Stages of a house refurbishment

Service Description

Stages of a house refurbishment

You are thinking of refurbishing your house but you do not know where to start from or what are the stages of this process from the beginning to start. It’s perfectly normal that you want to understand first what you are getting into and what it needs to be done before you start to demolish your walls.

So let’s see which are the stages involved in the refurbishment process.

Stage 1: Design

Any project starts with a phone call, which serves as an introduction to you, the company you want to work with and your project vision. We will arrange with you a site visit to see exactly what it is to be done and to discuss the project in detail. At this point we will also assess the site opportunities and constraints.

After the site visit, you will be given a price proposal for a design concept. You will be asked to write down your ambitions, requirements and ideas for the project using lists, images or whatever method suits you the best and better represents your ideas.

During this phase you will see sketches that show the conceptual and spatial ideas of the project. Sometimes the client agrees with the design quickly, other times more changes are needed until the client is satisfied. No matter the case, communication between the client, architect and the contractor is the key to the success of the project.

After the design has been agreed upon, the architect can create the plans, sections and elevations that will help the contractor know what he has to do. The inside and outside of the building will be considered, how you want to use each space and your expectations.

Stage 2: Approval from the council

Any renovation that changes the building’s structure or envelope needs approval from the local council. The council will give a checklist of documentation that will form the client’s application and might include, besides the shadow diagrams and architectural plans, documents from various consultants, such as landscape architects, hydraulic, private planners, bushfire or heritage consultants, geotechnical or structural engineers, etc.

Depending on the size of the project the council’s approval can take less than one month or more if submission of additional information is needed.

Stage 3: Documentation of construction & contract

After the project has been approved by the council, the next step involves the architect who has to create a detailed drawing, with a description of finishes and the design.

At this point a contract will be signed between the client and the contractor, which will include terms and conditions agreed by both parties. But before the project begins on site, a construction certificate will be needed from the council or a private certifier. Once the construction starts you will have to attend regular site meetings to review the progress with the architect and the contractor and discuss other details.

Stage 4: Demolition and construction

The first step when the refurbishment begins is demolition. All water, gas and electricity services will be disconnected and the existing flooring and wall tiles, wallpaper, paint and plasterboard removed. The framing is done and the installations are redone. After this new flooring, Plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning, interior doors and walls, windows, plaster blue and paint will be completed.

Stage 5: Handover

At this stage all the work has been completed according to the contract and the contractor will do a full walk-through of the entire project. A certifier will also have to inspect the work done and see if it’s in accordance with the council approval and relevant compliance controls.

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