The roles in a renovation
When starting out with renovation work, one of the many questions you might as yourself is ‘who exactly does what?!’ For many of us, myself included, we stumble through our renovations, getting checks and approvals and ticking boxes until we find ourselves stood in our newly built space, not quite sure how we got there!
Of course, it doesn’t have to be that way. If you have your own renovation work on the horizon, it’s a good idea to become familiar with some of the roles involved in a renovation and once you understand that, you have the key to making all the best decisions and ultimately creating the best space you possibly can.
So, who does what? And how could an Interior Designer fit into your plans?
Architect
If you’re certain that there will be building work to increase the footprint or alter the layout of your home, an Architect needs to be involved. Architects are highly trained in design and engineering, in fact, the name ‘Architect’ is legally protected meaning you can only call yourself one if you are registered on the Architects Registration Board. Designing spaces which are structurally sound and practical is their main role, so they are familiar with all of the building regulations and codes which must be adhered to when renovating. This will all be factored into the plans they will draw up for you.
Your Architect will also guide you through the planning permission process, getting you to the point where building can start knowing you have all of the approved plans in place. Your Architect can also advise on building regulations and finding a building inspector for your project (as could your builder, potentially).
A great Architect will also consider the visual appeal and aesthetic of a building, as well as the structural integrity and legalities of it all. Creating more storage, more light, more space, and doing it in a way which ultimately achieves your goals as the home owner… if you can find an Architect who thinks like that, then you’re on to a winner.
Builder (and Trades people)
Depending on how you want to run your renovation, you may hire one builder to complete the entire project and it will be their responsibility to sub-contract relevant tradespeople and project manage the job to ensure everything runs smoothly and to time.
An alternative option is to project manage a build yourselves, which would require you to create contacts with all of the necessary tradespeople and organise their role in the project. This option is likely to save you money as you’re not paying anyone a project management fee, but be aware that if you’re new to renovating this can be a big challenge. Even if you have all the contacts you need in the trades business, organising their availability and having the right people on site at the right time can be tricky and time consuming, and any issues or problems are down to you. It’s a challenge for sure, but if that’s what you love, then go for it!
Ultimately, your builder’s role is to deliver on the Architects plans. They will have a degree of structural knowledge and can advise on many aspects, however if during the process you decide to make any drastic structural changes, such as changing the footprint, adding a window, changing the roof height, etc, these should all go back through your Architect.
A builder’s role is to follow plans and deliver them, so don’t assume that they will have the same vision that you do. From personal experience, if you ask them for something that may be particularly difficult or even just something that they can’t visualise themselves, they might try to talk you out of it. They’ll of course want you to go for the easy option. But it’s not always the case and I have had clients whose builders have been very interested in the design side and helping the client create a visually stunning space, not just one that delivers on the plan.
Kitchen Design
It’s an obvious one. Kitchen designers design kitchens! Interior designers can often do this too but you may find that when a specialist kitchen designers works for a kitchen manufacturer or joinery company, the know the range inside out and therefore can very successfully plan a kitchen to meet your specifications and space.
How we move around a kitchen and use the space is also a bit of a science (ever heard of the kitchen triangle?!) and a good kitchen designer will understand this, will listen to how you personally want to use your kitchen, and will design the perfect one for you.
However, as with all of the roles mentioned in this post, some kitchen designers will have more of the vision than others. Again from personal experience, our kitchen designer knew the range and what was available to us, and actually designing the space was a bit of a puzzle - how many 30cm and 60cm cabinets could we fit along that wall? How many filler panels do we need in that space? That kind of thing.
What he didn’t consider was the visual impact and the attention to detail that would have made the difference. Open units for displaying cook books, for example. How the end of a run of units might look where it juts out from the wall. Nothing that makes or breaks a space perhaps, but the finishing touches that can elevate your kitchen.
Interior Designer
Fair to say that Interior Designers are considered a luxury for most, especially when starting out on the long and costly road of a house build or renovation. Often hired for advice as an after thought, there’s a real case for Interior Designers to be hired much closer to the start of the process, if not at THE start.
Interior Design isn’t just about making a space look nice, but even more importantly is about making sure it can be well used. Space planning (2D floor plans) are an essential aspect of interior design, as before we even consider paint colour and furniture, we’ll make sure the space works for you, flows well and is maximised to it’s full potential. This might even mean that an extension isn’t required at all, if you find a way to better use the space you already have!
Working alongside you to review Architects plans, an Interior Designer can give feedback and food for thought on all sorts, from where will storage go, what kind of doors will you need, does the flow between rooms work?…
Once at the development stage, working with a designer to figure out floor plans and electrical and lighting plans helps you get ahead of the decision making. The ability to confidently answer a builder’s question on the spot, knowing you’ll be happy with the end result and that you’re absolutely making the best of the space is a game changer, trust me.
I’m all for living in a space before you make any big design decisions, but let’s be honest, you don’t go down the renovation process to be sat in a cold empty room for months on end while you figure out what to buy. There are certain things you could and should prepare for while the building work is ongoing, so that by the time those builders leave for the last time, you can be living comfortably in that space and reaping the benefits of all that hard work and upheaval. An interior designer can help you get to that point - even helping you visualise it with 3D drawings of your space - while giving you the confidence to go on and fill your home in your own time and with the things that you love.
Interior Decorator
Not to be confused with an Interior Designer (although I’m sure there are some who can do both), a Decorator is the person you’ll need to actually deliver on yours and the Interior Designer’s plans, unless of course you’re going to tackle it yourself!
If you have renovation or home improvement work on the horizon, don’t leave the floor plans and design to the last minute! Get in touch today for a no-obligation chat and let’s see how I could help you!
