Renovation Guides
Renovating
Working with Professionals
How to Work With Each Professional in Your Renovation Journey
Here's how to collaborate effectively, and get your money's worth, from each renovation professional
Knowledge is power, and this is especially true when you are renovating, building a new home or improving your existing one. Whether you plan to hire an architect, builder, kitchen designer or a trade, it pays (literally) to do your homework and engage with them on the right terms, ideally at the very beginning of your project. Here, we’ve collated Houzz’s introductory stories to give you a strong understanding of what to expect and to help get you started. Click into each to learn more and discover key pearls of wisdom from professionals in these fields.
How to find out if a builder is reputable
Rome wasn’t built in a day and, although we wish it was possible, your house won’t be either. Understanding this is critical to establishing a good working relationship with your builder, whose own timeframes are dependent on other jobs, wet weather hold-ups, shipping delays, material shortages and more.
The primary role of your builder is to bring your design to life, though many also manage your project and specialty trades too. But you’ll need to do your own due diligence by researching qualifications, reading reviews from previous clients and checking portfolios.
When assessing whether a builder is reputable, it’s also important to know the difference between realistic quotes and cheap ones, according to the builder we interviewed in the story below, who reveals exactly what you can expect from this critical trade.
A Builder Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Rome wasn’t built in a day and, although we wish it was possible, your house won’t be either. Understanding this is critical to establishing a good working relationship with your builder, whose own timeframes are dependent on other jobs, wet weather hold-ups, shipping delays, material shortages and more.
The primary role of your builder is to bring your design to life, though many also manage your project and specialty trades too. But you’ll need to do your own due diligence by researching qualifications, reading reviews from previous clients and checking portfolios.
When assessing whether a builder is reputable, it’s also important to know the difference between realistic quotes and cheap ones, according to the builder we interviewed in the story below, who reveals exactly what you can expect from this critical trade.
A Builder Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
What is an interior designer and what do they do?
Interior designers hold a university degree or college diploma and can design and document your entire renovation, even steering it through your local council. Many, however, prefer to leave this to the architects they often work alongside and instead devote themselves to creating and detailing bespoke interiors.
An interior designer is worth their weight in gold. Why? In part, it’s because you’ll benefit from their established professional relationships with reliable trades who they can sub-contract for flooring, joinery, windows, furniture and every element of your interior. Engaging one early in the planning process can also save you from making costly mistakes, such as ensuring there’s enough room to move through your bedroom when a wardrobe door is open and avoiding paint-palette regret.
Their professional eye can also steer you away from time-stamped trends, so as much as you may dream of having a funky stencil on your wall, your interior may benefit in the long-run from listening to, and trusting, their design vision. For the full inside scoop from an interior designer, delve into the article below.
An Interior Designer Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Interior designers hold a university degree or college diploma and can design and document your entire renovation, even steering it through your local council. Many, however, prefer to leave this to the architects they often work alongside and instead devote themselves to creating and detailing bespoke interiors.
An interior designer is worth their weight in gold. Why? In part, it’s because you’ll benefit from their established professional relationships with reliable trades who they can sub-contract for flooring, joinery, windows, furniture and every element of your interior. Engaging one early in the planning process can also save you from making costly mistakes, such as ensuring there’s enough room to move through your bedroom when a wardrobe door is open and avoiding paint-palette regret.
Their professional eye can also steer you away from time-stamped trends, so as much as you may dream of having a funky stencil on your wall, your interior may benefit in the long-run from listening to, and trusting, their design vision. For the full inside scoop from an interior designer, delve into the article below.
An Interior Designer Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
What an interior stylist does
While interior designers often take projects from conception to completion through council and are qualified to work with structural elements, building materials and the layout of your home or project, a stylist’s purview centres around the more decorative aspects of your interior. (Another type of styling includes staging properties for sale with furniture and decor to appeal to certain markets – scroll down to the end of this article for more).
Before meeting with a stylist, try to nail down styles you like and collate images of homes you love. Showing rather than telling them your style will save you both countless hours. Ever felt unsure how to work an antique family heirloom into a modern furnishings scheme? An experienced stylist can offer solutions. For more information on how best to work with a stylist, read the interview below.
An Interior Stylist Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
While interior designers often take projects from conception to completion through council and are qualified to work with structural elements, building materials and the layout of your home or project, a stylist’s purview centres around the more decorative aspects of your interior. (Another type of styling includes staging properties for sale with furniture and decor to appeal to certain markets – scroll down to the end of this article for more).
