Hotspace Blog

Colours for your Renovation

Jane Eyles-Bennett - Monday, February 06, 2012

I often get asked ‘how much will you charge to do my colours’. My answer? Nothing – because I won’t do it. There are so many other factors to consider and I for one find it impossible to ignore the things that I know NEED to change in order for a real transformation to be made possible. Colour is a very important factor, but it is only around 30% of what it takes to modernise and add value to any property. (Read More)

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Favourite Apps for Property and Renovations

Jane Eyles-Bennett - Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Well I've finally stepped into the current century and got myself a smart phone. How did I ever live without it! Well, quite easily actually (sometimes its a pain being bombarded with emails AND texts everywhere you go!) - but I have discovered some excellent Apps for organising my life. When it comes to property and renovations, there are loads of fantastic Apps to choose from so I thought I'd share a few of my favs.
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Managing your Renovation

There are a number of ways to implement your renovation and the one you choose will depend on your capabilities, budget and timeframe. Weigh up the pro's and cons of the following 3 options before deciding how to proceed. Minimise personal input and maximise the profit you make from your renovation by opting for either Option 3 or 4.

Option 1 - You carry out most of the work yourself (using trades-people as necessary)
Option 2 – You manage the individual trades-people yourself
Option 3 – You employ a Project manage/builder to manage your renovation for you

Option 1 – You carry out most of the work yourself (using trades-people as necessary)

Explanation	You: follow your Hotspace Renovation Design Report for all recommendations and specifications to renovate your property most successfully (can call/email Hotspace to clarify as necessary) gather 'supply only' pricing for items you will install/apply yourself gather and negotiate pricing from individual trades-people (for work you won't do yourself – ie electrical, plumbing) purchase 'loose' items (lights, vanity, hardware, joinery etc…) set your renovating schedule and manage your own timeframes complete the majority of the work yourself nominate and manage trades-people as necessary manage your budget, invoicing records and payments answer trades-peoples' questions and resolve problems on site as required carry out a final inspection to ensure top quality workmanship and project completed as per renovation report
Pro's	less 'immediately obvious' cost (however read the 'Cons' list) timing is more flexible good option if you are living in the property yourself and a fast renovation is not required
Cons	high personal labour content – weekends and after work hours are consumed with renovating tasks lower quality result than if professionals used time delays and extra costs caused from unresolved issues and inexperience (affects deadline and budget and ultimately feasibility of the project) you may not have access to all top quality, reliable, available trades-people if inexperienced, you may not know whether pricing is fair and accurate 'loose' items may be purchased incorrectly (dimensions, specifications etc…) unless Hotspace Renovation Design Report followed exactly, Hotspace Money back guarantee becomes invalid management of sub-contractors (if you use any) necessary every day they are on site (to keep on top of problems/issues) gaps and double ups on site can easily happen if communication is not thorough risk of missing errors or sub-standard workmanship off interim and final inspections if you are not inexperienced at recognising these
Cost	You are responsible for: supply only costs for work you do yourself (paint, products etc…) direct supply and labour costs for any work completed by trades-people Hotspace: charges for additional advice given (and site visits in some areas) over and above Renovation Design Report clarifications

Option 2 – You manage the individual trades-people yourself

Explanation	You: follow your Hotspace Renovation Design Report for all recommendations and specifications to renovate your property most successfully (can call/email Hotspace to clarify as necessary) gather and negotiate pricing from individual trades-people purchase any 'loose' items (lights, vanity, hardware, joinery etc…) not supplied by trades-people nominate and manage all trades-people for the duration of the project set your renovating schedule and manage your own timeframes manage your budget, invoicing records and payments answer contractors questions and resolve problems on site on a daily basis carry out interim and final inspections to ensure top quality workmanship and project completed as per renovation report
Pro's	less 'immediately obvious' cost (however read the 'Cons' list) timing is more flexible
Cons	daily management of individual trades-people required - which can keep you from doing your own work and enjoying your own personal time lower quality result and higher renovation cost since gaps and double ups on site can easily happen if you are inexperienced time delays and extra costs caused from unresolved issues (affects deadline and budget and ultimately feasibility of the project) you may not have access to all top quality, reliable, available trades-people if inexperienced, you may not know whether pricing is fair and accurate 'loose' items may be purchased incorrectly (dimensions, specifications etc…) unless Hotspace Renovation Design Report followed exactly, Hotspace Money back guarantee becomes invalid risk of missing errors or sub-standard workmanship off interim and final inspections if you are not inexperienced at recognising these
Costs	You are responsible for: Direct supply costs for items your purchase yourself (paint, products etc…) Direct supply and/or labour costs for trades-people Hotspace: charges for additional advice given (and site visits in some areas) over and above Renovation Design Report clarifications

Option 3 – You employ a Project manage/builder to manage your renovation for you

Explanation	Project manager/builder: follows your Hotspace Renovation Design Report for all recommendations and specifications to renovate your property most successfully (they can call/email Hotspace to clarify as necessary) gathers all pricing from individual trades-people reviews all pricing with you to gain approval organises and manages all trades-people for the duration of the project manages your budget and invoicing on your behalf You: review renovation report with Project manager/builder to clarify specifications approve quotes can purchase some 'loose' items not supplied by sub-contractors liaise with project manager/builder throughout the renovation process to answer questions and resolve problems carry out a final inspection to ensure top quality workmanship and project completed as per renovation report pay progress payments and final payment as agreed
Pro's	Project manager/builder: is experienced with renovating and so will easily understand the Hotspace Renovation Design Report gathers quotations quickly from skilled and reliable trades-people has trades-people on hand to start your project when you need them manages the trades-people on a day-to-day basis can resolve most problems on site quickly and efficiently has high expectations and so a top quality result is produced completes the project with minimal input from you You: can carry on doing your own work without having to be at the property every day get a top quality, higher value property with minimal personal effort can start thinking about your next reno sooner
Cons	you are left to liaise with the project manager/builder to answer questions and resolve problems for things you may be inexperienced at extra cost for project manager
Costs	Project manager/builder: usually a percentage on top of sub-contractors prices or may charge an hourly rate or may agree a fixed fee at the beginning on the project Hotspace: charges for additional advice given (and site visits in some areas) over and above Renovation Design Report clarifications

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