of the property – is much less likely to suffer future problems or need maintenance with little use time. This means relief in your pocket and no worries about injury and rework.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE DEADLINE
Even if you have left the work entirely in specialized professionals’ hands, try to get to know them in person before starting the services. Keep an open dialogue and express your desire for everything to go as planned and on time. Show that you are doing the makeover of your dreams and do not want anything to go wrong.
This avoids misunderstandings and makes the team feel even more responsible for the work, to deliver it to the best possible standard. As for the deadlines, it will depend on the dimensions of the project itself. It is common for extensive works to be delayed because the rainy season has started, preventing certain services.
When planning your renovation, keep this possibility in mind and consider extending the delivery period due to unforeseen circumstances. That way, you don’t run the risk of having the property ready on a certain date, and it won’t be ready on time.
Finally, consider your family routine before starting work. Inevitably, the house will become more crowded. It cannot be easy to control the entry and exit of bricklayers and helpers. Therefore, it is important to talk to the whole team and establish the best times for each service, especially in noisy tasks or generate a lot of dust and debris.
With this guide, you are ready to plan your renovation and get your dream job off the ground. It is worth spending some time planning the schedule of steps, purchasing materials, and hiring labor. So, for sure, the project will be successful and with an excellent standard of safety, comfort, and quality!