Before meeting with a stylist, try to nail down styles you like and collate images of homes you love. Showing rather than telling them your style will save you both countless hours. Ever felt unsure how to work an antique family heirloom into a modern furnishings scheme? An experienced stylist can offer solutions. For more information on how best to work with a stylist, read the interview below.
An Interior Stylist Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
What does a bathroom designer do?
No great working relationship between a bathroom designer and their client ever sprang from the sentence, ‘I can do my own tiling’. Unless you’re a tiler, avoid DIY work at all costs – especially in your bathroom and other wet areas. If you’re updating your bathroom or laundry and leaving the rest of your home untouched, these are the pros to call on.
A good bathroom designer will be able to transform your space without breaking your budget, using tricks of the trade – many of which are revealed in the article below.
A Bathroom Design Expert Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
No great working relationship between a bathroom designer and their client ever sprang from the sentence, ‘I can do my own tiling’. Unless you’re a tiler, avoid DIY work at all costs – especially in your bathroom and other wet areas. If you’re updating your bathroom or laundry and leaving the rest of your home untouched, these are the pros to call on.
A good bathroom designer will be able to transform your space without breaking your budget, using tricks of the trade – many of which are revealed in the article below.
A Bathroom Design Expert Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
How to work with a kitchen designer
Don’t be surprised if you engage a kitchen designer who tries to avoid creating an all-white kitchen. According to the specialised kitchen designer we interviewed below, the best kitchen designs spring from collaborations where homeowners make brave choices and don’t solely err on the side of aesthetic safety.
But bold material or palette choices don’t necessarily result in budget increases. To find out how professional designers balance forward-thinking features with cost-effective materials (and for information on the minimum cost you’ll need to spend on a kitchen redesign), click on the link below.
A Kitchen Designer Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Don’t be surprised if you engage a kitchen designer who tries to avoid creating an all-white kitchen. According to the specialised kitchen designer we interviewed below, the best kitchen designs spring from collaborations where homeowners make brave choices and don’t solely err on the side of aesthetic safety.
But bold material or palette choices don’t necessarily result in budget increases. To find out how professional designers balance forward-thinking features with cost-effective materials (and for information on the minimum cost you’ll need to spend on a kitchen redesign), click on the link below.
A Kitchen Designer Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
How to find a good cabinet maker or joiner
Cabinet makers and joinery professionals will become your new best friends when it comes to guiding you through the myriad materials on offer. They can also provide insights into which materials and finishes will last the distance and which are the best fit for your budget.
In the article below, a joiner explains that while many luxurious, traditional materials (such as solid timber and marble) perform well, engineered materials and finishes (including timber veneer), often last longer and cost less than newer high-tech alternatives. For more budget-saving tips, check out the article below.
A Kitchen Joiner Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Cabinet makers and joinery professionals will become your new best friends when it comes to guiding you through the myriad materials on offer. They can also provide insights into which materials and finishes will last the distance and which are the best fit for your budget.
In the article below, a joiner explains that while many luxurious, traditional materials (such as solid timber and marble) perform well, engineered materials and finishes (including timber veneer), often last longer and cost less than newer high-tech alternatives. For more budget-saving tips, check out the article below.
A Kitchen Joiner Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
How do I choose a good plumber?
Ever thought you could install your new tapware yourself? Think again. As well as experience and professional know-how, your plumber will likely have one thing you don’t – a license, which ensures the warranty on your new bathroom fittings is not automatically voided when they’re installed.
To get off to a great working relationship with your plumber, it also helps if you can tell your chosen professional what your existing hot-water system is and what your water pressure is set at. Click into the story below to find out more about working with this important trade.
A Plumber Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Ever thought you could install your new tapware yourself? Think again. As well as experience and professional know-how, your plumber will likely have one thing you don’t – a license, which ensures the warranty on your new bathroom fittings is not automatically voided when they’re installed.
To get off to a great working relationship with your plumber, it also helps if you can tell your chosen professional what your existing hot-water system is and what your water pressure is set at. Click into the story below to find out more about working with this important trade.
A Plumber Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
What is a landscape architect or designer?
Landscape architects and designers versus landscapers are very different professions – the former create the design, while the latter build it. It will help to first understand which expert you need for your project (it’s often both). Landscape architects and designers can also organise construction quotes and provide some of the plans necessary to obtain council approvals.
