Upgrading or extending a period home can make a great project and deliver an exciting outcome, however it’s important to stay vigilant of any problems that home extension projects can present.

Glorious Spaces is a multidisciplinary DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION studio based in Cardiff. Offering fresh and authentic design, construction and project management services to homeowners looking for exciting and affordable ways to extend, reinvent and add value to their home’s for less.

We specialise in modern house extensions and whole-house renovation projects. By focusing on structure, light, materials and space we create clean lines and a clutter-free aesthetic.   Let us take the hastle out of reinventing your home 2024 style.

HERE ARE THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

Investing in a Money Pit

Not all homes have good renovation potential, you should take the time to observe, research and understand the property before investing in it. Glorious Spaces can help with this process our HOME BUYER - DESIGN SERVICE, will help you to explore possible renovation solutions and cost up your chosen design ready for the DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION team to start as soon as you pick up the keys.

No Contingency Fund

No matter how much you plan, not everything is straightforward, certainly expect the unexpected! For example the project may take longer than initially planned, materials may cost more or you may uncover a defect that you weren’t aware of. The golden rule is to add 20% to your overall project cost to account for the unexpected and hopefully it’ll still be there at the end of the project.

Style Over Substance

There is no point in prioritising interior finishes over building structure. It’s easy to start shopping for the perfect statement kitchen or amazing feature lighting. So make sure the house is fully insulated, any inefficient heating system is updated and badly insulated windows replaced.

Updating the Wrong Things

We know that renovation projects add value, but not all improvements are equal and have the same investment to outcome value ratio. It’s important to focus your investment on aspects of the property that will increase its value. Kitchens, bathrooms and useable outdoor space are always top of the list. Keep layouts simple and fuss-free, and invest in quality functional items that future buyers will take note of. Well kept, landscaped gardens and outdoor seating areas are also important.

Ignoring the Importance of Design

The fact is that renovation is expensive, so spend your hard earned cash on something you’re confident will come out looking amazing. Glorious Spaces can help achieve this by creating specifications that fit your lifestyle and budget.

Failing to put a Contract in Place

Glorious Spaces projects always include formal RIBA contract documents; it will protect you, help with any disputes and offer clarity if issues arise during the project. Suppliementary documents include a schedule of how much the work will cost, the expected dates of delivery and when payments are due.

Fail to create a Snagging List

It’s annoying, but looking over works at the end of the building work is part of the process, and irritating elements that arise after you feel the project has finished could drive you to distraction. Glorioius Spaces carry out snagging lists at the end of each project and ensure they are rectified to your exact detail.