If you’re like many homeowners in Canberra and the surrounding areas, you’re probably not fully satisfied with your home. Though you may love many of its features, it likely falls short of at least a few of your family’s needs and expectations. Fortunately, you don’t have to move to get a home that’s perfectly tailored to your lifestyle.
Whether your kitchen and bathrooms are out of date, you need more square footage to accommodate a growing family, or you want to create an outdoor living space, renovating a house in Canberra may be the solution you’re looking for.
Revamping your home and property is an exciting experience that’s filled with possibilities. Of course, once you start forging through the process, it can also become overwhelming.
Working with a professional home renovation company is the key to ensuring your project is a success. It’ll also help minimize the uncertainty and unexpected problems so many homeowners face when they’re updating and upgrading their homes.
Knowing what to expect during the renovation process in Canberra before getting started can make your journey easier as well, and the following timeline and tips are designed for just that purpose.
How Long Do Home Renovations Take?
No doubt, you’re wondering how long a renovation might take. Renovation timelines in Canberra vary depending on the size and scope of the projects in question.
Minor cosmetic upgrades, like repainting, having new flooring installed, and updating a few fixtures, may only take two or three weeks. More in-depth projects, like updating your entire kitchen or bathroom, can take between four and eight weeks.
Increasing the square footage of a home, such as adding a new bedroom or bathroom or expanding a kitchen, tends to take a bit longer. For projects like those, you may be looking at four months or more. Extensive renovations, like remodeling an entire house or adding a second floor, can take anywhere from a year to eighteen months or possibly longer.
Additional Considerations
Keep in mind that factors besides the size and complexity of your project can come into play here. Weather is one of them. Though the weather in Canberra isn’t quite as unpredictable as it is in other areas of the country, it can still cause delays. Extreme heat in the summer can make working on your home dangerous for contractors and even affect the results of their work. Short days and inclement weather during the winter months can also slow down your renovation team. Heavy rain and severe storms are likely to cause problems as well.
Supply chain issues can also factor into the equation. Though local suppliers do a fantastic job of getting materials to builders and contractors, their selection can be somewhat limited. Some building materials and fixtures take longer to get here than others. ACT regulations and requirements come into play as well. Getting approvals and permits takes time. More details on those will be provided shortly.
Taking a Closer Look at the Canberra Home Renovation Process
Now, it’s time to dig deeper into the home renovation process in Canberra. Since the Australian Capital Territory has its own requirements for these types of projects, the process is a bit different from that of New South Wales. Although not all projects are identical, here’s a general breakdown of the typical steps involved.
Planning and Design
First, there’s the planning and design stage. That’s where you decide what types of updates and upgrades you want to make to your home. You’ll work with professionals, like designers, architects, or renovation specialists, to lay out the plans for your project.
ACT planning and zoning laws must be taken into account during this stage. Additional rules apply to properties in heritage-listed areas, and those must be followed closely as well.
Approvals and Permits
Before work actually begins on your renovation, you’ll most likely need approval from the ACT Planning and Land Authority. That starts with submitting a development application. If your plans are approved, you’ll receive the required permits for your renovation. Some small changes to homes and properties are exempt from permits, but you’ll still need approval before starting your project.
Hiring Licensed Professionals
In the ACT, all renovations must be carried out by licensed tradespeople. As such, you’ll need to hire a renovation team or contractors who have the proper certifications. Local requirements aside, it’s always a good idea to hire professionals for jobs like this. It ensures you’ll get the best results from your Canberra home renovation.
Construction
With your approvals in place, construction can begin. Depending on the type of work you’re having done, that may entail demolition, structural changes, and plumbing and electrical work.
Per ACT regulations, building certifiers will perform inspections at different stages of the construction phase, such as when the new foundation is completed, when the framework is done, and after the plumbing and electrical have been installed, to ensure the work complies with building and safety standards.
Inspections and Certification
Once your renovations are complete, a final inspection will be carried out. If everything is up to par and in compliance with ACT regulations, the certifier will issue you a Certificate of Occupancy and Use. That’s legal confirmation that your newly renovated space is safe, functional, and up to code.
Completion and Handover
With final approvals acquired, your renovation will be considered complete. At this stage, you’ll be able to enjoy the results of the work you’ve had done. This is where all your planning, patience, and adherence to local building laws and regulations pay off.
Tips for a Successful Home Renovation in Canberra
Several factors come into play when you’re renovating a home, and there’s always a chance that unexpected problems may put a damper on your plans. You can take certain measures to prevent delays and ensure the project goes smoothly, though. Remember the following Canberra renovation tips while you’re planning.
Hire Licensed Professionals
First of all, be sure to hire qualified home renovation team. All construction and remodeling work in the ACT must be carried out by professionals who are licensed through Access Canberra. Having fully qualified professionals on your side will also give you added reassurance that you’ll receive high-quality work and guarantees on labour and materials.
On top of that, a professional renovation team can help you through the approval process and ensure you don’t overlook any important details.
Choose the Right Time
Choosing the right time for the project is also important. Since summer and winter weather can cause delays, spring and autumn are usually better options. Having work done at those times of the year can help keep your Canberra home renovation timeline on track.
Lock in the Details Early
Another way to avoid problems is to lock in the details of your project early. Choose your layouts, materials, fixtures, and finishes before work begins, and stick to those choices. Last-minute changes can cause delays and cost you more money.
Be Mindful of Lead Times
Additionally, you need to be mindful of lead times. Some items can take weeks or even months to get to Canberra. Imported fixtures and countertops and custom cabinetry are a few prime examples. For items like those, it’s best to order early and understand how suppliers’ timelines can affect your project.
Apply for Approvals Early on
Applying for ACT approvals early on is also recommended. Getting the required approvals and permits can take weeks in some cases. Getting the paperwork underway as early as possible will help prevent delays.
Revamping Your Canberra Home the Right Way
Families’ needs evolve over time, and normal wear and tear can take a toll on homes. Renovating a house in Canberra is a wonderful way to bring it into the modern era, customize it to meet your family’s needs, and increase your property value. Unlimited possibilities are at your disposal from simply updating fixtures and finishes to carrying out a complete remodel of the house and surrounding property.
Supply chain issues, inclement weather, getting ACT approvals, and other hurdles can cause delays in renovations. Understanding the renovation process in Canberra and following the tips listed here can help keep unexpected problems to a minimum and ensure your project is a success.
Above all else, be sure to hire a professional renovation team right from the start, such as our team at Quality Built Co. We’ll help you every step of the way from navigating ACT regulations and getting approvals to ensuring you get the best possible finished results.
