4 Best Renovation Tips for Your Dream Home Makeover

A beautifully remodeled home has lifelong impact and effect on personal outlook, mood, and contentment. It’s an investment worth every penny; a fruit of hard work that warms the soul and brings unspeakable joy. Homeowners simply dream of having a makeover once in their life be it with simple or grand motivation as follows:

·        A breath of fresh air

·        A warm ambience for home gathering

·        A restful place after a busy day

·        A home that reflects personality and style

If you’ve been planning for quite some time, here are the 4 best renovation tips for your dream home makeover.

1.        Plan Your Budget

• The extent of renovation – An extensive one-shot renovation saves you time and money. If you have budget constraints, you can do it partially with your favourite places; be it just your kitchen, master’s bedroom, living room, toilets or a combination of those. Don’t fret if your renovation takes up to 5 years to complete as long as your budget doesn’t burst.

• Cash vs Loan – If you have enough reserve, cash takes away the worry of recurring loan repayment. If you’re a young couple or family, a loan may be suitable option since you have longer runway to pay.  Your Interior Designer (ID) should recommend you to reputable banks offering home renovation loan.

• 10% Contingency - There’s always something you may want to add or adjust; that walk-in wardrobe your wife’s been dreaming off from Pinterest that suddenly flashes back to memory! Or an extra shelving here and there to optimize the space. An extra budget will be handy.

•  Temporary accommodation for stay-in homeowners - Families with very young kids may or may not need to rent short-term or stay with relatives to avoid noise, dust pollution and other inconveniences. Regardless of your choice, your motivation to go through momentary disturbance far outweighs the troubles; you will have your dream home at the end of the journey.

2.        Plan Your Design

• Conceptualize - Picture your home theme, spacing and colours then supplement with your researched designs. Your future ID should help you consolidate the ideas along with their input and home detailing advice to create your personalised design. For home design ideas, go to Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and designer Websites.

• Sample of Themes - Scandinavian, Minimalist, Industrial, Modern.

• Sample of Colour Schemes - Black and White, Grey, Complementary Colour Blends, Neutral Tones like Taupe and Beige, and some moody colours like a main door that greets you “Yellow!!”

3.        Get a Home Layout Plan

• HDB or Private Property - You can purchase one from HDB portal at $5 using SingPass or request from your building management for your private property.

• Space Planning - Optimal use of space, traffic flow, functional zones, possible reconfiguration to avoid overcrowding and awkward layouts. Most renovations require permits and a softcopy submission of layout plan.

• Accuracy - It aids in proper scaling and measurement accuracy of furniture or appliances layout and passage spacing.

• Problem Detection - It helps in identifying potential issues before the renovation begins. For example, you can spot potential structural problems or design flaws and address them in advance, which can save time and costs.

 4.       Engage an Interior Design Company

• Shortlist –Compare designs, portfolios, and fees without being overwhelmed. Ideally you should have 3-5 IDs to shortlist.

• Places to Search - The best source are friends’ referrals since they would have experienced exceptional outcome on their own renovation. Online is the next best place to look but be sure to validate the ID’s service quality from Google reviews, FB reviews and other reputable platform reviews to learn their strengths, weaknesses, capabilities, staff and company ethics.

• Interviews - Meet each designer to discuss your project, ask their approach, their depth of experience, ability to manage timelines, coordination with contractors and handling of unexpected issues. Ensure and assess if they are good communicators and open to feedback. A successful renovation often depends on clear and ongoing communication.

• Renovation Expertise - Observe the knowledge depth and abilities in the following areas:

a.        Material Knowledge

b.        Familiarity with building codes and regulations.

c.        Structural Understanding - Identifying walls that can and cannot be hacked.

d.        Plumbing - Piping systems familiarity and fixture installation and knowledge between concealed and exposed piping.

e.        Electrical Systems & Lighting - Knowledge of running electrical wiring installation and understanding of electrical codes & safety standards.

f.         Finish Carpentry

g.        Flooring Installation

h.        Wall Treatments and Painting

i.          Kitchen and Bath Design

j.          Masonry and Wet Works - Waterproofing, drainage leveling, cement screeding of walls and floors, and proper tiling installation.

• Availability - Make sure the designer can commit or work out a feasible and reasonable timeline for your project.

• Design Process - Understand their design process and workflow. Some designers offer detailed planning and 3D renderings after officially signing with them and giving the deposit. Here’s a sample of 3D vs Actual Renovation Photos.

• Contract Terms - Ensure you understand what is included in their services, payment schedules, and any clauses related to project changes.

• Post-Service Reviews - Research the reviews relating to post renovation services. Renovation project transcends business transaction; it should forge long term good relationship between the ID company and the client for possible future engagements (retrofits, additional areas to renovate or referring to family and friends so they can have the same smooth experience you had).

By considering these factors, you’re positioned to choose an interior designer who not only meets your aesthetic needs but also fits well with your project requirements, working style and ethics.

Congratulations, you can now kickstart your dream home makeover...  🏡💕😊