Where you should focus your budget when building or renovating?
There aren’t many people who like talking about money, and as the saying goes ‘Money makes people funny’. Not in the haha kind of way, more in the go-silent-and-not-talk-about-it kind of funny. But when it comes to building or renovating, money and budgets are no laughing matter. When we set a budget regardless of how big or small, sticking within this is more often than not a non-negotiable.
It is often the case that what someone wants, and what their budget can afford don’t always align. It doesn’t mean you can’t get a dream home that suits your lifestyle, it just means you need to think about where you allocate those funds in order to get what is right for you.
Space, not SPACE
Okay, so the first thing to remember is that there are two types of space when it comes to building and renovating space and SPACE. Space could be a double height living area, or a family room where the doors can slide back and open seamlessly onto the backyard, or a cosy nook surrounded by bookshelves. SPACE, on the other hand is gross floor area, the bigger the better. So focus on space and you’ll achieve a home which feels spacious and expansive even though it may not be as physically big as a house that has more SPACE. Space can be deceptive like that.
Comfort
Focus on a design that will make you feel comfortable. By focusing on good design and designing with passive design principles in mind, you can create a home that stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter, that is filled with natural light and can easily catch a breeze. It will encourage a healthy indoor-outdoor lifestyle and generally make your life easier. Spending money on things like good quality insulation or double-glazing may not be something you can see or interact with, but you’ll feel it every day. In fact, it’s working when you don’t notice it. Just don’t undervalue it.
Materials – especially those you touch
Similar to the SPACE vs. space showdown and the comfort aspect, if you can scale back the physical space of your home and instead invest in quality materials, you’ll create a home that will last longer and can repay you over and over, not just in maintenance costs, but in how you feel. Investing in high-quality, preferably natural materials especially those you touch, you create an unconscious element that will lift your mood. Again, if you don’t notice it, that’s a good thing.
Great design on any budget
To make a home great on any budget you need great design. Design that makes your life better, more convenient, simpler, more fun, more beautiful. Instead of taking out the double glazing and granite tiles to add another room to your floorplan, ask yourself if you really need that SPACE. Feel comfortable accepting a bespoke design that takes you and your family’s needs into consideration, using quality materials and factoring in things that you will never see or think of again, but you’ll feel the difference every day.
Whether you’re wanting to renovate or build, we are always happy to have a chat with you about what the possibilities are for you and your family. Contact us on 07 3252 2613 or send an email to studio@alexandrabuchanan.com.