An article about " Renovation "

How to Renovate Your House?

It is relatively a lot easier to design a new building in an empty plot rather than renovating an existing building to suit newer and modern requirements. For various reasons including budget, one may want to redo the existing building with additions and alterations instead of demolishing the existing building completely. Many will think renovating the building will be cheaper. But usually, it is only after commencement of work that one will realise the intricacies and expenses involved.

Before starting the work, one has to do a careful planning and be doubly sure about what exactly one wants from the building. Otherwise, one will end up spending more than what they have planned for or may end up getting a poor building in many ways.

Renovation can be broadly classified as:

 Touch up works which involve some minor repairs and finishes. This may be redoing a minor work on wiring, plumbing, sanitary or arresting leakages in the water tank or filling the wall cracks and having it repainted. Leveling of the pavements, repairing the doors and windows or combination of all the above.

 Minor renovation may involve redoing the flooring, altering the entire bathroom by replacing the entire wall and floor tiles, plumbing and sanitary lines, shifting and adding electrical points, minor additional civil works, removing and redoing the weathering course and roof tiles.

 Major renovation may involve redoing the floor plans, complete electrical works, sanitary, plumbing, flooring, doors, windows, grills, gates, painting, interior and exterior finish and elevation modifications. Only exemption could be basic structural system.

Clear Plan, imperative

Today let us talk about some finer points with regard to additions and alterations:

  Step by step process and study are needed in understanding the nature and the requirement of additions and alterations of the building. One has to clearly plan on the need and make the best use of the available building.

 One has to completely study the structural system of the existing building so as to modify the floor plans without much of structural complications.

If any part of the building is damaged extensively, one should not hesitate to demolish that part and redo it.

 If any part of the building is not going to be really in use and also going to hinder in fitting in the newer requirements, do not hesitate to demolish it. After all, redoing work is for convenience and comfort only. No point in retaining the portion of the building just for the sake of it.

   When you alter the building, see to it that it meets the local Government body rules and requirements.

Apply for the fresh plan and get the sanction before starting the construction.

Seek professional help

Do not think it is only additions and alterations and one can manage without discussing with Architects and Interior Consultants. It is much more necessary to discuss with them to get an effective result.

Any structural alterations have to be done with extra care and supervision. If more floors are to be added, check the existing foundations by an Expert. Even if it is a minor or major alteration, do not extend the existing wiring lines. Instead, remove the old wiring and go for the newer ones and the same thing holds good for plumbing and sanitary lines too.

Necessary precautions have to be taken to rework the dampness on the roof and the wall completely.

One can go for a totally fresh concept and look. It is not necessary to carry on the previous image of the building. But at the same time, it is worth retaining the image of the building, if it is reflecting the local culture and architecture even in a very small way.