Construction and renovation: the steps to follow
Location, terrain, choice of professionals, materials, costs or permissions, nothing should be forgotten when you plan to build or renovate your (future) home. Such a project is well prepared in advance to cope with the unexpected and disillusioned.
Imagine your project
At first, you have to define the outlines of your project. What do you want to do ? Build a new home, renovate one or more rooms in your home or expand it? The decision is yours. Everything depends on the objective sought: save energy, make your home more comfortable, optimize your space, etc. Your house should please you, so take the time to think about it.
Establish your budget
It is essential to establish a financial plan for your construction or renovation work. You must determine the amount you want to invest in this work. The construction or renovation of a house has a cost: materials, labor, notary fees, etc. Keeping a room for maneuver is advisable to deal with unforeseen expenses. Avoid unnecessary expenses. A schedule should help you to define the different stages of your project and the related costs. For larger jobs, plan to borrow money. You can also, in some cases, benefit from tax benefits and bonuses.
Study your land
If you intend to build your house, it is important to choose your property. Do you prefer it to be close to public transport or a school, or preferably in a rather quiet area, far from the shops? The land must obviously be located in a building zone and be served by the water and electricity networks. Once the location chosen, use a surveyor to delimit your land. You will have a better idea of the extent of your future construction. If you renovate and decide to enlarge your house, the principle is the same. However, make sure that you have room for an extension and plan any changes that this construction may cause such as the demolition of a fence. When constructing an annex, you must make sure to respect the distances to the street and neighboring dwellings (in the case of detached houses). You can not occupy more than the totality of the building surface of your ground. It is possible that your future district has rules of neighborhood quite constraining. Inform yourself in advance of these rules such as minimum distances between opening and separating limits in case of creation of a "view". An inventory will also be expected at the beginning of the work to identify joint ownership and works in the public domain.
Obtain an authorization
Construction and renovation work often requires a declaration to the municipality, or even a building permit. Any house construction or renovation project must also be covered by compulsory insurance, as well as by certificates of conformity issued by approved authorities. To carry out your project, you will need to call on professionals who each have a mission, rights but also obligations. It is important to surround yourself with competent and trusted professionals. Having a good knowledge of construction partners will help you define a list of those you need to complete your project.
The architect, essential element
The architect does not only deal with big projects like stadiums, museums or public buildings. It can also intervene in the construction, the renovation or the extension of a house. The architect is the partner most able to accompany you in your follow-up of construction site: it harmonizes the creation, adapts, innovates and makes the most of the site so that your project comes to life. It also draws the plans for your home, collects the necessary data for the project (site analysis, municipal regulations relating to construction) and establishes the specifications. It controls the good execution of the works. Even if it is not always obligatory, to call an architect remains nevertheless essential. Indeed, the quality of the work done depends directly on the quality of the dialogue with the architect.
One or more entrepreneurs
The contractor will perform the work you have planned. You can use one or more entrepreneurs but always make sure that they have the necessary skills to carry out your work.If you choose a general contractor, you have the advantage of having only one interlocutor for the realization of your project. The latter will ensure that the construction is fully completed and deadlines and budgets respected, coordinating the different actors. If you choose several contractors, you or your architect coordinate the various works (shell, roofing, carpentry, electricity , etc.). This option requires more investment from you. To choose a good entrepreneur, find out about prices, turnaround times and previous achievements. In general, avoid moonlighting.
The prime contractor, a full partner
The master builder works almost like the architect. If the latter favors the aesthetic side, the master builder puts more emphasis on technique and know-how. He is willing to carry out highly personalized work, adapting equipment and materials as needed. The project manager oversees the accomplishment of the architect's and the contractor's mission by providing them with the information they need.
Engineer and coordinator to guarantee security
Other actors may be involved in your construction or renovation work, particularly in terms of security. The design and engineering office may be required to carry out specialized studies on stability or technical elements of your construction, on request of the architect or architect. When several contractors intervene simultaneously or successively on your site, a security coordinator must be designated. All works are concerned, both the renovation and construction. However, it is preferable that the coordination of safety during the design and implementation phases is not ensured by the same person.
The choice of materials
Once surrounded by all the necessary partners, you must not forget to choose your materials. This choice will directly influence your budget. If the price remains for many a very important criterion, it should not be at the expense of quality. To find this quality, the merchants of materials are often distinguished from the stores of do-it-yourself. Certain design choices will also allow you to achieve great savings in materials or equipment such as passive solar or advanced structural plans.
Energy performance
If you are planning to build a new home or to expand or renovate an existing building (when planning permission is required), some regulations such as the PEB (Energy Performance of Buildings) regulation may be of interest to you. energy-efficient house and reduce CO2 emissions. This approach includes the insulation of your home or ventilation. An expert will accompany you in your energy renovation.
The choice of materials
Once surrounded by all the necessary partners, you must not forget to choose your materials. This choice will directly influence your budget. If the price remains for many a very important criterion, it should not be at the expense of quality. To find this quality, the merchants of materials are often distinguished from the stores of do-it-yourself. Some design choices will also allow you to make great savings in materials or equipment such as passive solar or advanced structural plans
. The 5 mistakes to avoid when planning your work
1. Do not write your project: Improvisation is the most common mistake, especially during small renovations, causing budget overruns. Write the most precise specifications possible.
2. To choose too quickly his professional: this error often leads to litigation. The professional is the key player in the success of the project. Look for references and compare professionals.
3. Do everything in the wrong order: poor synchronization and organization of professionals leads to additional costs and delays. Plan your work in the right order with the architect or contractor.
4. Do not read the quotes carefully: the estimate is essential for a good planning of the works thanks to the information contained there (dates of beginning and end, price of services, materials). It must be precise.
5. Mis-stagger payments: never pay the entire amount before the end of the work but 20% to the order and the rest once they are completed. The amount paid must be proportional to the work done.