If you find yourself craving for bigger spaces and more exciting features in your home, a major renovation would be a brilliant idea. It can add more rooms and amenities to your property, like a pool, gym, walk-in closets, etc.
With a well-structured plan and a team of skilled professionals, your renovation and extension project can cost you less without your desired outcome being compromised. That said, here’s what you can do to ensure that you’ll achieve just that:
Determine Whether the Project Will Boost Your Property’s Value
Unless you’re planning to sell your home in the future, you can make any kind of upgrades you want. That’s because not all upgrades automatically result in an increased property value. The resale price of your home may spike up because of the extended space and new features, but instead of attract buyers, they may do the opposite, causing its value to plunge eventually.
Talk to a real estate agent to find out if the upgrades you’re planning can boost your property’s value. But again, if you don’t have plans to sell, you may skip this process.
Work out Your Budget
Before finalizing your extension plan, consider if you can make rooms out of the existing spaces. Doing so will let you save money on structural costs. Perhaps, instead of building an additional level, you can just convert your unused loft into a home office, or your empty garage into a new entertaining area.
Hire Professionals
Professionals such as an architect, landscape designer, swimming pool contractor, and etc. will help you plan a renovation and extension project that will be within your budget. Be sure to choose professionals who specialize in the upgrades you want to make. Also, check what’s covered in their fees; for example, will an architect charge per a new set of designs, or will they act as a project manager?
It is highly recommended to leave the management of full renovations to the to pros, as they have expertise on fittings, finishes, structural components, and lead times.
Consider Maintenance
If you’re planning to build a pool or spa, for example, maintaining those will also cost you money, so take time considering if you’d really need it. But if you’re already set on having it, go easy on the size to save money on piping, pumps, filters, chemicals, and energy. The smaller your pool is, the less money you’d spend for those.
Opt for inexpensive materials as well, such as the tiling and finishes. Exotic materials may look beautiful, but there are certainly cheaper and low-maintenance alternatives for those.
And to make your pool even easier to maintain, go for effective muriatic acid alternatives for pools. This automatically stabilizes your pool’s pH levels without leaving toxic substances. As a result, you’ll have a safe and clear pool without the hassle of doing manual work.
Go for Simple Designs and Groundwork
A rectangular or square footprint with a simple pitched roof is the cheapest but most practical design you can come up with. And if it will be possible to stick to a single-story extension, go for it to save even more bucks.
Avoid building near trees, drains, sewers, or any other underground services. This will rack up your costs and risk damage to your plumbing system.
Oversee the Project Actively
Even if you hired an architect to manage project, it doesn’t mean you should completely entrust everything to them, and only check your home once it’s done. Instead, be active in monitoring every progress, ensuring that your planned design is being followed, and that hidden costs are being avoided.
Make it a point to research thoroughly before starting with the project. Being knowledgeable about typical costs will help you avoid unreasonably priced contracts, and dodge dishonest so-called contractors.
