Renovation

Aaah, the joy of renovation. Taking a dated or unworkable room and transforming it into something that is a pleasure to live in is a powerful experience. The word ‘renovate’ actually means to make new or as if new again. Renovation is to restore, repair, reinvigorate or refresh and revive. It is not, I repeat not, meant to torture, terrify or tear up relationships but ask anyone who has been through it and they will tell you that it can.

There are three distinct categories of renovating, each one differing in difficulty, dust, din and disbursements. These are the three Rs of renovation:

■ repair and maintain

■ refurbish and enhance

■ rebuild.

From simply giving your home a good spring clean to demolishing and rebuilding from scratch, all three Rs will improve a property and make it more valuable. The three ‘Rs’ of renovating are worth remembering, not only because they help you plan but they also help you understand what you are in for.

Every property requires a different level of renovation. What’s more, all owners have different desires for their property, as well as different budgets. The blog will help you to confirm the level of renovation your property will need and also offer lots of tips and advice, as well as experience from real-life renovators, to help you through your own renovation.

It’s hardly surprising that renovation can easily turn to disaster. Every renovation is made up of lots of little jobs—painting, polishing, plumbing, removing, demolishing, rewiring, rebuilding—it’s enough to send even the most organized person into a tailspin. Successful renovating is all about planning—about fully preparing yourself for the financial and logistical burdens of improving a property.

It’s about feeling in control because you are in control. It’s about spending to your budget because you understand every task and job that you will be paying for. Most importantly, it’s about navigating the minefield that is renovating in a way that’s easy, simple and fun (although I can’t promise it will be quick or cheap).

The most difficult part of renovating is deciding what you want. There is a smorgasbord of choice out there, but not all designs or styles suit all properties. It can take time to understand what you really want or need, and it can take even more time to work out what you can actually afford or achieve within the limitations of your property.