Restrictions which could impact your home renovation plans

Image by Emilian Robert Vicol from Pixabay

Thinking of renovating your home? Before you start consider if there are restrictions which could limit or hinder your plans.
These restrictions may include:

• Physical restrictions which include:
  • The location of sewer pipes which might be in the way of a planned extension. The location (including vertical alignment) could impact where new bathrooms, laundries and kitchens can be added and even the position of new toilets, bathtubs and sinks.
  • The layout of the current house. You need the new extension to tie into the existing house's layout, or you may have to modify the existing layout to accommodate the new extension, but this will add to the costs. You also don't want the new extension to block windows and natural light in your existing rooms.
  • The structural integrity of the existing building. You don't want to remove a wall or column and cause the roof to collapse. Equally you don't want to embark on an expensive internal renovation if the structure of the roof is failing and in danger of collapse.
  • The design of the existing roof. Modifying an existing roof is often costly and can result in leaks and colour and material differences. Extending an existing house is cheaper and easier if it can be done without altering, or tying into the existing roof.
  • The materials incorporated in the existing building. Can you match them or will you have to redo areas of the house you weren't intending to renovate to match the new finishes and fittings in the renovated areas - adding additional costs you have not budgeted for.
  • The topography of the property. Sloping sites require level areas to be created for the extension, which require ground excavations or filling with earth. You might have to incorporate steps to go from the old existing portions of the house to the new extension.
  • The foundations under the existing walls. These foundations may prohibit, or make it problematic, to add another floor or storey, or could make it difficult to relocate internal walls.
  • The location of the current building on the property. Is there space for the planned extension?
  • The current architectural design of the house. The alterations, changes and additions should generally match the existing architectural style of the house, or the existing style (interiors and exteriors) need to be modified so there’s a coherent design flow. For instance, adding a modern cutting edge extension to a Victorian existing design in most cases will result in a mismatched poorly coordinated design. So matching a modern extension with an existing vintage house could require extensive modification of the existing fixtures, fittings and finishes (at additional costs) to maintain continuity. Having said this though, clever architects have managed the transitions with sympathy and good effect.
• Local or council bylaws and estate rules which could dictate the distance that the new building can be from the property boundary, the location and size of windows overlooking your neighbours, the height of the building and sometimes even the architectural features of the house. (Much of this I discuss in my other book, but needless to say it’s important that you familiarise yourself with all these rules, or at least engage a design professional who understands the various rules and requirements.)
• Heritage listing – some older houses are heritage listed houses which limits what can be done on the exterior of the house, and in some cases, depending on the type of listing, could even restrict what can be done internally. Heritage listed properties can be very expensive to change.
• Neighbours’ objections.
• Access for construction. Can the builder get the materials to where they are needed? What equipment is required and can it get to the construction area?
• The requirement to continue living in the house. How will this impact the construction if you require water and power to be available during construction? What about dust, security, noise, etc?
• Your budget. Can you afford the changes and renovations you want? Many a renovation has come unstuck and left half completed when money has run out.

Learn more about renovating and building houses

Click on this picture to read more 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.
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.