While all home extensions and renovations require meticulous planning, period and heritage home renovations require even more time, expertise, and care to preserve and enhance their beauty. If you are looking to undertake period home renovations, Camberwell’s Duncan Thompson Extensions are the trusted choice. As a family-owned, boutique building company specialising in heritage renovations and 2nd storey house extensions, Melbourne homeowners can rely on us for high quality craftsmanship and impeccable attention to period detail. Here we will look at some of the most common character home renovation errors so that you can avoid making them too.
Over Modernising
Renovating doesn’t always mean replacing old with new. While its natural to crave modern conveniences and contemporary finishes, some of these just do not blend seamlessly with an old frame. From beautiful fretwork to intricate cornices, ceiling roses and custom wall panelling, all of these details are unique to the era of the home, and everything should be done to restore and preserve them wherever possible, giving you the perfect balance between old and new.
Using Inappropriate Materials
Older houses require the use of traditional materials and construction techniques. Using the wrong materials can result in various defects and structural problems as well as a change in the complete aesthetics of the home. Therefore, it’s essential to take care to choose materials that fit with the age and style of the building. When extending an old house, using all modern materials will never be truly authentic, so it’s important to consider the different ways of approaching the extension. You can either design it in the character of the original building, or design it in a completely contrasting style, creating an obvious juxtaposition in design where the old and new meet.
Not Having Contingency Funds
There’s often hidden surprises lurking beneath the surface of older homes and in most cases, they can be unforeseen additional expenses that will need to be added to your budget. It’s vital you have a contingency fund just in case unexpected expenses arise, as running out of money and not being able to complete the project is one of the worst mistakes you can make when it comes to home building and renovations.
Aiming for Perfection
Renovating an old building won’t necessarily transform it into a new one, the aim should be to enhance its character and make it better suited to the modern lifestyle. Much of the beauty of period and heritage homes is in their delicate old features and quirks, trying to make an old house too perfect can tamper with its historic value and detract from its heritage appeal.
Working with an Inexperienced Builder
There are many home builders in Melbourne, but not all of them have the experience and expertise required to undertake a bespoke character home project. It’s important to do your research to find expert, detail-focused home builders that will be able to confidently perform the work needed to give you modern functionality without sacrificing the original design style. Heritage home builders have in-depth knowledge of traditional building methods, experience in the delicate nature of these old homes, and have access to suppliers who can offer suitable materials for the project. Before deciding on a builder, seek references from previous clients to ensure their style and quality matches your expectations.
Considering a Heritage Home Extension? Burwood to Bayside, We Are Here to Help
If your stunning old home doesn’t quite suit your family, get in touch with our team today. We will collaborate with you to deliver a contemporary home extension that will bring your home back to life. Our award-winning designers and builders have the required expertise to deliver truly beautiful extensions and renovations that will enhance your home, improve your lifestyle, and add maximum value to property. Call us today on (03) 9836 8655 or enquire online now.