Once you have decided to renovate your home it is wise to take a second look at the job to ascertain just what is needed. Many home renovation jobs are quick and simple fixes with all the work done internally. Others that may seem simple can sometimes prove to be more complicated – and costly – depending on whether you need to do foundations or structural work.
One thing about adding a deck or another room is that foundations will be needed and this usually includes some kind of excavation. Few homes are built on dead level ground, which means that an excavator hire will be required and the excavation needed could be more comprehensive that first thought. In addition, people don’t use a pick and shovel to excavate these days. You will need to hire an excavator of some kind to do the job.
When the budget seems to get blown out and you can’t see where it’s all going to, it is usually those hidden things such as excavation, foundation work, plumbing and so on that it must be spent on. Here are some tips to help your budget if you are renovating with excavation.
- Be sure to have the plans drawn up properly and get council approval. Having to tear it all down because you didn’t will certainly waste money.
- A lot of the cost of excavation is in carting away the waste. You can sometimes save on this cost by keeping the waste to use elsewhere. You may want to level out or build up another area. If the waste is topsoil, it can be used to form another garden bed, or build up current beds.
- If you have to build a retaining wall to hold the dirt, try and keep it to no more than a metre high. Any higher than that and you will need an engineer to draw the design and sign off on it when completed.
- If you are excavating for a pool, have a plan designed by a professional for the whole project before you start. That way any further works will be able to go ahead, rather than having to be cancelled due to the position of the pool.
- It is worth getting the site surveyed properly because the deeper you dig the more it will cost. Surveying could prove that less is needed.
- Work out your budget early on and add a bit more to cover problems. For instance, you might hit a big rock.
- When it comes to drainage and waterproofing, get it done properly and don’t skimp on the cost. Cutting corners will cost you more in the long run.
- Make sure you know where pipes and power lines are so you don’t accidentally cut into them.