Landscaping can be a big investment so prepare yourself for the possibility that the quotes you receive will likely be higher than anticipated (to find out how much you will probably need to spend per square metre, click on the article below). Nevertheless, it’s a cost that’s well worth it.
A Landscape Architect Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Landscape architects and designers versus landscapers are very different professions – the former create the design, while the latter build it. It will help to first understand which expert you need for your project (it’s often both). Landscape architects and designers can also organise construction quotes and provide some of the plans necessary to obtain council approvals.
Landscaping can be a big investment so prepare yourself for the possibility that the quotes you receive will likely be higher than anticipated (to find out how much you will probably need to spend per square metre, click on the article below). Nevertheless, it’s a cost that’s well worth it.
A Landscape Architect Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
What is a professional decluttering service?
Decluttering and professional organising is not just for the rich and famous, this profession can also overlap with designing custom storage to suit your household’s needs. But when you hire a professional organiser, it’s not all about decluttering. Expect a deep dive into your household’s habits and personal belief systems, as well as some mindset changes towards your personal possessions along the way.
Keen to find out more about this profession and what it’s like working with a decluttering expert or professional organiser? Check out the article below.
A Decluttering Expert Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Decluttering and professional organising is not just for the rich and famous, this profession can also overlap with designing custom storage to suit your household’s needs. But when you hire a professional organiser, it’s not all about decluttering. Expect a deep dive into your household’s habits and personal belief systems, as well as some mindset changes towards your personal possessions along the way.
Keen to find out more about this profession and what it’s like working with a decluttering expert or professional organiser? Check out the article below.
A Decluttering Expert Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
What is property staging?
If you are renovating or revamping a property to sell, it’s always wise to call on the expertise of a property stager. Similar to a stylist, property stagers specialise in readying homes and interiors to sell, rather than to live in, and they work on redecorating or redesigning houses and apartments at a cosmetic, non-structural level for specific target markets.
Wondering how long it takes to stage a property with new furniture (hint: it’s much faster than you think) and what it costs? Find out in the article below.
A Property Stager Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
If you are renovating or revamping a property to sell, it’s always wise to call on the expertise of a property stager. Similar to a stylist, property stagers specialise in readying homes and interiors to sell, rather than to live in, and they work on redecorating or redesigning houses and apartments at a cosmetic, non-structural level for specific target markets.
Wondering how long it takes to stage a property with new furniture (hint: it’s much faster than you think) and what it costs? Find out in the article below.
A Property Stager Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
How to find a good removalist
Before you contact a removalist, nut out how much you need shifted (and tell them about bulky, heavy items such as a piano). A removalist will ask about access, so count the number of steps leading up to your home; make mention of any steep, long paths or driveways; and speak to your building manager if you share a lift with any other properties. Parking will also affect how long it takes to move (and remember, time is money), so suss out whether you can secure parking as close to your entrance as possible.
Be sure to ask your removalist about their insurance too, before engaging their services. For more insider tips and information, read the article below.
A Removalist Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Before you contact a removalist, nut out how much you need shifted (and tell them about bulky, heavy items such as a piano). A removalist will ask about access, so count the number of steps leading up to your home; make mention of any steep, long paths or driveways; and speak to your building manager if you share a lift with any other properties. Parking will also affect how long it takes to move (and remember, time is money), so suss out whether you can secure parking as close to your entrance as possible.
Be sure to ask your removalist about their insurance too, before engaging their services. For more insider tips and information, read the article below.
A Removalist Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Your turn
Which trade proved a pivotal hire for your renovation or building project? Tell us who you couldn’t do without in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
To dive deeper into other practical tips that will assist your building project, room by room, see How to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders to Get the Room You Want
Which trade proved a pivotal hire for your renovation or building project? Tell us who you couldn’t do without in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
To dive deeper into other practical tips that will assist your building project, room by room, see How to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders to Get the Room You Want
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Looking for an architect? It’s important to look at more than photographs of their portfolio and reviews from potential architects’ previous clients.
To find the right architect for your project and start your relationship on the right foot, you’ll also need to look at the needs of your household, be able to articulate your expectations and share your budget. Always check that a prospective architect is properly qualified with a university degree and check they are registered as an architect in your state.
As well as designing your home’s layout, an architect can detail the finer non-structural elements of your new build or renovation. They can also guide you through everything from colour and material choices and council approvals and managing your build and team of contractors.
In the article below, an architect reveals what else to look out for, including important questions to ask before signing a contract.
An Architect Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew