renovation novice
Jo Jenkins
3 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (12)
Kate
3 years agoKate
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Need ideas for backyard makeover
Comments (18)Two plants I can suggest that I have chosen for my garden, are virtually unkillable, will grow in almost ANY soil or weather conditions & require little maintenance are: butterfly/african iris & Celtic Cascade tree. Both can be left to go a little wild for a natural look, or be cared for, to fit perfectly in a more formal garden. In regards to the iris, I removed my entire garden of mature, property damaging trees when I moved into my new house, but didn't want to wait years for a new mature garden, so I searched online for ppl selling/giving fully grown specimens away before they did renovations or re landscaped! The plants were a cinch to dig up, replant in my heavy clay soil & are thriving! I even cut some of them in half before planting and it didn't phase them!...See MoreFloor plan opinions please
Comments (21)wow....it's beyond disappointing when you're let down such as how you have described......very much highlights the challenges and inconsistencies associated with the industry......I met with people just last week who had described a similar issue with a previous architect completely stuffing up the roof pitch on paper...it happens, and the human error risk is high, and it's a fine line between a smooth ride and something that completely unravels......... We put high emphasis and value of informed decision-making at all points of the process - what I think is confusing for people with this stuff is that it's (a) not that simple and (b) there are responsibilities required of BOTH the client and the designer. From our observations over the years we've been doing what we do, it's clear that at times the right information is not being dealt with or being sought or is missing or underestimated, and there's a lack of understanding and clarity as to the extent of who's responsibility is what on both sides and how the whole process is most effectively pursued and tied together in order to minimise various risks along the way. There's a whole lot of person/company "A" relying on information/advice from person/company "B"....I suppose as a designer we see ourselves (for the projects we service/take on) as somewhat as a "general manager" to the whole process to help direct and work towards specific outcomes for clients.......but it requires careful attention to detail and a thorough approach that ultimately translates to time and cost - and this is why it's so hard to compare professionals and weigh up value/costs because you're not necessarily comparing apples and apples.......we believe there's actually only one way to do it, and that involves proper investment in competent professional service.....any Pro design service that seems cheap/low is probably arguably not worth it at all......however you invest properly in a thorough service, with a well matched operator (for the project/client) with proven results, well it's by far the best way to protect your project investment..... But i can totally understand your healthy caution in how you go about things and I think it's about understanding these projects involve a great deal of collaboration and the level of communication and working relationships will very much influence the outcome one way or the other...See MoreHelp with open plan Kitchen/Dining/Living space c
Comments (12)not a professional just obsessed with building and renovating..bagging the fireplace wall would make it easy to fill in the old master bedroom doorway with bricks to make a seamless match for the whole wall and brighten the whole new room and a simple roof extension on legs at right angles to the house with a gable roof, simple steel framed construction with Colorbond and lazerlite roofing and raked ceilings would make an ideal alfresco but you would probably need a skylight in the new kitchen to keep indoors from being too dark (and/or check out Solar Skylights that are excellent for adding extra light without holes in the roof) ...the alfresco could have basic concrete slab extended out from the existing verandah, screen walls, outdoor fireplace and outdoor barbq kitchen and sink..we've done something similar in a previous reno using a custom sized steel carport supplied by a local garage maker and then adding screen walls with lazerlite, lattice and plastic cafe blinds subject to views and direction of the weather ... you should also consider bug screening using horticultural shade cloth as you may find rural living a bit more fly blown than the suburbs and the screened room makes a safe play area for small kids and for pets left home alone btw don't forget to check the measurements of all the rooms as there are some discrepancies that need to be corrected in the plans and would be happy to redraw with correct measurements...See MoreShould I let my husband project manage our bathroom renovations?
Comments (16)We have been renovating bathrooms for more than 20 years, of late and with (reality tv ) a bathroom renovation appear to take a mere few days. . It has now become unreal expectation, for a quick cheap bathroom renovations ( "I renovated my bathroom for $ 5,000" ) Bathroom renovation businesses and builders require a 25% to 30% for overheads plus profit. And most work, if not all is sub contracted out, demolition, plumbing,electrical,rendering ,villaboard, waterproofing, tiling. (one very large renovation business dictates rates to trades, e.g render a bathroom for $ 600 including materials.) Rather than to try and compete with the cheap, poor quality businesses,we have changing our business to advising/supporting/teaching home owners ( as your husband ) to renovate their own bathrooms, with our home inspections. The key to a Bathroom Renovation...is Meticulous Planning......See Moredreamer
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3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoJo Jenkins
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3 years agoKate
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