Building & Renovating

Photo coutesy of Archicentre, City Tiling Creation and Superb Carpentry

When it comes to building and renovating, there are a seemingly limitless number of improvements you can make to your home.

Whether you want to undertake a major revamp of the bathroom and kitchen, or create new living spaces, read on for more information about the various building and renovating options available:

Benefits of Building and Renovating

There are many benefits to carrying out a building or a renovation project including:

More space: this is invaluable if you have a growing family, have bought a new car or you simply don’t have enough space at present. By adding an extension or a garage, carport or shed, you will have created space that can be used for entertaining, storage or daily living.
Extra comfort: this is also a benefit of a bathroom or kitchen renovation as these are the two most important rooms in the house in terms of usage and resale value. By renovating these two rooms, you will instantly ensure that the spaces are better laid out and therefore much more usable.
A building project or renovation of any kind will also ensure that the home is much more attractive, not only for you as the homeowner but for any potential buyers in the future. You will have increased your resale value substantially as buyers love the thought of moving into a property where everything has already been done for them.

Bathroom Renovations

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house and a well designed bathroom can be practically invaluable.

Bathroom renovations are a great way to turn a worn and outdated space into a highlight in your home.
It's a good idea to leave existing plumbing or electricals in place if you can. A licensed plumbing contractor will be able to advise you if your current system has limitations which may impact the plumbing project. For more information see new home plumbing and home renovation plumbers.
Waterproofers should also be consulted, as waterproofing is crucial to prevent mould build-up and water damaging the structural elements of your home.
Before you begin renovations, see if you can keep any existing fittings. Also keep in mind that you can resurface, rather than replace, the bath or tiles that are in good condition but look a little dated or tired.
Bathroom styles encompass retreat, minimalist, high-tech, utilitarian and colonial. The colour scheme in a bathroom can be an important choice and if you are after a classic look that will always remain in style, consider using neutral colours or whites. Accents can always be added through the use of colourful accessories such as towels, bathmats and ornaments.
If you have a smaller bathroom, you can easily make it look larger through clever use of larger tiles, mirrors to reflect spaces in the room, and tiling from floor to ceiling. Heating is also a consideration, especially in the colder winter months and your options include underfloor heating, heated towel rails, and heating lights.
Water efficiency is becoming a consideration in most areas of Australia now and water efficient fittings such as dual flush toilets and water saving taps and showerheads will save water and means that you’ll be paying significantly less on your water bill.

Kitchen Renovations

The kitchen is also one of the most important rooms in the house so it is vital that it is well-planned and the plan is well-executed.

Kitchen renovations can be rather complex, but it's important to take the time to get things right in your design.
Decide if the kitchen will be used primarily for feeding the family or if entertaining guests will be a significant factor. When entertaining, consider how many people will be expected as this will influence how much storage and working space you will need.
Take the time to identify the existing trouble spots. Be specific as this is your chance to improve the kitchen’s functionality. Any kitchen, no matter what style it is, should have ample working and storage space, good lighting, reliable appliances and heaps of power points. Ensure that your new kitchen will maximise storage space wherever possible.
The most important thing within any kitchen is the work triangle. The work triangle is simply the triangle made up by the sink, the cook top and the refrigerator. The distance between these three elements should be no more than ten metres, and should ideally be around seven.
There are many types of kitchens that you can choose to install but the common types are U-shaped, L-shaped, single-line, galley and the island kitchen. Common materials that are used in the kitchen include timber, stainless steel, stone, tiles, laminate and glass. Why not take advantage of these materials to create a look that is uniquely you?

Building, Extensions and Additions and Garages, Carports and Sheds

Builders work to your house plans and organise the people that are needed to complete your particular project. They may do the building work themselves or they may project manage – coordinating projects, managing the tradespeople, and managing the supply and delivery of materials. They can also help to organise the necessary building permits and help you liaise with the local council.
Extensions and additions are the best way to add extra living space to a home if you do not want to sell up and move somewhere larger. An extension is when you add more space to the outside of your existing home. An addition is when you add another level to the top of your home. Both of these have their pros and cons so it is best to talk to an architect or a builder before making any decisions.
Garage builders can design, plan and erect a garage to provide more storage for your home, whether it is for a vehicle or simply for gardening equipment. You can also use these for temporary entertaining areas, which is great when that little bit of extra space is required for a party or function. Garages, carports and sheds can either be custom-built or pre-fabricated depending on your requirements. Pre-fabricated is usually cheaper but retrofitting a garage to the existing home can often more than pay for itself in resale terms. Garages and carports should blend with the existing home and also the street frontage. This is true for sheds as well if they will be visible from the front of the home.

Shop Fitters

Shop fitters help with commercial renovations, by designing, building, installing and refurbishing fittings and storage units. They can also build doorways, entrances, cabinets and shop fronts to revamp your business to suit your brand and budget.