9 essential things to consider when renovating your home

So, you’ve done all the proper things to secure a property. You’ve researched and done due diligence. You’ve progressed through the purchasing process and have finally moved in.  After a while, you decide to do an extension to the property to improve your lifestyle and optimise your property’s value. You may desire a patio, porch, decking or maybe even a stand-alone gazebo. While such renovations can be fun, especially if you enjoy planning, there are some legal boxes that you will need to tick in order to get council approval. In this article, Local Property Team lays out the legal requirements and regulations to obtain council approval for renovation planning. This includes actions that need to be achieved before obtaining all relevant planning permits and building approvals.

1. Discuss possible improvements and determine the improvement to be carried out. Internal renovations generally don’t need council approval unless they involve structural changes but most external renovations or building work will require council approval. Even a deck or a new fence needs council approval. 
2. Plan your renovation and your property management schedule. Most renovations need a planning permit issued by a registered building surveyor. These people can confirm the proposed renovation meets legal requirements You should also make allocations from the budget for the planned improvements. Prioritise when the improvements are to be implemented. 
3. Arrange the design and layout of the property improvement. Formulate a plan specifying location and dimensions and investigate designs for the planned improvement, taking site features into account. It is important to have realistic expectations if you are going to make the worst house on the street the best. One thing you can do is draw up plans for the improvement and calculate dimensions. Remember, extra rooms can mean an increase in daily living bills, so check you are getting the best deal on your gas and electricity plans.
4. Order materials for property improvement. Calculate materials required for the construction of the improvement from the drawn plans. Stake out and measure the areas. Obtain quotes from multiple suppliers for the materials, and prepare the proposed budget. Confirm legal approval to go ahead with property improvement, based on plans and best return on investment. Select suitably recognised suppliers and place orders for the quantities, sizes and types of materials required.
5. Prepare the site for installation. Inspect the site and note key features for the planned improvement. Stake out the area to be improved. Ensure adverse environmental impacts are eliminated or minimised. Take responsible action to minimise all risks performed throughout the proposed work.
6. Obtain professional help to identify hazards like termites and asbestos. Ask your local council to advise of any documented termite problems. Hire a reputable assessor to check for asbestos; if positive, a licensed asbestos removalist must take it away safely. Your council also can advise you on how best to protect the work that has been done to your house. The main two reasons renovations go wrong is due to flouting work, health and safety legal requirements and underestimating cost.
7. Supervise implementation of property improvement. Carry out and monitor planned maintenance. Implement property improvement plans and prepared schedules. Monitor the work to minimise environmental impacts and work health and safety risks. Maintain communication with professionals on site. Check that the work complies with the work plans. Dispose of any waste responsibly and take corrective action if required.
8. Carry out and monitor planned maintenance to the improvement. Make regular assessments of the renovation plan; its progress and its budget. Take OHS precautions, and identify and assess work health and safety hazards. Take responsible action throughout the maintenance works. For example, plumbing and electrical work must only be carried out by licensed tradespeople who are required by law to maintain their accreditation. In a past blog Local Property Team discussed how to find peace in your garden. This reflects our view that it is important to enjoy your time at home, both indoors and outdoors.
9. You can also enhance your property and resale value by thinking through a renovation and carefully planning it, keeping in mind the need to create plans and timely goal posts that clearly meet the requirements for a council permit. Keep in mind you don't want to experience heartache if your renovation stalls at sale because the property plans don't match the property's reality. Furthermore, if you use unqualified tradespeople you may end up suffering devastating consequences in the long term.

If you are interested in renovation planning, you are more than welcome to discuss the relevant requirements and regulations of renovation planning with Local Property Team.  We would be more than happy to provide you with a complimentary real estate report outlining the key statistics you need to know about the local market. Our state-of-the-art office is conveniently located near the Edgecliff Drive entrance to Sanctuary Cove at 2/9 John Lund Drive, Hope Island, Qld, 4212.

Six principles from the government accredited, nationally recognised course TAE Plan and implement property approval can be found at this link: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHCAGB404