 You could be looking at moving because your current home doesn’t appear right for you. It’s unappealing, small, shabby and items are broken. Yet, with a little imagination and effort maybe the house can be vastly improved at a relatively modest cost. Remodeling Versus Moving How to Decide In the last few articles we discussed how you could How to make your home feel bigger. We also suggested ways to create more space Simple Ways to Improve Your House Part 1 - Creating More Space. Then we looked at Creating more space in your home with extra storage. In this article we consider more home improvement tips.  Home improvement ideasConsider some of these home improvement ideas.
 "Many of these home improvement ideas don't cost lots of money or require a great deal of effort." Many of these home improvement ideas don't cost lots of money or require a great deal of effort. They don't have to be done all at once. Although they do require a plan to coordinate design ideas and detail. And you probably don't want to be installing new carpets before the painting is complete, and possibly new curtains could wait until the painting is complete, unless there is old fittings to be removed that require patching and painting over. So try and have an overall plan in mind and then coordinate what you do depending on your time and budget. Over the years we’ve bought several investment properties. To make them more appealing we’ve repainted them in light colours, installed new lights in some rooms, sometimes changed tap and shower fixtures, added ceiling fans, done maintenance, improved the garden by adding a few simple plants and covering the planting areas with mulch, and cleaned the house – all at a relatively small cost and a few days’ work. The houses and apartments immediately looked lighter, brighter and more attractive and we’ve always easily found tenants. #homeimprovementtips #homeimprovementideas #homerenovation Small changes can dramatically improve your homeUnderstand what you don’t like about your house and why, then see how it can be fixed. Renovations don’t have to be major and involve enormous expense. Even small changes can increase the value of your house and improve your enjoyment of it. But, even incorporating some of these ideas into your new house or renovation can improve it immensely. What ideas and tips do you have for improving homes #homerenovationideas #homeimprovement #homereno #houseconstruction Other Useful Articles: Designing your house for pets Home renovators do you know if your home contains hazardous materials? When renovating your home avoid damaging other parts of the house  This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 2 - Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' © 2022 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author. Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses? Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
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 If you are ready to start with a home remodel, you probably think you can stay inside during the renovations. While this may seem like a plausible idea, it is actually considered bad practice. Yes, it is possible to do it, and some people find a way. However, the building works will progress much faster if you move out during the project. There are other valid reasons you should move out during a remodel, and today we will talk about them. Stick around to find out how you can unintentionally disrupt your home renovation by staying in the house. Stress of living in a house being renovatedThings that you won't lack during a remodel are noise and chaos. All of that creates large amounts of stress and can be harmful to your health. Someone who is not used to being inside a home-in-progress will handle everything a lot worse. With that in mind, it is better to move out until the renovation is complete. 10 Tips to Help Couples Survive a Home Renovation Project  Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels Remodelling homes results in dust and noiseIf you are doing a larger renovation project that includes tearing down walls, changing the layout of the heating system, etc., you don't want to be there because of all the dust. For example, basement renovations are an excellent way to improve your home, and there are many new ideas you can try. However, this will generate a lot of dust that will end up in your lungs. Furthermore, some renovation projects require welding tools or concrete cutting equipment that may produce toxic fumes. Save your health by staying away from your home during all that work. Disruption to daily living caused by home renovationsIf you think, "I am only remodeling one room, why should I leave the house?" - you will make a mistake. Washing dishes, doing the laundry, or eating lunch will look different with construction workers in the house. If you try to clean after them, you will only be annoyed when there is more stuff to clean. You will not have your peace, and your daily activities will be disrupted. Furthermore, you cannot rest during the day because of all the noise. It is understandable if you don't have anywhere to go. However, if you have that option, it is best to give yourself some space. Speak with the contractor about home additions you want to make and give them space to complete the project on time. Your presence might cause delays. Construction work is dangerousConstruction workers use various tools to complete work. These tools are dangerous if not used properly. Furthermore, another danger is that you might trip on the cables or accidentally hurt yourself. If you have children, that is even more dangerous. When we talk about a home safety checklist during a remodel, the number one item on the list should be to stay away from dangerous tools. Safety tips when renovating or building a house - part 2  Image by Capri23auto from Pixabay You do not want to delay your builderThis may seem like a piece of false information, but it is true. Once your contractor creates a plan and presents it to you, they have a timeline they need to follow. Your presence in the home will create delays. Instead of working for a full day, they will have to take breaks more often to let you get other things done around the house. A delayed project is an expensive project. It will take more time to complete the remodel, and you will spend more money to compensate for that time. Protecting your belongings during a home renovationAnother thing to consider is to move all of your items to a storage unit. The essentials can go with you. You are doing this to prevent any damage to your belongings. Construction workers work all day, focusing on completing the work. They cannot split their focus to move furniture around the house or try to protect the mirrors. You must empty the space so they can work efficiently. Where to stay while your home is renovatedWe have already mentioned that not everyone has a place to stay during the remodel. If this applies to you, but you still want to move out, here are some alternative living options:
Things to do while renovations are in progressIf you cannot wait for a remodel to be over, find some projects to occupy yourself. One of the more useful ones is to plan how you will decorate your home. You can go window-shopping for some budget-friendly decor and browse the internet to get some ideas. If the remodel was costly, affordable decor could be a good solution to avoid additional expenses. There are a lot of options out there; just do thorough research.  Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels Move out during a remodel and save yourself a lot of trouble As you can see, staying inside during a renovation project may cause many problems. Move out during a remodel and keep your sanity. Once the project is complete, you will move into a new space and be happy about it! #homeimprovementtips #homeremodelling #homerenovation #homereno Other Useful Articles: Before employing a building contractor ask these questions When renovating your home avoid damaging other parts of the house Waiting To Renovate? Here's the Best Time To Do So
Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?
Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.  Does your house feel smaller than it is? Does your house feel small and claustrophobic? We can’t all afford to live in large houses. In fact, many choose small houses, they’re easier to clean and cheaper to run. Houses are shrinking in size in many cities as land and construction costs increase. But we can make small houses appear and feel larger. #homerenovationideas #homeimprovementtips #smallhouses #tinyhomes "we can make small houses appear and feel larger." How you can make your home feel larger
 "Light reflects and bounces off white making rooms appear larger."
"Be clever with the way you use space"
Advantages of small housesWe can't all live in large houses. They are often unavailable, or certainly very expensive. But large houses cost more to cool and heat. They require more cleaning. While smaller homes are usually more sustainable, taking less resources to build. It's not necessary to live in a large house if you use the available space wisely. Do you need a large house? Small rooms and small houses can be made to appear bigger by installing more storage and using some of the tips above to maximise space and make the rooms appear larger. What tips do you have to make small houses appear bigger? Happy remodelling and renovating. #homeconstruction #homeimprovement #homestorage Other Useful Articles: Are you wasting money or adding value with your home renovation? Simple Tips to Make Your Small Home Feel Like A Big Space 7 Tips for Home Renovation on a Budget  This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 2 - Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' © 2022 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author. Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses? Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.  In our previous article Simple Ways to Improve Your House Part 1 - Creating More Space we said there are many simple ways to transform your home with out spending lots of money. One of the biggest reasons why people decided to move to a bigger home, or embark on enlarging their current home was the need for more space. But often the lack of space can be easily solved and we discussed this in our previous article. A lack of space is often caused by insufficient storage, or badly designed storage spaces. In this article I discuss how you can improve storage in your home. #homerenovationideas #homeimprovementtips Adding Storage Creating More Space Adding more storage gets rid of the clutter and frees up space. Storage can be added by:
 Cupboard layouts #homestorageideas #homereno Creating More Space in Your HomeThere are many ways to increase space in your home without going to the expense of moving to a larger house, or embarking on a major renovation to your current home. Of course all these ideas can also be used if you decide to build a new house to ensure that your new home maximises the use of space. Here are some more ideas for a small home. In our next article Does your house feel smaller than it is? we explore more creative ways to make your home feel more spacious. If you cannot wait for our next article why don't you get your very own copy of An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 2' Available in paper or ebook. Simply click on the picture below to go to Amazon. Or visit your favourite online bookstore to get your copy today. #homeconstruction #homeimprovement #homestorage Other Useful Articles: Remodeling Versus Moving How to Decide Renovate, Move, or Build a New Home So, you want to live in a tiny house? Here's what to consider.  This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 2 - Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' © 2021 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author. Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses? Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.  May the holidays be filled with family time, happiness, and more. As you contemplate home your home improvement ideas for 2022 read my books: "An Introduction to Building and Building and Renovating Houses" Volumes 1 & 2
For more home renovation and building tips and ideas here are a selection of home improvement articles to wet your appetite: Tips for Selecting Exterior Paint Colours for Your Home Ways To Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly Designing the best house for you and your family Simple Tips to Make Your Small Home Feel Like A Big Space 7 Tips for Home Renovation on a Budget Questions to ask before starting a home renovation, or building a new house #homerenovation #homeconstruction #homerenovationtips #homeimprovementtips Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.  There are often many simple ways that can transform your house at relatively low expense into a ‘new home’ that will better fit your needs and where you and your family will enjoy living. It may be unnecessary to embark on a costly and time consuming project to build a new house, or to radically alter your existing home. It’s a matter of understanding what you don’t like about your house, then analysing what you can do about it. Sometimes it’s just about a change! In the following articles I'm going to present a few ideas that could help you create a ‘new home’ at a modest cost. Some may even be useful ideas should you decide to embark on a major renovation, or build a new house. All these ideas are included in my book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 2'. If you want to jump ahead and get all the ideas now simply go to Amazon or your preferred online store and get your copy of the book. Perhaps even get the book as a present for your partner or friend. Hopefully these ideas will help you turn your house into the home you desire in the new year. Happy reading.  Lack of space – illusion or realityLack of space is one of the biggest reason for embarking on a home building project. Obviously if there’s a need for an extra bedroom because of a growing family (additional children or elderly parents moving in) then there’re usually few options except to add another bedroom. #homereno #homerenovationtips #homeremodeling But, frequently a lack of space is caused by:
ConclusionHow can you create more space in your home? How can you make better use of the space in your home? Take a careful look through the rooms in your house. Are there things that can be tossed out? Can you arrange furniture and things better to create more room? In our next article we discuss ways to create more storage. Creating more space in your home with extra storage #homeimprovement #homeimprovementtips Other Useful Articles: So, you want to live in a tiny house? Here's what to consider. Bathroom Design Essentials - What You Should Consider When Designing, Building and Renovating Your Ultimate Bathroom - Part 1 Deciding what you want and what you need when planning and designing your new house © 2021 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author. Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?
Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.  (Photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels) When you find your dream home, it's tough to let it go, even if the reason is joyful. For example, your family might be getting bigger, so you no longer have space in your old home no matter how hard you try to squeeze everyone in. In that case, you might have to look for a larger house or house addition. While it is possible to find your second, bigger dream home - the process can be difficult, lengthy, and expensive. On the other hand, home additions are an excellent alternative for people who would rather put the money they would spend on a new house back into their existing one. If you have extra space in your backyard, you can transform it and add more rooms to your current house. If you're unsure how to do that, don't worry, we've got you covered. You'll find your complete guide to home additions in this article. Types Of Home Additions Before we get into reasons why you should get a home addition, the first thing in our guide is to go over some of the most common types of home additions. They are: Room Conversions Room conversions are the type of home additions that utilizes the already-existing space and transform it into a living area. For example, remodeling a basement is a great option to add living space or guest rooms to your house without the effort or expense of a complete extension. Attic and garage areas that were unused before the renovation are also great for this sort of home addition. Thinking of Renovating Your Home - Consider A Dream Loft Conversion Partial Additions Compared to room conversions, which are basically just remodels, partial additions are actual expansions of existing spaces. Often known as a "bump-out," they are used to increase an existing room in the house. These projects face the same logistical issues as a full addition but on a smaller scale. However, their goal is usually to add only a few feet to the area. The most popular application for this home addition is to build a kitchen bump-out to make way for an open concept kitchen.  When you’re considering home additions, it’s important to first realize how much work each addition requires. (Photo by Thijs van der Weide from Pexels) Full Additions Finally, full additions are a sort of expansion that transforms your property into a completely new space. Building a second story to a property as well as adding onto an existing level are typical projects in this category. Full additions necessitate the greatest effort since you are effectively constructing the room from the ground up. This means you have to hire contractors to take care of everything - from the foundation to the framing to the HVAC and electrical systems. #homereno #homerenovationtips #homeremodeling Will A Home Addition Add Value To Your House?Once you've decided what you want to accomplish by building onto your house, you'll need to determine whether such a large project will add value to your property. In most markets, expanding a home's square footage is an improvement that raises its value. When it comes time to sell, a remodel like this allows you to start with a higher asking price than you would otherwise. However, you should also take into account other factors. You should conduct research and look at other houses in the neighborhood, their square footage, and their value. For example, if your home is the only one in your community with one bathroom, installing an additional one may be a wise financial decision. Budget your new home build and renovation project.  Deciding if you should make a home addition is an important financial decision that requires a lot of research and planning. (Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels) Home Addition vs. MovingMany people don't want to deal with remodels and home improvements and think it's best to move. However, for others, moving can be a lot more stressful and difficult. So, if you're trying to decide between these two options, you have to carefully think about what's more important to you. For example, if you love your home and your neighborhood, and can't see yourself moving, then home addition is the perfect solution for you. In that case, a home addition will also allow you to redesign your home to your preferences and truly make it your own. On the other hand, if you're not as fond of your neighborhood or your current home, why stay there? If you still can't decide, look at the financial aspects of it. When you move, you'll have to pay money to hire a real estate agent, buy a house, pay fees, pay the moving company, and make any required upgrades. A home or room addition, on the other hand, will be less expensive than purchasing a new home because you will just be paying the contractor for supplies and labor. You'll also save a significant amount of time. #homerenovation What To Do During Home Additions & Renovations?If you decide to go the home addition route, you must consider where you will live while the contractors are doing their work. If possible, it would be a good idea to find another place to stay while the job is in progress. You will have different workers and contractors at your house every day, and you don't want to make an already complicated situation more chaotic by having your entire family be there at the same time. How to Make Your Home Secure When Remodeling and Renovating your Home However, sometimes this is not an option if you're already spending a lot of money on home additions and can't afford a separate place. So, if you decide to stay inside the house while the construction is going on, at least consider getting rid of some of your belongings to make more space. For example, renting a storage unit is the best way to protect your possessions and get them out of the way during renovation.  Make sure all your belongings are safe during the remodel by packing them or putting them in a storage unit. (Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels) Final ThoughtsAs you probably took away from our guide to home additions, such projects are definitely challenging, but they're also absolutely worth it. You get to stay in your dream home and improve it so that it fits your entire family and its needs. If you decide to go the home addition route, don't forget to also discuss changes with your kids. They'll appreciate it if you get their input before you start renovations. That way, by preparing them ahead of time for the upcoming change, they'll find it easier to get used to things. Moreover, don't forget to give your neighbors a heads-up about the possible noise and mess. #homeimprovement #homeimprovementtips Other Useful Articles: Are you wasting money or adding value with your home renovation? Restrictions which could impact your home renovation plans Waiting To Renovate? Here's the Best Time To Do So AuthorMiles McLaughlin always had an interest in interior design and creative writing. Currently, he’s fulfilling his dream by working for Four Winds KSA and writing pieces on topics such as interior design, renovation, and relocation. When he’s not writing, he’s hitting the gym or playing beach volleyball. Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?
Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.  Why Your Building Project Costs More Than The Quoted PriceDon’t think that the price for the building work in the builder's quote or contract is the final price that you’ll pay the contractor when your building project is complete. Inevitably there will be some changes and variations as your building project progresses, which we discuss in a future article. As we also discussed last week in our article Do not get caught out with this building pricing trick building contractors often include a cost allowance or provisional item for items such as ceramic tiles, floor finishes, light fittings, door handles and locks, and bathroom taps and fittings. If you select an item more expensive than the builder specified in their quote then you will pay extra for the difference between the actual cost of the item you selected and the amount specified in the contractor's quoted price in the contract. #homeconstructioncosts #findingbuildingcontractors #homeconstruction  Provisional Sums and Allowances and Their Impact On The Final Building CostIn addition, often contractors include provisional sums and prime cost items in their price. Provisional sums are an estimate of the final cost, while prime cost is an allowance for a particular item or task. The provisional sums cover the cost of items which the contractor can’t price fully now because they don't have all the information. This might be because you the client must for instance still decide on kitchen layouts and cabinetry design, or it could be because the design is incomplete, or perhaps there are unknown conditions like possibly what the foundation requirements will be. Unfortunately, some contractors also use provisional sums as a means to make their price appear low and attractive, then after the contract is signed they hit clients with additional costs (sometimes with excessively high mark-ups). So they deliberately put in their quote low provisional sums for items, knowing that inevitably the amount required will be more. So the total of their quoted price appears cheap, because it includes these low priced provisional sums, but at the end of the project their cheap price suddenly becomes very expensive when the actual cost of the provisional sums is included. Sometimes contractors are simply too lazy or too rushed to price some items so they insert a guestimate provisional sum. Contractors may have provisional sums for some of the following; clearing the project site, foundations for the house (foundations often vary depending on the actual ground conditions encountered), levelling the house site, excavating rock, preparing drawings, landscaping, kitchen cabinetry, built in cupboards, air-conditioning and items that haven’t been designed yet. A provisional sum or allowance is basically a guestimate of what the item will cost. The final cost is only known when the contractor submits a price for that item – usually after the work is complete, but always only after they have sufficient information to price the item. Sometimes contractors only invoice the extra amount when the project is complete, by then it is usually too late to argue the cost. For example: if the contract price for building a new house is $150,000 and this includes a provisional sum of $2,000 for clearing the site and then the actual price for clearing is $3,000, then you’ll pay the contractor $150,000 plus $1,000 (being the difference between $3,000 and $2,000) meaning the house will now cost $151,000. Of course if the cost of clearing the site is only $1,5000, then your house will cost $500 less (the difference between $1,500 and $2,000) in other words $149,500.  Image by Wolfgang Brauner from Pixabay Problems With Provisional Sum Allowances in Building QuotesThe problems with provisional sums are that:
Avoiding Unpleasant Surprises With Your Final Building Cost Packed with tips and insights that will save you thousands You can protect yourself by:
Know What You Are Paying ForIt's always important to carefully check your contractor's price. Understand what they have priced. Know where you could end up paying more. Monitor construction and be aware of how your choices and decisions could alter the final cost of your building project. If in doubt get professional advice. #homerenovationtips #homeimprovementtips #homerenotips Other Useful Articles: Checking Your Contractor's Price (Quotation) What’s included in your builder's price (or excluded) 14 Questions to ask your building contractor's clients  This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'. © 2021 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author. Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses? Click on picture to view books on Amazon Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook. Home Improvement Construction Books Black Friday Cyber Monday Home Construction Book SaleThis weekend only up to 50% of Home Construction kindle ebooks on Amazon.com and Amazon.UK. Sale ends Monday. A few dollars spent on these 2 books could save you tens of thousands on your next house construction or home renovation project. These books are filled with valuable construction management tips and insights that will ensure you deliver a dream home and not a house of horrors.
#homeimprovementbooks #homerenovationbooks #homeconstructionbooks
 Managing Prime Cost Allowances to Avoid Building Cost BlowoutsOften contractors provide a fixed price to build your new home, or to renovate your home, and their quotation lists prime costs (PC) or cost allowance items. These PC items are typically for floor and wall tiles, floor finishes, electrical fittings, and even doors and locks. What is a PC or Prime Cost Allowance and what are the implications for the final price the contractor invoices? How could your new home cost more than the price the contractor quoted? How can you ensure you don't pay more than the price quoted by the builder? #buildingquotations #constructioonprices #homebuildingcosts What is a Prime Cost or Allowance? A prime cost allowance is a monetary amount or allowance the contractor puts against an item that could ultimately have a different price depending on the final product you choose. That's right it's usually a product that you must select or approve. For example: If the contractor has a prime cost or allowance for ceramic floor tiles of $50 per square meter that means that they have allowed to buy tiles that cost $50 for a square metre of tiles. When the time comes for you to choose the type and colour of the tiles and you select a tile that costs $55 a square metre then you’ll pay an additional $5 per square meter, plus mark-up (profit). So if the house has 100 square meters of floor tiles and the contractor’s mark-up is 20% then you’ll pay an additional $500 plus mark-up of $100. If the house price was $150,000 it will now be $150,600. Obviously if you selected tiles that cost $48 then your house will cost $220 less ($2 + 20% by 100 square metres). So in fact it is possible that your house even costs less than what the contractor originally quoted you. But, you do need to follow up to ensure these amounts are taken off the final invoice because usually builders aren't in a hurry to give money back. Unfortunately it often works the other way around and most home owners select items that are more expensive than the amount the contractor allowed in the quotation. This might be because you chose a product that you liked but which cost more, and maybe you were even unaware it was going to cost you more. Unfortunately some builders deliberately specify low prime cost values to make their quoted price cheaper and more attractive. Of course this doesn’t mean that you won’t find a product for the specified price, but your choices of colours and quality will be limited and the products in the price range specified may not suit your style of home. Avoiding Unpleasant Price Increases on Your Building ProjectTo protect yourself from unexpected surprises on the final price of your home building project you should:
Avoid Paying Extra for Your Home Building ProjectUnfortunately frequently home building projects cost more than home owners expect. This is often because people are inexperienced and don't understand some of the jargon in quotations and contracts, or they didn't check the contractor's quotation properly. Checking Your Contractor's Price (Quotation). Maybe they didn't even know what to check in the quotation of contract. It's often not the contractor or builders fault, and possibly they didn't deliberately go out their way to trick their client. Home owners need to wise up, or get some expert advice to know What’s included in your builder's price (or excluded) When comparing the prices or quotations from different contractors it is important to check what the prices include. A cheaper price may have lower allowances for items than the more expensive contractor's price. However, you may find that if you go with the cheaper contractor that when you finally decide on your tiles, bathroom fittings, lights, floor finishes, etc, that the costs for the items you like are over the allowances in the contract, so in effect the final price you pay for your project is more expensive than if you had selected the more expensive contractor. So be careful to check and compare what the different contractors are offering in their price. The cheapest price is not always the cheapest price. In our next article we discuss provisional sums or allowances and why the quoted price isn't the price. #homeconstruction #homeimprovementtips #homerenotips #homeremodeling Other Useful Articles: Display homes, standard house designs and kit homes – the pitfalls Module home construction – a quick build or a headache Read This Before Selecting Your Home Renovation and Building Contractor.  This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'. © 2021 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author. Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses? Click on picture to view books on Amazon Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook. |
AuthorI’m a construction professional, author of several successful construction management books, and a home owner. I’ve made mistakes in construction management, I’ve seen others make mistakes, but importantly I’ve had multiple successful construction projects and I’ve learned from the mistakes. I want to share these lessons and my knowledge with you. Also available from:
Amazon Au, Amazon DE, Amazon ES, Amazon CA, Amazon IT, Amazon FR, Amazon NL, Amazon India and 'An Introduction to Building Houses - Volume 2 Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home'
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