Thinking of a serious DIY renovation on a new or existing home? Cowan Building takes a look at some of the issues many renovations newbies experience and how to ensure you are not opening pandora's box when it comes to your new project.

 Many of us daydream of knocking a wall down here or there or updating the bathroom and kitchen space in our homes. However, without the right advice and preparations, many homeowners jump in, only to discover a whole host of issues when it comes to making their reno dreams a reality.

 Council Rules & Regulations

 Before you start any new project a trip to your local council is paramount. It is important you check what rules and regulations may be in place that will affect your renovation plans. From upgrading sewerage systems to needing resource consents or building approvals, your local council may have other bylaws in place that could completely derail your project, or worst still, have you paying oodles of cash to fix or even knocking down the actual build.

 Having a clear picture of what you are required to do by law, well before the dust sheets go up, is very important. Different councils have different rules. It is also a good idea to get this on paper and not through word of mouth. Have a meeting with your local council, explain exactly what you are doing, and check if there are any laws in place regarding the renovation. They can best advise on what you will need to do before you start. Also ask if they can send you an email with this information, and any additional material that will help put you in touch with the correct people.

 Asbestos

 Interestingly many homes that were built, or even renovated, between 1950 and 2000 have a high chance they could contain asbestos. Before you start knocking down walls or removing that old, tired vinyl from your older home – get it checked. Not only can this pose a huge problem for your health, but it could also be a very costly fix. Once the asbestos is disturbed it could end up costing a lot more in clean up and disposal bills. Asbestos if not damaged can be correctly sealed, however, once this dangerous fibre is disturbed it will need to be professionally removed, disposed of, and cleaned.

 Asbestos is common:

·      Cement cladding

·      Water pipe insulation

·      Fireplace rope

·      Roofs

·      Vinyl flooring & backed floor coverings

·      Ceilings and walls (particularly textured)

 Call in the asbestos specialist if you suspect any possible problems before you start removing it.

 Living in? Moving out?

 All larger DIY will require some professional help at some stage. As the saying goes – if it’s not your day job, don’t’ attempt it to be. Many professions such as electricity and plumbing will need a professional otherwise you could find yourself in hot water with your insurance company if something goes dreadfully wrong. If you are living in the home during your renovation, allowing contractors to come and go will be an easy option. If you are not living in, consider installing a key lockbox to your home so contractors can come and go easily without you having to rush around to allow them into your home.

 Timelines

 If you are intending on doing most of the work yourself, be realistic with timelines. Not investing in a project manager will see you juggling contractors who are also tied to other clients. Understanding things will be delayed and this could be a knock-on effect with other contractors who are also working to other timelines and deadlines. If you are unsure if you can tackle this project yourself, call in the experts. They can help you stick to the budget, adjust your renovations and other things that come to light, and more importantly help with all the tricky stuff that tends to pop up during a renovation. Get the right advice before you start and the help needed can save you a lot of stress, money, and time when it comes to your dream renovation.