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Home renovations: 4 important steps you may have forgotten

December 17, 2015 5 Comments

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January is a popular month for renovations in Australia as so many people take time off after Christmas. Heading into the new year usually means a clean slate too, so why not use the time as a way to freshen up your home? Property remodelling isn’t just the ideal way to get more enjoyment out of your space, when done properly it can boost your return of investment to a nice healthy figure come resale time too.

Builder Putting Waste Into Rubbish Skip

But renovating isn’t a job for just anyone. It can be stressful and both time and money consuming. Thus, it pays to cover all bases and go in with a solid plan before you start ripping out walls or powering those tools. From ignoring a substantial amount of prep work to not checking house plans and applying for the right permits, there’s many important steps even the best of us can forget. Here’s what you need to keep in mind for your next renovation.

1. Arrange a dilapidation inspection before renovations

No doubt you’ll be camera ready to show off the final results after the home remodel, but what about those essential before pictures that may save you down the track? Documenting the process can protect you from potential claims should any damage be blamed on the renovations. Depending on what parts of the house you’re remodelling, it’s a good idea to take photos of the space and neighbouring homes before you start any of the demolition work.

Also referred to as a dilapidation survey, protecting your work by recording the current condition of your home and surrounding properties could save you a lot of time and hassle down the track. Especially in the event of neighbours or the council accusing the newly done renovations of causing issues to nearby structures. You should take images and arrange to have a professional inspect retaining walls, tilings, external and internal cracks (regardless of how minor), fencing, roadways and kerbs and infrastructure just to name a few.

Stock image of home improvement, construction or remodeling concept

2. Hire a skip bit for renovation waste

Renovations – regardless of how small – are messy. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of waste that will be generated from a home remodel, so you want to arrange a safe and practical way to dispose of everything at the end. If you are planning a renovation, it’s important to know that you’re in charge of managing, disposing or recycling the construction waste in the right way.

Residential skip bin hire especially for the project is the best way to dispose of everything properly. It’ll save you a trip to the local tip and sorting the waste yourself and leaving the job to the professionals will guarantee a safer disposal – especially if you’re dealing with hazardous waste from your renovation. Arranging a skip bin will minimise demolition waste on the construction site and ensure it’s recycled. Plus, it’s the cheapest and less complicated way to go about managing the waste too.

3. Double check housing plans

Adequate pre-planning is vital to the success of your renovation so it pays to check and double-check all housing plans. Go over your housing plans with a fine comb to analyse the local of load bearing walls and what walls have cables running through. Double (and triple check!) current housing plans and renovation plans to determine what you will need to hire a professional for and what demolition you can get done yourself.

By thoroughly checking the plans before you power up any tools, you’ll have a better idea about what approvals you’ll need to obtain prior. Removing load bearing or cable walls isn’t just an essential safety consideration to plan in advance, but you’ll need to ensure your paper work is all up-to-date and renovation plans have been ticked off by the right people. Double checking all this prior can save a lot of time, money and hassle.

19-11-2013 2-39-14 PM

4. The prep work

Skipping the prep work is one of the biggest renovation mistakes a home owner can make. Even if you think you’ve done all the required preparation, check again – because it’s one of the most important steps to get right from the beginning of the project. Despite being the most tedious part of renovating, cutting corners or rushing the process can leave your renovation to be a costly mess.

Triple check measurements as inaccurate calculations can cause a lot of issues down the track. Don’t be afraid to ask someone else to check your measurements either, it’s much better to be 100% certain they’re right. Plan a schedule to help your project stick to a timeline and get all your paperwork in order upfront. Choose the right team of people to assist with the renovation and when hiring professionals, make sure they have all the right permits. Keep your home renovation on track and plan for potential problems early in the process.

Your next remodelling project doesn’t need to be a disaster. With as much pre-prep as possible, smart decision-making and budgeting you’ll be on your way to fresh new space in the new year.

— Jayde Ferguson writes for Instant Waste Management – an industry leading rubbish removal solutions to assist you with your next home renovation. 

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys 💗 Me and my boys 💗
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner 💓😁
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting 🤣 Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help ❤️
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late is marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydney’s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital 😜

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness 😉

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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Comments

  1. AvatarAlix says

    December 17, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    Some interesting points here but I’d really recommend getting a professional involved before you start demolishing walls (even if you have triple checked them yourself). We recently saw an example of a customer who’d demolished a wall without consulting anyone. Top floor now held up by acrow props and a structural engineer brought in after the event to see what could be done. Less than an ideal order of events.

    Reply
  2. AvatarBruce says

    August 26, 2016 at 2:04 pm

    Awesome article. I really enjoy this post, your useful tips help me a lot, I’m going to try them out with my home remodeling project. Thanks for sharing, Jayde!

    Reply
  3. AvatarKendall Ryder says

    October 5, 2016 at 1:11 am

    Hiring a skip bin would be a great idea if you wanted to have somewhere to store all of your garbage. That way you won’t end up getting it mixed in with items you want to keep. The skip bin would be perfect to delineate the garbage, and it would hopefully make it easier on you!

    Reply
  4. AvatarWilliam Moore says

    March 6, 2018 at 7:04 pm

    Thanks for sharing these innovative tips. I will definitely follow these tips while I will start the renovation of my home. Thanks again!!

    Reply
  5. AvatarEzyskips Online says

    September 17, 2019 at 6:31 pm

    awesome and inspiring articles.
    thanks for sharing this tips

    Reply

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