You’re ready to start your renovation project in Costa Rica, but where do you begin? There are so many things to do it can feel overwhelming!
However, the right professional designer/architect can help you and support you through the process. Choosing this person is a crucial step.
There are always unexpected things to deal with when building a new house. When renovating there could potentially be even more things under the carpets to deal with.
Thus, the very first step is choosing the right professional to advise you!
The next thing will be to analyze and walk through the existing construction with your designer to determine the extent and budget for the project.
This crucial part of the project sets your expectations in every sense. At the same time, it will set the outcome.
It is vital to set realistic expectations, otherwise you could end up with something you didn’t want or blow your budget.
Be open and explicit with your designer to make sure you’re both on the same page. This will help avoid surprises down the road.
When walking through the structure, take note of all the areas that need extra care. Perhaps you have a hardwood floor that needs refinishing or a bathroom that needs to be “gutted”.
And don’t forget about the unseen aspects of the construction. For example, electrical installations and the core structure inside the walls. You might not be able to see them, but they are crucial to the correct function of the project.
They could also mean major expenses if a lot of work is necessary. Electrical work is very specific and the materials can be expensive. Or reinforcing the structure can mean a lot of extra work.
Now come the nitty gritty details of your project. You’ll have to find the water and electrical sources, get construction permits, etc.
Get a detailed budget from the contractor upfront and ensure that all expenses are presented according to the construction documents.
But what if you don’t know what should be included? This is where having a professional designer/architect on your side is so helpful. They have a better idea of what should be included in the paperwork and can point out incongruencies.
They will also check to make sure that the contractor is making an accurate quote. Plus, they will oversee construction, ensuring that installation is going according to the plan and the correct quality of materials are being used.
A trusted professional on your side makes your life so much easier during this process. You may have heard horror stories of the disasters that happened during your friends’ renovation projects. Perhaps the contractor installed subpar materials or underquoted the project drastically and the whole thing became terribly expensive.
Avoid the nightmare altogether with a trusted professional in your corner every step of the way
I would say these are the most important steps to starting your own renovation project. With a well-thought-out plan, the actual project should truck along quite smoothly.
After this, comes all the fun of the construction and then having everything come together, which is very exciting!
Follow the link to learn more about my latest renovation project in Manuel Antonio
Luxury Vacation Villa Renovation: New Life in the Jungle