RENOVATE | Planning a successful renovation
planning a successful renovation
Getting started on a renovation or new build project can feel like you are researching a million different options, professionals and trying to understand their different processes before you even get to start choosing products that match your Pinterest wishlist!
Let’s not even get started on the how-do-I-know-how-much-it-will-cost-if-I-don’t-yet-know-what-it-will-be chat (I’ll save that for another day). I believe the success of putting your plan together comes down to one single thing… your design brief.
A design brief is a written description of what a new project should do, what is needed to produce it, how long it will take, etc.
It does not need to describe the exact outcome (eg. a 4 bedroom, 2 bedroom weatherboard house) although this might be the end result. It should be broad enough so that it gives each professional or service provider you engage enough information to be able to work within your requirements and answer your brief.
For example, the design brief that might achieve the above outcome could be a family (husband and wife and their two children aged 9 and 7) wanting to create their forever home. The husband works at home and therefore needs a dedicated space for work while the kids need space to be able to store their homework but are happy to work at the dining room/kitchen table. They are currently living in their home that they wish to renovate/extend while renting somewhere nearby. The aim is to have the project completed in 18months. The family wants a fresh, country style that is robust enough to handle the family as they grow. Both parents work and therefore don’t have the time to make selections but they have a rough idea of what they like and don’t like.
No two design briefs are the same (and nor should they be) as they should fit the people living and using the space. Incidentally, a client’s design brief is what brings the magic to my interior design practice. Without my individual clients there is a high chance that a lot of projects would come out looking how I wanted rather than with the personality of my clients guided by me.
Here are some cues to help you get started putting your own brief together.
Click above to download a pdf version.
I’m not saying everything about your building project is going to be smooth sailing and no unexpected issues arise but having a clear overall vision will help you ride the waves of your project.
Here is an overview of how you can sink your teeth into the “where to next” when you are getting started on your renovation or new build.
1. Planning - write that design brief
The most successful renovation projects start with a clear design brief that will articulate to all professionals you work with what you are wanting to achieve.
Use the above cues to get a sense of the big picture and overall idea for your project. That way when you get to the next stage of engaging other professionals you will be able to answer all their questions easily. It will be part of each professional’s role to help tease out any more specific information from you (eg. an interior designer will help you work out what you like and don’t like for the fixtures and finishes).
There is no right or wrong amount of information to hand over to each professional so if your response to a lot of the above questions is “no dang idea” then you will likely be in the right hands once you decide which combination of professionals you need. This leads me to…
2. Service providers for a renovation or build
Once you have your design brief written you should feel confident to get in touch with various professionals who will be able to help guide you through your project and share with you where they fit into your project.
Depending on the scope of what you are wanting to achieve you will need at least one, if not a few of these services to be involved in your project. As a general rule of thumb this guide might help you work out who you need and what for. Be aware that each professional service may overlap with another so be clear what is included in the scope of work for each.
For example a draftsman will create your floor plan but this will mostly be for the external envelope and council approval whereas your interior designer will consider the space from the inside out and check that the spaces proposed will be adequate for traffic flow, installation of joinery, placement of furniture etc. If you are not sure what something is then don’t hesitate to have the service provider explain it a little further.
Click above to download a pdf version.
The role of an interior designer
Now I can’t speak for every other service provider but as an interior designer I can detail how and where we might fit into the project. An interior designer can do a whole range of services within your renovation project and it’s usually about having them fill gaps that you either don’t want to do yourself or that you feel are a little over your head.
This can include the review your floor plans (checking traffic flow, openings, possible placement of furniture etc), create an overall visual design concept, select fittings/finishes (think tiles, flooring, paint etc), furniture sourcing all the way down to the finishing touches like cushions, linen, styling and art.
Generally speaking, an interior designer will package together what is required for your individual project and provide you with a quote specific to the work required. That way you won’t be paying for anything you don’t need.
Hopefully that has given you a little bit more clarity about where you are headed with your design project. If you would like to chat about it further, please don’t hesitate to book in your free 30 minute consultation with Emily. It’s never too early to get in touch about that project you have in mind. The earlier I know about your project the more seamlessly I can fit in with it’s progress. Good luck!