You have thoroughly done your homework, researched the market and current trends in the area and gained a clear understanding of the renovation process.
Have a clear idea of your desired final results as this will enable the contractors to advise you on the possibility of achieving this.You are not discouraged by the time and dedication required nor the plethora of possible minefields, and you decide to take the plunge. What next?
According to Sandy Geffen, Executive Director of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty in South Africa, many novices who tackle the challenge don’t realise that their first steps are likely to set the course for the entire project and can have far-reaching consequences way down the line.
She says although few of us are building experts or professional interior designers, it’s important to make as many decisions as possible before we even bring in the professionals. This will save on costs as delays due to indecision or the unavailability of materials later on can be costly, causing stress levels to soar.
Have a clear idea of your desired final results as this will enable the contractors to advise you on the possibility of achieving this. They can also guide you if you need to consider alternatives. This includes decisions about cosmetic features such as colour schemes, fittings and finishes. Planning ahead will give you ample time to source products and, if necessary, order them.
According to Tasha Rossen, Area Specialist in Sandhurst, Hyde Park and Hurlingham, the selection of a building contractor is paramount.
She says no matter how talented and creative they may seem, there are more important attributes to consider like their reliability, ability to assess a situation quickly to find solutions and their ability to finish as close to the quoted and agreed upon deadline and budget.
Rossen says it is therefore essential to do a comprehensive background check, including their completed projects and contacting all available references. Referrals from past satisfied clients are always valuable, so ask people who have recently used contractors.
She says it’s important to find out how many other projects the company is currently working on because if they are juggling numerous clients, the chances of running over deadline are almost certain.
According to Rossen, most of the renovation disasters she has witnessed have been builder-related and could have been avoided if the homeowners had done their homework.
Rossen shares advice for sidestepping the worst of the minefields:
1. Do not time renovations to be completed near big holidays like Easter or Christmas, nor for a big events like a 50th birthday party. That is a sure way to set yourself up for disappointment and ruin the occasion.
2. Being budget-conscious is prudent but never try to cut important corners just to save a few rand. It will come back to bite you.
3. Accept that problems will arise, so be prepared to roll with the punches.
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