A Northern Beaches exterior renovation can create an immediate change in the street impression of your home. It can help give new life to an old family home or increase the resale value. So when you’ve decided to transform your home, there are a few things we recommend considering initially which can help you throughout the process.
Step By Step Renovation
First, take a photo of your home and examine the picture with purpose. Allow yourself to process with a critical eye and then prioritise your renovation into areas of ‘Must-Haves’, ‘Would Like to Have’ and ‘Don’t Need to Change’.
Must-Haves
These could be things that need to be replaced as they are no longer fixable. Old roofing, windows and doors, retaining walls, driveways, garages, pergolas, fencing and landscaping are all areas that, when replaced or refurbished, can make a significant impact on the exterior of the home.
Would Like to Have
This could include design, style, quality of fixtures, finishes and added extras. Bigger possibilities might be swimming pools and spas, outdoor heating, fireplaces, sculptures, balconies or additional rooms.
Don’t Need to Change
These are the signature pieces of the exterior that make up the style and design of the existing outlook of the home. If keeping to a consistent design, there may be areas that do not need to be transformed. A bush setting with natural plants for the wildlife may be best unchanged for the environment; homes that have federation style exteriors may have nostalgic elegance which wouldn’t require replacing. Instead, these structures or items may inspire a design that is in line with the existing features of the home.
It is always important to understand your budget and the costings of the external renovation that you are commencing. Depending on the scope of the renovation you may need to source costings for an architect, designer, builder and trades. A complete renovation of an exterior can be costly, especially when you need to consider retaining walls, replacing roofing and adding extra rooms. Talking to an architect or designer and having a plan will help you to understand the requirements that may contain hidden costs in an extensive renovation. Once you have your plan you will be able to submit your intentions to the council for planning approval. The structural stability of the build will also need to be approved by an engineer.
For less-involved renovations (which can include updating an existing structure) the cost could be less. This may then allow for more quality fittings or updated colours, styles and materials using creativity to achieve a grander impact on your curb appeal.
Realistic expectations towards the external renovation will help prevent any financial surprises. At Dependabuild, we will be able to quote you on your transformation in detail and help to ensure you are clear on the types of building materials/fittings that might be required. Look through your quote, it should be clear, disclosing costs of any extra trades that will be required throughout the renovation. Variations to the quote can occur throughout a build and the Dependabuild team will discuss the process for variations which might include an increase in the cost of the build. An un-foreseen variation could include but aren’t limited to: changes in costs of materials, Asbestos removal, climate changes, structural integrity, new legislation, heritage discoveries throughout the build, unexpected pipes or tanks and structures that may have been originally unseen by the engineer. Other variation impacts on the price may also include changing the quality of fixtures, paints, fittings or materials and also adding extra construction jobs e.g. deciding on adding an extra window to an additional room.
Some items may be pricey during the renovation but save you money in the long term. Use building materials that are suitable for your local climate/weather zone:
If you live on the Northern Beaches or near the ocean, using materials that will prevent corrosion from salty air may be beneficial
Flood zones may need aluminium doors and windows
Houses located in intense wind or fire danger areas may need materials that are more suitable for the region
Plants that are natural to the region are more likely to thrive and may be cost-effective when maintaining the garden
Understanding your style is beneficial when renovating and we can help you discuss with a designer the look and functionality of the space. Lifestyle is also a factor when adding garages, pergolas or outdoor kitchens. Style can also be determined by location: coastal homes look fabulous in the beachside suburbs, a more rustic or country style design may be suitable for a leafy suburb. Discuss if your requirements are more minimalistic or traditional and once you have decided on a design, maintain a consistent approach to the furniture that you choose to capture the essence of the space you have created.
By remaining informed and communicating your needs and wants with all professionals involved, you can be reassured that your external renovation will be completed to your expectations. The team at Dependabuild would love to help you design and build the renovation of your dreams!
