Complete Reno Novice: Do we need a floorplan to start renovations?

Discussion in 'Renovation & Home Improvement' started by Decbaux, 25th Sep, 2016.

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  1. Decbaux

    Decbaux Member

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    Hi Guys, long time lurker...

    Anyway, my wife and I just bought our first unit off-the-plan and want to start looking into renovations. The place is liveable but we'd like to update bathroom & kitchen etc.

    Do we need to get proper floor plans created before we start to be able to get proper quotes? The place was last sold over 20 years ago and was never marketed so a lot of normal info was lacking.

    What type of contractor would we go to for a proper accurate floor plan to be drawn up? It's only a 2 bed unit so dont want to go completely overkill if its not required.

    Cheers!
     
  2. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    If you are making structural changes then your builder or building designer will be able to do the required drawings for the areas you are changing.

    If you are just changing the layout of a couple of rooms, with cabinet placement etc,and you are using a cabinet maker or kitchen or bathroom specialist, then they will be able to do drawings showing layout of those rooms and will do a site measure too.

    When I had kitchen quotes, the companies visited my house, measured and then quoted - as well as providing a plan (and usually 3D computer images)
     
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  3. Decbaux

    Decbaux Member

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    Thanks Joynz, we found a bathroom contractor that sends around an estimator in advance and takes preliminary measurements, and then does detailed drawings after we engage with them.
     
  4. Stoffo

    Stoffo Well-Known Member

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    Off-the-plan/OTP would be refering to a yet to be built apartment/unit/duplex/house....

    You have bought a well used 2 bed unit in need of some work;)

    No plans required if you have in your head enough detail of "what you want/hope to achieve". (Providing the work isn't structural as Joynz said:) )

    Just draw up a to do list, then another sorting it into priorities and a timeline (of when trades need to be booked in for).

    If it all seems too daunting, throw away list and "call the reno guy" :rolleyes:
     
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  5. Decbaux

    Decbaux Member

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    Sorry yeah, meant to write off-market - dont know where that came from, thanks
     
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  6. Stoffo

    Stoffo Well-Known Member

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    Welcome :)
    In your shoe's, I'd visit a few display homes to get an idea of current trends.
    Then head off to some kitchen company displays, find two you like and organize them to quote.
    After that I'd go to Reece, check out their bathroom display and ask to be refered to a tile supplier where i would grab a sample or two as well as some local tradies they can recommend, call and book in for quote ;)
    On your way past a paint store, choose your prefered colors to have samples on hand when the kitchen company turn up, so you can then mix and match to your choice.
    Finally, once the kitchen is gutted and the tiler is busy in the bathroom, after you've started paint prep and need a break, go look for floor coverings, don't forget to take your color samples:oops:
    By the time the bathroom is done the kitchen should be close, and your painting "should" be nearly done in time for the carpet installation, final touch ups and DRINKS :D
     
  7. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    Let them measure, otherwise when things are wrong you supplied the dimensions, also for some things they may measure different to the way you do.
     
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