To enjoy and get the most out of our bathroom, we need a feeling of space. To achieve the feeling of space, we planned:
Proportion between area and accessories (cabinet/bidet/shower/bathtub)
Convenient location of accessories
Using mirrors to expand the illusion of space
Safety lighting, ambient lighting and adequate illumination
Bright colors
Uniformity in design in a small area
Use in atmosphere accessories
Sufficient storage
Adapting the design to age (children, parents, adults)
Choose practical cleaning materials that are not sensitive to scratches, heat, or moisture.
Incorporate wide drawers. The wider the drawer, the better the use of space and the lower the cost of the drawer - fewer drawers are needed.
Use quality hardware that will serve you for many years. This way, you won't have to suffer from door or drawer jams. The drawers will be fully extendable and convenient for storage.
Due to the segregation law that will be enforced in the coming years, it is advisable to create a division into different garbage areas under sinks/islands, etc. in advance.
Incorporate energy-efficient lighting (such as LED strips) under the upper cabinets in the kitchen, so that the work surface is better lit and no shadows are created by our bodies.
Choose practical cleaning materials that are not sensitive to scratches, heat, or moisture.
Incorporate wide drawers. The wider the drawer, the better the use of space and the lower the cost of the drawer - fewer drawers are needed.
Use quality hardware that will serve you for many years. This way, you won't have to suffer from door or drawer jams. The drawers will be fully extendable and convenient for storage.
Due to the segregation law that will be enforced in the coming years, it is advisable to create a division into different garbage areas under sinks/islands, etc. in advance.
Incorporate energy-efficient lighting (such as LED strips) under the upper cabinets in the kitchen, so that the work surface is better lit and no shadows are created by our bodies.
Everything that is cheap is tempting, but remember that it is usually a recipe for disappointment, anger, and large, unexpected expenses. Therefore, it is important to choose the best and most affordable deal that includes the words: complete, schedule guarantee (= fine for late payment), quality, and of course, updated recommendations.
Invest a lot of time in choosing the contractor. Use your sense of criticism to see if you can get professional and courteous service from him, check that he is a registered contractor, check that he has insurance covering his work, check what the atmosphere is among the workers (shouting, accusations or calmness).
Make sure there were any delays and how you can insure yourself in this case (because you will have to pay rent for longer, or you will not be able to rent your apartment on time).
Check the possibility of insuring the project on your part.
Look for a reliable, licensed, and experienced contractor. You have received recommendations and, together with the architect/designer, you have seen various works by the contractor.
While you wait for building permits, you can start getting quotes.
You must decide whether to build with a key contractor - that is, one person or a contracting company that is responsible to you for the entire construction process. Or independent construction, which means receiving bids and working with all the subcontractors and various professionals, the skeleton contractor, the electrical contractor, the carpenter, the tiler, and so on.
The main advantage of working with a key contractor is peace of mind, but building this way can be more expensive. In independent construction, you essentially become the foreman and supervisor of the construction, which means it is worth asking for understanding and consideration from your bosses at work or your clients, because you will be less available to them in the near future.
In any case, you must show a presence at the construction site, understand the work process and be in contact with the contractor, supervisor and architect or designer.
As a friend who recently finished building his house and served as a contractor told me, 'Most of the time during construction, you don't build,' meaning most of the time you will find yourself waiting for the various professionals.
Understand what the professionals do and be active partners in the construction process.
Request accurate work schedules from the contractor/supervisor/site manager and provide full payment upon completion of the work.
The contractor and the materials are the highest expense in the project, so it is worth negotiating properly, especially after comparing prices. At the same time, the goal is to get an excellent product, so you need to look for the most affordable offer.
It's worth paying for a bill of quantities that the inspector/architect/designer/project manager will prepare. This way, you won't get caught up in unexpected expenses and you'll have control over changes and additions and know how to price them.
Don't trust the contractor to count the electrical/lighting costs. Count them yourself on your own time and you will see that there are differences in quantities and definitions.
Building a budget for home renovation It is among the most important elements that we must consider in the home design process.
Therefore, before we decide to dismantle our house or apartment for the home of our dreams, we must also know that all of this will cost us money.
And usually quite a few...
The costs vary quite a bit and depend on the level of finishes of the execution on site and also depend on various factors such as: the type of quality and level of materials chosen, the amount of furniture we will replace, the condition of the infrastructure on site and unexpected problems in achieving our goals, etc. The execution costs can range from a minimum amount to infinity, depending on our requirements.
Don't forget that when renovating and designing your home and adapting it to your needs, our dreams are always directly related to your budget! Therefore, define an amount that suits you as a financial expense for the project.
This amount is an initial and general amount at this stage.
Consult with professionals to review the construction/renovation plan, after you have created a program for your needs.
Make a wish list and prioritize so you can fit it into your budget.
It is advisable to create an Excel table that indicates: the cost of consultants and professionals, the cost of various fees and taxes, the cost of the contractor, the cost of fixed materials, the cost of furniture, and leave a section for furnishing the house.
Keep in mind that final costs vary due to the level of finish, quality, and schedule.
Estimating the costs of the project, even if done somewhat roughly, is essential for proper financial management on your part.
The budget, which will be prepared with the help of the building's architect, will determine the scope of construction and the possible level of finish.
Take into account that even after building a budget with a professional (the architect/designer/supervisor), there will be additions and changes ranging from 10-15% from various sources such as delays, which sometimes fall into changing geopolitical situations, changing labor costs, deliveries, and inventory.
Prepare for this and don't be surprised by glitches and mistakes. The construction process is a complex process, small mistakes are expected and can be corrected, big mistakes are something that must be prevented. Therefore, I recommend getting a consultation before you move forward. This will fix you up, give you professional tools, make you feel confident and gain knowledge. Contact me for a consultation. There are different packages.
