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Remodeling a bathroom
Any homeowner planning a bathroom renovation should know and understand basic plumbing techniques - even if you’re not planning to do the actual work yourself.
Things to consider:
• How does the water flow in your home work?
• Where are the pipes located?
• How can you relocate pipes?
• What needs to be done to install a shower cubicle?
It’s important to do your homework before attempting any major improvements.
For minor improvements and cosmetic changes such as replacing tiles, installing flooring and replacing existing sanitary ware and bathroom fittings, a basic understanding of these techniques is required.
Acquaint yourself with tricks and techniques for a professional tiling job by enrolling in a workshop or sourcing information via the Internet. But be careful! Many home improvement websites are not locally based and you may find that the techniques and materials used in their projects are not relevant to our DIY market.
Before jumping in:
• Be sure that you can obtain everything that you need for the project.
• Make a list of the products and materials required and put together a basic price estimate so that you know if the cost is within your budget - you don't want to start ripping apart your bathroom only to discover that it will take you six months to complete!
Modifying a kitchen
• As with a bathroom renovation, acquaint yourself with the various techniques involved in renovating. Moving electrical and plumbing fittings means that you need the services of a qualified electrician or plumber.
• When knocking down interior walls you may need to hire a structural engineer to check that walls are not load-bearing.
• There may also be minor renovations where you will either need to know the specialist techniques or hire a professional, such as laying a concrete screed floor, plastering walls or ceilings, and so on.
Home additions and alterations
• Knocking down, adding on and building up are improvements that you may not want to tackle yourself unless you have a fair knowledge of the processes involved.
• These types of home renovations invariably always require municipal approval of plans before being done.
• You will need to work with either a draughtsman or architect for drawings, and you may require the services of a structural engineer, depending on the type of improvement you wish to do.
• Also, although these types of improvements can be costly, when done expertly and finished professionally, they add value to a property.
Have experience in home improvements? Share the project/s you’ve tackled, what obstacles you faced, and any tips you think may benefit a homeowner who wishes to do the same.
Any homeowner planning a bathroom renovation should know and understand basic plumbing techniques - even if you’re not planning to do the actual work yourself.
Things to consider:
• How does the water flow in your home work?
• Where are the pipes located?
• How can you relocate pipes?
• What needs to be done to install a shower cubicle?
It’s important to do your homework before attempting any major improvements.
For minor improvements and cosmetic changes such as replacing tiles, installing flooring and replacing existing sanitary ware and bathroom fittings, a basic understanding of these techniques is required.
Acquaint yourself with tricks and techniques for a professional tiling job by enrolling in a workshop or sourcing information via the Internet. But be careful! Many home improvement websites are not locally based and you may find that the techniques and materials used in their projects are not relevant to our DIY market.
Before jumping in:
• Be sure that you can obtain everything that you need for the project.
• Make a list of the products and materials required and put together a basic price estimate so that you know if the cost is within your budget - you don't want to start ripping apart your bathroom only to discover that it will take you six months to complete!
Modifying a kitchen
• As with a bathroom renovation, acquaint yourself with the various techniques involved in renovating. Moving electrical and plumbing fittings means that you need the services of a qualified electrician or plumber.
• When knocking down interior walls you may need to hire a structural engineer to check that walls are not load-bearing.
• There may also be minor renovations where you will either need to know the specialist techniques or hire a professional, such as laying a concrete screed floor, plastering walls or ceilings, and so on.
Home additions and alterations
• Knocking down, adding on and building up are improvements that you may not want to tackle yourself unless you have a fair knowledge of the processes involved.
• These types of home renovations invariably always require municipal approval of plans before being done.
• You will need to work with either a draughtsman or architect for drawings, and you may require the services of a structural engineer, depending on the type of improvement you wish to do.
• Also, although these types of improvements can be costly, when done expertly and finished professionally, they add value to a property.
Have experience in home improvements? Share the project/s you’ve tackled, what obstacles you faced, and any tips you think may benefit a homeowner who wishes to do the same.
